Aluminum handles

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SteelSnob

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I just got a knife with aluminum handles and it's really light. I'm wondering what the general consesensus is on aluminum verses other materials. Is it tough enough for hard use?
 
Coating or anodizing on aluminum will show wear faster, when compared to other handle materials. But overall aluminum used for knife handles is tough as nails.
 
My Extrema Ratio folders have massive aluminum handles. I've used the Nemesis pretty hard, and it just scuffs up a little.
 
I've had a Benchamde 960 that I never really worked hard, but all of my paintball guns have been annodized aluminum or cast aluminum, both are incredibly tough but will defnitely scratch if given the chance.
 
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OK in temperate climates, not good in real cold (-20 and below...). Also, metal tends to be slippery when wet (bloody, covered with fat, etc.) unless it is textured.
 
aluminum handles are a little chilly against the skin for IWB carry where they may press on you. Compared to synthetics, anyway.
I've beat mine up a bit and it shows it, but no worries.

-Daizee
 
yeah, I forgot to mention, aluminum will dissipate heat more efficiently than any other handle material that you'll probably encounter.
 
I have a first generation CRK&T M16 it has some kind of dull finish anodizing and it has held up for 12 years and still shows no scuffs or scratches it looks like new .On the other hand my Kershaw speedbump looks like it will not look nearly as nice soon and I have only had it for a year.It all just depends.
 
Any of the Alox knives from Victorinox hold up pretty blasted well. I'm very mean to my soldier and it keeps on ticking.
 
If you bought it to use it don't expect it to stay picture perfect. It's pretty bombproof, though. I just like FRN because it costs less, doesn't scuff, and it doesn't get too cold to the touch (important in my neck of the woods).
 
Its good stuff. I have aluminum handled knives from a cheap box cutter to my extrema ratios. It really is cold though.

I had my extrema ratio MPC in my pocket when I was in an unfortunate circumstance-nearly run over by a truck-and the resulting fall broke a rib but only scuffed up my MPC's handle a bit. Definetly added some character!
 
I prefer aluminum handles actually - aluminum and wood are definitely my top two.

Straight aluminum slabs are quite slippery, but knives like the Benchmade Presidio use aggressive ribbing to offset that. The Kershaw blur uses rough inserts for the same purpose. It really depends on the knife, I find.

As for the warmth of aluminum, it's not as bad as steel, but gets pretty frigid nonetheless. I don't usually find this to be an issue, as I usually wear gloves whenever it gets cold enough to make a knife uncomfortably cold, but it might be a consideration for you.

Never had any issues with the toughness of aluminum, though!
 
The Microtechs and ExtremaRatio knives I have with Ali handles have held up real well. The coatings
used on both those companies knives is pretty tough and takes a good bit of "traffic" to scuff it up.
 
SteelSnob said:
I just got a knife with aluminum handles and it's really light. I'm wondering what the general consesensus is on aluminum verses other materials. Is it tough enough for hard use?
Click to expand...

If you had ever tried to hacksaw through a bar of Duraluminum or aircraft structural aluminum, you wouldn't be asking that question. ;)
 
I have a Benchmade 943 and its got aluminum handles, it is extremly light weight and very duarble.. Most of the time I forget its even in my pocket..
 
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