Wood vs Manmade Handles

ncrockclimb

ncrockclimb

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2014
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I am in the market for a new "user." I do not abuse my knives, but do get them out of the sheath and cut stuff with them in the outdoors. I absolutely LOVE the burl handles that Fiddleback makes, especially the complex ones with bolsters and multiple liners. However, I am curious about the durability of these handles. What say you fiddleback collectors and power users; will the wood handles do ok with "normal" outdoor use, or is manmade the way to go?
 
ncrockclimb said:
I am in the market for a new "user." I do not abuse my knives, but do get them out of the sheath and cut stuff with them in the outdoors. I absolutely LOVE the burl handles that Fiddleback makes, especially the complex ones with bolsters and multiple liners. However, I am curious about the durability of these handles. What say you fiddleback collectors and power users; will the wood handles do ok with "normal" outdoor use, or is manmade the way to go?
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For the most part wood will hold up well. Will it hold up and be as strong or resilient as micarta? Probably not.

A quote from Andy...

Natural handle materials such as stag, bone, wood, pearl and ivory may shrink, crack, and/or discolor with change in temperature, or humidity or age. As this is normal, expected, and can normally be avoided with maintenance these issues would not be covered under this warranty.
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I have a few wood handled Fiddlebacks and other customs. But for the most part, I gravitate towards micarta. Why? Biggest reason is my own bad habits. If I'm fishing or hunting, when I gunk up the knife, I usually wash it up in the closest stream/creek before resheathing. For a wood handled knife, that's not a good idea. Getting it wet then dry again and again is hard on it. But for micarta, doesn't even phase it. I talked to Andy a few years back, and after my confession, he suggested micarta.

This is just a personal thing. I like the stability of synthetic and the texture. But, there are literally hundreds of thousands of knives with wood handles out there that are plenty tough and have no problems. There are also thousands of Fiddlebacks with wood handles that are just fine.

Your choice will really come down to looking at YOUR intended use of YOUR knife and being reasonable.
 
I own a few Fiddlebacks and the majority of them have wood handles. I also use my knives quite a bit. From experience the type of wood will definitely have an impact on durability. For example Desert Ironwood is pretty bulletproof. Another big factor is a lot of the wood handles are stabilized which typically lessens the likelihood of swelling, shrinking or warping. Having said that stabilizing doesn't necessarily mean your golden as I've had stabilized scales move on me. I'm not certain but I think a lot of it has to do with the moisture content of the scales. I'd say if you like wood then go for it. Use with common sense and you should be good.

Having said that are wooden scales as durable as synthetics? Of course not. But if your like me and prefer the look, feel and warmth of wood than go for it. Personally I think Andy and crew do their best work with wood and honestly the way the finish their handles is second to none. There is an art to bringing out the best in wooden handles and when it comes to that Fiddlebacks are second to none.
 
Thanks! I just (5 min ago) purchased my first Fiddleback, a Bushfinger w/ Black Herringbone Burlap Handle & Thick Natural & Thin Lime Green Liners from tkc.com. The input from this thread made me decide to go with manmade scales for this knife. I might go with wood on the next one... and I am already sure that there will be a next one!
 
ncrockclimb said:
Thanks! I just (5 min ago) purchased my first Fiddleback, a Bushfinger w/ Black Herringbone Burlap Handle & Thick Natural & Thin Lime Green Liners from tkc.com. The input from this thread made me decide to go with manmade scales for this knife. I might go with wood on the next one... and I am already sure that there will be a next one!
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You will not be disappointed with that choice.
Congratulations and welcome!
 
Thanks, guys. I have been lurking around the Fiddleback forum for a few months, and tried my hand (unsuccessfully) at being a Fiddleback Friday Shark last week. This is one of the coolest group of folks I have found on the forum, and the Fiddleback knives are amazing. I am really excited to get my first one in the mail, using it, and being a member of this community.

Cheers!
 
Welcome and Congrats on your first Fiddleback. One comment about the wood vs manmade - if you live in "The Oven" - manmade or synthetic is a very wise choice.
There are a few threads about caring for Fiddlebacks, taking care of handles, maintaining the blade, etc. Several members have weighed in about arid climates and how to take care of natural wood scales.

Oh yeah, pics or it didn't happen. Just kidding, but seriously - all us Fiddleback Fanatics love seeing those knives being used.
 
Good choice all around. I am sure the wood holds up well, but micarta and G10 are bullet proof-love the bolstered ones(someday)
 
ncrockclimb said:
I am in the market for a new "user." I do not abuse my knives, but do get them out of the sheath and cut stuff with them in the outdoors. I absolutely LOVE the burl handles that Fiddleback makes, especially the complex ones with bolsters and multiple liners. However, I am curious about the durability of these handles. What say you fiddleback collectors and power users; will the wood handles do ok with "normal" outdoor use, or is manmade the way to go?
Click to expand...

I think you did good going with the burlap. The wood is plenty tough, but not as tough as micartas. The real issue is the climate you're going to have the knife in. Arizona is hell on wood handles. I did a show in Vegas and every wood handle shrunk during the 3 days there. Visible exposed tangs. The plus though is that you are in a great zone for tool steels. I'd never own stainless if I lived where you live.
 
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