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

[K.O.D.]

While I prefer certain handle materials, they are not a deal breaker.

Steel first and foremost
Reputation of the company
Clip position

While I can work around handle materials, blade size and shape, and lock, the aforementioned I will not compromise on.

With most knives other than framelocks, handle materials can be worked around. I work around framelocks by not carrying them in the winter.

 

[sabre cat]

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.

One of my all time favorite knives has a great handle and garbage AUS6 steel. The ergos on it are so good that I just have to keep it around.

 

[Chariotz4]

To me, the choices present in the question are analogous to a vehicle; with the blade standing in for some of the performance components of said vehicle and the handle representing the interior.

The choice of blade steel will give one a good idea of the "performance" of the knife (coupled with other things like heat treat, geometry, grind, etc), while the handle, like the interior of the car, is where one interfaces with the knife, so a "nicer interface" is a preference (obviously what constitutes "nice" will vary by person). Relative to each other, I tend give these two factors more or less equal consideration when I'm looking at a knife, although these two particular facets of a knife fall down the list of things I consider to be important; some other features I consider more important are looks/geometry and ergonomics.

For example, I'd rather have a knife I find visually pleasing that uses low end/run-of-the-mill handle materials and budget steel because it has good ergonomics and blade geometry than a knife with high end handle materials and super steel, but it has poor geometry and hot spots all over the handle.

 

[K.O.D.]

I think that handle design/ergonomics are more important than the material.

 

[vanslem6]

The type of lock dictates first and foremost, followed by handle color.

 

[Knifenoob1206]

Steel man, handles are usually replaceable. Plus, I would rather deal with cruddy handles instead of comfortable handles but terrible steel.

 

[Etna]

If I see a knife which has a design to my liking and has a price tag within my budget and expectations, I'm buying and using it, even if the blade steel is 2cr13.

 

[LX_Emergency]

As long as the materials are decent and well known to be good for knife handles they don't really factor in for me much anymore.

I used to only want wooden handles. But now I love Micarta or G10 just as much when properly done. Same with FRN or other "cheap" plastics.

That said...just the steel won't sell me a knife. It's a combination of the overall package.

A number of factors go into the consideration like:

How's it ground?
What's the heat treatment like?
What's the design like?
How're the ergonomics?
What's the price?
What's the steel?

All show up during considerations in no particular order.

 

[Dr Heelhook]

I voted handle material.
For what I use a knife for there just aren't so many variables when it comes to steel, practically speaking. Simply put, for a pocket folder, I want less carbon and for a purpose driven fixed blade I generally demand more of it, but exactly which alloy feels not so important to me. Handle materials don't always play such a practical part neither, but to me they're just a part of the essence of the knife so to speak, especially when it comes to natural materials. Very important for the "feel" of the knife IMO.