Favorite Handle Material

joshsmith

joshsmith

Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
646
As a maker sometimes it can be a stuggle deciding what material to use for a handle. Some questions can include: Will it look cheap with wood? What kind of wood should be used? Is white ivory o.k.? Will colored ivory be over the top? What color pearl should be used? Generally I try and imagine the overall package of the knife but when designing it, the handle material can greatly change the direction of the knife. From a collector point of view what is your favorite handle material for the following.

Carbon Steel Bowie $800+ range:

Damascus Bowie/Fighter: $1000+range:

Damascus Folder: $1000+range:
 
I prefer the Mammoth ivory above most handle material. I figure this is because its got the greatest range of color, aside from pearl. I think walrus tusk is nice too and the shape compliments bowie handles. Mammoth color seems to stand out to me more though. Since I am a folder collector, I love different kinds of small pearl slabs as well. It seems to me that many collectors prefer a more classic design with out flashy colors but I tend to go for a knife with flashy color on the handle (as long as its natural). If I was carrying the knife, I would want it more plain. If wood is to be used, some kind of curly wood would look nice, like Koa. Overall, I think wood does look a little cheap, if the knife is for presentation or collecting purposes.

Carbon steel bowie- I would like some kind of walrus or mammoth ivory that is not too flashy.
Damascus bowie- More color and texture on the handle (mammoth or walrus)
Damascus folder- Colorful Mammoth ivory, brown or black lip pearl with full range of colors, maybe walrus if its a good peice

One thing I like and dont see much of, is ancient elephant ivory with the blue cracks running up and down, like the one I pictured below by the Crawfords.
PatCrawford2.jpg
 
Excellent question Josh. I have the same trouble, trying to out-think the collector sometimes bites me.
 
In my case, it would some kind of wood as that is the only material that I have had the courage to use:D I'm currently favoring curly maple, figured walnut, blackwood and amboyna. However, I did just order some stag, so we will see. I like "ivory colored" ivory too, be it elephant, mammoth interior, walrus, hippo incisor, etc. but i am afraid to use it at this point.
 
$800.00 range - Really nice hardwood, Stellar's seacow bone.

$1000.00 10 $1500.00 - Stag, really nice hardwood, oosic, mammoth legbone and ivory.

$1500.00 and up - Ivory and hardwood with wire inlay.

$1000.00 and up folders - Ivory and MOP.
 
Love great stag and ivory. Like ironwood too even though I have never own a knife with it. Even have liked the dreaded giraffe bone on occasion. :eek:

Carbon Steel Bowie $800+ range: Stag; natural and amber

Damascus Bowie/Fighter: $1000+range: Rich colorful mammoth and walrus ivories and premium amber stag.

Damascus Folder: $1000+range: Rich colorful mammoth and walrus ivories.
 
I just like micarta because I'm a utilitarian type, but i like a nice stabilized wood, but it depends on the knife, a shiny stainless knife should be treated differently than a dark damascus blade.
 
a black 1911 with elephant bark ivory grips looks nice. I would love to have a folder to match.

Kevin
 
I really am starting to like stabilized dyed box elder burl. You can get it in just about any color and it is extremely pretty when done by a good stabilizer. I have never used giraffe bone or mammoth ivory because of the price, but for the knives that you are making I think those would also be excellent choices.
 
I can't help it. :o
My new favourite handle material for a damascus folder is:
Jasper.
Beechey3.jpg

Greg
 
For most pieces, I would always favor ivory of some sort, being understood that the quality would be different on a $1,500 piece than on a $800 one. I know of collectors who do not want any ivory though.

Most stag looks "blah" to me. The exception would be one amazingly figured and / or amber dyed. Also, "blah" stag that has been polished shiny is an acceptable material for some pieces IMHO.

Nice woods are great, but all things being equal, I prefer ivories. In most commissions I've discussed, ivories always raise the price of the final piece though.
 
I would choose Stag 75% of the time. I have gotten some pretty poor Stag on some pretty expensive knive, though. If I didn't live in 12% humidity I'd go with the different Ivories.
Killer Ironwood will work for me in place of Stag or Ivory.

Black Lip Pearl and Antique Tortoise works for me on folders.

And, of course, Micarta on fighters, tac folders and the like.;)

Win
 
Carbon Steel Bowie $800+ range: Premium wood / stag.

Damascus Bowie/Fighter: $1000+range: Premium wood, stag, ivories

Damascus Folder: $1000+range: ivories, pearls.

My favorite woods include walnut, blackwood, maple, ironwood, snakewood, buckeye, madrone, box elder. I think wood can be an excellent choice for both damascus and carbon bowies:

orig.jpg


Roger
 
There are no rules or standards when it comes to what materials should go on a knife in a certain price range.
I am basically a folder maker but the same questions always come up. I buy and use the best materials that I can. Sometimes picking out material for a certain knife depends on what I have invested in that material. More expensive materials for more expensive knives.

If the material will fit perfectly on the knife you are working on, go ahead and put higher end material on a lower priced knife. The perceived value is higher and the customer is getting more knife for the money.

My favorite folder handle material is pearl. It dosen't shrink or warp. Use fresh belts and it won't chip or crack and always polishes up nicely.
 
striper28 said:
There are no rules or standards when it comes to what materials should go on a knife in a certain price range.
I am basically a folder maker but the same questions always come up. I buy and use the best materials that I can. Sometimes picking out material for a certain knife depends on what I have invested in that material. More expensive materials for more expensive knives.

If the material will fit perfectly on the knife you are working on, go ahead and put higher end material on a lower priced knife. The perceived value is higher and the customer is getting more knife for the money.

My favorite folder handle material is pearl. It dosen't shrink or warp. Use fresh belts and it won't chip or crack and always polishes up nicely.
Click to expand...
You seem to use a lot of materials, Chuck. Now I now you are primarily a folder guy, but I really like that stag "hunter" that you have in your sample gallery. That is a really cool grind you did on that blade
:thumbup:
 
Funnily enough price range does not affect my choice of material, heres what I like:

Woods: Blackwood (my favourite), Ironwood, Rosewood, Walnut, even a nice piece of maple!
Stag: Gold quality Carvers only on a Bowie, high quality scales on a traditional folder. Not a big fan of stag scales on a large knife, too many sub standard, poorly dyed examples, prone to shrinkage on frame handles. For me Stag has to be consistent in texture and well shaped.

Ivories: A unique piece of Mammoth ivory is good, but the more regular offerings are in danger or being over used. Elephant or walrus ivory in any state or age is a no no for me, but I do think a nice even coloured piece can look the business. For the premium involved I want real differentiation.

Pearl: Love it, but difficult to get scales big enough for large knives - and for this I will pay a premium: Fiery White or Black lip on a folder or frame handle is my favourite.

A BIG consideration for me is stability and longevity - and this can have alot to do with the makers knowledge and skill in preparation and treatment.

Stephen
 
Like Stephen noted, I'm not necessarily fixed on having certain materials at a certain price range.

For carbon fixed blades I generally like woods (blackwood and buckeye burl being favorites) and stag.

For damascus fixed blades I tend to prefer walrus ivory. Living in an extremely dry climate I've found that fossil walrus holds up a lot better than mammoth. I wont commission anything with mammoth anymore, though I will buy exisiting pieces with it, if I really like them.

Currently my folder collection is limited to pieces I carry, and so all have synthetic materials. I have a dress folder incoming soon though, and that will have fossil walrus on it.
 
Carbon Steel Bowie $800+ range: premium hardwood, silver pins

Damascus Bowie/Fighter: $1000+range: Kauri wood with inlay, some ivory

Damascus Folder: $1000+range: Sea turtle shell with ivory
 
I would be cautious using wood handle material on most expensive knives unless planning on keeping long term.
 
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