Handles: Titanium vs Stainless vs G-10 vs Micarta

J

JD Spydo

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Nov 20, 2004
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Since I recently landed my G-10 handled, digital camo, M390 bladed, C-36 Military model I've been doing a lot of thinking about the importance of the right handle material for the right cutting job. Because the G-10 handle on that model seems almost perfect for that particular model. Personally G-10, Titanium and Micarta have historically been some of my favorite Spyderco knife handles for everyday usage. But I'm willing to open up a discussion to hear what is your favorite handle material on your Spyderco knife and why?

I've grown very fond of the grippy and confident feel of titanium handles over the years as well. I do like the solid feel of stainless handles that Spyderco uses but I'm around a lot of wet, greasy and filthy work environments and I do find that stainless handles leave a little to be desired as far as grip/purchase is concerned. But again I don't feel like that there is one handle material perfect for every cutting job. Because on my Temperance 1 model I tend to like the FRN handle for outdoor usage on that model. FRN seems to be a bit more grippy than stainless does.

With all the new models coming down Spyderco's great pipeline I think it's high time we talk seriously about the wide array of handle materials available and which ones do you all find ideal for certain jobs and so forth. I've seen a lot of improvement in Spyderco's G-10 handles over the past 5 years or so as well as the newer carbon fiber handles seem to be better than the first generatioin.

Also what do you all think is ideal for folders and for fixed blades? Also what new materials do you all find to be ideal?
 
It isn't fancy. It isn't high end, but I like FRN. It is light, thin and more than strong enough for a small folder. The bi-directional texturing works for me.
 
Creaky Cactus said:
It isn't fancy. It isn't high end, but I like FRN. It is light, thin and more than strong enough for a small folder. The bi-directional texturing works for me.
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Creaky Cactus I couldn't agree with you more>> but there are just certain models I like FRN on. My fixed blade TEMPERANCE 1 model I've had for years has done great with the FRN handle it came with and I like FRN on a fixed blade better than I do with some folders I've owned with it. I thought the FRN handle on my Burgundy Spyderco Caly Jr ZDP-189 model had a super good grip to it. As well as my TASMAN models also seem to bode well with FRN. FRN handles seem to do really well in the H-1 Salt Series. My favorite is the FRN handle on my MATRIARCH models>> that knife just seems to be made for that handle material.

But overall I do like G-10 better for a few reasons>> but I would never turn my nose up at a folder or fixed blade I liked if it had an FRN handle.
 
While I do like G10 and carbon fiber a lot, I also like FRN. It's tough, light and can have a very grippy surface. What's not to like? I'm not a stainless steel fan--too slippery in my sweaty mitts. Titanium is a little less slippery and lightweight but it's pricey. Micarta? Can look nice or can look like crap, depending on how it's finished (that's just my personal observation). I don't own any Spydercos in micarta but I do own a few of other brands and I like the look.

If forced to choose, I'd probably pick G10 as my favorite material for utility with FRN a close second. Carbon fiber for appearance, followed by micarta. Titanium over stainless or other metals.
 
I personally prefer stainless steel handles on my folders. I just like the extra rigidity and secure feel of a weighty stainless steel handle. I also think Ivory would make a lovely knife handle . Many of my older slip joints have ivory handles. I like G-10 on my ATS-55 harpy too , but whenever l close the knife , the tip blunts out by hitting the spacer. And , as you know , a hawkbill with a blunt tip is not gonna make your pull cutting easier. But l do currently edc a Spyderco Autonomy and that does not blunt when l close it.
 
IMHO, grip has more to do with finish and handle shape than material. The sole exception may be polished "old school" phenolic resin Micarta, which does have more grip when wet than when dry. The titanium handle of the ATR has a rough brushed finish which offers a lot more grip than the much smoother finish Spyderco gave the titanium handle of the Sage II. But if you mirror polished the ATR's handle, then greased your hand, it's shape would still allow you to hang on to it. Peel-ply CF and G-10 offer a lot of grip, but the polished versions of either offer no more than polished steel, aluminum, or titanium. Same with FRN, it the texture, not the material, that provides the grip.

Personally, I prefer natural scale materials combined with knives that don't require textured scales to provide a secure grip.


carbonsteelfan said:
I personally prefer stainless steel handles on my folders. I just like the extra rigidity and secure feel of a weighty stainless steel handle. I also think Ivory would make a lovely knife handle . Many of my older slip joints have ivory handles. I like G-10 on my ATS-55 harpy too , but whenever l close the knife , the tip blunts out by hitting the spacer. And , as you know , a hawkbill with a blunt tip is not gonna make your pull cutting easier. But l do currently edc a Spyderco Autonomy and that does not blunt when l close it.
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The "good news" is that it's a self limiting problem. Whoever did the finish grinding and sharpening on your Harpy left the tip a bit too long. Once you've re-sharpened the tip a few times, it won't hit the backspacer anymore.
 
I got into Spyderco's after micarta stopped being used. I really would like to handle and own micarta. As far as Spyderco, I find their G10 about perfect compared to BM being more slippery and Emerson being way too rough. I have no issue with FRN and quite like it. The only SS handle I own is Dragonfly that was a gift and was engraved. It jacks the weight way up there unnecessarily but some people find "weight is sign of reliability" (thank you Boris the Bullet Dodger) and in that case I supposed it can be good. I would never own a SS model otherwise
 
I would like a fly cut Titanium handle that has the texture of the Gerber Harsey Air Ranger.
 
I do love titanium scales...particularly in the Sage 2. I also like the CF in my Calys. And, of course, G10 has always been grippy and fine. I have little experience with micarta, and FRN generally feels slippery to me, as does some CF.
 
Depends on the knife.
Micarta only on fixed blades.
Wished they used it more on folders.

CF is my favorite for Spyderco folders. Not a fan of G10 in general, but I do like Spyderco's textured G10 a lot.
 
Titanium on most folders. Some do feel better with sculpted and contoured micarta or G10.
 
I say that I like titanium, and at one point had ti frame locks almost exclusively, but my collection now is primarily g 10, frn, or carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is nice but I got the knives based on the steel not the material (s90v manix and yojimbo). i have to say it's a tie between g 10 and frn. I love the way the frn feels and I dive a lot and always have a h1 spyderhawk and modded h1 Atlantic salt clipped to my bcd. The Atlantic is my primary hard use knife (construction and landscaping) and I've never felt like I need more knife, that thing can take a beating. Most of my non work carry knives are g10, it grips well and has never let me down. I have a thing for purple and love that I can rit dye the lighter color g10 and frn handles easily.
 
Micarta, CF and G10 are my favorites. I was Spyderco still used more micarta since it is light, looks great, feels great and when lightly sanded offers good grip when wet.
 
The Deacon said:
IMHO, grip has more to do with finish and handle shape than material. The sole exception may be polished "old school" phenolic resin Micarta, which does have more grip when wet than when dry. The titanium handle of the ATR has a rough brushed finish which offers a lot more grip than the much smoother finish Spyderco gave the titanium handle of the Sage II. But if you mirror polished the ATR's handle, then greased your hand, it's shape would still allow you to hang on to it. Peel-ply CF and G-10 offer a lot of grip, but the polished versions of either offer no more than polished steel, aluminum, or titanium. Same with FRN, it the texture, not the material, that provides the grip.

Personally, I prefer natural scale materials combined with knives that don't require textured scales to provide a secure grip.



The "good news" is that it's a self limiting problem. Whoever did the finish grinding and sharpening on your Harpy left the tip a bit too long. Once you've re-sharpened the tip a few times, it won't hit the backspacer anymore.
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Thank you , Mr. Deacon sir. But l found another remedy to the problem. I use my SS VG-10 serrated Harpy now. The handles are wrapped with skateboard grip tape to emulate the grippy feel of G-10.
 
carbonsteelfan said:
I personally prefer stainless steel handles on my folders. I just like the extra rigidity and secure feel of a weighty stainless steel handle. I like G-10 on my ATS-55 harpy too
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Now I also like stainless handles for the reasons you've stated however I do have a big hurdle to get over with the wet/slick properties that stainless can have during wet and cold conditions>> I've wondered for a long time what if anything can be done to add grip to ridgid stainless handles? I've seen people take files and put knurling on stainless Spyderco handles but it sure is time and labor intensive. But there has to be a practical answer to get around that problem.

As far as Ivory handles I've never owned or used one and it's really one of the very few materials I haven't used. The more I use Titanium the more I like it>> it does grow on you after a while. But strictly from an aspect of grip/purchase alone its got sort of a natural property of tackiness>> which is kind of stange for most polished metals.
 
JD Spydo said:
Now I also like stainless handles for the reasons you've stated however I do have a big hurdle to get over with the wet/slick properties that stainless can have during wet and cold conditions>> I've wondered for a long time what if anything can be done to add grip to ridgid stainless handles? I've seen people take files and put knurling on stainless Spyderco handles but it sure is time and labor intensive. But there has to be a practical answer to get around that problem.

As far as Ivory handles I've never owned or used one and it's really one of the very few materials I haven't used. The more I use Titanium the more I like it>> it does grow on you after a while. But strictly from an aspect of grip/purchase alone its got sort of a natural property of tackiness>> which is kind of stange for most polished metals.
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I wrap my Stainless steel handles in skateboard grip tape to avoid slipping. Do you care to try ? It is quite good.
 
I'm most fond of G10 , titanium , and CF (including CF laminate).

I hate FRN and I'm not overly fond of aluminum.
 
Lycosa said:
FRN or G10. I like the warmth and the strength.
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I like your input but it's G-10 & Micarta that has that distinction for me. I know a lot of people prefer the light weight of the FRN handles but Micarta to me has more rigidity than just about any soft handle material.

FRN has it's place and there are a few blades that I do like it with but overall it's G-10 & Micarta for me.
 
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