Why do u polish Carbon Fiber???

[AncientSUL]

Hello Sal and fellow forumites.



Now this is another question that has been on my mind for sometime. I have owned at one time or another folders with CF handles. Most companies including Spyderco polish the CF to a smooth flat finish. I know that this makes it look really nice. The weave pattern is great. But it is really slippery. I stop buying these knives because of it. Now I like CF. I think it is a great material. I have also seen custom maker Howard Viele put CF scales on his Silent partner models. But on his, the CF scales are not buff they actually still have a raise weave pattern on it. I think that looks great. It might not have that light affect but I think it is great for handling. Allen Elisewitz grind the CF on his folders smooth but they have a mat finish and not polish. This is pretty good for handling. And lastly Bob T have his molded CF. Even though it looks like G-10 to me it is light and strong. It also have a really nice raise texture for more grip. Have you ever have prototypes CF crikets, ladybuy with the rough CF scales??? Will the new CF Civilians be smooth too?? FYI I already ordered 3 CR Civis. Can't wait till I get them.

Liong

[Carlos]

Hi Liong,

Actually I was just pestering Sal about this yesterday. Here is his response to me from the other forum:

"Hi Carlos. Actually, a bead blasted formed CF was the original plan for the Temperance. We'll be using G10 for a while to refine the model. Then we'll see where it goes."

Personally I have never understood the fascination with looking at CF. It seems strange to me that this expensive high-tech material is used as decoration rather for its superior structural characteristics.

I should confess, the first time I saw a racing motorcycle with a CF body (unpainted) I thought, &quot;Ick, why didn't they paint it?&quot; <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[AncientSUL]

Hey Carlos,

I read that over at the Spydie forum at BF. I would love to see a molded CF handle on the Temperance. I think it would be awesome. And if it is molded the nested liners would not be a problem in terms of extra costs. To me CF looks great alone, without all the polishing. Let see what Sal has coming out for us next.

Liong

[Carlos]

I think that we need to develop some terminology to differentiate easily between the two very different types of &quot;molded carbon fiber.&quot;

One is injection molded, with carbon fiber filaments filling (about 30%) a nylon matrix. Basically an upgrade from fiberglass-filled nylon (Zytel, etc.)

The other is a lamination of continuous weave carbon fiber cloth that is layered and epoxied by hand into a mold, compressed, vacuumed sealed, then cured (thermoset) in an oven. Very strong but expensive to do. You can even tailor the rigity of the finished piece by altering the direction of the fibers.

Any ideas for easy and distinct terms?

[AncientSUL]

Carlos,

How about for the Molded Carbon Fiber (MCF)
and the laminated Carbon Fiber (LCF). What do u think. And Spyderco Design Team (SDT)

Liong

[Carlos]

Hi Liong,

The only problem with that is that the flat sheets of CF that is typically used for handles is also an epoxy laminate. LCF would apply to both the molded and more common sheet varieties.

How about:

IMCF - Injection Molded Carbon Fiber
MCFL - Molded Carbon Fiber Laminate


Or maybe this is an easier way:

&quot;formed&quot; CF for the laminate (to use Sal's word)

and

&quot;molded&quot; CF for the injected composite (to use Bob Tezuola's word).

I was trying to avoid using hard-to0remember acronyms. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[AncientSUL]

Carlos,

That sounds ok to me. Lets' see if Sal agrees. Later.

Liong

[sal]

Liong, Carlos. I pesonally prefer the texture and grip. We make polished carbon fiber simply becuase it is often a collector that buys it and they seem to prefer the polished CF.

My own designs for using will try to texture the CF.

I think that formed and molded works ok, but might confuse some. I think injection molded and formed might be more specific.

sal

[AncientSUL]

Ok Now we have,

Injection molded Carbon Fiber=IMCF
Formed Carbon Fiber=FCF
Lamated Carbon Fiber=LCF

I think that works. Sal any plans for future models to use carbon fiber in one form or another. I already ordered three CF Civilians. Can't wait till they get here.

Liong

[Carlos]

Hi Sal,

Any idea of the costs involved with injection molded CF? I was wondering if (manufacturing cost wise) it is a realistic alternative to FRN for knives in the Endura/Delic price class, or is it more on the scale of aluminum and G10 (the high-end stuff)?

Of course we know that CF laminate sheet and hand-formed CF exist at their own price point high above everything else.

Edited by - Carlos on 1/3/2001 9:03:21 AM