What's your Favorite Handle Material?

[Lorien]

I am a practical guy and for my uses, hardwood, wrapped, or synthetic composites are generally what comes my way.

But I really have a thing for pearl, or mop. That stuff is just magnetic to me.

 

[Burl Source]

I like different types of unusual burl.

G. Shahan made this knife using some old stock redwood burl that was almost as hard as ironwood.

John Doyle made this knife using Buckeye Burl.

Eric Fleming made this one with Spalted Maple Burl.

 

[RogerP]

As really premium examples of stag get ever more scarce, my appreciation of it rises.

 

[Marcel54]

Here's some pearl from my collection.

R. Browne

Doug Casteel

Wade Colter

Don Hanson

Stephen Olszewski

Stephen Olszewski

Warren Osborne (will be engraved by Brian Hochstrat sometime this year)

(photo by Coop)

Marcel

 

[Gary Mulkey]

That is just a gorgeous bowie Gary - beautiful lines.

Roger

Thanks, Roger. I can't take credit for the steel however. I made it from a billet of Ed Caffrey's "fossil mosaic". Beautiful stuff isn't it?

Gary

 

[Kevin Jones]

This is a loaded topic. Normally I love polished walrus and mammoth ivory. I am finding that it really depends on the piece though. I would prefer NICE stag to a boring plain peice of mammoth. In general I go for deep color. Blues and greens for mammoth ivory. For walrus I love to see blue but it doesn't get seen often. Here is the example I posted recently..

Jon, our handle material preferences run along the same lines. I also like the deep earth tones as well.

Mammoth Ivory Bark! I like the white/brown stuff.

Kaj Embretsen:

Jos

I really like a Bar Tenders Folder Jos. And with that ivory, this is certainly a great example.

Speaking professionally as bladesmith I love the wood because I love to run curvilinear handles. The wood provides this, you can work in any depth. But speaking of exotic and beauty ... I get the mammoth ivory. It is also important to say that the ivory is a wonderful material to work, soft and very easy to get shine.
All the Best,
Eduardo Berardo.

The wonderful mammoth ivory. Senderos's replica.

Now that's what I mean by deep earth tones. Beautiful ivory and a very nice Sendero. :thumbup:

These that Kevin has listed are definately amounst my favorites. One that I would add to the list would be stabilized bone:

Gary

I have to agree with Roger, the lines on this Bowie are perfection.

 

[irbailey]

My favourites are green canvas Micarta and Macassar ebony.

Just realised how 'lower end' my tastes are....!!
Ian

 

[jjtjr]

My favorite handle materials are either Mammoth or Walrus Ivory;

JD Smith MS "Mastadon Madness":

Wayne Valachovic MS folder:

Jerry Fisk MS "NLT Gamemaster"

Dr. Jim Batson MS Dogbone Bowie:

Jim Treacy

 

[betzner]

I forgot to list Edwards Jade as another of my favorites, with this as an example.

And Black Marble, below:

 

[jklein7401]

Some great looking handles on some great looking knives. Here are a few more.

Blue Bark Mammoth

White Bark Mammoth

Fossil Walrus Ivory
[

Flawless Fossil Walrus Ivory

Flawless Narwhal Ivory

Stag

Alas these are all past pieces that I no longer in my possession. Except the spectacular Don Hanson Integral. I wish I had that one as I know exactly where it would be today.

Exceptional knives everyone, lots of fun!

Jon

 

[Lorien]

Fossil Walrus Ivory
[

I just about fall over every time I see that Hanson. Oh domino!

 

[ptgdvc]

I am a sucker for sambar stag.

 

[Gary Mulkey]

I have to agree with Roger, the lines on this Bowie are perfection.

Thanks, Kevin. That means a lot.

Gary

 

[canineforge]

Here are some examples of my favorite materials, all Hanson's. Don was instumental in piquing my interest in custom knives several years ago. I am a fan of natural materials for handle material, and have learned to appreciate Don's desire to leave his handle materials as unaltered as possible on a majority of his fixed blades. Examples would be my first order with Don, a walrus hunter, plus the two stag fighters he did for me last year.

Walrus and stag are favorites, but mammoth and many woods rate right up there. I agree with Roger's statement that "...an exceptional piece of handle material incorporated into the right knife is a winning combination". It is hard to be picky when you love the whole package.

These threads are always a great treat. :thumbup:

- Joe

 

[mendezj]

I like Bose bone very much...

 

[Peregrin]

I am a sucker for sambar stag.

The only thing I like better then Sambar stag is amber Sambar stag. That is the nicest looking stag I've ever rested my eyes on. The fact it's attached to a Burt Foster Bowie is the icing. Or maybe the stag is the icing?

Great image Coop!

 

[DanGraves]

Some real eye candy here. Just love ivory fossil or not.

 

[Bruce Bump]

 

[D lisch]

What a cool Thread I am a big fan of stag. lately amber stag I just got back 6 tappers from cold peppers. But I am starting to really like ivory

 

[Kevin Jones]

Those are all too sweet

You're not going to get off the hook that easy as you supply some of the most beautiful and unique handles in existence.

What are your favorite materials and please share some examples. :thumbup: