The cr*ppy rubber handle thread - Post Yours!

The Kraton on my knives work fine, but Ill admit that it may not always be a perfect fit (the handle on my SOG PENTAGON ever so slightly misaligned) and might not be very sexy.
As you already removed the handle, its a great opportunity to rehandle the SOG - look forward to see the new handle.
 
BsMPMYZ.jpg


This thing has basically been used like an axe. Handle isn't even remotely loose.
 
I dig rubber handles. Grippy, rarely abrasive, conforms nicely to the hand. Haven't had any issues with mine.

They may not be pretty, but for me they've always worked.
 
I did the grinding almost a year ago, and have been using the knife frequently since. It'd be weird to show the effects it could have had after so long, don't you think?
Although it could be, and I've thought of it when everything happened.
 
ThePeacent said:
I did the grinding almost a year ago, and have been using the knife frequently since. It'd be weird to show the effects it could have had after so long, don't you think?
Although it could be, and I've thought of it when everything happened.
Click to expand...

The problem is, since you did it a while ago, and you were willing to do such a thing, what else might have you done? We don't know and at this point it does not matter and it clearly has little to do with the rubber handle...
 
Res-C is IMO the best thing going for large choppers. Buy a scrapyard to try out. If they ever sell knives again. :rolleyes:
 
My general opinion is that if a handle is going to be polymer I'd prefer it to be solid hard plastic like polypropylene. I don't typically care for tacky grips and/or texturing as I find that they often create hot spots in extended use. They're fine for short term usage but once you're at a task for more than an hour that rubber starts...uh...rubbing. Love me some smooth polypropylene handles though.
 
I have a SOG Northwest Ranger which has the same handle as the Tsunami and mine loosened up on me too. Mostly I just cut with it. The hardest I used it was splitting a thin branch for kindling one time, and I'm talking the sort of branch I'd use even a Mora for, not some knot filled stump, and no I didn't pound on the handle or anything crazy either. Actually it didn't loosen until a while after that if I remember correctly. It started with a little movement of the guard and then it got worse until I could feel the whole handle shifting in my hand.

I think it happens because the kraton they use is too soft. When you cut something resistant like wood it makes the tang put pressure against the kraton handle but the kraton is too soft to withstand that pressure so it deforms a little, eventually the glue holding the kraton to the tang separates and the handle ends up free floating over the tang with only the lanyard tube holding it on. That's my guess at least.

I guess rubber handles might work better with a stiffer rubber or in the case of a Mora molded over top of plastic which can withstand that pressure better without having any give.

Also as for SOG fixing it, on their website under non-warranted items it lists "worn/loose kraton slabs".
 
Ferahgo said:
Agreed. I will gladly take an ugly knife so long as it preforms in the way I need.
Click to expand...

+1

Some knives are so ugly that they're pretty, especially when used.

My knives with Resciprene C handles have held up very well as have the Kraton and similar handles. I am very careful to keep them away from chemicals, solvents, petroleum and heat. They are mostly used for field dressing game and the like.

For more abusive uses, factoring in comfort during prolonged use, I much prefer the Grivory handles of Becker knives or Micarta.

I do like Kraton and it's kinfolk, but am judicious about it's uses and limit it to where it excels, grip when wet, bloody, etc.
 
I have to agree with the OP. Perhaps it's just bad luck, but the only rubber handle I've ever had that didn't go to crap was on a Smith and Wesson which was a terrible knife anyway(it was free). Put some micarta on that tsunami and I think you'll like it better.
 
Looks to me as though this is another case of someone abusing/misusing a tool and then placing the blame elsewhere. If you look a the OP's pictures, not only has the guard been ground down, but the blade shows signs - scratches - which indicate to me either abuse or very heavy use. Modification of the guard may be the reason he didn't send it back for repair/replacement. This reminds me of the guy who'd been divorced five times. He finally said, "Maybe it's me!"
 
The scratches are from letting a friend try to sharpen the knife. He'd never held a sharpening device before.
I modified the guard, and as I said before, the knife was used many times after that modification without showing signs of having been altered by the heat or the grinding process in any way.

Just to be clear
 
Yeah I'm pretty sure that user modification didn't factor into the handle failure. It's just poor company execution of a rubber handle.
 
ThePeacent said:
The scratches are from letting a friend try to sharpen the knife. He'd never held a sharpening device before.
I modified the guard, and as I said before, the knife was used many times after that modification without showing signs of having been altered by the heat or the grinding process in any way.

Just to be clear
Click to expand...

Yes but its a modified knife. If the knife was left intact that would be the only way to eliminate the possibility of a weakened bond. Think of a loose tooth. You knock it it loosens yet still hangs on. Sometimes for a long time before it finally gives. We simply dont know if the modification negatively impacted the integrity of the knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top