Discussion about handle materials

G

Gossman Knives

Edged Toolmaker
Joined
Apr 9, 2004
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I getting to the point where I'm feeling micarta or G 10 is the only way to go for an outdoor use knife. I've seen wood present many different issues from shrinking, swelling, cracking and drying out under wet/dry conditions. Horn, stag and bone ore nice but you can't shape them to be ergonomically friendly. You basically get what you get when you order it. Plus they can present the same issues as wood.
What are your thoughts about handle materials?
Scott
 
Like you, I appreciate wood scales. The warmth, and lightweight. But, for outdoor use, I prefer man made materials like micarta. As you already know, we are out in all kinds of weather during all 4 seasons and nothing works like micarta. With the choices available to the knifemaker today, any combination of colors and textures can be made for a truly custom individual expression.
 
Micarta and G10 is the way to go for field users. Wood is pretty, and warm, but Micarta is bombproof. I think it has a lot of depth to it, and makes an attractive handle. Some of the colors Ive seen lately actually look like bone or sometimes wood. You made a Micro Tusker for KSF that is wearing antique ivory micarta w/ black liners. I had to double take cause it looks so much like bone in the pics. So it is very possible to make a traditional blade with the look of natural materials and the utility of Micarta.
 
I agree but I still prefer wood. I would honestly rather have a knife with wood and have to replace the scales a few times over one in Micarta. The only real issues I have ever had with wood was seperation from the tang. A little epoxy or glue and a vise cured that.
 
Well Scott, it's Damian, the one who ordered the big ole nessmuk from you
with the G10 scales. As much as I love wood, especially on a more traditional
knife like a nessmuk, in the end it comes down to durability and function
over the beauty and warmth of wood. It always is so difficult in the
decision process, but since I have discovered these newer materials,
I have chosen them 90 % of the time for my knives over wood, and
I have never regretted it.

Damn, I got thinking about the knife again, I cannot wait until
it is done and in my hands and I can give it a good workout.

loving your work constantly, Damian.
 
Are we talking about stabilized wood as well? What about Ironwood? I have only recently gotten a few knives with wood scales. Two are stabilized walnut, one is stabilized hickory, and another is ironwood.
All too new to see any real changes, except the stablilized hickory. The hickory handle was made in GA, by Andy Roy. Shipped to Arizona, Lee's Cutlery. Sat there for a while, I suppose. Then was sent to me, in FL. When I got the knife, I could feel the edges of the wood around the micarta pins, and the wood looked dry. I rubbed it with some Tung oil, and they look less dry and seem to swell up a bit, not much.
Anyway, how often have you guys had problems with Stabilized wood scales, or Ironwood?
I'm liking micarta these days, G-10 is either to slick, or made too textured. Also, I sanded a G-10 handle and it seemed to be softer than micarta. I was cutting through the G-10 very fast. Makes me think that G-10 could get damaged and or scarred more than micarta.
 
Scott, I do like wood and the same goes for stag. For wood, I like the stabilized burls as they seem to be pretty tough and do not display the problems as suggested above (in my experience). In saying that, I prefer wood or stag on smaller knives.

I prefer micarta on my 'go to' knives as we all know, it can take a massive amount of abuse.

As for G10, I have had it on a few knives and while I have heard is is pretty tough stuff with larger knives, I just do not seem to have the confidence with it. I do like it on smaller knives like the UNK or Esee 3, 4. And of course, only orange... :)
 
I agree with you Scott. Micarta and G10 are the only way to go on hard use knives. I prefer Micarta over G10.
 
PDE, I'm liking that bigger Nessmuk design:thumbup: Stabilized wood is not what I'm referring to. If it's been stabilized then it is a stable handle material like micarta. I've only used it a few times and really can't comment much on it. I've seen ironwood and lignum vitae shrink. If it's a natural material, it will do the things I mentioned in the first post. Alot depends on your enviroment/part of the world you live in.
Scott
 
I'm new here...... but not new to knives or the outdoors. I have never owned a knife with wood scales that I used as my main fixed blade. I have owned a few Helles, but never used them on any backpacking trips. My "go too" fixed blades have either G-10, or micarta.

So I'm with most of you. I love my carving blades that have wood handles, and wouldn't want them any other way. My outdoor blades are a different animal all together.

BTW Mr. Gossman. You make some very nice looking knives. I have been searching over in W&S and your knives as well as Fiddleback, Koster, JK Knives, NWA, and many others are very talented. :)
 
Scott I agree with everyone that micarta or g10 are the best for an outdoor knife. Living up here my Tusker is out in everything from 90 degree summer days to late season bow hunting in -20 degree and snowing.


Mike
 
Cascade_mtn's said:
I'm new here...... but not new to knives or the outdoors. I have never owned a knife with wood scales that I used as my main fixed blade. I have owned a few Helles, but never used them on any backpacking trips. My "go too" fixed blades have either G-10, or micarta.

So I'm with most of you. I love my carving blades that have wood handles, and wouldn't want them any other way. My outdoor blades are a different animal all together.

BTW Mr. Gossman. You make some very nice looking knives. I have been searching over in W&S and your knives as well as Fiddleback, Koster, JK Knives, NWA, and many others are very talented. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment and welcome.
Mike, sweat in hot weather, along with humid conditions, wet, snow and cold dry air can reek havic on wood handles.
Scott
 
I only have one knife with a wooden handle (stablised ironwood) and its not a hard use knife.

I like rough textured canvas micarta and also kraton on outdoor knives. Kraton gets pooh-poohed a lot but its got a lot of merit.

Agreed on a custom knife its not really an option but Daniel Winkler is offering recycled rubber for his hard use knife handles which seems like a good idea to me.
 
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