We tend to think of carbon fiber as a modern marvel that has allowed for amazing human accomplishments. But the truth is that it goes way back to the late 19th century — Thomas Edison baked cotton and bamboo to make carbon-fiber filaments for his light bulb prototypes. In 1958, physicist Roger Bacon officially invented the carbon fibers we know today by heating rayon strands until they carbonized.
What exactly are they? They're made of teeny strands of carbon that are tightly woven and bound with a resin. Sometimes called graphite fibers, they're super stiff and have a superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to steel while being resistant to corrosion, expansion, and temperature. Plus, they're versatile because they can have various densities and take on shapes that are limited only by their manufacturer's imagination. Oh, and their futuristic look might float your boat. But they're not without their flaws. Under intense stress, carbon fibers can crack because they're brittle. Plus, they're expensive to produce.
Still, they've been used in everything from cars and spaceships to loudspeakers and rifle barrels. So, in this issue we take a stab at this Space Age material by looking at the pros and cons of having knives with carbon-fiber handles.
Across the board, we found that they don't offer any practical advantages over titanium as a knife scale, yet have the potential to be damaged more easily. Plus, they're way more expensive than G-10. On a positive note, they're not as slippery as we expected — all the knives stayed in our grip even after being soaked in water. If you're a knife nut and have the cash, you might find a model or two featured in this column that catches your eye. Flip the page to find out which ones we fancied.
Make:
Benchmade Knife Company
Model:
484-1 Nakamura Axis
OAL:
7 inches
Blade Length:
3.08 inches
Blade Material:
S90V stainless steel
Weight:
3.52 ounces
MSRP:
$315
URL:
www.benchmade.com
Make:
Southern Grind
Model:
Spider Monkey
OAL:
7.38 inches
Blade Length:
3.25 inches
Blade Material:
S35VN
Weight:
3.2 ounces
MSRP:
$220
URL:
www.southerngrind.com
Make:
Spyderco Inc.
Model:
Rubicon
OAL:
7.44 inches
Blade Length:
3.04 inches
Blade Material:
S30V stainless steel
Weight:
4.3 ounces
MSRP:
$500
URL:
www.spyderco.com
Make:
Zero Tolerance
Model:
0770CF
OAL:
7.5 inches
Blade Length:
3.25 inches
Blade Material:
Elmax stainless steel
Weight:
3 ounces
MSRP:
$225
URL:
www.zerotoleranceknives.com
Make:
DPx Gear, Inc.
Model:
HEST/F Shred
OAL:
7.63 inches
Blade Length:
3.15 inches
Blade Material:
Sleipner tool steel
Weight:
4.75 ounces
MSRP:
$325
URL:
www.dpxgear.com
Make:
Boker Plus
Model:
Urban Trapper Carbon
OAL:
7.63 inches
Blade Length:
3.43 inches
Blade Material:
VG-10
Weight:
1.8 ounces
MSRP:
$160
URL:
www.boker.de/us
Make:
Red Horse Knife Works
Model:
Frost Hammer
OAL:
7.81 inches
Blade Length:
3.25 inches
Blade Material:
154CPM stainless steel
Weight:
5.6 ounces
MSRP:
$498, $648 as shown
URL:
www.redhorseknifeworks.com
411:
The 484-1 features a contoured carbon-fiber handle, a drop-point blade, and blue anodized-aluminum spacers and pivot bushing. Benchmade's patented and ambi Axis lock keeps the blade's opening and closing smooth and safe. Pocket clip is adjustable for lefties and righties. Made in the USA.
PROS:
CONS:
411:
This is the first knife by Southern Grind that we've fondled. It's safe to say it won't be the last. The craftsmanship that went into this model is evident by the titanium lock and liners and S35VN blade steel. Founded by country singer Zac Brown, Southern Grind makes all of its knives in the USA, including this one.
PROS:
CONS:
411:
Say hello to the Bugatti Veyron of this buyer's guide. The solid carbon-fiber scales have been polished to a high finish, the skeletonized titanium liners add strength to the liner-lock, and the S30V blade has a deep hollow grind on the primary bevel and flat-ground false edge to enhance blade geometry and versatility.
PROS:
CONS:
411:
Zero Tolerance (ZT) has been on a low-carb kick this year and recently released several models that are uncharacteristically slim. This is one such model. It's a more streamlined version of the beefier limited-edition 0777, but with smoother lines and a blade made of Elmax (marketed as the new “super steel”). Made in the USA.
PROS:
CONS:
411:
DPx stands for “dangerous places extreme.” Sounds like marketing mumbo-jumbo? Not so when the company's founder and designer is Robert Young Pelton, an author and documentarian who has survived dozens of conflict zones and interviewed some of the most wanted men in the world. This knife is a reflection of his survival needs.
PROS:
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CONS:
411:
Boker Plus blades are made in China and Taiwan — Boker's line of German-engineered tools made at lower costs. This gentleman's knife is from this line yet features carbon-fiber scales on a titanium handle and a VG-10 drop-point blade that's operated with a flipper tab. Also, it's the slimmest, lightest, and cheapest of the bunch.
PROS:
CONS:
411:
If all the knives in this buyer's guide were Iron Man suits, this would be the Hulkbuster model. It's a beefed-up gentleman's folder with carbon-fiber scales on chunky titanium liners and CPM 154 stainless steel for the 0.157-inch-thick blade. Made in the USA. (Note: The stock version doesn't come with carbon fiber, which comes at a premium.)
PROS:
CONS:
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