What is more important when considering a new knife; handle material or steel?

[GermanyChris]

I guess both sorta..

I bought my Nyala knowing it was going to get new handle scales and it did, but I wanted a fixed blade insingo Sebenza.

I like my TR-4 because of it's handle, I like my Sebenza because of it's blade shape.

 

[sabre cat]

Both blade and handle ergonomics are important but, if the grip does not fit my hand, it does not make any difference how good the steel is. I will not buy the knife. Also, scale material can be a deal killer if it does not match with how the knife will be used. For example, I normally will not consider a knife with metal scales if the knife will be used for heavy or medium duty work.

One of the big problems for me is that many times I find the perfect handle but the blade is all wrong. Emerson's CQC7 is a fine example of this. Other times the blade is perfection but the grip is not up to par.

 

[lemonslush]

Steel for most people they think the fancier the better. Real world use and resharpening should come into play and ground most of us. No point in spending the money on a maxicment or v110 if your sharpening skills suck. The edge retention from a v110 to a s30v is going to be slightly better but, if you touch up the knife at the end of the day after use it wont make much of a difference. And I suggest to most people get a decent stainless steel but nothing to crazy so you can actually maintain the edge on your knife. Chris Reeve knives also follow that mentality and is why they use a softer s35vn.

THat said handle metiterla is important to me as it accounts mostly for the weight of the knife. I would shy away from a knife if I didn't like the weight and or handle material for that type knife over what type steel they used. Assuming its knife over the $65 mark most any knife comes in a decent steel at that point. If your spending $150+ then you'll be hard pressed to find a knife sporting 440 or something worse.

But Ti handles sell knives, cool g 10 sells knives and for my money I rather have the handle I like the look, feel and weight of. Different knives hold a different purpose, some you want light some you don't mind if its heavier. Depends on my intent when buying and what I plan to use that knife for.

 

[Dean51]

DeadboxHero
“Neither, it's the sum of all parts and the fit and finish.”

knarfeng
“Most important to me is the overall pattern including the handle shape, the blade shape, and the size. If it does not have those, I'm passing on it.”

To knarfeng's quote I would also add blade geometry.

I didn't vote, there was no all the above and then some option.
Everybody wants a knife to look good and nobody wants a ugly knife. BUT.

Ergonomics trump beauty. I'd rather have a ergonomic fiberglass reinforced nylon handle than a expensive handle that doesn't fit my hand.

There is a geometry vs heat treat vs steel discussion that comes up from time to time.
I don't buy it, a blade has to have it all. Geometry, heat treat, steel & blade shape, all these thing work in harmony or the blade will be less than ideal.
420HC is 420HC no mater who heat treats it, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
M390 is excellent steel but it won't be a good cutter if it's a to thick, saber ground pocket brick.

I like the ergonomics of the Ontario Rat 2, I like the blade shape and geometry but AUS-8 at 56-56 HRC is to soft. I'm waiting for a D2 version to come out.

Function, fit and finish. A knife should always function well but I don't expect the same fit and finish on a $30 knife as I would expect on a $300 knife.

Compromise on any one thing and you have just that, a compromise.
A knife is the sum total of all it's parts.

 

[farcry33]

DeadboxHero
“Neither, it's the sum of all parts and the fit and finish.”

knarfeng
“Most important to me is the overall pattern including the handle shape, the blade shape, and the size. If it does not have those, I'm passing on it.”

To knarfeng's quote I would also add blade geometry.

I didn't vote, there was no all the above and then some option.
Everybody wants a knife to look good and nobody wants a ugly knife. BUT.

Ergonomics trump beauty. I'd rather have a ergonomic fiberglass reinforced nylon handle than a expensive handle that doesn't fit my hand.

There is a geometry vs heat treat vs steel discussion that comes up from time to time.
I don't buy it, a blade has to have it all. Geometry, heat treat, steel & blade shape, all these thing work in harmony or the blade will be less than ideal.
420HC is 420HC no mater who heat treats it, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
M390 is excellent steel but it won't be a good cutter if it's a to thick, saber ground pocket brick.

I like the ergonomics of the Ontario Rat 2, I like the blade shape and geometry but AUS-8 at 56-56 HRC is to soft. I'm waiting for a D2 version to come out.

Function, fit and finish. A knife should always function well but I don't expect the same fit and finish on a $30 knife as I would expect on a $300 knife.

Compromise on any one thing and you have just that, a compromise.
A knife is the sum total of all it's parts.

I think they do make an Ontario rat in D2, unless I'm seeing things.

 

[Dean51]

I think they do make an Ontario rat in D2, unless I'm seeing things.

You're not seeing things, the Rat 1 is out in D2.
I'm waiting on the Rat 2 to come out later this year.

 

[sabre cat]

You're not seeing things, the Rat 1 is out in D2.
I'm waiting on the Rat 2 to come out later this year.

A Rat 2 in D2 steel would be sweet. Just another knife for my "to buy" list. Thanks. As if I don't have a long enough list as it is.

 

[Dean51]

Always happy to enable

 

[samuraistuart]

Steel is everything. You can change the grips all day long as you please.
Grips don't cut. Steel cuts.

Actually, to quote German metallurgist and knife maker Roman Landes, "GEOMETRY cuts, heat treatment determines how long." The actual steel is a distant 3rd in the equation.

 

[DeadboxHero]

Actually, to quote German metallurgist and knife maker Roman Landes, "GEOMETRY cuts, heat treatment determines how long." The actual steel is a distant 3rd in the equation.

Samurai is more obsessed with steel then many here but he is not blind that it is secondary to Geometry and heat treatment, but also overall design intention, and how it's used.
To the OP,
Yup, you can have the worlds best steel but the grind and edge are so dang thick there is no way to tell. Slap the fancy handles on a brick and you have a brick.
It's everything you ever wanted and asked for but it doesn't cut very well and it's not comfortable to use.

It's funny because most people blame the steel and heat treatment and geometry seems to be invisible to them.

It should be the geometry first,
Then heat treatment,
Then steel.

As the saying goes, when you hear hoof beats think horses not zebras

That's why the choices are moot


Steel and Handle materials are pointless if it's a poor design.
Also the best design can be destroyed by a poor user. No one size fits all unfortunately.

Lastly to the OP, I think you lost us with the wording of this post.

I think you meant to compare form over function or blade performance over ergonomics.

Cause the raw handle materials and raw steel do nothing on there own and it isn't specific enough.

 

[farcry33]

Actually, to quote German metallurgist and knife maker Roman Landes, "GEOMETRY cuts, heat treatment determines how long." The actual steel is a distant 3rd in the equation.

Would it be rude for me to say only a German can make up a quote that specific to metallurgy. lol

 

[farcry33]

Samurai is more obsessed with steel then many here but he is not blind that it is secondary to Geometry and heat treatment, but also overall design intention, and how it's used.
To the OP,
Yup, you can have the worlds best steel but the grind and edge are so dang thick there is no way to tell. Slap the fancy handles on a brick and you have a brick.
It's everything you ever wanted and asked for but it doesn't cut very well and it's not comfortable to use.

It's funny because most people blame the steel and heat treatment and geometry seems to be invisible to them.

It should be the geometry first,
Then heat treatment,
Then steel.

As the saying goes, when you hear hoof beats think horses not zebras

That's why the choices are moot


Steel and Handle materials are pointless if it's a poor design.
Also the best design can be destroyed by a poor user. No one size fits all unfortunately.

Lastly to the OP, I think you lost us with the wording of this post.

I think you meant to compare form over function or blade performance over ergonomics.

Cause the raw handle materials and raw steel do nothing on there own and it isn't specific enough.

I agree, I'll be more specific on the topic. I know I left it broad but I wanted to leave room for discussion about the topic.

 

[marcinek]

Would it be rude for me to say only a German can make up a quote that specific to metallurgy. lol

Not quite "rude," but, as I said before, its the kind of thing someone who actually uses knives and thinks about how they function would say.

Note how "handle material" was not included.

 

[Bill1170]

Geometry.

Marcinek said what I came here to say. Geometry applies to the entire knife, the blade and the handle both, along with the various mechanisms found on folding knives, such as opening methods, locks, and so on. I would much rather use a knife with excellent blade geometry and a comfortable handle where the blade and handle are made from humble, yet serviceable materials, versus a knife with the latest super steel in a crazy obtuse grind with a non-ergonomic handle in aerospace carbon fiber composite.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

Steel and ergonomics of the handle and the material it is made out of. The greatest super steel with an awkward handle means I'll take a pass.

A great handle with a crappie steel gets a pass too.

You needed a 3rd option of both in your survey.

 

[farcry33]

Steel and ergonomics of the handle and the material it is made out of. The greatest super steel with an awkward handle means I'll take a pass.

A great handle with a crappie steel gets a pass too.

You needed a 3rd option of both in your survey.

But do you think a great handle with crappy steel is more enjoyable than a super steel with a crappy handle? Just thinking if I'm using the knife for a long period, I rather have a better handle with crappy steel. One knife that comes to mind, even though its not crappy steel, maybe to some, is the Spyderco Tenacious.

 

[marcinek]

Just thinking if I'm using the knife for a long period, I rather have a better handle with crappy steel.

Wait. But from the beginning (and in your own poll), you said that steel was more important.

What made you change your mind?

 

[farcry33]

Wait. But from the beginning (and in your own poll), you said that steel was more important.

What made you change your mind?

I prefer a better steel but if I had to cut for a longer period I would go for something more ergonomic and easy to sharpen. That's why I should of been more specific with the question because every knife has it's purpose..

 

[marcinek]

I prefer a better steel but if I had to cut for a longer period I would go for something more ergonomic and easy to sharpen. That's why I should of been more specific with the question because every knife has it's purpose..

Why wouldn't you go with something more ergonomic and with better edge retention (i.e., harder to sharpen)?

 

[Cutlover]

Steel and ergonomics of the handle and the material it is made out of. The greatest super steel with an awkward handle means I'll take a pass.

A great handle with a crappie steel gets a pass too.

You needed a 3rd option of both in your survey.

Obviously a 3rd option isn't needed. If he added the option of both, then everyone would choose it, and the poll would be worthless. Only a fool would choose better steel/better handle over having both. Come on, you should have picked that up at least.