What particular scales don't you care for on a traditional knife?

C

cards94

Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
1,484
Plenty of scales out there for everybody but are there any in particular that just doesn't do it for you? Whether it's stag, wood, yellow bone, etc.
Stag isn't my thing but I respect others who like it's just not for me.
 
Last edited:
I don't much care for carbon fiber, or most synthetics for that matter. I like a wide range of woods and other natural materials.

Chris
 
From a practical standpoint? I love the look of horn and I appreciate a really magnificent piece. I also like it used on traditional patterns like several I can think of from Italy. But horn (whether buffalo, ram, etc.) in my experience needs a lot of care and attention in certain climates to avoid cracking, shrinking, splitting, disoloration, etc. (I am sure there are several century-old examples out there that would contrast with my anecdotal experience.) I imagine the ivories encounter similar difficulties, though I have no direct experience there. I have also heard that snakewood is actually quite fragile but have never had any issues with a few knives in that material.

Carbon fiber I avoid, for the simple reason that I have been on the receiving end of enough carbon splinters in my time to seek other materials.

Aesthetically, I often veer away from most acrylics and celluloid. But there are a few that are undeniably neat.
 
Sonnemann said:
From a practical standpoint? I love the look of horn and I appreciate a really magnificent piece. I also like it used on traditional patterns like several I can think of from Italy. But horn (whether buffalo, ram, etc.) in my experience needs a lot of care and attention in certain climates to avoid cracking, shrinking, splitting, disoloration, etc. (I am sure there are several century-old examples out there that would contrast with my anecdotal experience.) I imagine the ivories encounter similar difficulties, though I have no direct experience there. I have also heard that snakewood is actually quite fragile but have never had any issues with a few knives in that material.

Carbon fiber I avoid, for the simple reason that I have been on the receiving end of enough carbon splinters in my time to seek other materials.

Aesthetically, I often veer away from most acrylics and celluloid. But there are a few that are undeniably neat.
Click to expand...

The acrylic scale that really caught my eye was the lava on the #92.
 
Sonnemann said:
From a practical standpoint? I love the look of horn and I appreciate a really magnificent piece. I also like it used on traditional patterns like several I can think of from Italy. But horn (whether buffalo, ram, etc.) in my experience needs a lot of care and attention in certain climates to avoid cracking, shrinking, splitting, disoloration, etc. (I am sure there are several century-old examples out there that would contrast with my anecdotal experience.) I imagine the ivories encounter similar difficulties, though I have no direct experience there. I have also heard that snakewood is actually quite fragile but have never had any issues with a few knives in that material.

Carbon fiber I avoid, for the simple reason that I have been on the receiving end of enough carbon splinters in my time to seek other materials.

Aesthetically, I often veer away from most acrylics and celluloid. But there are a few that are undeniably neat.
Click to expand...

This is exactly my sentiments. :thumbup:
 
Wood, (other than Ebony, I do like Ebony) and any carbon fiber. I'm partial to jigged bone and GEC's Elk.
 
I really don't care to own any acrylic or celluloid handled knife. Some of them look cool, and I can appreciate them from afar, but they're just not for me.
 
I don't care for synthetic "plastic" material like deltrin or acrylic. Even on a quality knife, it just feels cheap to me.
 
Anything synthetic, especially delrin. If I wanted those I would've stuck with more modern designs.

- Christian
 
Acrylic and buffalo horn.

I just realized that I don't have stag, mammoth, camel or ivory.

I need to remedy that soon.
 
I prefer natural materials, so tend to avoid the synthetics on traditional knives. Although I have to admit that there are some synthetics, ivory for example, that look pretty good and are more stable than the natural material.
 
I do not care for delrin covers. I am also not a fan of stag but because the covers make the handles unusually thick.
 
Easyrider said:
I do not care for delrin covers. I am also not a fan of stag but because the covers make the handles unusually thick.
Click to expand...
True in some cases, but my slimmest knife has stag. It is 100+ years old has four blades and is still only 3/8" thick. Those old Sheffield makers knew how to do stag right.

Chris
 
I have an older Robeson stockman with jigged delrin. Every time I carry it I wish the handles were different. I have actually thought about getting it re-handled by some of the guys on here who do great work. Maybe one day.

I also do not like carbon fiber. It feels cold. As far as stag goes I am picky. I have never owned acrylic. It just doesn't do it for me aesthetically.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top