I have a question about handle materials

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MAD777

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Aug 3, 2011
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I have a question about handle material. But first, let me give you a bit of background. I am a backpacker but I really don't know much about knives at all. I've been using a couple of Mora's which have served me quite well considering their price. But it is time that I buy a real (expensive) knife. This will be my one good knife, so I don't want to make a mistake on the handle material.

My use of the knife would be for light bushcraft while backpacking and camping. I cook over wood fires and I make my own tent stakes (usually because I can't find my real stakes). I also cut poles for pitching my tarp in “porch” mode. And I hopefully won't have to fashion a splint, ugh!

What little experience I do have with knives has led me to the conclusion that the handle is as important as the blade. IMO, a wonderfully crafted, strong, fine blade with a wimpy, slick handle can't be controled enough to get the full performance of the blade. Not to mention, it's can be unsafe, especially for the coordination challenged,... like me. As a matter of fact, I have a rubber handled Mora that is the most comfortable knife I have and can make that simple blade do more than my S30V knife that has an uncomfortable handle.

That being said, back to my question. Among the choices of wood, canvas micarta and G10, which one is more suited to my uses.

As an added note, I hike mostly in Florida and New Hampshire which are often wet places. Besides, when cooking, my hands usually get wet anyway. Control of the knife is my main concern, however if all else is equal, I love the look of wood.

I know I'm probably the least knowledgeable poster here, so all advice is greatly appreciated.
 
of the 3 canvas micarta is the grippiest feeling in your hand, wood or g10 can get slippery when wet with water or blood. at least for me.

the mora's are good woods knives, I personally just like something a bit heavier for making tent poles and other woods crafting chores around a camp. you might consider a esee4 or esee6 both are very good camping and backpacking knives. with the edge going to the 4 because of weight for most. for me i sacrifice the weight and carry the 6.

take it easy
cricket
 
Don't forget to look at materials like what you will find on Fallkniven knives (Kraton?). Hard "rubber" it's my favorite for woods knives.
 
I agree with cricket. Also check out the fallkniven series (can't speak from experience but I have heard they are very good knives, I specifically like the norther series look). Not sure what handle matierial those are tho, but ya of the three I would say canvas micarta.
 
michaelmcgo said:
Don't forget to look at materials like what you will find on Fallkniven knives (Kraton?). Hard "rubber" it's my favorite for woods knives.
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Wow what are the odds! you posted about the fallkniven knives as I was typing my post. What can I say, great minds think alike!
 
Grippy is good! Since I'm looking for a bit bigger knife, I surely wouldn't like it going anywhere I don't want it to go.
 
Take a look at the Fallkniven F1. I have two of them: the first is a standard priced one with the Kraton handle. The second one is a premium version with polished micarta scales and red liners. I like them both for what they are. The Kraton handle is more grippy when wet, but the micarta handle sure is nice and comfortable...
 
Another vote for Fällkniven F1!
If you don't fancy the standard "hard rubber" handle you can always make a custom from their blanks.
 
MAD777 said:
Grippy is good! Since I'm looking for a bit bigger knife, I surely wouldn't like it going anywhere I don't want it to go.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you might want to look in the area of Fallkniven, Bark River, ESEE, and Possibly Kabar.
 
How much bigger? Many (myself included) feel that "grippy" is not good on a knife that is being used hard or to chop. "Grippy" can be tough on the hands.

Wood, canvas micarta and G10 are all very good choices, as is the stacked leather in the Fallkniven Northern Lights Series that NJWHN95 mentioned.

And that Fallkniven F1 mentioned several times is almost universally beloved.

It just may all boil down to what you think feels and looks best.
 
put me in for another vote for the Bark River knives, they have a huge selection of sizes styles and handle colors types and so on. From what i know they make almost every knife in both stainless and carbon steels.
 
NOt all micarta and G-10 have the same feel. Bark River polishes there's with wax or something, so they are more slick, yet the handle shapes give a "lock" on the handles.
Over time, the exterior of the outside layer of say canvas micarta can get smoother, due to wear and grime. Textured G-10 can be very grippy, yet like some rubber handles, also cause more blisters during extended hard use.
I have used some Boiled Linseed oil on wood handles, from knives to garden tools to my Bokkens, and it has a perfect balance of smoothness and grip. Even sweaty hands can grip my bokkens and knives.

Micarta is very strong, I throw my Ontario RD Hawk all the time, it's heavy and the micart just bouces right off of trees. It has some marring, but no cuts, cracks, or chips. It's texture has worn down from use and dirt, but a light sand or media blast would restore the grip. Other guys take a dremmel tool to micarta and G-10 to make them sorta look like boot tread, but that could give hot spots. There's always a balance.

I think the shape of the handle will more important in the long run, for most situations. If you do alot of winter camping, you might consider a hidden tang, to avoid contact with the cold steel.

For someone not very experienced with knives, you sure are on the right path. Moras are great for the money, and plenty of people use them and no other knife.
 
Thanks to all for your very constructive and obviously knowledgeable advice!
From an aesthetic viewpoint, I admire the wood. But this is a knife that will be used, not displayed and the micarta is sounding very practical. Especially, since I
must admit, I'm not the regimented maintainer type (that's a shame).

The knife I'm focused in on is the Bark River Canadian Special in 3V steel. I comes in an overwhelmingly 638 color/material handle combinations (OK, I didn't count them, but that's got to be close).
 
I'd say go with it, with the micarta and that grip shape it shouldnt go anywhere. If the micarta is too slick for you you could sand it with a low grit paper, it wont look as nice but will be rougher and "grippier". As far as the blade goes, bark rivers cut like demons and come laser sharp. You wont be disappointed.
 
Maybe try a Becker BK-2. It's a very capable knife: big enough for chopping, but small enough for bushcraft and finer camp tasks. Best of all, it's inexpensive enough to buy one and still afford to pick up a bunch of different scales for it. I think chances are good that if you choose to have some custom scales made, you'll not have to send your knife in for a fitting. Pretty ubiquitous...
 
i vote micarta on a esee6 or bigger for what u are looking for.. i love the over feel of the micarta from handguns to knives. i just picked up a esse the other day and love it. but i went bigger then the 6, i got big needs. i went back and forth between knives when getting the esee but the grips sold me on the style and the rep sold me esee.
 
I say go for the Canadian Special. I really like that pattern, it looks neat, and it feels great in my hands. It may not be much of a chopper, but if the moras are serving their purpose, the BRKT may be more appropriate for the tasks you intend on using the knife for rather than a heavier, thicker blade.
 
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