What are your favorite handle materials on traditional knives?

[supratentorial]

You can pick more than one.

"toroise shell" was a typo. It should be "tortoise shell". And I forgot to add pearl!

Please feel free to post photos of examples of some of your favorites.

Here are a few examples of some of my favorites.

Ebony, the later Schrade peach seed jigged bone and Cattaraugus worm groove jigged bone are some of my favorite handle materials on the oldies. The jigged bone on this Ken Erickson and the stag on this Ryuichi Kawamura are both phenomenal. The jigged bone on the 2011 forum knife from GEC, the Case/Bose collabs and much of the jigged bone from Schatt & Morgan are also on my favorite list.

 

[jackknife]

Stag, always a number 1 choice. Especially the way the Germans do it with lots of bark bolster to bolster. And that buttery golden it gets when aged!

Carl.

 

[black mamba]

Gnarly, popcorn stag and rough, exterior ram's horn are my two favorites, with so much variety that I can't pick a favorite. GEC's primitive bone is less consistent, but the better pieces are very close to my first two choices. How about some examples?

Stag

Ram's Horn

Primitive Bone

 

[TLARbb]

I love stag, but it's too difficult to find well matched, well fitted stag on production knives. So, my vote goes to bone, wood, micarta because it is consistent and also durable. My two "made for me" customs have micarta and my other handmade custom has stag jigged bone.

I reserve the right to change my mind at a later date though.

Ed J

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

I think walnut looks real nice especially an exhibition grade claro walnut. How about tigertail maple ? Maybe some zebrawood?

 

[richstag]

I voted for stag

 

[Peregrin]

Stag is number one for me. I know it's sometimes hard to find nice stag, but when you do, there's nothing nicer.

 

[Bob W]

As a collector of Schrade Old Timer knives, I'm supposed to say "delrin plastic." But even Old Timers look better in bone:

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/FLYERS/2000s/pages/SC00-CP171.htm

 

[rarreola]

stag, then wood

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I like the old celluloids, they were so varied and colorful,the old Butter and Molasses celluloid, XmasTree, Waterfall, Cracked Ice, End of Day, to name a few. My only issue is the instability and consequent damage it can cause when it deteriorates.

Although in 30 years of collectin' I've only seen one knife celluloid scales break down, it was quick once it started and destroyed the blades and liners.

 

[Gevonovich]

I really like the look of the old world Stag. Next is probably earth tone bone and especially peach seed jigging. Although I do have a soft spot for worm groove. Micarta done well is very pleasing. And not least..a well done Mammoth is dandy. And of course many types of wood. i love Birch and Black Palm

 

[C Ben Susrool]

I voted stag, but wish I had a knife with bark Mammoth ivory.

 

[T.A.DAVISON]

I really like the look of the old world Stag. Next is probably earth tone bone and especially peach seed jigging. Although I do have a soft spot for worm groove. Micarta done well is very pleasing. And not least..a well done Mammoth is dandy. And of course many types of wood. i love Birch and Black Palm

I voted Micarta - I think it is some of the best material for a slip joint knife.
Bone, Stag & Ivory's looks great and can last a very long time. But there is always a chance of shrinking - cracking? And like said to get the "good" stag or ivory? Is just getting harder and harder to find.......

Besides -I'm like the Old Dog - If you're going to have a knife? You should carry it and USE IT!
And with micarta you don't have to worry much about it - Plus it can look pretty darn nice too......:thumbup:

TA

 

[festerfromnzed]

Stag....and Stag

 

[Campbellclanman]

Nice knives on show guys...I voted Stag, and second choice Ebony.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Edit.... Then again....just who can forget Jigged Bone?... Quite a hard question

 

[Pueo154]

I went with stag, bone (both smooth and jigged), ivory (both pre-ban and Mammoth) and various woods, but I'm surprised delrin (is that one of the acrylics?) and MoP didn't make the list (I guess that's the "other" category).

 

[supratentorial]

...but I'm surprised delrin (is that one of the acrylics?) and MoP didn't make the list (I guess that's the "other" category).

I'm surprised too! Delrin is different from acrylic. I missed it and pearl...I also forgot abalone... and buffalo horn... and rams horn. Yes, please select "other" and specify the type of material in your post. I can't edit the poll.

Thank you for the replies and photos, guys.

 

[quattromori]

Being a Stevie Wonder fan, I voted for ebony and ivory
I also voted for Micarta, cause I love the feel of it. Instead, I'm not a fan of stag and jigged bone (although most of you might consider it heretic)

Fausto

 

[Bastid]

I did not there were any materials other than ivory, black lip and stag.