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Grivory handle is a thermoplastic polyamide produced through injection molding and is manufactured by a company known as EMS Grivory. The handle is also called Griv-Ex, with Cold Steel knife company.
Grivory is a high-quality knife handle material that is highly resistant to impact and heat. It’s corrosion-resistant and has a longer lifespan than other knife handle materials like wood and metal.
Moreover, polyamide Grivory is a new knife handle material on the market but with a strong and durable structure. These features are associated with its semi-crystalline structure, making it stronger than the popular Zytel.
However, it is essential to note that most fiberglass-reinforced knife handle materials are similar, but their features differ depending on the manufacturing company.
On the downside, Grivory is thermoplastic, and like any other thermoplastic handle, it feels like cheap plastic on the hand and does not offer a good grip like a Micarta or G10 handle.
Some high-end knife companies make Grivory handles with a textured pattern to better the grip. However, for such Grivory handles, you will pay more, and it might be better to add a little extra to get a micarta or G10 handle instead.
Types of knives that utilize Grivory material handles include Combat knives, Everyday Carry Knives, Survival knives, Hunting knives, Pocket knives, and Fishing knives.
Grivory material properties
Grivory features high-performance properties. Parts made from the material maintain their shape even at high working temperatures, and because of these properties, it outperforms other materials at high temperatures of up to 120 degrees (C).
Durability
Grivory is long-lasting with outstanding toughness and resistance to tough applications. Grivory handles will serve you for years, and in many cases, they will outshine the blade it is attached to.
Corrosion resistance
Grivory is a thermoplastic, meaning that it does not contain any metal. Because of this feature, it is entirely corrosion-resistant.
This makes it a good choice for outdoor knives as it does not rust or stain irrespective of the usage environment.
Unlike Micarta handles, which may develop a patina after a long time of use and greasing, Grivory / Griv-Ex is entirely corrosion-resistant.
Strength
Another excellent property of Grivory material is that it is very strong even at very high operating temperatures.
Knife handles and other machine parts manufactured using this material retain their shape at very high temperatures.
Despite being strong, it is worth noting that the Grivory handle is a tad flexible compared to other scales like G10 and Micarta.
Grip
The grip offered by a knife handle is a significant purchase consideration. Although it is a high-performing thermoplastic, the grip of Grivory handles is not the best out there.
In response to this complaint, some high-end knife manufacturers enhance the grip of Grivory handles with a textured pattern.
Since it is thermoplastic, it can take many shapes and textures depending on the manufacturer’s liking. This may also contribute to its flimsiness when made too thin.
Benchmade Bugout had used a Grivory handle with an appealing texture but minimal grip. The handle was later upgraded to a better CF Elite material.
Chemical resistance
Another excellent property of Grivory material is that it is resistant to chemicals. This means that it does not wear out easily if the knives are used to open or cut chemical packages.
Cost
Grivory material is manufactured in bulk, which is very economical. The low cost of production makes this handle a rival to other high-performance knife handle materials like Zytel and G10.
Because of this bulk production, the cost of production reduces, which reduces the cost of knives with Grivory handles.
Pros
- Long-lasting than other materials like wood and metal
- It is injection molded; hence it can be molded in different shapes and sizes without texturing
- It is a lightweight handle and will be suitable for EDC
- Highly resistant to corrosion and chemicals.
Cons
- It feels cheap in hand (plastic feel)
- It has a high melting point and is not suitable for open flame applications.
- Grivory handles experience a bit of flexing, making them feel less sturdy. Benchmade had to upgrade the bugout handle after several complaints of the same.
- Like other plastic polymers, A Grivory handle is more likely to degrade under UV exposure for an extended period.
Grivory vs G10 handle
G10 handle is a superior handle material compared to Grivory / Griv-Ex handle. G10 provides excellent durability over Grivory handle due to its production process.
G10 scales manufacturing procedure involves stacking up layers of soaked fiberglass, compressing them together, and baking them to an optimum temperature.
This process results in a highly durable material impervious to all liquids, thus minimizing the chances of corrosion and degradation.
A G10 handle will also be much more heat resistant than a Grivory handle. Hence a G10 scale knife can be used in high-temperature environments.
A G10 handle can also be left exposed to sunlight for an extended period, and it will experience little to no degradation; the same isn’t true for a Grivory handle.
A Grivory / Griv-Ex handle will be much cheaper to produce, and hence similar knives Grivory handle will be more affordable than the ones with a G10 handle.
Grivory vs FRN handle
Grivory / Griv-Ex handle, and FRN handle materials are closely related. FRN stands for Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon; it is also referred to as GFN to mean Glass-Filled Nylon.
The FRN handle is of higher quality than Grivory / Griv-Ex handle; however, these two are closely similar due to the production process and the materials used.
Both handle materials use High strength plastics, most commonly a nylon polymer. The only difference is that FRN nylon polymer is blended with glass fiber to give it extra strength.
They are both injection-molded into different shapes and textures. It might be difficult to distinguish one from the other, but Grivory does feel less premium.
In terms of cost, the FRN scales knife will be a bit pricier due to the better quality it offers over a Griv-Ex scale.
Grivory vs CF-Elite handle
CF elite is a Benchmade scale that is an upgrade to the Grivory handle that many people complained was flimsy and felt cheap on the Benchmade Bugout.
The most significant difference between the two is that the CF elite scale is much stronger and experiences little flex than the Grivory scale.
CF Elite production process is closely similar to the Grivory production process, but CF Elite plastic polymer is blended with strands of carbon fiber for extra strength.
The feel on the CF Elite Scales is also better, and it feels a tad more premium than the Grivory scales. CF elite is lighter than FRN scales and G10 scales but no significant difference over Grivory scales.
