Texture Snob?

[paladin]

I am probably too subjective to the "feel" of knife handles. As such, texture is a major factor in my choice of EDC. While I own several G10 models, I don't carry them much because of the sandpaper like texture. I realize that G10's rough feel is what adds utility for some folks, but I don't LIKE it. Am I the only texture snob? My favorite texture is the bi-directional fishscale pattern of the Caly Jr.

[PanChango]

I really like the look and feel of polished bone.

[Jay_Ev]

I'll vote for my co-favorite, since the option for the bi-directional FRN (Delica, Endura, etc) isn't available as a choice.

G-10!

[austinguy23]

I'll take this opportunity to say that FRN, to me, looks like something you'd get out of a gumball machine.

[jhyde7585]

G10 first, twill CF second

[Gunslinger]

Is twill cf the same as peelply? because I would vote for peelply cf.

[yowzer]

Being able to vote for only one is annoying. I like different materials in different knives.

There's also smooth, polish micarta versus rougher matte stuff, smooth versus peel-ply versus other milling for G-10, wood, etc...

[The Deacon]

When it comes to handle and scale materials, I guess I'm more of a visual appeal snob than a texture snob.

I'm no fan of Spyderco's peel-ply G-10, but that's because of how it looks rather than how it feels. On a beauty scale of 1 to 10 it rates a zero, it looks lifeless, dull, and totally uninteresting. On the other hand, I'd probably carry a Stretch, Chaparral, or Sage IV with the textured G-10 they use on the PPT and a couple others, and I'm sure I'd carry one of those if it had smooth polished but rounded G-10 scales.

I can live with the peel-ply CF on the Stretch, partly because you can still discern the CF pattern through the texture, and partly because it's an otherwise great knife. To me, the "best" CF scales are those on the knives coming out of Taichung with the basketweave texture. I find it an excellent compromise between practicality and visual appeal.

Micarta looks best to me when smooth and polished, but I do prefer it on handles that have some contour, like the Street Beat and Kopa, because they show off the "grain" effect of the layers.

FRN is acceptable, I'd rather have something fancier, but it does the job adequately at a low cost and has at least some visual interest. I agree that the fish scale pattern used on the Calypso Jr was the most attractive FRN texture Spyderco has used to date.

Stainless steel looks great when engraved and cut engraving does add some texture as well. Plain stainless is much less appealing but subject matter and execution are both important. Poorly executed engraving just looks tacky, and the beauty of most subject matter is in the eye of the beholder.

Natural materials are my absolute favorites. Stag looks great with its natural texture. Wood looks great either smooth, contoured, or checkered like a gunstock. Modern ivory looks great smooth or, with the same caveats as engraving, scrimmed. Ancient ivory looks great smooth. Bone looks good smooth, and there are some jigging patterns that I find appealing. Color comes into play there as well. Plain white and shades of tan/brown are the most appealing to me. Tortoise shell, while "politically incorrect", looks drop-dead gorgeous smooth and highly polished.

[RIOT]

im kind of a visual guy too like deacon, im probably going to be the only one that votes for smooth cf but to me that is beauty and it works out perfect on a cf delica, other that that im a frn fan, very simple.

[JNewell]

Is twill cf the same as peelply? because I would vote for peelply cf.

No, the OP did not include peel-ply CF, which is (1) a pretty big omission for the poll but (2) is essentially the same texture as regular (not coarse) G10. The twill CF is the "burlap-esque" surface that you see on (for example) the GB.

[Wolverine666]

I feel that G10 is the best handle material/texture on a folder for me. There are exceptions (like The Sage4 with it's sweet ironwood & titanium combo) but overall I choose G10.

[gull wing]

1. textured G10
2. CF w/the light texture

[Evil D]

I voted G10, but i really wish peel ply carbon fiber was more readily available. I do like the twill CF though, it's just not as grippy as G10. If a handle is going to be a flat on the sides as many Spydercos are, then the handle needs some grippy texture to it. I've always liked the simplicity of stainless but it's too slippy when your hands are wet or greasy. I've always wanted to try sand blasting a stainless handle with some rough medium to give it a rough finish but i never tried it.

[dalefuller]

If this is limited to Spyderco scales, I'd vote G10. I'm very utilitarian. If we're talking overall favorites, my first choice (and the one I voted for) would be micarta as long as it's textured like ESEE's scales or BRKT's matte finish.

[kbuzbee]

While I own several G10 models, I don't carry them much because of the sandpaper like texture.

Because "most" of the Spyderco G10 models have that finish, a lot of folks seem to assume it's a function of being G10. It isn't. G10 can be polished, textured... Really any kind of finish. The Des Horn model has a great G10 you might like.

It's been mentioned that peel ply CF and G10 are very similar. While they do start off in the same ball park, G10 looses that aggressive nature much more quickly. I've actually used a peel ply Mili to file softer material

I think your poll might have been better served (if you wanted the same number of choices) grouping G10 and Micarta twice, one choice for rough, one for smooth.... Maybe...

Anyway, reading the intent that G10 is rough and Micarta is smooth, I choose Micarta, but I really don't have much preference between the two.

Ken

[Evil D]

I am probably too subjective to the "feel" of knife handles. As such, texture is a major factor in my choice of EDC. While I own several G10 models, I don't carry them much because of the sandpaper like texture. I realize that G10's rough feel is what adds utility for some folks, but I don't LIKE it. Am I the only texture snob? My favorite texture is the bi-directional fishscale pattern of the Caly Jr.

Just FYI, aside from intentionally polishing G10, if you did carry them enough after a month or so of constant EDC the texture loses some of that bite and isn't quite so abrasive. The edges start getting shiny just from being carried in your pocket.


Oh, and i really like rough micarta, ala ESEE scales. I would love to have some natural linen micarta scales like that for a Para 2. I thought about having some custom made but couldn't justify the price.

[bh49]

When it comes to handle and scale materials, I guess I'm more of a visual appeal snob than a texture snob.

+1
Natural material and micarta for me.

[bigcat]

Stainless steel is my favorite.

[paladin]

Great input and I will try to plan out my polls in the future better. Looking back my intent was to focus on TEXTURE...perhaps by including the material type I mudddied the waters a bit as far as variables go. How would have some of you guys set up the poll? Seems to me that texture is an important purchase consideration, but how would you effectively set it up it given the parameters of the forum's poll. Seriously, I'd like to know ( no sarcasm intended ). Give me some ideas if you so choose...

[JNewell]

My suggestion (big FWIW) would have been to have the G10 pick be "Peel Ply (G10 / CF)" and add another pick for "Coarse G10"

No biggie, it's not like anyone's grading you on this or hinting that maybe you're not welcome at next Thursday's poker game.