Kirinite?

K

kaizo

Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
798
I've recently have seen some great works done by Spketch using a material called kirinite but does anybody have any info on this? Particularly in comparison to micarta and G10. I personally think they look beautiful especially the pearl scales. But what caught my eye was the glow in the dark ones which looks like natural G10 in colour. I can get some stingray hide in similar shades so I may get hold of one to make a sheath if the mechanical properties are good. Are they as tough as micarta or G10s?

Thanks for your help! :)
 
Kirinite is not as tough as g10 and micarta, but not much is. The thinner you go with the material, the more brittle it is. Totally fine for an edc, but if you drop it the right (wrong) way on a hard surface it can crack or chip.

I've tested some pieces around 3mm thick. Laid on concrete it can handle light hammer taps without I'll effect. It also takes a moderate amount of force to break by throwing at the concrete. Attached to a knife or a sheath with a knife in it though the added weight increases the force quite a bit.

Basically in the same category as wood and ctek for toughness. Beautiful stuff though.


If you're just looking for plain glow material, I'd recommend moonglow acrylic. The glow kirinite is decent, but moonglow blows it out of the water in brightness and glow time. Worth the extra cost IMO.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply Spketch!

It sounds like its an ideal scale for a folder which I usually reserve for fine work like cutting fish, meat etc...

I'm building my collection based on what I need at the moment so I think I'll get a nice folder next with kitinite (right now I've got a really basic folder with plastic scales) and then when I get the big check in. Custom grail knife hopefully made by Darrin!

Thanks for the reply again I'll look into the moonglow acrylic too! :)
 
Danketch said:
Was just reading about this material last nite- it's synthetic mother of pearl, and they used to use it for toilet seats in the 1930s. For some reason, guys decided to make knife scales out of them. I have no experience with it, but supposed to be not very durable, and only used on cheap knives, from what I read.

source

http://www.jayfisher.com/Handles_Knife_Manmade_Materials.htm
Click to expand...

Oh dear is that what it is? Well that's a simple formula: inebriation -> visit to the throne -> ooh that 's not too shabby is it? -> kirinite scales

And Kai Winters all thanks to you I can't stop calling kirinite kryptonite now!!
 
Keep in mind some of Jay's knives go for the same price as a decent used car. The definition of "cheap" varies from person to person...
 
Just saw some GITD Kirinite,seem like it does not take much too finish and works just like wood.May pick up some for one of my spyderco mules.
 
kaizo said:
Oh dear is that what it is? Well that's a simple formula: inebriation -> visit to the throne -> ooh that 's not too shabby is it? -> kirinite scales

And Kai Winters all thanks to you I can't stop calling kirinite kryptonite now!!
Click to expand...

hehehe
 
I will post some pics of some new stuff.
Steve covered it mostly.
Honestly 60% of all scale request I get lately are of kirinite then carbon fiber followed by micarta and G10. It is the most popular material that I work with. Pick a good pattern and the knife wont look gaudy.
Matt
 
Yeah I've seen some knives by jay fisher I like the design but the prices are way out of my reach for now. May be one day.

And bellablade yes please! I would love to see some of your work!! :)
 
I agree with Matt. If you choose the pattern carefully it can look quite nice. A few of my favorites, including a moonglow backspacer:



 
To go with steves, some lava, midnite blue, and desert patterns as well. Oh and a red MOP for the ladies.








 
Last edited:
Gentlemen you are a bad influence. I'm going to be investing in a spyderco southard at this rate!

Out of interest are these scales ready to be bolted on? I.e. if I buy one in the future do I need to send my knife off to you or can you simply send me the scales?
 
I've never seen it in person, but I always think of bowling balls when I see pictures of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top