Phenolic Handle issue

Halfneck

Halfneck

Joined
Jun 30, 2005
Messages
4,245
Picked up a Buck 118 in D2 a while back. Really want to like it, but it seems like my hand combines with the phenolic handle to make it feel slippery/greasy in my hand. Anyone else have this problem? Is this solved with the wood handled versions?

Thanks - Pat
 
Nope. Have you tried cleaning the handle with rubbing alcohol or something to make sure it has no grease or oil from the factory? As far as the wood version goes how have you fared with other wooden handled knives? Not sure what finish Buck applies but if you haven't had an issue with others then Buck's shouldn't be a problem either.

You might be able to roughen the phenolic handle with a 3M Scotchbrite pad or perhaps some high grit sand paper or emory cloth. Just enough to scuff the shine off may solve the problem.
 
I would try what hammer suggests. I have that knife and don't have the concern you state. After cleaning it try the rubbing with a sheet of fine sandpaper. Which should help. DM
 
Wiped it off with mineral oil and still the same effect. Have a friend's Buck General and it's the same too.
 
Clean the handle thoroughly with a degreaser or alcohol. That will likely solve the problem. If you rough it up it will mar the appearance but would solve any grip problems. You could get a sheet of very rough sandpaper and a hammer. Put the sandpaper on the top of the handle and the bottom where your fingers go and take a hammer and tap the sandpaper only hard enough to put the imprint of the sandpaper texture into the handle in those spots.
 
I haven't experienced any slip problems with Phenolic. Matter of fact, when the handle gets wet (with water) the grip seems to get better.
 
I have never had a slippery buck handle either,even when feild dressing lots of animals.I find it gets tacky and makes for a better grip.
 
Halfneck said:
Wiped it off with mineral oil and still the same effect. Have a friend's Buck General and it's the same too.
Click to expand...

What they said. Mineral oil will do the opposite of what you want.

Now that you have put mineral oil on it, use some paint thinner (mineral spirits) to remove it. Then wipe it with rubbing alcohol. Between the two of those, they should remove any goop, and they won't hurt the handle.

As the others have said, fine sandpaper or scotch-brite would be my recommendation to lightly roughen the surface, should you decide that is necessary.
 
I have a similar feel to the black phenolic handles I also find them slippery. i do think wiping them down with alcohol could help but your not the only one that has noticed it. It's not a deal breaker for me. I think the rosewood is about the same feeling as phenolic. micarta is going to be about your best handle material if the slick smooth finish bothers you.
 
would acetone wreck the grip? If it don't, it might etch it enough to satisfy your slippery problem. I think I'd sand paper my hands before I would the knife grip.
 
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