Wood or bone

I like both, but have more wood. I prefer the way it looks for the most part. My favorite is cocobolo, which holds up very well to wear and moisture.
 
I like both but some knives just "ask" for a type of scales. My Case Backpocket just had to be Ebony. For some reason, a knife will really shine with a particular wood or color and jigging of bone. It's in your eye. As far as reliability goes, bot are plenty reliable.
 
I think the whole toughness/durability issue is a bit overrated: a good knife will last more than I want it to last, be it wood or bone...so it all comes up to personal taste. Personally, I prefer knives with smooth handles, so my first choice is wood. :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
I see some people claiming that bone cracks more easily than wood. Do most people agree with this? I dont have any experience with cracking or denting (knocks on wood), but feeling the materials in hand, it seems the bone is more sturdy. Maybe its just the smoothness of ebony which plays tricks on my mind lol
 
There's a saying I've heard here on the forums: Bone wears out, wood wears in. Jigged bone will get smoothed and the color will change as the surface color is worn away. Pocket wear gives wood a beautiful smooth luster. Which is better is up to personal taste.
 
To me, wood looks more dressed up, bone more everyday. Most of my knives are bone and I love the variation in color and texture. I have a few knives in ebony and really like that, too.
 
Bigfattyt said:
I just dropped a grandad barlow this week. Cracked the bone (it was a Queen/Burke collaboration with the lovely orange sawcut.......so depressing).
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Did something like this about 12 years ago and can still remember how lousy I felt over it. It was a brown bone Schrade IXL Stockman my Dad had given me...dropped it on a Spanish tile floor at work and chipped a hunk of bone off. Fixed it with super glue but still.....:(
 
I like both wood and bone. Not sure on a favorite at this point but both have had top spot in my collection :)
 
I have both and would have a hard time picking a favorite, both can be beautiful. If I had to pick one over the other I suppose I would go with wood. I like the variety and natural beauty of the different woods. I think wood handles may be a bit less prone to chipping if dropped, but wood can also show more dings and dents when carried loose with other hard objects such as change and keys.
 
leghog said:
I prefer bone. Then I'd rather have delrin over wood. To each his own.
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I like em all - including the synthetics. They all have their own appeal and character. In the end, it depends on how they look and what it is going to be used for.
 
I really like the smooth finish of wood and smooth bone. Next comes natural and burnt stag. Jigged bone would be a third one for me.
But there are exceptions. Charlies #48 peach seed jigged Blood Red Diamond Jack is a real keeper.

Tom
 
Depends on the bone, depends on the wood, depends on the pattern. I like them all plus a dash of horn,stag,acrylic,delrin I steer clear of Cell frankly as it can be destructive (some lovely renderings with it though).

Some people have talked of dropping bone handled knives-happened to me and it's monstrous- but I think a durability aspect of bone v wood should be considered too. Bone can be prone to centre pin cracking on the spring side, very frustrating. It's likely from the pin being overwhacked and it cracking fast or a stress fracture from the spring. Never seen this on wood mind. Ebony is a rich and wonderful wood, seems remarkably durable, ages well indeed and as a worry stone my GEC 68 is breathtakingly smooth. Eyes closed you can't feel any sharp bolsters, raised/sunk pins, proud shield, it's VERY relaxing. Looks a treat too.

But then again, some jigged or smooth bone brings other delights. More evidence of the beauty of Traditionals, they look and feel just wonderful.
 
Both are fine, jigged bone looks better over time. I carry a Tribal Spear in ebony and a huckleberry boys knife in ebony, both are fine.
 
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