Knife handle survey - and question

6

6.5BR

Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
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Spalted wood. Read a bit about it. Is there more to it than looks? Pros/cons?

What are your preferred handle materials: fixed knives? folders?

Colors.
 
A spalted birch or similar will be very good at not shrinking over long periods of time. In the case of a knife, meaning it will not slip from the tang or shrink from the pommel or guard....both allowing moisture in and being aesthetically unpleasing.

Spalted is just a descriptive....it's a naturally occurring decay in the grain that 'decorates' the wood.

A good wood handle is very rugged and reliable.

On production folders I like G-10. On fixed blades I like leather wrap and wood.
 
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I've seen various burls and spalted woods that I think are very interesting. I also like a good piece of ironwood. Other than that I like micarta on fixed blades and G10 on folders.
 
Good info guys. I've owned wood and synthetic - blades and rifle stocks.
Is all Micarta similar in durability?
 
I have one knife in spalted maple(?) which I find purdy.

But for my users, blade or firearm, I prefer durable materials like polymers and composites.

I once had a very expensive shotgun with a drop-dead gorgeous wood stock. While I had no problem with taking it to the range, I cringed whenever I took it hunting. So I sold it and replaced it with field guns with synthetic or plain walnut stocks and no worries. ;)


6.5BR said:
Is all Micarta similar in durability?
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Pretty much. It's essentially fabric soaked in epoxy.
 
I prefer roughly finished canvas micarta on both folders and fixed blades. It provides excellent grip without being abrasive and feels much warmer to the touch than other synthetic materials. Essentially, I think you get the best of natural and synthetic materials with micarta.
 
As much as I enjoy knives, electric guitars were for many years my one true passion, and spalted maple is really incredible to see in a large(r) surface, especially if you can get a heavily figured piece. Even on a production guitar - or knife in this case - each spalted pattern is unique, so you could have a production knife, but a fairly random pattern in the wood makes it one of a kind.

That being said, I don't know that there's any benefit beyond appearance.
 
...but....spalting can weaken wood. Even stabilized, I have heard of spalted handles breaking.

Now burl is another story. Love maple burl.
 
G10, micarta, carbon fiber, or even FRN (on an inexpensive one) is my preference for fixed or folders. I've never been a huge fan of wood, aluminum, or ss handles. The only wood handled knives I own are a few small hunter/camp blades from folks here on the forums. I also only own one Ti handled knife.
 
Excellent posts and info. Thanks all. Nice to hear about the maple burl. Travis - assumed they were similar. Like you I have Sold a few things too pretty to risk enjoying afield! Gazz98 - any reason to not like Aluminum handle? Scratch? Is SS just too heavy for your taste? Curious.

Great info - learning a lot on this site. Thanks for sharing.
 
For folders I prefer G-10, ground grippy and a bit rougher. I have a few nice wood folders but only carry them in slipcases so they don't get marred by keys, coins, etc. That's the only drawback to a pocket carried wood folder.

On fixed blades though, I'm a wood guy. Always have been. I like grains and the different hues and the fact that it's natural. To me a beautiful wood grain and the accompanying elements provides a better look than any synthetic--think yellow FRN next to mammoth bone--I can think of. Wood can have the same beauty as any steel. I've been known to collect a unique woodcarving or two as well. I prefer a wood handle on most everyday tools too.

It's like leather...doesn't seem to be around much anymore due to the rise of the synthetics and 'Dex's. I still appreciate the advantages of both wood and leather over synthetics in the knife world.

I can see the attraction of other materials--certainly there's some nice stuff out there. I think a great deal of the desire for either has to involve an appreciation of natural materials or lack thereof more than anything functional. Wool vs. UnderArmor; goose down vs. DuPont whatever.....
 
I used to prefer G10 on folders and micarta on fixed blades. I'm starting to appreciate wood handles more and more for the looks, the warmth, and the weight. So, I'm leaning that way more and more. I haven't had a problem keeping the wood in shape on my knives. I'm also not a collector though so I only have a few I have to take care of. I can see if you have a large collection of users that wood would be a pain to maintain.
 
I have a fondness for wood handles/scales on folders — I have several from the Camillus Woodcraft series (1-, 2-, and 3-blade models) and I like their look and feel. Also, my Buck canoe has the wood scales.

As for decorative wood, I have one puukko with a "curly birch" handle. (Would curly birch be the same as spalted birch?) It has a good feel anyway.

(Not my photo)
5939_PP064-01.jpg
 
Shotgun said:
I used to prefer G10 on folders and micarta on fixed blades. I'm starting to appreciate wood handles more and more for the looks, the warmth, and the weight. So, I'm leaning that way more and more. I haven't had a problem keeping the wood in shape on my knives. I'm also not a collector though so I only have a few I have to take care of. I can see if you have a large collection of users that wood would be a pain to maintain.
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I will happily admit that wood is, for me, king when it comes to aesthetics. If I want a handsome knife, something I would really enjoy showing off, I would want wood inlays or scales.
 
AreBeeBee said:
.......As for decorative wood, I have one puukko with a "curly birch" handle. (Would curly birch be the same as spalted birch?) It has a good feel anyway.

(Not my photo)
5939_PP064-01.jpg
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Now we're getting somewhere!

No, curly birch is its own thing. Whether it comes spalted or not I don't know. It's one of my favorites. Great for pool cues too.
 
6.5BR said:
Excellent posts and info. Thanks all. Nice to hear about the maple burl. Travis - assumed they were similar. Like you I have Sold a few things too pretty to risk enjoying afield! Gazz98 - any reason to not like Aluminum handle? Scratch? Is SS just too heavy for your taste? Curious.

Great info - learning a lot on this site. Thanks for sharing.
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Essentially yes. I don't care about coated blades getting scratched up, its a byproduct of use, but the sight of SS or aluminum handles being scratched bugs the hell out of me for some reason. Plus, if wet they can get slick and the extra weight isn't a plus in my book either. 1. g10, 2. micarta, 3. frn (or similar) for me.

I should also mention that I don't consider myself a collector. I'm a user and have carried all my knives at some point.
 
In terms of a folder, it's either G10 (medium on the aggressive scale) or Ti.

I really prefer frame locks to the point where it's the only thing I buy/own now.

To be more specific;

All Ti or G10 show side, Ti lock side.
 
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