Does anyone honestly enjoy the look and feel of non-natural scales?

Not a fan of any natural scales, really don't get the attraction of bone handles at all.
I like gruff G-10, Micarta, Zytel.
Not a fan of metal or carbon fibre or 'fancy' scales - the attraction for me is a serious 'user' knife that looks like it will survive 100mph down a highway and still be good to go.
 
It depends on the synthetic material.
Natural (real) Tortoise Shell, Walrus Ivory, and Elephant Ivory, whale bone, (among many others), for example, unless pre 1910's(?) with documentation to prove it upon demand, is banned, illegal to possess, and subject to seizure.
The synthetic imitations are legal, and look identical. (some look so identical they have to be viewed under a black light to confirm they are a synthetic, and not real).

I like the look of tortoise shell and ivory on some knife patterns.
As much as I would like a knife with real Ivory, tortoise shell, or whatever, I have less than zero desire to carry around a briefcase or backpack containing the several pounds or reams of documentation tracing the ownership of the material from when it was collected, perhaps in the 1700's or before, telling who shot the critter and when, down to the minute, his or her hunting license number (possibly requiring a copy of that license), the names of the safari guides and porters, used, etc., along with the names of everyone who owned it before it came into my possession.

I heard that CITIES is debating banning fossilized Mastodon Ivory and all other Mastodon parts (so what if mastodons been extinct for around 40,000 years?) along with fossilized walrus, whale and dinosaur parts.

Synthetics are the only practical way to have "tortoise shell" and "Ivory" (and possibly in the near future fossilized Mastodon and other critter parts)
Synthetic Abalone, and other sea shells, Pearls, corals, etc. (not banned by CITIES), are much more affordable than the genuine article, as well.

The only synthetic covers I own are acrylic (one Rough Rider Barlow with imitation Abalone, and clear (over artwork), on four Rough Ryder "Rider's of the Silver Screen" moose), smooth G10, smooth black canvas micarta, and Delrin/Stagalon.
I don't object to how they feel in hand.
I will admit I'm not overly fond of how two of the three knives I have with Stagalon look. (nowhere close to real stag.)
The only natural cover materials I own are wood, (some "stabilized" (why?) by filling with epoxy or whatever, some unstabilized) bovine bone, stag, and (naturally dropped) elk antler.
 
Kabancheck said:
how awesome was “crocodile” G-10 scale on ZT 200-300 models!
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The ZT0200 scales were awesome to look at, and to use with gloves...but the texture was overly aggressive when new, and a real pocket shredder. I ground mine smooth (but, honestly, I'd like another set of stock scales. I'd still sand them down a bit, for the sake of my jeans; but I would leave more of the texture).
The 0300 wasn't as aggressively textured in feel; but, by that point, I just couldn't embrace the a/o.

To address the original topic - I prefer natural covers on my traditionals; but tend to prefer g10 or micarta on modern folders (I'm not averse to metal handles, as long as they're shaped/contoured comfortably). Fixed blades, though, can go either way, depending on the knife.
 
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Bone, horn, wood, ebony on traditionals....wood for bowies...I like cf and micarta for the higher end less hard use knives....stacked leather for the camping/out in the woods stuff....for edc its almost all frn or g10, never had issue with frn or g10 and I really like how spyderco does their textured frn....have had bone and horn split, wood has split and warped, cheap plastic scales will crack, ive scratched micarta, leather requires care especially after hard use and getting wet etc.....but frn and g10 beat on it all you want and it doesn't have an issue....would love mammoth tusk but won't drop that much coin to just stare at a knife I couldn't bring myself to use it
 
re: Korean Hog...Emerson G10 grips are too rough on my jeans; Spydies are fine.
Actually, I'm quite happy with my EDC large Sebbie and titanium-slabs.
 
Wood is my favorite but something of a rarity on the modern flipper-tab knives I've come to prefer. I also like Micarta and G-10 when done right. The only material I actively avoid is metal. I don't like the feel of metal scales in my hand.
 
Outside of micarta I'm not a huge fan of synthetic handles. With that being said rubber has its place with the extra grip and all weather comfort.
 
I actually think that micarta feels kind of soft to me. I like it as a daily carry material. It feels warmer if that makes any sense.
 
Only thing I don’t like is Zytel or FRN. But even those have their place on a lightweight knife you can still wail on. They just feel cheapo to me.

I love stag, bone, horn, and wood on traditionals. I’m fine with micarta, g10, Ti, and Carbon fiber on modern knives.

One of my favorite handle materials is the resiprene C Busse uses on some of their knives. It’s lightweight, super grippy, absorbs shock, and it’s very comfortable.
 
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It depends how the scales are attached onto the knife. I don't have a preference as long as it is tastefully done, but for organic material, it would be even better if there is a way to remove/replace them in a long run.

My only qualm with knife scale is carbon fiber. I dealt with the material often in my previous life, and if I could avoid it, I would.
 
Yalius said:
Not a fan of bone, stag, horn, etc. They just look... unfinished. Unprofessional.
Click to expand...
What?!?

Be honest...does this Buck 110 with water buffalo scales look unfinished or unprofessional?
Heck, if I didn't tell you they were water buffalo horn you might think they were black micarta.

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How about this Buck 112 with elk antler...

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