Favorite material for scales? And why?

[Josh1992]

Wanted to discuss handle materials with some fellow knife lovers. Personally I’m really a big fan of micarta and I like exotic hard wood usually of the tropical variety. But what about you?

 

[000Robert]

I favor hardwoods and Micarta. Here is my Carothers DEK1 with Cocobolo scales and Unbuffed Black Micarta scales with blued titanium hardware. The why is beauty and feel. They are gorgeous and I love how they feel in my hands.

 

[LimpCroissant]

My three absolute favorites are titanium, micarta, and carbon fiber. I've always loved titanium and many years ago, when I found out you could get a knife with a titanium framelock, I thought they were just the coolest thing in the world. I still think that. Out of the composite handles I really love micarta and carbon fiber. Both are very light and have a nice pleasant warm feel to them. I also really like aluminum handles on folders, and every once in a while a nice wood.

 

[calm]

popcorn stag for looks, composite materials for harder use (potential drops)

 

[willc]

For modern knives I think FRN is the best and CS grivory is excellent too.

Traditional knives I like wood covers with ebony and cocobolo being my favorites.

 

[jfk1110]

Green canvas micarta, mammoth tusk with that awesome copper blueing, mammoth tooth & some nice stag!!

 

[Rufus1949]

I prefer titanium which allows for custom etching,which leads to better grip.
Micarta is a close second.
My GECs are wood.

 

[Bob Denman]

Carbon Fiber is my "go-to" choice.
But Micarta and Titanium certainly will NEVER hurt my feelingsT

 

[Officer's Match]

This works for me.

 

[Stelth]

1. Micarta
2. G10
3. Metal
4. Wood

 

[3fifty7]

If I’m buying a folder I like titanium, micarta, nice wood.
If I’m buying or making a fixed blade I like micarta and nice wood.
I’m definitely a sucker for buckeye burl.

 

[Glenn Goodlett]

Titanium and carbon fiber are my preferences. I especially like pattern welded titanium (timascus) and lightning strike carbon fiber. I don't care for wood or micarta. Honorable mention to zirconium and mammoth tusk.

 

[Josh1992]

I favor hardwoods and Micarta. Here is my Carothers DEK1 with Cocobolo scales and Unbuffed Black Micarta scales with blued titanium hardware. The why is beauty and feel. They are gorgeous and I love how they feel in my hands.

View attachment 1870122View attachment 1870123

Wow those are awesome

 

[Josh1992]

Titanium and carbon fiber are my preferences. I especially like pattern welded titanium (timascus) and lightning strike carbon fiber. I don't care for wood or micarta. Honorable mention to zirconium and mammoth tusk.

That Timascus is awesome

 

[Josh1992]

I haven’t had much experience with carbon fiber has anyone heard of it splintering and poking your hand?

 

[Peter Hartwig]

My practical choice is micarta. Feels good in the hand , looks good, and durable.
For cool factor-mammoth bark

 

[Horsewright]

Always been a natural handle material kind of a guy. While synthetics might be a bit more durable, honestly I fix very few knife handles. The natural materials have a warmth that synthetics can not match. Favs are elk, sheephorn ironwood, walnut, rosewoods etc.

Buckeye Burl for 3fifty7 :

Sheephorn:

Ironwood:

Elk:

Ya get the idea.

 

[brancron]

Carbon fiber, titanium and micarta are the elite triumvirate when it comes to knife scales:

First among them for me will always be micarta. I just love the variety, the depth, the feel, etc. of micarta, especially old micarta.

 

[DavidABQ]

my favorite handle material is wood. I like micarta, carbon fiber and titanium just fine but I REALLY like wood. Each piece is unique and I like the feel as well as the looks of wood.

 

[Josh1992]

Always been a natural handle material kind of a guy. While synthetics might be a bit more durable, honestly I fix very few knife handles. The natural materials have a warmth that synthetics can not match. Favs are elk, sheephorn ironwood, walnut, rosewoods etc.

Buckeye Burl for 3fifty7 :

Sheephorn:

Ironwood:

Elk:

Ya get the idea.

Very nice set of knives I like that some are stabilized too then you get the best of both worlds