What kind of metal do you like in handles?

What is your favorite metal for use in handles and scales?

  • Titanium

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Steel

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Aluminum

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • other (iron, bronze, brass, ...)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
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Feb 7, 2004
Messages
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With Benchmade seeming to be making more and more models with aluminum handles, I'm wondering what people here prefer for metal used in handles and scales.

Personally I prefer G-10, micarta, carbon fiber, or natural materials. But even with these on a knife, when aluminum is also used it makes it seem cheapened somehow.

Knives with all aluminum handles, even anodized aircraft grade, are my least favorite regardless of anything else about the knife.

Chris
 
I prefer titanium but to me the knife just has to feel good in the hand. Wood handle hunting knives feel good in the hand and so does the rubber grips used on the vangaurd.
 
I agree about the aluminum, but for me it's not the look, it's the "feel". I think the problem is that my eye sees metal and expects a certain amount of heft, so the knife feels too light in my hand. That's why I got rid of my black Salsa and got one in Ti. Well, that and the fact that I just wanted one in Ti... because it's Ti, come one, that's cool stuff. :)
 
I wish I could vote but I can't, so my vote goes for steel. It's not as expensive as Ti but still stronger than 'other' or :barf: aluminum :barf:
 
For some reason the thread opened showing me the results but no opportunity to vote. Titanium is very nice and has a nice feel, but aluminum is lighter and strong enough for most applications. Aluminum would cheapen a Sebenza but my $120 BM940 isn't cheapened by the anodized aluminum handle. OTOH, titanium makes my BM 940Ti very nice. So no, I don't think Al cheapens a knife, cheap steel like 420J2, AUS4 or even 440A cheapens a knife.
 
Buying an upgraded membership allows you certain priviledges on BF, like voting.

I voted for titanium. I really don't like Al at all for a handle. I know that the aircraft grade Al alloys are very strong, but Al has certain properties I don't like. When there's enough of the metal, the weight is ok, like in the BM 940s, but more important to me is thermal conductivity. I don't like it when I can go outside in winter with a knife in my hand at room temperature, and within a very short time, even if I have it clenched in my fist, it drops to the ambient freezing temperature. Freezing metal in your hand isn't good.

Steel will do the same thing, though not quite as fast, but it's also a bit too heavy to hanging off of my pockets.

Ti is perfect for me for an all-metal handle. Decent weight, doesn't get cold or hot very fast, it's great. Other combinations of materials achieve the same thing that I like, though (e.g., the BM 710, with G10 scales that are great at resisting thermal conduction, and nice steel liners to provide the right amount of weight to the handle).
 
Titanium is my favorite in general, though I am in kind of a frame lock place right now and that might have something to do with it. Ti beats steel only in cool factor, and that it is lighter than plain old steel.

The only time that I really think Al is decent enough is on an auto. Especially a plunge lock, just something about that combination that works for me. Though I wouldn't want a knife that relied on the strength of aluminium scales for a locking mechanism, as in a Al liner.
 
For the handles, I generally prefer natural materials - wood, stag, bone, stone, etc. For liners and hardware, I'm under the impression that titanium is best. For bolsters, there's nothing like nickel-silver.

I can see the results, but I can't vote either. What's up with that?

-Bob
 
To answer this repeated question, I will quote myself from this very thread.
LyonHaert said:
Buying an upgraded membership allows you certain priviledges on BF, like voting.
Click to expand...
 
I've got an Eddie Baca Custom with blue G10 scales and bronze bolsters. It's unbelievable. The bronze develops a nice patina after a while. He's working on another one for me that's going to be a mixture of titanium and bronze. Should be really cool.

I love metal handles and I don't mind a heavy knife. I like steel handles too as long as they're drilled or checkered or something for a little traction.
 
I don't like steel, just too heavy.

I'm okay with aluminum. The main thing I don't like about aluminum is that the coating always scrapes off so easily.

Titanium is my favorite. Don't love the price increase it causes, but it's the best choice for higher-end knives.

Joe
 
Joe Talmadge said:
Don't love the price increase it causes, but it's the best choice for higher-end knives.

Joe
Click to expand...

Cheaper than it used to be! I heard a few years ago they figured out a better/easier way to get/make titanium. After that it seemed like they were making EVERYTHING out of titanium: knives, watches, car parts, bicycles...

It'll probably get even cheaper soon. By then, we'll probably want something different. :D
 
I don't like metal handles and would always prefer something natural like antler, stone, wood and such. To me these materials only get better looking with scratches and honest wear. Scratched metal looks worse, IMO.

Of metals, I like titanium best because my Sebenza seems to stand up well to wear and tear.
 
I voted for titanium although I have no problem with other handle metals if they are done well. But titanium is nice. :cool:
 
Prefer micarta, G10, wood, stag, but out of the metals Id go with Ti case of the corrosion resistance. Aluminum is too soft (scratches easy), steel to heavy, brass gets all tarnished and ugly. Ive never had any knives with full nickel handles but I guess it would be as heavy as steel.
 
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