Aluminum Handle

jazub

jazub

Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
3,622
Who digs aluminum handles on a folder? I carried a Benchmade Presidio the second half of last year and loved it. The weight of it, the sound of it; to me, it looks cooler and cooler as it ages. There isn't a serious winter where I live so cold metal isn't a big deal.

Today a Hogue EX01 with green aluminum handle showed up and this thing is sweet. Looking forward to giving it a lot of pocket time and checking out how the finish progresses. :thumbup:

Now I'm on the hunt for more knives with this handle material. Any recommendations? Maybe a Microtech? Needing motivation to drop some dough. Here are pics of my 3.

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:cool:
 
It's probably my favorite handle material.

Kershaw Blur (especially in S30v) is a nice choice in your size range. Also, there's the ZT 0770 (not sure if they're still around for sale or not). Dro pdown a bit, and you could go with the Benchmade 707 (though it has full length steel liners so carries a bit heavy for an alu-handled knife of its size).
 
I totally agree aluminum handles are cool. They feel very solid and make substantial sounds when opened. I have the hogue & the 940. Check out the microtech DOC & socom delta.
 
If you have a lot of money to burn check out Rockstead knives with the dura aluminum handles
 
It's a love/hate for me. Typically I find that I like the feel of them under perfect conditions indoors and for limited duration cutting, however I hate using them in the heat/cold, you'll only leave a metal handled knife in the summer desert sun and pick it up once, maybe twice if you're a slow learner. Same is true of bitter cold, though usually that's a gloved hand operation. Same is true if you use your knife with wet hands. Also I've noticed a lot of AL handle knives have sharp corners/edges/stippling etc. that becomes uncomfortable for extended use. I'd say the same thing about Titanium slab handles. That said there are still some metal handled knives I own and love, but if I know I'm going to be in the heat/cold/wet they always stay home.
 
I am a BIG fan of aluminum handled knives :D

Benchmade autos, microtechs and rocksteads are among my favorites :)

I don't own any of the hogue knives yet but they're on the list alongside strider smfs and spyderco citadels :cool:
 
So Microtech is definitely on the short list then. And good call on the 0770, kreole. Looks like that one is doable right away. Rockstead and Lionsteel may be a little further down the line, cash-wise, but I hadn't thought of them so good to know.

Jbob, if you're considering a Hogue, I doubt you'd be disappointed. A lot of knife there with great f&f and a mirror edge out of the box.

Feel free to put up pics, everybody who's got 'em. It would be cool to see some users.
 
I was originally a little skeptical of aluminum handles; then I got an SMF, and that pretty much removed my doubts. I can't speak to the issues of heat. But where I live on the NW tip of WA state, there's plenty of wet and cold--though not usually harshly cold. I've no complaints with it. Cleans up pretty easily, too.
 
I don't think anyone has mentioned the Kershaw Knockout. Aluminum handles, but with a steel "sub-frame lock" for increased durability. It's definitely one of my favorites.



 
I don't mind AL handles or other metal either but it has to have some texture.
My BM 720 is way too slick and rarely gets carried for that reason.
 
The Knockout looks like a pretty great fix for a/o + al. Watching some video reviews, the usual first step in talking myself into a purchase...
 
jazub said:
The Knockout looks like a pretty great fix for a/o + al. Watching some video reviews, the usual first step in talking myself into a purchase...
Click to expand...

You got that right, buddy. I have nothing bad to say about this knife. You get the feel and cutting power of a large knife with the weight of a small to medium sized one. The ergos make it melt into your hand, and the stonewashed blade is a nice touch. I would definitely recommend this knife.
 
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