Boo on solid aluminum handles.

L

Lavan

Joined
Nov 8, 2000
Messages
2,301
I just HAD to say it. Cold, slippery, heavy, nicky, and cold. Did I mention cold?

Who is behind this conspiracy against grippy scales on good liners?

;)
 
I don't know if this is thread worthy but I agree, I don't have any aluminum handles for previously stated reasons.
 
aluminum is ok... for edc folders when wearing dress slacks and what not. its light, smooth (never tears up your slacks), stays warm, and is less likely to get nicked. outside of this one specific scenerio, i think it blows for all the reasons you mention. especially COLD! BURR!!!!
 
The only reason I don't like them is because I've had them strip out by tightening screws into them, now if they have steel liners then that's no problem.
 
I've never had any problems with aluminum handles, and I've owned quite a few....

Spyderco Herbst
Spyderco Toad
Spyderco Navigator
Spyderco Ayoob
Benchmade 940
Benchmade 720
CRKT M16
CRKT M18
CRKT M21
Gerber Harsey Ranger
MicroTech UMS
ProTech Stinger

And probably a few that I've forgotten.
 
Aluminum's not my favorite, but I like it a lot better than FRN. It's really attractive anodized, very light weight and not too expensive. I prefer G10 or anodized titanium, but barring those, aluminum is a good choice.

I do like G10 inserts into my aluminum though, ala my 960.
 
ANYTHING looks better than FRN imho, though it works perfectly well.

i like Ti handles a lot, aluminum is "ok" too.
 
I've been edc'ing a Victorinox soldier for several years now, and love the alox handles. Rugged, durable, and with the checkering it has good grip. I have several Victorinox knives with the aluminum handles and love them all.
 
Alox...........................is........................ different.

Those make sense. Thin enough to warm quickly. A durable alternative to plain old PLASTIC.

But the SOLID aluminum handles. Eeeech!

And anodization wears off leaving an ugly mess.

:)
 
I agree...i won't buy anymore knives with aluminum handles....i carry lots of crap in my pocket and I just know those handles would be scratched up in no time.

Plastic (with liners of course) handles for me.

There are various aluminum handles knives that i would like to buy too for EDC (BM 940) but the aluminum scares me away :)
 
I like aluminum for my handles. They give a really solid feel to the knives and I actually prefer the cold feel of aluminum.
 
I like my folders with aluminum handles. They do have SS liners. I like the aesthetics and light weight. The handle stays warm since it's against my body the whole time. My aluminum folders are small, gentleman's knives and ones I carry the most often.
I like the feel of G10, but prefer the look of aluminum.
 
I have had one or two knives with aluminum scales and don't really like them as much as my knives with textured plastic (Zytel, G10, etc) handles. As long as the plastic is backed by some steel liners, I love it. Aluminum is: (a)Slippery When Wet, (b) Easily Scratched, (c) COLD, and (d) Expensive (more so than plastic).
From now on out, I think I'll stick mostly with Zytel or G10.
PMZ
 
Well pilgrims, I have an old Queen Steel #45, with a solid aluminum handle, 5" long, with a 3-7/8" clipped blade. It's a solid wraparound handle with a hidden spring. It is in mint condition and it is neither yucky, or icky or eeeww! I think in some books it is called a divers knife. The handle is stamped "Big Chief". I like it.
 
I'm with the OP. I dislike aluminum handles. The screws strip out, and the anodized area wears and ends up looking like crap. I'll take G10 any day.
 
I like the aesthetic qualities that aluminum and other metal handled folders have, despite the obvious negatives, especially with smooth wood inlays. To solve the grip issues, one of my aluiminum handled folders does have rubber inserts.
 
I'm going to voice a possibly lone opinion. Whisper: I like FRN handles.

I find them strong and light weight. Good for EDC. OK so they are inexpensive. The Scot in me appreciates that too.

It's a subjective thing. They don't gotta work for you, but they work for me.
 
oh yeah, FRN works just fine, only thing i dont like about it is looks, they look so cheap to me.
 
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