Group 14 G10 Tool: Design | Material Science | and Mission
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Group 14: A Purpose-Built G10 Tool
Group 14: The Story of a Purpose-Built G10 Tool
The Group 14 Tool, machined in-house from G10.
The Philosophy Behind the Name
Group 14. It sounds cloak and dagger, but in essence, it's much simpler than that. If you look at the periodic table of elements, in Group 14 you will find the element carbon, with the atomic number of six. Carbon is the building block of life, but it's also one of the simplest, smallest, and most overlooked elements. I thought it fitting for this “letter opener” to have a name that also matched this element's low-key lifestyle.
Having done work for many different agencies—designing and building many different tools for different jobs—I found over the years that having a very low-key item can be incredibly helpful in certain non-permissive environments.
Design: A Logical Order of Thinking
Let's get into the L.O.T., or Logical Order of Thinking, behind the design.
The "Letter Opening" Portion
The portion used for opening letters is shaped like a Roman Gladius. I found that this shape is incredibly adept at penetrating paper and deftly opening all of your letters and boxes. It's also a very robust tip design for a dagger-type shape. You'll also see that it is an asymmetrical bevel; this aids in allowing it to sit very close to the surface you attach it to. Discretion being the better part of valor, this allows for a very low profile on your “desk.”
The Handle
The handle was designed to allow a secure grip while withdrawing it from its custom-made sheath. It features an integrated fuller along the handle for tactile grip, which also integrates a retention point for the sheath system.
Material Application Science: Why G10?
The tool itself is made from black G10 FR4, which is a glass-reinforced phenolic. Originally designed for electrical insulation in circuit boards and high industrial applications, it has found its way into tool making because of its excellent ability to resist oils and chemical intrusion, along with its electrical insulating properties and extreme durability. The FR4 designation is for meeting fire retardant standards.
Chemical resistance: Samples are exposed to various chemicals and solvents to check for degradation.
Humidity resistance: Specific tests assess the material's ability to maintain its properties in humid environments.
Salt spray tests: Used to evaluate resistance to salt corrosion.
UV exposure: G10 can degrade from prolonged UV exposure, which affects both its appearance and mechanical properties.
Visual Comparison: G10 vs. Metals
When compared to titanium and steel, you’ll see that G10 does not fall far behind in anything but final edge holding ability—which is irrelevant for a tool designed for this purpose.
Tensile Strength (psi)
G10 FR4
~38,000
Titanium (Gr 5)
~138,000
440C Steel
~275,000
Compressive Strength (psi)
G10 FR4
~55,000
Titanium (Gr 5)
~130,000
440C Steel
~275,000
Impact Resistance (ft-lbs)
Note: G10 (Izod) vs. Metals (Charpy V).
G10 FR4 (Izod)
~12.0
Titanium (Charpy)
~12.5
440C Steel (Charpy)
~6.6
Weight / Density (g/cm³)
G10 FR4
~1.8
Titanium (Gr 5)
~4.43
440C Steel
~7.65
Magnetic
G10 FR4:No
Titanium:No
440C Steel:Yes
The Sheath System: In-House Innovation
The proprietary, in-house molded sheath system.
Diving into the sheath system, this is an in-house made proprietary liquid polymer base. We then design and mold our own sheath system in-house. This allows us the ability to create the smallest footprint for the sheath that you will see in just about any tool on the market. With its integrated retention system, MOLLE compatibility, and our personal favorite—adding sticky-backed velcro to the backside—it will attach to just about anywhere with discretion.
You'll note that if you work in magnetically sensitive environments, this tool, including its sheath, has **no metallic elements** that will interfere with very sensitive magnetic detecting tools or sensors.
Our Mission: Made in the USA, For a Cause
This tool is completely built in the US with materials all sourced from the United States. Now, this does not give us a competitive advantage in the pricing market. It *does* give us a competitive advantage in the ability to produce in the United States while employing US citizens and providing for our local community.
This tool is also being given to operators in the field to assist in the fighting of human trafficking.
"We regularly donate to the cause of fighting human trafficking. In purchasing these tools, it allows us to do more of this and to assist those men and women who are on the front line of fighting this scourge."
