FNR Handle Material is?

[akapennypincher]

What id it? Wears well? Plastic of fort?

[Tristan_david2001]

FRN=fiberglass reinforced nylon

[Toucan]

If you mean FRN, it's "fiberglass reinforced nylon". It's composite, the nylon is plastic, and the fiberglass is glass fibers -- so silica, and probably some other stuff. Plus whatever else goes in the secret sauce. Surely, some UV stabilizers and pigment.

I've never had FRN break or fall apart. It is softer and more flexible than something like G10, which can worry some people with liner-less models, because they will feel some flex. It can be gouged relatively easy, but that shouldn't happen much unless there's some misuse, like using the scales as a bottle opener.

I think the main advantage is that it can be injected into molds to make scales rather than machining a block of something into the shape of a handle. Generally that means the initial cost is higher, but mass production is cheaper. Hence it is common on budget versions of knives. It's also lighter than G10 or steel, so those versions are often called "light weight". This is a pro for some and a con for others. Personally, I used to dislike it, but now I prefer it. Cheaper, lighter, more grippy, more color options. What's not to like?

Get a Chaparral LW (or a Sage LW, though I've never owned that model) if you wanna see how good FRN can be. Otherwise, there is the tried and true Seki lineup that goes from the Ladybug to Police. Personally I like the Endura best. And if you hate humps, or want an Golden made model, there's always the Native 5 LW.

[Cowboyfromhell]

Um...what?...

[akapennypincher]

It is very tough material, it’s on my BORN IN 1998 Spyderco, almost time for a Walker.🫠

[prndltech]

It is very tough material, it’s on my BORN IN 1998 Spyderco, almost time for a Walker.🫠

So what exactly are you asking then?


It’s a composite material. Similar to what glock lowers are made of. As you know, very tough and will likely outlast you.

[akapennypincher]

Sals brain child?

[James Y]

FRN used to be called Zytel. Zytel i believe was created by Dupont. The first Zytel-handled folder was the Blackie Collins-designed Gerber LST in 1981 or so. The LST was linerless (my first Zytel-handled knife).

Spyderco didn't start using Zytel as a handle material until the early 1990s, I think. IIRC, Spyderco started calling it FRN, because of something to do with Dupont. And I think there's possibly a slightly different mix of ingredients in FRN.

Jim

[apollo]

Its sturdy , wear resistant can take a lot of colors and the main thing for its use is except for the starting cost of making the molds it is as cheap as can be compared to premium materials as g10 , cf , micarta ,… not that you will notice it in you’re wallet when you buy a knife with it these days but that the summery.

[WyoJon]

The unlined frn handles are stout. The endura is fully lined frn. Indestructable. Love frn. Grippy even when muddy, cleans with brake cleaner.

[billdoier72]

...grippy yet easy on the pants.