What is Kydron and why did you use it instead of Micarta on the Raven knives?

Kydron is a proprietary formula of a polyester based elastomer, with Kevlar fibers for stiffness and increased strength modulus. It is not plastic, Zytel, or hard and noisy like other manufactured knives. It has a warm feeling and a great physical texture. Kydron was chosen for several reasons; strength, resistance to chemicals and sea water, overall feel, and the ability to reproduce the contours and linear checkering designed for the Raven handles. This would not have been possible with either Micarta, and Kydron is ultimately a much stronger material. You can bend it 90 degrees without breaking, and you can pound it with a ball peen hammer and not break it — We have done it. Try that with Micarta!