Official 2018 BF Knife: Poll 5/8: Handle Materials

Choose Handle Material Grouping (comment color/type)

  • Group 1: Micarta, G10 | $

    Votes: 53 17.7%

  • Group 2: Delrin, Paperstone | $

    Votes: 5 1.7%

  • Group 3: Diamondwood | $

    Votes: 5 1.7%

  • Group 4: Carbon Fiber | $$

    Votes: 4 1.3%

  • Group 5: Buffalo, Elk | $$

    Votes: 59 19.7%

  • Group 6: Stag, Ram Horn | $$

    Votes: 44 14.7%

  • Group 7: Snakewood, KOA | $$

    Votes: 26 8.7%

  • Group 8: Burl, Ironwood | $$

    Votes: 89 29.8%

  • Group 9: Shell, Mother of Pearl | $$$

    Votes: 3 1.0%

  • Group 10: Jigged Bone | $$

    Votes: 11 3.7%
  • Total voters
    299
  • Poll closed .
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I suspect that this thread will generate an enormous amount of conversation and I am looking forward to seeing it develop.

I have no aversion to micarta or G10 as cover materials, though I vastly prefer natural materials on my more traditional cutlery. Micarta is my go to handle choice on my fixed blades but not my slip joints. I only have a few slippies with micarta covers, including the 2017 Forum Knife. I would prefer we go with something other than micarta this year, even if it is simply to do something different than the last knife.

I have been rather impressed with the stag covers that SK has shown in his samples and at this point, it has my vote. Though I will likely be happy with elk, horn (ram or buffalo), any variation of wood (sans diamondwood...), bone, etc.

I will likely change my vote depending on how the winds blow later on.
 
Got a couple of questions thanks: skblades skblades can Buck get hold of Osage Orange wood? I think it's fantastic and has developed a following amongst GEC enthusiasts.

How about that Camel Bone? Looked cool on the mock-up.

Haven't voted yet, lot to mull over (spoiled for choice:D) Stag and Elk vary so much in quality, bad stuff looks dreary and lacklustre. Ram's Horn can be wonderful but if it's not cured well you may get warp or shrink. The Burlap micarta is very attractive, most woods are good. There are no really poor choices here:cool: Colours could be more controversial though;)
 
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skblades skblades maybe it would be wise to actually restart with different categories.
As has been said many times by now the Elk/Buffalo ram/stag options are a bit unlucky. Also most(If not all?) of the people that voiced themselves in favor of some kind of wood said they'd also be fine with the other ones so maybe group all woods together. Further it seems like people like micarta but G10 not so much so a split here may be a good decision.

I don't want to seem ungrateful or anything for you running the polls, but IMO it would probably give a more represantative result in the end. And since the people that already voted probably are the ones that frequent the forums often anyway the chances for someones vote being lost by restarting aren't that great I'd guess.
 
For those of you voting for elk, realize that elk has a very thin dark layer that is easily buffed off. On a thin knife like this you might just end up with mostly white handles that look more like bone.

Eric
 
I'm voting for Ironwood right now, because I think it's a really beautiful handle material. I also haven't owned any knives with it before. But I'm not likely to buy a knife with covers made from animal material, so I'd revote if it might help something else.

Thanks skblades skblades , all your work is appreciated. And thanks to all the members here for the spirited discussion. I really like reading all the various perspectives throughout this process.
 
I've voted for the elk and bufallo option, still not sure which one of them I'd preffer. I'd be just as happy with stag or jigged bone.
 
Nice cover choices!!!
Sometime ago I quit buying stag and horn sight unseen. All too often I was disappointed with the surprises that showed up. If I can't specifically choose from what is available, I rarely spend good money on the chance that it will be good enough. I may make an exception for a Forum knife but... I much prefer the consistency of wood or micarta when ordering blind. So as much as I enjoy good ram's horn, elk and stag for now Ironwood is my choice.
 
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As of now, voted for Buckeye Burl.

Buffalo or Ram would be 2nd.

The cheapskate in me is hoping micarta is favored by most and victor.;)
 
I voted ironwood but I'm up for anything that isn't fat. Like the slim sleek style of cover.
 
I voted Group 5; Buffalo/Elk.
I think either would look great, and is durable.

The Stag/Rams Horn would also look great, of course (especially the Rams Horn), but I fear those would put the knife out of my reach ... Heck my own vote might accomplish that.
 
SV-97 said:
skblades skblades maybe it would be wise to actually restart with different categories.
As has been said many times by now the Elk/Buffalo ram/stag options are a bit unlucky. Also most(If not all?) of the people that voiced themselves in favor of some kind of wood said they'd also be fine with the other ones so maybe group all woods together. Further it seems like people like micarta but G10 not so much so a split here may be a good decision.

I don't want to seem ungrateful or anything for you running the polls, but IMO it would probably give a more represantative result in the end. And since the people that already voted probably are the ones that frequent the forums often anyway the chances for someones vote being lost by restarting aren't that great I'd guess.
Click to expand...

I would also like to see categories like synthetic, wood(which could include diamondwood), and bone or horn. Animal, mineral, or vegetable if you will. Splitting categories too much, too soon, seems like it risks a choice based more on how categories were split up.
 
redsparrow redsparrow , I agree. I don’t like buying stag/elk/rams horn etc, without actually knowing what I’m getting. I’ve missed out on so many good knives because I have to ask what the other side looks like or because I need to see the thickness profile (this is the main reason) before I’ll commit.

Yeah it’s nice because all of the knives will look different and be “personal” but it’s not personal if I don’t know what I’m getting until I open the package. It can be great, or a let down.
 
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Jsega51 said:
redsparrow redsparrow , I agree. I don’t like buying stag/elk/rams horn etc, without actually knowing what I’m getting. I’ve missed out on so many good knives because I have to ask what the other side looks like or because I need to see the thickness profile before I’ll commit.

Yeah it’s nice because all of the knives will look different and be “personal” but it’s not personal if I don’t know what I’m getting until I open the package. It can be great, or a let down.
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Is it possible that type of activity should be reserved for Casinos or Racetracks? ;):)
I am happy the Forum is getting a Buck for their 2018 knife!!!
 
skblades said:
Just have to say, this burlap micarta is sick. Very consistent on both my 110 and 501 samples.
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The samples were fantastic, for sure! :thumbsup: For me it's more the gamble of, say, burlap micarta that looks and feels more like simple acrylic vs. the sort that has many layers of burlap, giving it more depth. I'm not sure I'm describing it well -- and hey, maybe it's not even a gamble in this case.

r8shell said:
I can understand that. Antlers are shed though, so the deer or elk live on to grow more. Just sayin'. ;)
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I looked into this when I was deciding to avoid animal materials in my knives, because that was my understanding as well. What I found was that while antler covers should come from naturally shed antlers, it's difficult to be sure if that's always the case (and likely that it is not always the case). That was enough uncertainty for me.
 
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