Condor Machetes : Wood, micarta, or polypropylene handles which is more durable?

The micarta will last the longest under normal use conditions no questions IMHO, but....

Alan used a wood handled Condor heavy Kukri to win season 1 of Alone...and if it held up to 70someodd days of hard use like it had to endure to the end of the show, I have no question that short of a defect or predisposition to split, the wood handles will outlast me....the wood they use is a tropical hardwood, its very dense, and holds up well to water.

Even knowing the Micarta would have a slight durability edge, I'd go wood every time....and I have

I own .....3? maybe 4 dozen Condor products.... I have all 3 handle styles, I do not care for the polypropylene at all and only have it on 2 knives that are not available with other handle options.
The Micarta feels good in the hand, and I do have about a dozen blades with that handle option.... I'd not think twice about it, its not bad stuff really...
But the wood...feels warm in the hand, alive almost, it has soul and it does not feel out of place in the woods, it does not detract from my enjoyment in any way but rather adds another layer of enjoyment to the blade.

all of this is of course, strictly one mans opinion.....I'm more than a little sure there will be those that prefer each style...I'm a wood and leather man, and that's one thing Condor does VERY right, their leather sheaths are some of the best in the business at any price much less considering they come on budget minded knives for free....in many cases having one of these sheaths made would cost you more than the knife did that came with it for free.... and their wood, well, I'm a fan...

YMMV......
 
Not sure about the longest, but I love my Micarta handles, they stay grippy when it's raining, and you can shape them if you need to, to fit your hand better. Micarta handles are extremely durable, they can take whatever you will throw at'em.
 
The polypropylene will easily last the longest. Injection molded straight to the tang. It's not a sexy material but it works, and works well.
 
+1 on the polypro handles. Built like iron. Need some grip? Just stipple the handles with a soldering iron, or wrap some athletic/hockey tape around them. You're not going for looks, after all...
 
Used a wood handled Puerto-Rican for years. I'd sanded it down how I wanted an wrapped some grip tape on it. Now I'm using a Bushcraft Parang sanded down an wrapped with grip tape.
 
I like the 14" Puerto Rican machete also. The new version is the 16" Swamp Master. Used my Puerto Rican machete two or three time this past week. I also sanded down the handle until it better fit my hands.

As to the question, I don't know. I prefer wood handles overall and they last just fine for me. I don't think in terms of a lifetime of use. I think more in terms that it will last until something else grabs my attention which could be months or years. The only poly handled Condor I own is the Kumunga knife/short machete. For me, the handles seems more designed for chopping rather than detailed cutting. On second thought, I own another Condor machete with poly handles which I purchased at the Blade Show on close out. It was very inexpensive but I haven't used it yet.
 
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