Is it just me?

sawgrass

sawgrass

Joined
Mar 27, 2014
Messages
406
Why is it the last few years, all knives have to have plastic or man made scales. I am prejudice, I know, but they all look somewhat alike. For those of us that prefer a good ebony or desert ironwood burl, or such, or stag, bone or even mammoth bark, bone or interior ivory. I don't think we are running out of good wood, or stag, or mammoth yet. Ok, I am probably a little old fashioned, but I do love the look of these good products for great looking scales. Yes, some uses of survival knives, and maybe others, should use micarta or something, but do all knives have to look alike now? Mark me down for natural scales, and I don't mean laminated either. So throw a stick at me. I can't be alone in this... Thanks. Let's hear your thoughts.
 
The scales aren't simply plastic. Lots of knives are being made with polymer materials or things like fiberglass reinforced nylon. This is being done because it is cheap to make, incredibly easy to custom mold, is very strong while still being insanely light, and is basically chemically inert. I prefer G10 in general, but modern polymers are great materials too, even if people consider them cheap and or junky.
 
I'm not a fan of the natural materials. They are too susceptible to swelling, cracking, and general damage. The modern stuff isn't really affected by cold or heat and most importantly water. It's easier to clean and is able to achieve a better texturing. But, there is something to be said about the beauty of natural materials. It's an area that it has the newer stuff beat.
 
I can see where some people are coming from, but for me, I am a modern materials kinda guy. I enjoy seeing technology put to use, and frankly have no interest in wood or bone. They certainly don't do anything better, and for me, don't the look better either (there are honestly few vintage things I like, so I am biased I guess...)
 
There are so many choices available these days that you don't need to "go plastic". But, I have the plastic or polymer scales that are very functional. The Kabar Beckers are a good example. For the most part, I like G10 or micarta for working fixed blade knives, but I have been perfectly satisfied with polymer knife handles too.

Most of my variety on scales or handle material with natural materials are on the traditional slip joints of one sort or another. I really like stag on a fixed blade, but if I plan on using it a lot in the woods, I prefer something like G10 or micarta. Stag on a bird & trout fixed blade works for me. I am not a fan of the rubber-like handles (SOGs are an example) however except I do like the SAKs with their soft handle material. I guess you might say that I like a little of everything.
 
The look of a nice cocobolo or ironwood handle is beautiful. But aside from looks , the natural stuff just can't compare to modern handle materials like G10 and CF. The strength and weight alone seals the deal for me. Not to mention resistance to the elements , temp and moisture.

But to each his own. If you like wood and bone then stick with that. To me it just seems like taking a step backward in terms of longevity and performance.
 
I am a big fan of natural materials on knives IMO the look and the feel of the handles and the scales are much better than the man made materials . but for practicality the man made materials are stronger and more weather resistant and take a lot less maintenance .so for me it's swings and round abouts .
 
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I am with the op. I love natural materials. For many knives, I believe it adds a flair that the phenolics and other synthetics don't. As far as function goes: it's like anything else. It does the intended job. If it's a rigging knife to be used while on deck then a synthetic is key. If it's a handy pocket slip joint then the grip provided by a natural material should be more than adequate.
 
I love the way natural materials look and feel in hand, especially in a light-duty EDC or gentleman's folder. I prefer modern handle materials for a knife that's going to get wet or have the snot beaten out of it. If you feel that modern handle materials all look the same, just look at the way Hogue or Bark River do their layered G10. You can have an interesting handle without sacrificing utility.
 
I find that for me, it depends on the type of knife, as to my preference. For a traditional, natural materials all the way; it is simply befitting. For a modern folder, though, I'll take the best modern materials that can be thrown at it, and my preferences lie with carbon fiber, twills, and G10. The point made about necessary or appropriate grip is also key in this determination.
 
I do agree that there are really good man made materials for utility use knives. Maybe I just like to hold, fondle and look at mine more. If I were using a knife as a camp knife or such, sure, you are right, there are great weather and abuse resistant materials. I don't use my god knives that way, so I love the beauty of natural materials, but then I keep my good knives in a humidity controlled safe. In opening the thread, it was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but it does seem that almost all knives are made with man made scales rather than a balance based on use or collecting. Great comments, keep them coming.
 
I'm kinda torn on this one, as I love the look of natural scale materials. Wood and Stag specifically. I also love the look of colored G-10 and FRN. I just don't like the worry that comes with buying the natural stuff. I know that with minimal care it will last just as long, serve just as well, etc, etc. I had one beloved blued gun rust due to my error, other than my shotgun, I own the stainless guns. My mother sent a nice wooden handled pocketknife through the dishwasher once when I was a kid and left it laying in the kitchen, lesson learned. I look at the natural stuff, I buy the other.

Grizz
 
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Am I the only guy here who owns knives with natural material scales? I have wood scales, bone scales, and mammoth ivory scales. I probably have something else laying around, too, but I am positive about those three.

As others have mentioned, the man-made materials handle the heat and humidity better than most natural materials, to say nothing of shocks, scratches, and general abuse.

The natural materials are fun and often beautiful, but there isn't much that can compete with FRN, G-10, or carbon fiber for performance.
 
I'm going to be lynched for this, but I just plain don't like "natural" materials on knives. The rustic / natural look to me, no matter how much time and effort given, just looks slapdash, like they took any random crap that was lying around and slapped it on a piece of metal to make a knife. Bone? Antler? Stag? Ivory? No thanks. I'll go about as far as a nice grainless ebony, preferably lacquered, but that's about as natural as I can stand. I'm perfectly happy with the 21st century aesthetic. G-10, steel, aluminum, titanium, FRN, CF, GRP, yeah baby.

Y'know, if someone ever comes up with a way to make a knife handle that's completely transparent but still decently rugged, I'll be a drooling wreck.
 
I appreciate both ends of the spectrum.

I do see guys who hate on polymers... Works on my guns, works on my knives... Nuff said.
 
could not agree more with OP-- I collect for the art, I want material to be unique and take skill to work. I want my collection to have appreciating value. So rare animal parts, plant bits, or hardstone is infinitely preferred to any modern material, as they are harder and harder to get, and long after they can still make plastic there will not be any ivory left, nor any iron woods, nor any of the good burls.

and wood, bone, etc do not "give out" faster than modern materials-- there are blades that are 500 years old with ivory scales, and wood scales, its about how you keep the knife. Modern material lacks character, lacks spirit, lacks unique form. For all those reasons I like all natural materials and all hand made blades.

I really prefer wooden furniture on guns as well to plastic-- yes you have to actually maintain wood and leather, but that is part of the ritual of owning these weapons.
 
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