which type of handles to get?

[sph3ric pyramid]

I've been looking for a slipjoint, and there are many, many, MANY types which fit my price range!

One thing that really doesn't help in deciding is the variety of handle materials available.

Some of the celluloid ones look very nice, and the delrin handles seem very "functional", but the bone and wood handles look nice as well. Which to get, synthetic or natural? Pros and cons?

Also, how much more maintenance must go into a natural handle? Do they wear as well?

I'm thinking about buying a nice stockman. And the nice thing about slipjoints is, most of them fit my price range as a periodically broke junior.

On another note, I'm buying a "loaner" type knife for non-knife type people. I've looked at the Opinel knives, which everybody seems to like, and the Kissing Crane Brown Mule which can be had for under $10.

Which to get?

Any help is very welcome, and thanks in advance.

Edit- (Regarding stockman) Agh, forgot to specify...this will be a user, definitely, but has to look good...that way people won't have much to complain about.

 

[32055]

My personal favorite has always been jigged bone. I never do anything to them except to wipe them once in a while. Go over to agrussell and check out the Cattaraugus seconds. I got one after reading about them here, and it is a super knife for forty bucks. Happy hunting.

 

[Dr van Nostrom]

The celluloid and delrin is very sturdy and practical though you can't beat the feel/look of a jigged bone/stag/wood handle. Not a lot of maintenence needed - one tip I picked up here and do for all natural handled slipjoints is once a year soak them overnight in mineral oil, stops the handles drying out and cracking over the years.
My EDC is a Kissing Crane stockman, celluloid handle but great blades and fit and finish and only cost me about $30. The Queen D2 knives in Cocobolo are great for looks and fit and finish! Just my $0.02

 

[rev_jch]

laminated and stabilized hardwoods are fairly sturdy and nice looking.

bone, jigged bone, stag and horn are pretty, but more fragile, they can dry out and crack over time, but rubbing a little mineraL oil will slow this process down. also dyed bone will tend to lighten with use and carry (over a long period of time).

metal handles are nice, brass will scratch easily, but polishes well. aluminum is light, but scratches easily also. stainless handles (most are usaully 410, 0r 420) tend to be heavy, but durable. bronze tends to be heavy, but are pretty.

celluloid can be pretty, but is very flammable. also will shrink over time (many years).

delrin is sturdy, can be molded in many finishes (in my opinion is quite ugly)

mother of pearl is very pretty, but like all natural materials can "expand and retract" in different temps. also it can be brittle. (abalone would also be in this category).

stone (torq. granite, ect.) can be very pretty, but tends to be heavy, and prone to breakage if dropped.

bottom line is if your going to use it and you don't mind taking care of it get something pretty! if not then get something in wood, or plastic. hope this helps!

 

[willis]

SP,I've got a bone handled Case 6318HP stockman with the chrome vanadium blades that I bought in 1982.I had it in my pocket darn near every day until July of 2000 when I lost it.It honestly felt as if I'd lost a good friend,I bought a yellow handled Case that was exactly like it as a replacement.About a month later I found it under the cushion of my favorite reading chair where it had fallen out of the pocket of a baggie pair of shorts,I was ecstatic!But I digress,the handles on it look as good as the day I bought it and I never did anything except to rub a little oil from around my nose and forehead on it from time to time till it was shiny.(I know,it sounds gross)I think a pocket knife that is used constantly doesn't need as much care as a knife that is a collector piece and doesn't get handled very much,as the oils from your hand will keep it from drying out.Needless to say that knife is now semi-retired as the mere thought of losing it again makes me shudder,and I think the yellow handles on the new one are neat looking in their own way,but it will be nice when those blades get as black as on the bone handled one and you can't rush a patina.Good luck in your quest.

 

[littleknife]

Wood and synthetics have warmer feeling and are sturdier but lighter than bone or stag. On the other hand stag and bone are usually grippier and nicer looking. If your knife will be wet most of the time a delrin or celluloid would be probably better to go with. Bone and stag can easily crack or breake if you drop the knife on a hard floor.
I myself prefer stag and bone but like delrin too.
For a loaner knife I would go with the "Brown Mule": it is very strong and sturdy knife, but might be a little bit difficult to open. The Opinels are considered better slicers due to the thin blades. Their standard pear wood handles are more susceptible to warping due to moisture too. Right now Smoky Mountain Knife Works offers Opinels in SS blades and oak, walnut or olive wood handles too:

http://www.eknifeworks.com

 

[StoneDog]

I prefer natural jigged bone and stag for daily carry. They have a warmth to them that Delrin and metal-handled knives seem to lack.

32055 is right, check out AG Russell's "Seconds" page at www.agrknives.com. I picked up two of his Cattaraugus Sleeveboard Whittler/Rope knives last month. They have very, very minor flaws but overall fit and finish beats average Case (and the Solingen brands) hands down. Plus you get AUS-8 blades that offer better than average edge holding. They've been in my EDC rotation along with a Bulldog stag whittler and a Fight'n Rooster jigged bone peanut.

My next purchase will be one of AGR's American Muskrats, probably in sandalwood.

But I digress.

Stick to natural handle materials if you can. Years and years from now they may crack or chip, but you'll enjoy them more than plastic, celluloid or metal handles.

Jon