cord wrapped handles--yea or nay?

W

wutitiz

Joined
Mar 5, 2008
Messages
923
I have read enough negative opinions about cord-wrapped handles that I always kind of looked askance at them. It seems like a way to cut costs while providing a rough & tough look. My only cord-wrapped handle is on a crash ax by Ranger Knives. I've hardly used it, and I got it with the intention of re-handling it.

Oh yeah, and I'm the proud owner (not) of a cord-wrapped Busse Stealth Hawk (plastic knife:jerkit:) that I bought on impulse from a catalog several years ago. The Ranger axe does offer a secure grip, albeit not very comfortable. Weight-wise, it would be hard to beat.

What is your opinion on cord-wrapped handles? I would especially like to hear from anyone whose cord-wrapped knife has seen extensive use. All opinions are welcome, of course.
 
Meh.

Depends on what I'm using it for.
If it's going to get wet, I'll pick another blade. If I need a knife that I don't mind scraping up and tossing around, I'd pick one of my 550 wrapped blades.
They are mainly on all of my work knives, and I've only ever needed to re-wrap one of them. They hold up pretty well. :thumbup:
 
i think cord wrapped handles are 'ok', i dont like them as much as micarta or G10, and wouldnt want a cord wrapped handle skinning knife but for most things they would be ok.
 
im not too fond of the cord wrapped handles either :barf:,,,like natural material as wood :thumbup: ,but lately been buying knives with the rubber handles :)
 
The only cord wrapped handle for me has to be soaked and sealed in epoxy. They give a great grip.
 
My hands are not extremely large but I still find most cord wrapped handles too skinny for them. I recently bought a set of EK knives both of which have cord wrapped handles. On the little boot I don't mind so much but on the large clip I have already discovered doing much cutting at all gives my hand a cramp. The cord on it will be replaced with a copy of the EK micarta scales available on their other knives.

 
I prefer the Samurai wrap. This style of wrap gives you more handle to grip and if you choose to use thicker cord you get a thicker handle.
 
Of course there is one other down side to a cord wrapped handle, they can hold moisture against the tang which is not a good thing. That is one of the major assets of the original EK handles, three large slotted screws that can be removed with a coin if need be to clean and dry. I know you can remove the cord wrap for cleaning and then re-apply it but not near as easily or as quickly as three screws.

This is what I want mine to end up as ... I didn't buy this to start with simply because I was able to buy the set I pictured above for way under a hundred bucks.

 
For an All-purpose handle, Micarta and G-10 are my favs. Dang that Jerry Busse!!
 
I wrapped the plastic handle of a cheap machete with 1/8" cotton cord which has held up well under heavy use. It's not a pretty sight but it fits my large hand and makes for a better grip. The cotton cord absorbs sweat solving the problem of sweaty palms. This worked well enough that I wrapped another tool handle the same way and dipped it several times in Plasti Dip. This made an excellent cushioned, rubbery, grippy handle. These wrapped handles have proven very practical, albeit industrial looking.
 
I really don't carry a FB all that often. But, if I had to improvise a handle quickly(in the field or what ever), I would cord wrap the handle. But otherwise, I really don't care for it much. IMHO, I think it makes the blade look cheap and unfinished.
 
Absolute, unconditional nay. I would never, ever use a knife with cord wrap handles unless there was no other choice beyond using a bare steel tang as the "handle." Cord wrap "handles" are uncomfortable, ergonomically awful, shifty, fragile, and best of all, get dirty like there's no tomorrow. Not for me.
 
The only thing I've ever put a wrapped handle on was my CS ball-headed war club. I did it up in two colors with a tight wrap, then rubbed epoxy into. Looks much better than stock, and handles better too. Can't stand it on knives though.
 
Cord as a handle material not much worse then micarta etc. The problem I see is kind of "traumatic" guard usually those cord wrapped knives has. Usually this is just pieces of tang sticking out between handle and blade. This IMHO when you hit hard does not very good prevent hand to slip on the edge as well as hurt fingers. It depends from owner to owner of course and also from thickness of the tang.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Zeasor said:
I wrapped the plastic handle of a cheap machete with 1/8" cotton cord which has held up well under heavy use. It's not a pretty sight but it fits my large hand and makes for a better grip. The cotton cord absorbs sweat solving the problem of sweaty palms. This worked well enough that I wrapped another tool handle the same way and dipped it several times in Plasti Dip. This made an excellent cushioned, rubbery, grippy handle. These wrapped handles have proven very practical, albeit industrial looking.
Click to expand...



This I could see doing. As far as a fixed blade I am going to carry, give me micarta, G-10, or wood. Just my preference.
 
I like cord handles because they are different. micarta, g10 and even kraton are nicer users but so many knifes sport them that it gets tiring on my eyes after a while.
 
For a fast, grippy and durable handle, my choice would be 3 mm starter cord.

Starter cord is nylon braid over hard single core with practically zero stretch or compression properties. The braid will absorb moisture, but drys quickly. The 3 mm winding pitch provides excellent non-slip grip.

I use this frequently for temporary grip handles. For my Spyderco Mule, I coated the windings with plasti-dip to bind the windings (tapered handles are a problem for wrapped handles - the windings will slip toward the smaller-radius end).

The 'whipping knot' is an easy knot for a fast one-piece self-locking single-layer winding.

Hope this helps!
 
Cord wrapped handles are ok, but micarta and G-10 are so much better. I think cord wrapping is done for aesthetics and cost-cutting more than functionality.
 
Assuming that they are soaked and sealed, they are the BEST IMO.

Try a Dawson or Goldsworthy or RJ Martin and tell me the handle is no good:rolleyes:

They offer a sure grip, better than anything I've held. I suppose very repetitive work could be irritating to the hand. Excluding that exception, though, I love cord wrapped handles. They are also generally lighter weight in my experience, enhancing it as a top choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top