What's the appeal of one-piece handles?

[crom]

I bought a Lionsteel SR-1 because I'm a nerd and the construction of the knife is industrial art.

There are no screws in the handle other than the pivot. It's just an amazing design ( IMO of course).

I agree, I liked the idea and looks of them. There's an appreciation IMO of the absence of a half dozen (extra clip position points) holes in the handle as well.

 

[Zidfeldts]

I agree, I liked the idea and looks of them. There's an appreciation IMO of the absence of a half dozen (extra clip position points) holes in the handle as well.

I find Lionsteel to be a great bargain for the quality they exude.

 

[22-rimfire]

Function first, materials second, looks third. But looks sell knives first.

 

[katanas]

They are akin to a work of art. :thumbup: I have the gold TiSpine and love the aesthetics. My Opinels will cut things, but there is something special (for some of us) about a thing of beauty.

 

[Mo2]

lionsteel tm1 in carbon fiber or micarta integral
https://youtu.be/cGG08l0BWOk

 

[Deltadag]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but since you're already be talking about titanium I have a question.
What exactly is so good about titanium ?
AFAIK it's expensive, hard to work with ( compared to other materials ), and being metal it would get cold in the winter.

Actually, among metals, titanium is a very poor conductor of heat. Worse than cast iron or carbon steels and certainly far worse than aluminum, copper or cartridge brass. That's precisely why you don't find titanium frying pans at your local gourmet supply shop and why cartridge brass is ideal for machine gun ammunition (it's an excellent heat sink). This is also why if you live in a frigid climate, titanium knife scales are preferred over stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, brass or copper. Trust me, a titanium-handled knife will feel much warmer than one made with any other common metal.

 

[Scott Cook]

I have the LionSteel TiSpine and SR-2, their handles are both cut from one solid piece of titanium, and they are both beautifully made and elegant. Besides LionSteel, there are also other knives that are one-piece solid handles, such as the Spyderco Nirvana and the new Benchmade Anthem, and Stedemon SHY.

I know these knives are harder to manufacture, and they can show off the capabilities of a brand, therefore asking for a higher price. But other than the aesthetic standpoint, it doesn't really make a knife better or worse, maybe even harder to take the knives apart and clean them. Do you think solid handles are a plus for knives?

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Fun to read. Don't worry too much about the cleaning part. A Q-tip with WD40 through the slot works fine, if the slot handle really gets messed up, take the blade out and throw the handle in the dishwasher, (game cleaning easy clean). Cleaning really isn't an issue and is simple.

For the most part, the one piece handle failure is the same as the two piece construction. The frame-lock spring arm relief area. That's with back pressure on the blade and a buckle in the lock arm. I suppose loose screws, bad material, lock up, freak accident, tank, other, may have a different result. With hand pressure, hard to make folding knives fail, at least one with decent construction. There's probably some strength gained with the integral folder but the weak link is all the same. IMHO

Yep, they are harder to make, and do take a bit more time.

I've never had a lock arm bent too far forward to lose its lockability. If one did, that isn't the end of the world, (can't speak for others). It can be fixed too.

As far as a one piece frame lock goes, Titanium is used primarily because of its spring and memory first, corrosion resistance, aesthetics, weight. You can make a one piece handle out of a few titanium alloys, and most hardenable steels and Damascus. Ya gonna need some spring.

Better or worse is in the eyes/hands of the beholder. Do I think solid handles are a plus for knives? - Yep, when quality of construction is followed by function and aesthetics, good steel, shape, HT, and a sharp edge.

In the knife world, a integral handle frame lock fills a niche. That's the plus.

Stay Sharp,


Scott Cook

 

[crom]

Well said, by one of the masters of the one piece handle.