Spyderco Forums

Has Spyderco ever made a knife with scales of this material? This stuff is interesting because it has to be highly polished, yet it is still grippy, even when wet. Pistol and revolver grips can be made from it for this reason. It comes in some very interesting patterns and colors, some of which admittedly are tacky, but many of which are beautiful and interesting.

I wonder if a Chaparral with this material would be a welcome thing?

The closest is the Chaparral in Raffir Noble - which is another acrylic based product

I can't get over the patterns they use for it - they all look kinda tacky to me

Sounds interesting. I had to look that up, but the description I found said it's "toughened acrylic with very thin colored strands of poly paper swirled through the mix.” It reminds me of raffir noble scales, and I found some very nice looking patterns.

First I've ever heard of it, it's cool looking though, some of the samples I saw from google images remind me of the Fradon 4v Manix2 scales... neat-o-burrito!

Cheers,

John

Hi Doc,

That name sounds familiar. I seem to remember we played around with it about 10 years ago.

viewtopic.php?t=59980

sal

It looks like Sal beat me to it. Yes, Spyderco has used this material. I had a regular Manix 2 with these scales and a crack developed from the lanyard tube to the end of the scale, approximately 1/4" long.

https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C95GITD2/967

While the very first version of the first EDC Forums glow knife looked more like Moon Glow (which glows pretty bright), all the subsequent EDC Forums must have been the Kirinite version (which doesn't hold a glow as long). I think Moon Glow and Kirinite are pretty much the same from a material standpoint, just different glow materials. Kirinite is relatively soft and not super strong. You have to be careful when sanding/cutting it so you don't melt it.

I have some scale material made out of the glow Kirinite and Moon Glow, but since I lost my shop space a few years back, I haven't been able to do anything with them yet.

I just saw that Case is making Kirinite Glow In The Dark scales with colors.

It can be had in beautiful patterns imitating pearl, it can be black with silver flecks, multicolored, and just nice to look at. Some combinations can be gaudy. It’s got something for everyone I guess.

Besides a Chaparral, I bet a Roadie would be really nice in this stuff.

I bought a custom with this material in a very nice 4V knife. It didn't take me long to figure out I needed to rough up the scales for traction. I'm used to FRN, G10, Micarta etc. and Kirinite just didn't cut it in comparison. It looks great though. Perhaps if it had a pattern in it I might have felt different. A sure grip is essential for me and if I don't have it no matter how nice the knife is otherwise it gets put aside.

I found these. Case, Bark River, and others are using kirinite.

It's an interesting material and it has its "features". There are many "interesting" materials and we're open to all of them......who knows?

sal

I ordered a Case with Kirinite to check it out.

I've also heard that Kirinite cracks relatively easily, which is its main downfall. I do really like it as a scale material though, on a knife that may not see a lot of beating it would be really nice.

I’ve never read that. I’ve consistently read how durable it is and how it still has traction when damp, both from knife makers and users. Where did you read that? MooNglow can crack, but it is not Kirinite glow.

Doc Dan wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 8:26 am

I’ve never read that. I’ve consistently read how durable it is and how it still has traction when damp, both from knife makers and users. Where did you read that? MooNglow can crack, but it is not Kirinite glow.

I looked into it because I had heard it had some traction when wet. I considered using it on the very first prototype of the Waterway for that reason but I never got my hands on any to try out. I’d still be open to trying some.

Surfingringo wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 8:41 am

Doc Dan wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 8:26 am

I’ve never read that. I’ve consistently read how durable it is and how it still has traction when damp, both from knife makers and users. Where did you read that? MooNglow can crack, but it is not Kirinite glow.

I looked into it because I had heard it had some traction when wet. I considered using it on the very first prototype of the Waterway for that reason but I never got my hands on any to try out. I’d still be open to trying some.

I haven’t gotten my little knife yet. All I know is that custom knife makers use it, Bark River, Case, and other knife making companies use it. It seems interesting.

Doc I've used it on 6 or so mules just to see if I liked it. I've found that even at high polish it has really good grip even when wet, but have no idea if blood or other nasties might change that. Haven't had any cracking or brittleness, but it does seem to scratch and haze with use; quick buff brings it right back though.


1,3 and 4 are Kirinite. I personally like the feel and some of the patterns, YMMV

I've seen this offered on a number of Bark River fixed blades. The acrylics do get my attention but have always seemed a little bit bowling-ball-esque to me.

CG