handle scale materials

[tique]

I was looking over some material specs the other day and noticed something odd about the G-10 we all know and love. It has a temperature rating that could cause some problems. The high range is fine, but the given low range was only to 0ºF. Under normal conditions this would be fine, and where I live, it would be rare to have a problem, but there are places/situations that would call for a material, such as G-11, with a lower temperature rating. For example, I used to live in Indiana, and it was not an uncommon thing to see temperatures well below 0º there in the winter when I was camping. According to what I was reading, the G-10 could cause me problems if I left my knife sitting on a table or laying about in a situation like that. I don't know if it becomes dimensionally unstable or if it becomes brittle, but neither of those would be a good thing to have happen if I was in need of my knife and it was at a very low temperature.



This concerns me slightly as I almost always recommend a knife with G-10 scales to use in winter conditions to my friends as the metal handles really can cause problems when that cold.



So I guess my question is, why doesn't G-11, or a similar material, get more use?

[Hojo]

I couldn't find any exact pricing on G-11, but I believe G-11 is far more expensive than G-10.

As for what happens to G-10 in low temp, I could stick a piece of G-10 I have outside, but the temp is only dropping to low teens here in Massachusetts tonight.

Hajie

[tique]

Hojo, I think the only time problems that could occur with G-10 would be in sub-zero temps. Grantid this isn't a common thing, so it wouldn't be a good idea on all models, it might be a nice option to add to a couple of them. I also don't know if the temperature affects it dimensionally or if it makes it brittle or what, but you would probably have to directly observe it to find out.

[Carlos]

The question we need answered then is "What happens to G10 in subzero(F) temps?"

Until then, there is no way to judge the problem if there is one.

[tique]

Carlos,
Thanks for stating that a bit more clearly for me. Sorry, been going on little sleep and too much studying all week<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[sal]

Tique. I would have to question where you got your information. We have had success with G10 at temps far below 0 degrees F.

sal

[tique]

http://www.mcmastercarr.com/

From their site:
&quot;Grade G-10/FR4 Garolite: Continuous-woven glass fabric laminate...&quot;
&quot;...For use indoors. Temperature range is 0&#176; to 284&#176;F.&quot;

[sal]

Thanx Tique. We're going to do our own testing.

sal

[tique]

Sal,

Sounds good, you know I will trust whatever decision you come up as you have a good bit more experience at this than I do<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
It has probably already proven itself in these conditions, but that just bothered me that night when I saw it so I thought I would ask.

[sal]

Tique. We'll begin at 70 below (liquid nitrogen) and go up from there if 70 is too cold.

I have personally used a G10 Military in 15 below with no problems.

sal

[Carlos]

Nothing like empirical evidence to silence any doubts. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

I wonder if this performance obsession of ours is going to get us commited. When I went to buy a pen I couldn't settle for a regular Space Pen which can operate from -30F to +300F, I insisted upon getting the NASA Astronaut-issue pen which has an operating range of -50F to +400F!

Edited by - Carlos on 2/17/2001 8:53:39 PM

[sal]

Hey Carlos. When products are designed, engineered and built to provide reliable performance, they can be expected and relied upon to do that (more so than a product designed for appearance). IMO.

sal

[2nd.amnd]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the temperature range rating for micarta is?

[voxnaes]

Hi&#180;2nd.amnd.
I do not know the the answer to that q, but i&#180;ve used micartascaled knives at -40 celcius whitout any problems in Greenland.Looking forward to the test results, sal!

[voxnaes]

Hi&#180;2nd.amnd.
I do not know the the answer to that q, but i&#180;ve used micartascaled knives at -40 celcius whitout any problems in Greenland.Looking forward to the test results, sal!