How does C-Tek hold up as handle material?

[GhostAlpha0]

I've been eyeing a knife that has a C-Tek handle. There's no doubt it looks great but how durable is it compared to G-10 or Micarta Handles? Anybody have any experience with this stuff?

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Great question! Im interested too, as I have pondered this same inquiry.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

As far as I know it's just a resin filled aluminum honeycomb. So I'd bet it's about as durable as resin and thin aluminum. Should be pretty shock resistant, but will scratch easily.

 

[K.O.D.]

I'm looking to put red C-TEK on my Domino. Seems to be a good material. Anyone know of a maker?

 

[BellaBlades]

It is not durable like g10 or micarta. It looks nice but that's about it. I've used it along with other type of resin materials and it can fracture pretty easily.

It's cool for inlays etc..

 

[navman]

I have used it twice...never again! I cracks, is a pain to work with and scratches VERY easily.

 

[K.O.D.]

What would y'all recommend as an alternative to the typical handle materials? I like unique stuff. I have plenty of CF, micarta is ok, g-10 bores me. I always though C-TEK looked cool. Though I love the ironwood scales on my Manix 2, I'm looking for something else.

Thanks.

 

[cbach8tw]

I forget the name, but there is a material made from horse stall matts that is cool and quite durable. Only have heard of it but no experience with it.

 

[palonej]

No complaints here.
Unfortunately, the makers of these have become shark food.......deservedly so.

 

[Brhowser87]

I've heard from some makers that it's not as durable as some handle material and if your not careful while drilling and sanding it will crack.

All that said, alot of people/companies are using it with no major outbreaks of "I sneezed and my handle cracked". So as long as you're using your knives like you have some sense you should have no issues.

 

[22-rimfire]

I own one knife with a C-Tek handle (Bark River). I think it is probably about as durable as any of the resin type man made material. Haven't used it much and it has suffered no abuse. I was looking for a handle for a woods knife that I could easily find if I sat it down during some task (especially if I absent mindedly walked away and came back to retrieve it). I generally favor this blade shape, but lately I have been interested in Kepharts.

Here is a picture of it (Wilderness Explorer model) (purchased 2018) with the White River Backpacker Pro with orange G-10 handles.

To answer your question directly, I don't know how it will hold up over a long period of time with regular use. I won't use it enough to matter to be honest (unless it just falls apart). I carry this knife in the woods if I want something larger than 4" and not a Kephart. I am pretty taken with the Kephart design overall and four of my last purchases (within a year) have been Kepharts.

 

[cbach8tw]

Still another material is Burlatex, which is still resin and heavy fabric micarta, offer ed by Olde Towne Cutlery, which is a vendor here. Just trying to think of another material to use. What about Kirinite?