Carbon Fibre over Micarta

[automaticman]

Carbon fibre "could" be a big hit for a knife compaby such as Spyderco. I know it would look space-age but never the less. Have you ever thought about incorporating compposite materials into your knife handles?

[sal]

Hi Automaticman. We've made a few models in Carbon fiber over the years. The demand was not as great as we'd hoped.

We're still working on CF models for prototypes and possible future production, Primarily because I'm hung up on "light, strong and fast" (a la Grand Prix) in performance chasing.

But experience dictates that we move carefully lest we make mistakes.

The next CF model will be a single run (&quot;sprint&quot<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> of CF Civilians. We'll be making a low enough quantity that we can ensure pre-selling the batch. sitting on expensive inventory hurts small companies.

I have another model also planned for CF production, but the initial production will be G-10.

We found that CF is more stable than micarta.

sal

[Fuad Gomez]

Sal,

After seeing your reply, I wanted to chime in. I'm really a fan of lighter too, but dislike the Zytel material. I do, however, like the coated aluminum finishes (like those on my aluminum Cricket and &quot;R&quot; knife).

I like the carbon fiber material in general. However, on the Dragonfly and the Cricket, I really don't like the pattern used. I know that you can weave the CF material differently. I wonder if the CF pattern has stopped others (as it did for me) from buying what would otherwise be an excellent knife material. (I did, BTW, buy both a Cricket and a Dragonfly, just not in the CF material).

[TheBeak]

as always sal, i need to take the oppertunity to chime in and tell you &quot;if you make it in CF, ill buy one.&quot;

since i cannot affort to collect the whole line, i want to have one of each production model with CF scales. (id take a proto too, im not hung that it has to be from a full run...)

[sal]

Hi Fuad. Welcome to the Spyderco forum. Hi Beak. Good to see you around.

Thanx for the input. I personally prefer Carbon Fiber over other materials, but for it's rigidity and lite weight. I like mine textured, which pretty much eliminates an easily seen pattern. Performance, as always is my prime motivation.

What pattern would make a difference to you?

sal

[mundele]

Sal,
What do you mean that Carbon Fiber is more &quot;Stable&quot; than Micarta? Is CF inherently more expensive than Zytel or Micarta? I've noticed that all the CF knives I've seen have been quite a bit more expensive (which could be due to the fact that they were limited runs, rather than more expensive handle material I guess...) I would like to see a Calypso Jr. lightweight with CF handles (a good excuse to buy another...)

--Matt

[sal]

Hi Mundele. Carbon fiber is probably 4 - 6 times more expensive than micarta. Both in material costs and working the material.

Micarta stretches and shrinks with humidity. Carbon fiber and G-10 don't move.

sal

I'd have to agree with Fuad about the patterning of the material. I much preffer a texturing over a superficial effect. I do like the fact that a few companies have recently made more models with aesthetically placed traction grooves to add to a textured surface. When it comes to handles, I like to see carved/sculpted contours with some degree of functionality, as opposed to just
2 dimensional effects applied as eyecandy. Colors and patterns on handles have dissuaded me from purchasing at least a few good knives in the past.

Ken

Edited by - KenN on 9/19/00 1:43:47 PM

[mundele]

Sal, thanks a lot for the info. By the way, I just received my Sharpmaker 204 and the training video is excellent. You guys did a really great job...

--Matt

[sal]

Thank you Matt.