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why do some knives have a cord wrapped around the handle"
- Thread starter thors_h8
- Start date
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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- Apr 6, 2000
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thors, spyder, welcome to Bladeforums!
Cord-wrapping goes back to Japanese handles, where they wrapped the tang in rayskin and then tied an intricate pattern of knotted cord over that. Current Japanese-style wraps, like the Spyderco Kumo, are generally soaked in epoxy for water-proof durability.
But the simpler cord-wraps, like Strider uses, are meant to be replaced as they fray or loosen or get soaked in ... bodily fluids.
All of these are meant to provide a customizable grip, often on knives that may be used as skeletonized handles, but which might need a more hand-filling grip sometimes.
Cord-wrapping goes back to Japanese handles, where they wrapped the tang in rayskin and then tied an intricate pattern of knotted cord over that. Current Japanese-style wraps, like the Spyderco Kumo, are generally soaked in epoxy for water-proof durability.
But the simpler cord-wraps, like Strider uses, are meant to be replaced as they fray or loosen or get soaked in ... bodily fluids.
All of these are meant to provide a customizable grip, often on knives that may be used as skeletonized handles, but which might need a more hand-filling grip sometimes.
Walking Man
BANNED
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- May 28, 2003
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- 9,606
It's a LOT easier and cheaper to do as well. (I don't think he was refering to the Japanese style)
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2005
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- 4,761
I'd just like to throw out that I really like my paracord lanyard and handled knives. Give them a shot, they actually work surprisingly well. And nothing to get scratched up, use them with abandon.
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2003
- Messages
- 479
I was gonna avoid this thread because personal brand choices will be blamed for user's opinions, but here goes.
-Yes, they are cheap to produce. It is impossible to deny that this has to be at least partially the cause of the cord wrap choice by the manufacturers.
-Yes, they can be replaced. Whether because of wear or to change the 550 for something more personal (paracord comes in some pretty cool patterns now). Think about it: hot pink on a little neck knife makes it cute instead of tactical. Not that I'd want a pink knife, but that's another story...
But being easily replaced is a bonus, not the feature that sells them.
HOWEVER, if you actually USE knives that have properly done cord wraps, they are trully appreciated. No safe queens at my house. All my current fixed blades (plus my 3 HAKs) have 550 wrap. When you squeeze the handle tightly, your skin or glove squish into the cord pattern and is locked into place. Very secure. When I use a tool, I want performance above anything else. I don't care how much a sawzall vibrates its way through exhaust, as long as it cuts it easily. Same thing with knives. Give me performance over comfort (they aren't that bad...unless you're the kind of person that moisturizes). Sure other materials can be secure and more comfortable, but they rely mostly on handle shape. Paracord wrap will outgrip grippy G10 anyday. If you dissagree, you haven't used a cord wrapped knife.
-Yes, they are cheap to produce. It is impossible to deny that this has to be at least partially the cause of the cord wrap choice by the manufacturers.
-Yes, they can be replaced. Whether because of wear or to change the 550 for something more personal (paracord comes in some pretty cool patterns now). Think about it: hot pink on a little neck knife makes it cute instead of tactical. Not that I'd want a pink knife, but that's another story...
But being easily replaced is a bonus, not the feature that sells them.
HOWEVER, if you actually USE knives that have properly done cord wraps, they are trully appreciated. No safe queens at my house. All my current fixed blades (plus my 3 HAKs) have 550 wrap. When you squeeze the handle tightly, your skin or glove squish into the cord pattern and is locked into place. Very secure. When I use a tool, I want performance above anything else. I don't care how much a sawzall vibrates its way through exhaust, as long as it cuts it easily. Same thing with knives. Give me performance over comfort (they aren't that bad...unless you're the kind of person that moisturizes). Sure other materials can be secure and more comfortable, but they rely mostly on handle shape. Paracord wrap will outgrip grippy G10 anyday. If you dissagree, you haven't used a cord wrapped knife.