I wonder if someone could help me regarding scale material. I am concerned about the scales being slippery when my hand is bloody. I am looking to buy a better knife (better steel that will hold its edge longer) than my current Kershaw. I like the rubber scales on the Kershaw because the knife is not slippery and the handle is somewhat rounded. I have big hands and the knife, though small (3 blade and 7 overall), seems to fit my hand well. I really dislike the look and feel of the knives with flat sides. Some have said that G-10 will not be slippery in a bloody hand but I am not seeing a knife with a more rounded look that I like with G-10 scales. I am looking at the AG Russell knives. They have a production model Brute with black micarta and ATS-34 steel for $99. They also have a handmade version (or is it just that it is made in America instead of Japan?) of the same knife for $195 with scales of coral rucarta. I have not handled many knives and do not know much about the different scale materials. Would micarta and rucarta be slippery in a bloody hand? It sure would be nice if a local store had a huge selection of knives that I could handle and see what feels good. That is not the case however. So I am hoping that you all could advise me as to what materials other than rubber and perhaps textured G-10 would not be slippery in a bloody hand. Also why are so many of the knives made with such flat sides? That requires more of a pinching hold than a grasping hold. I find a grasping hold to be more comfortable. Anyway I would appreciate all help in this matter. Rufous.
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scale materials
- Thread starter rufous
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2002
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- 3,834
I like this knife for what you are looking for. It's a drop point Gerber Gator with rubber handles. I don't own this knife but have handled it and it has an extremely comfortable grip. I think between the grippy rubber handles and the index groove it should be very secure in the hand even when bloody. The absolute only reason I do not yet own this knife is that I am partial to knives with clips and because this knife handle is of the rounded sort (like you wanted), it would be a little too bulky in the pocket and therefore comes sans clip. Which brings me to the other part of your question. The handle slabs are generally flat so that it doesn't leave a large print in your pocket (on folders anyway). The slim profile draws less attention and is less likely to form rather unseemly bulges in your pockets.
As for handle materials--anything textured would be good. I have no idea what rucarta is, but there are different forms of micarta and G10. Any of the textured versions are going to be grippy. But if grip is your main concern then you might want to go with the rubber handle or something with a grooved handle. SOG and Cold Steel use rubber handles, the Fallknivens also use rubber handles. What are you planning to use it for? There's also the Becker Knife and Tool Combat/Utility 7 which runs about fifty bucks and is probably one of the best (if not the best) deals out there. The stock handles are slippery, but Bill Siegle has been doing G10 replacement scales for the knife.
Sorry for the long post, hope that helps you somewhat at least.
-Z
As for handle materials--anything textured would be good. I have no idea what rucarta is, but there are different forms of micarta and G10. Any of the textured versions are going to be grippy. But if grip is your main concern then you might want to go with the rubber handle or something with a grooved handle. SOG and Cold Steel use rubber handles, the Fallknivens also use rubber handles. What are you planning to use it for? There's also the Becker Knife and Tool Combat/Utility 7 which runs about fifty bucks and is probably one of the best (if not the best) deals out there. The stock handles are slippery, but Bill Siegle has been doing G10 replacement scales for the knife.
Sorry for the long post, hope that helps you somewhat at least.
-Z
Zenghost, I plan to use the knife only to gut, skin and dismember big game animals. It will be carried in a special pouch in my backpack so I would plan on removing a clip if the knife came with one anyway. I looked at the Gerber Gator and liked it except it was bigger than I wanted. The Gerber Gator Mate was smaller than I wanted. It is being hard to find exactly the right knife. Rufous.