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Don't Overlook the Acrylics

Although I occasionally bought one of the GEC Acrylic handle knives for my little assortment because I found it an attractive handle material my primary enjoyment of my knives is in the use of them every day. I didn't use my Acrylic handle knives because, "Yeah, well, it's "plastic" and probably will scratch and wear poorly." I have since found out quite differently.

When the #62 Easy Pocket Congress pattern was introduced in January, 2011, I bought a few in the differrent Acrylics and decided to put one of the Green Velvet Acrylics in my pocket. I have been carrying and using this knife daily for nearly four months. I am finding the Acrylic to be a tough and durable material, without the easily damaged appearance I had expected. I do take a bit of care to keep it by itself in my right front pocket while my keys, pocket change, etc. is carried in my left pocket, but it gets used several times a day for all manner of chores. The Acrylic material has held up very well and shows no wear what so ever.

The first thing I noticed about the Acrylics was the consistently fine fit of the material to the knife. An almost seamless fit at the scales and bolsters with no unsightly gaps, something I have not always enjoyed with some bone and stag. As I experience the toughness of this material I don't believe I will have to encounter any future cracks at the main center pin as is seen on so many of the really old time pocket knives, and it requires none of the routine maintenance necessary with the natural handle materials. An occaional application of Renaissance Wax, which I obtain from my friend and fellow iKC member Vince Roberts, over at Fort Henry Custom Knives, brings the Acrylic material to a shiny and pleasing luster. That's all I've ever done for it.

So when the #65 Ben Hogan knives came out I decided to really try out this stuff and started carrying and using one in the Sea Shell Perylic. I use this knife in place of the paring knife in my kitchen, use it as my table/steak knife, open hay bales and feed sacks, and all manner of rough work. I just returned from a 2 week camp in the mountains and used the #65 and the #62 as my only knives. I camp 19th century primitive, which means cooking over a campfire twice a day, fire starting and meal preparation, so the knives got used. I still cannot see any scratching, wear, or dulling of the Acrylic handle material. This is some amazing stuff!

As you may imagine, I am quite favorably impressed with the GEC Acrylics and I will not hesitate to get more of them. I just wanted to share some of my thoughts and experiences with this attractive and durable material and I would enjoy hearing from others about it as well.

Thanks for reading and adding your comments.

3 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 5, 2011 at 9:44

Well, there we have it!

Absolutely beautiful pattern. A great photograph. And a practical, durable handle material as well.

Whatever pattern it is, it's certainly attractive.

Alan, I must admit that when I find a pattern or handle that I really like I tend to aquire several of them.

I have found, far too often, that when you find something you really like, they will either quit making it or it will no longer be available in the future for some reason. Therefore it doesn't hurt to have a couple of "Extras" put away.

Alan DeFazio said:

Well Folks,

Here is the finest Acrylic I've seen to date IMO.......

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 5, 2011 at 17:59

Alan

LOL.. Dont let Dave fool you he has a magic drawer. He buys 2..... puts them in and all the sudden he has 6 or 7. I've considered sendin him a few of mine to see if it works

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 5, 2011 at 19:53

Some of them multiply faster than rabbits!

I think it has to do with the pattern.

Some seem more prolific than others.

I try to keep everything separated now because it seems the faster the knives multiply the faster my bank account depletes. There has to be a connection there somewhere, I just haven't figured it out.

More credit cards!! That could be the answer..........

Jan Carter said:

Alan

LOL.. Dont let Dave fool you he has a magic drawer. He buys 2..... puts them in and all the sudden he has 6 or 7. I've considered sendin him a few of mine to see if it works

Permalink Reply by Tim Cassani on May 5, 2011 at 20:24

No question that these acrylic scales are tough and durable. I think GEC actually uses an import material which is a mix of acrylic and acetate. Both are crystalline thermoplastics with good impact strength. The acetate probably improves the impact resistance even further. Very attractive but I prefer the Micartas. They're even tougher due to being a thermoset plastics (an industrial version of Formica sort of) which is a laminate of either canvas, paper or linen impregnated with phenolic resin.

Tim C

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 5, 2011 at 20:44

Thanks Tim. That's some interesting information on the Acrylics.

A friend of mine wonders if the Acrylic GEC uses is similar to the material bowling balls are made of these days. Now I'm kind of wondering about that myself. What are your thoughts about that?

I have to agree on the Micartas. On all of my Bob Dozier and Dan Crotts knives I always specify one of the Canvas Micartas. Hard to beat that for a working knife handle.

Tim Cassani said:

No question that these acrylic scales are tough and durable. I think GEC actually uses an import material which is a mix of acrylic and acetate. Both are crystalline thermoplastics with good impact strength. The acetate probably improves the impact resistance even further. Very attractive but I prefer the Micartas. They're even tougher due to being a thermoset plastics (an industrial version of Formica sort of) which is a laminate of either canvas, paper or linen impregnated with phenolic resin.

Tim C

Permalink Reply by stephen tungate on May 5, 2011 at 21:22

those knifes are real nice...

Permalink Reply by Tom Peterson on May 5, 2011 at 21:56

Dave,

Thanks for this post. I have had similar worries about the acrylic handles on GEC's and will now give them a try as a EDC! I got to get some of that Renaissance Wax now though.

Tom Peterson

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 5, 2011 at 23:02

I can't say enough good about Renaissance Wax. If it is good enough for the British Royal Museum to use to protect their artifacts then it's good enough for my knives......and so much more.

Good stuff!!

Tom Peterson said:

Dave,

Thanks for this post. I have had similar worries about the acrylic handles on GEC's and will now give them a try as a EDC! I got to get some of that Renaissance Wax now though.

Tom Peterson

Permalink Reply by Tim Cassani on May 6, 2011 at 21:21

Dave;

AMF is a customer of ours and I'll ask....but I beleive bowling balls are made of polyurethane. Polyurethane is a thermoset plastic like the Micartas (but not a laminate). Polyurethane can be cured to a variety of hardness' described by durometer.

I'll double check and let you know for sure.

Are a lot of members of this group attending the GEC open house this summer?

Heard anything about the NKCA being out of business. I tried to renew at the NKCA show in Fort Mitchell Kentucky last month but the show was cancelled.

Tim

Dave Taylor said:

Thanks Tim. That's some interesting information on the Acrylics.

A friend of mine wonders if the Acrylic GEC uses is similar to the material bowling balls are made of these days. Now I'm kind of wondering about that myself. What are your thoughts about that?

I have to agree on the Micartas. On all of my Bob Dozier and Dan Crotts knives I always specify one of the Canvas Micartas. Hard to beat that for a working knife handle.

Tim Cassani said:

No question that these acrylic scales are tough and durable. I think GEC actually uses an import material which is a mix of acrylic and acetate. Both are crystalline thermoplastics with good impact strength. The acetate probably improves the impact resistance even further. Very attractive but I prefer the Micartas. They're even tougher due to being a thermoset plastics (an industrial version of Formica sort of) which is a laminate of either canvas, paper or linen impregnated with phenolic resin.

Tim C

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 6, 2011 at 23:58

Thanks Tim.

There certainly is a lot to know about the various "plastics" and it's all interesting.

I've noticed GEC calls some of the handles "Acrylic" and some "Percrylic". Is there a differrence or just two names for the same animal??

Life was a lot simpler when all we had was Micarta! LOL.

Tim Cassani said:

Dave;

AMF is a customer of ours and I'll ask....but I beleive bowling balls are made of polyurethane. Polyurethane is a thermoset plastic like the Micartas (but not a laminate). Polyurethane can be cured to a variety of hardness' described by durometer.

I'll double check and let you know for sure.

Are a lot of members of this group attending the GEC open house this summer?

Heard anything about the NKCA being out of business. I tried to renew at the NKCA show in Fort Mitchell Kentucky last month but the show was cancelled.

Tim

Permalink Reply by Alan on May 7, 2011 at 15:06

Folks,

I just found out that there is another interesting Acrylic:, Well among others, Cranberry Swirl Something or other? Does anyone have one of these? Would love to see a close up pic of one of these.....

Alan

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 7, 2011 at 15:29

Tim,

NKCA is actually alive and surviving with hopes of being better soon. If you look here on IKC there is a NKCA club and you can catch up on whats been happening with them. I am also curious about the difference between acrylic and percrylic. I figured I would ask Pat or Bill when we get to the open house this year but if you know please share. So the answer is yes, we wouldn't miss the open house for anything.

Alan,

I will find us a close up of cranberry swirl....Dave I have to check my inventory, do you have one?