Looking for inspiration for handles

[JollyDeathCow]

First off, I do not forge. I'm a woodworker who likes to tinker with knives. Presently, I'm working on some handles for new fixed blade blanks including a moderate EDC/hiking knife, kiridashi, chip carving knife, spoon carving knife, and a camp axe/hatchet. Most of these blanks are full tang.

I like to play around with random styles like segmented handles, resin handles, inlay, blah blah (I've attached pictures of some I've done).

This time I want to do something new. And I could use some inspiration. So... anyone have any cool ideas for a creative handle design?

https://imgur.com/a/NsA0PDw

 

[severtecher]

There are some very interesting looking Kirinite pieces online. Thinking about replacing the broken slabs on an old Imperial folder I have thrown in my toolbox.

 

[catspa]

Wow, very cool. I dig the mesquite-looking wood one with checkering.

Parker

 

[JollyDeathCow]

Wow, very cool. I dig the mesquite-looking wood one with checkering.

Parker

Thanks. That's some nicely figured olive wood. I've started adding checkering to a thuya burl wood segment of a kiridashi handle as well:

https://imgur.com/a/l608yf9

 

[catspa]

Nice. Well done, sir.

Parker

 

[Bob Denman]

Try something in Lignum Vitae. You can't find anything that's a whole lot denser or stronget.

 

[JollyDeathCow]

Try something in Lignum Vitae. You can't find anything that's a whole lot denser or stronget.

I will have to look for some solid pieces of that. ... And we'll look forward to sanding it down to shape without a mask because... My lungs be damned that stuff smells so good

 

[catspa]

Um, your lungs are a pretty important part of your internal lash-up. You could rasp/carve/scrape/burnish to shape.

Parker

 

[19-3ben]

Lichtenstein burn with a really colorful resin to make the pattern pop!

 

[Just Tom.]

So... anyone have any cool ideas for a creative handle design?

Move into folding knives. Handles for ratchet knives and friction folders can be made from a single piece of wood, even by an amateur hack with limited tools (like me). You could get fancy by adding inlays or checkering or whatever.
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All the Okapis on the Bay these days are either fake or ridiculously overpriced (I used to be able to get the plastic handled ones for under $15), but you could use the Cold Steel “Kudu” knockoffs for the parts. Svord Peasant knives are readily available.