Kraton handles

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superflyafro

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I just got a SOG Field PUP new in the box for 16 bucks on ebay, it will be my whatever knife...anyway it has a Kraton handle, how is this material for handles? cheap or decent
 
I love it! If I could get it done at a reasonable cost, I'd have all of my fixed blades rehandled to Kraton. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Masteroffajitas said:
It's knice!! Grippy, and cool in the hands. Very nice to hands too.
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That's not how I would describe it.

Kraton feels a lot like rubber and it's great for shock resistance. If you're in woods chopping it can be difficult to clean off the gum. Also, the Kraton handle is easily scratched and can be cut easily. I'm referring to experience using a Kraton Handle for a Fallkniven.

Kraton is good for shock resistance and use in very cold weather.
 
superflyafro said:
I just got a SOG Field PUP new in the box for 16 bucks on ebay, it will be my whatever knife...anyway it has a Kraton handle, how is this material for handles? cheap or decent
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I think you are buying knives faster than you can use them and test them for yourself. Slow down buddy!
 
Kraton is cheap, and decent. It's not the most durable handle material, isn't resistant to some petro chemicals, and can wear down.

At that point, slice it off and put on Micarta or G10 and have a nice custom.
 
Kraton has two problems: durability, and blistering in hard use.

Kraton is easily cut or abraded, and if you use the knife much outdoors, you'll likely be needing a new handle after a bit.

Secondly, unless the skin on your hands is all leather and callouses, a prolonged period of use (as in using the knife to build shelter and process wood for starting a fire all in one go) can leave you with a very painful set of blisters.

Yes, I have experienced both.

I no longer buy knives with kraton handles, and the ones I have gotten rid of.


Your mileage may vary.
 
Kraton grips are great under adverse conditions: cold, wet, covered with fat/blood/wet. They do wear faster than harder materials but I have yet to wear out one. Themorun, which Fallkniven uses, is a bit harder and not quite as grippy.
 
Grampa said:
Kraton has two problems: durability, and blistering in hard use.

Kraton is easily cut or abraded, and if you use the knife much outdoors, you'll likely be needing a new handle after a bit.

Secondly, unless the skin on your hands is all leather and callouses, a prolonged period of use (as in using the knife to build shelter and process wood for starting a fire all in one go) can leave you with a very painful set of blisters.

Yes, I have experienced both.

I no longer buy knives with kraton handles, and the ones I have gotten rid of.


Your mileage may vary.
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You know, when I put my knife through heavy use I always wear some nice leather gloves. I have a habit of it and would always carry and use them in camping situations. That removes the problem of blistering.

However, if you don't have kraton handles you can still get blisters sooner or later. If you wear gloves for this type of handle then it will probably fly out your hand thereby creating a major hazard.

Ideal situation during heavy use is: Kraton handle and Gloves.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Kraton grips are great under adverse conditions: cold, wet, covered with fat/blood/wet. They do wear faster than harder materials but I have yet to wear out one. Themorun, which Fallkniven uses, is a bit harder and not quite as grippy.
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Fallkniven uses both Kraton and Themorun.
 
thanks for the responses.I buy knives at a rapid pace b/c them...i work out so my hands are already chewed up, so i have no fear of the handle..thanks for the info
 
Kraton is very grippy, and great for short bursts. However, if using it for al ong period of time without anyting on your hands, it will blister pretty badly. Other than that, it is fantastic. Great shock resistance, as well as comfort (Imo, ymmv(
 
I found it to be terrible under hard use {Carbon V Trailmaster).
 
I have a Cold Steel Bush Ranger with Kraton. With gloves it's great, and without gloves it's still very functional, but I limit it's use. The Kraton handle feels similar to the neoprene (Pachmayr) grips for my Ruger SBH. (Those gave me the worst blisters I ever got, hands down.)

Your SEAL Pup is a great knife, so as Grampa says, YMMV.

thx - cpr
 
I have a SOG knife in Kraton handles too.

Must admit that I like the handle very much! Nice good grippy feeling and somewhat soft yet hard (a little hard to describe :p). Like the others said you might get blisters from long usage but I haven't got any yet. :thumbup:
 
I like the tactile grippy feel of kraton and similar materials. I dislike slippery metal or plastics for gripping surfaces.
 
I have a Gerber BMF and don't really like the Kraton, but my bigger question is, how did you score a seal pup for 16 bucks?
 
some bash it but its pretty great in all honesty. very grippy and tough. itll wear if you use it hardcore for a year but big deal
 
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