Knife handle materials

S

Seriousbladeno1

Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
921
Hi Guys and Gals

I dedicate this thread to discussion about variety of handle materials.

Who prefer what materials on their knives and for what reasons? Is it esthetic,compatibility or durability etc.?

What are the characteristics and pros and cons of variety of materials?

Synthetic vs Natural?

Share all opinions,photographs, knowledge please.

Thank You
 
Why not share your preferences based on your experience? Can't very well expect to live vicariously through the rest of us.

Myself? G10, Canvas Micarta (close second), Other Micartas, FRN, Krayton (rubbery), and then all the rest. In that order. I want performance over looks. I want longevity and ease of maintenance. I go out of my way to avoid wood.
 
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Smooth polished Micarta is king for me. Aesthetically pleasing, functions well, and comes in a wide variety of types.
 
One material that always grabbed my attention but I never had a chance to check out was C-tek.

Couple months ago I bought some pre-made clear scales made of c-tek for a custom that never happened. Not long after I decided to use them on a different custom. I discovered Triple J Knifeworks in Lexington Ky and really wanted one of their Okami models. So I said hey..I've got these scales..let's usem.
Clear C-tek over Josh's "copperwash" finish gave them an amber look that is AMAZING in my opinion.
A little sanding gave them a terrific grippy feel without being abrasive to your hands. I love the look and feel..So I think C-tek is a highly underrated handle material.


nwmacC4.jpg
 
For me, it depends on the overall design and how it will be incorporated into the knife.

I have various types of CF, some Ironwood, pearl, G10, micarta, full ti handles, and even one that is Japanese cord wrapped. I don't really have a favorite material, variety is the spice of life:D
 
I'm a big fan of wood/partial wood handles, but G10 has impressed me in the short time that I've had a G10 knife. I think my next knife will have linen micarta, though.
 
i like low-cost, high value knives. I end up with lots of plastic handles. They are durable, don't get cold in the winter, provide decent grip, so I don't mind them. I really like the warmth of wood handles.
 
I am quietly watching mummy movies and chopping up felted wool blankets for an experiment in micarta later this week . . . yee ha, learn or die!
 
craytab said:
Why not share your preferences based on your experience? Can't very well expect to live vicariously through the rest of us.

Myself? G10, Linen Micarta (close second), Other Micartas, FRN, Krayton (rubbery), and then all the rest. In that order. I want performance over looks. I want longevity and ease of maintenance. I go out of my way to avoid wood.
Click to expand...

I have no problem with that,why not?! I personally prefer natural materials,that gives knife beautiful esthetic look and touch of nature,rather than synthetics.Natural materials such as stag horn,buffalo horn,variety of woods,included exotic woods may not be able to compete with synthetic modern materials such as micarta,G10,kraton rubber,when it comes to toughness,durability and longevity,but for me,they give the steel "life" in certain way....and are reminder of old traditions and classic look.They give the knife real class also....

From my own experience I like Indian Rosewood, Stag & Buffalo horn,,,,rubbery Kraton is very practical but appears and gives knife "cheap, cold look" to me.

I have no experience with Micartas or G10 or other synthetics (but it would be interesting to read, where these materials originally comes from,who invented them and what exactly they are made of and how?) They supposed to be very long lasting and one of the toughest...

It would be interesting to know especially topic of woods used in knifemaking for handles.What sort of woods are considered as "ordinary" and what sort of woods are having top notch quality and are possibly most expensive ones and based on what factors ?I have my eye on so called Desert Ironwood, but never experienced this material on handle,maybe somebody can give a hint about this one?
 
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I really like textured canvas Micarta — looks nice and isn't too slippy.

Woods are great too, I just love the way a pair of natural wood scales look.
 
BluegrassBrian said:
One material that always grabbed my attention but I never had a chance to check out was C-tek.

Couple months ago I bought some pre-made clear scales made of c-tek for a custom that never happened. Not long after I decided to use them on a different custom. I discovered Triple J Knifeworks in Lexington Ky and really wanted one of their Okami models. So I said hey..I've got these scales..let's usem.
Clear C-tek over Josh's "copperwash" finish gave them an amber look that is AMAZING in my opinion.
A little sanding gave them a terrific grippy feel without being abrasive to your hands. I love the look and feel..So I think C-tek is a highly underrated handle material.


nwmacC4.jpg
Click to expand...

Very interesting material,(never seen this before),why would it be underrated? I assume it's pure synthetic?
 
Seriousbladeno1 said:
Very interesting material,(never seen this before),why would it be underrated? I assume it's pure synthetic?
Click to expand...
I say underrated because you just don't see it very much. It's priced similar to G10 and comes in a rainbow of colors, but offers a more unique look and feel.
 
I am not picky at all about handle material. If it fits the contour of my hand, has appropriate grip, and looks nice it makes no difference to me.

I have alox, cellidor, FRN, wood, G10, and macerate handles and all are ok for their intended purposes.
 
Good wood


Stabilized buckeye burl
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Stabilized spalted maple burl
IFL0FLW.jpg

LBAKhVR.jpg


Gaboon ebony
7PP8sg6.jpg


Bloodwood (photos are so inadequate for this one. It has chatoyance like I've never seen and I cannot get photos to show it)
wUUo5ZD.jpg
 
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For me my it is all about compromise.
I like wood and bone but often too slippery. Same with most carbon fiber. I've only have one linen micarta but it gets slippery. Titanium or any metal is OK if it has a texture to it like the Starbenza. For practicality and the least compromise G10 & FRN seem to work best. Just glad we have so many choices.
 
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