Favorite knife handle materials?

[RA40]

What are your favorite knife handle materials that you prefer?

I was discussing this with a few people because I have some stag rounds in the supply box that are calling me to use. I like MOP but not on users. Ivory types are nice as well but anything that resembles elephant is a no-no.

My sampling is small so hoping to get a bit more input on possible handle materials to seek out.

 

[theotherwaldo]

My most recent effort was replacing the splintered bone handle of a small khanjar with some mammoth ivory scraps.
I love that stuff.
My sister really likes that little knife now.

 

[Valkman]

My favorites for users are micarta and G10, especially Orange G10. For stag I love the Amber version but that stuff costs. I didn't get much fancier than that although I did use quite a bit of giraffe bone too. I hope to buy a folder with mammoth scales someday.

 

[9x56MS]

My favorite handle material seems to have fallen out of favor probably due to cost. For butchering and cleaning game you can’t beat stacked leather washers in my opinion.

 

[Obturation]

I like canvas micarta, grippy and durable. Looks good too if it's layered right.

 

[rperyam]

Stag.

 

[dh1633pm]

I love micarta and g10. Antler and stag are cool enough. But wood is where it’s at. Keep in mind, I am at best not even a novice. Like what I like.

 

[dredd]

I like antler, bone, wood, leather....

I'm going to catch grieve for this but, I despise G10 and am not a fan for phenolic / micata.
I worked in a shop where we machined that stuff. It was used as insulators and such for electrical supply components.
Everything from sheets to 12" thick blocks.
I can still smell that stuff. I am even starting to itch just typing this. LOL

I hope that everyone out there that works with these materials takes all of the necessary precautions.
G10 can mess a fella up!

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it, I just can't stand looking at it or touching it.

 

[Slamfire]

For pretty, I really like snake wood. Its red, and snaky looking





For practical, red orange G10, or plastic, so I can find the thing against the ground, or dark carpet. I drop stuff











this is very attractive, a red burl. For a safe Queen, it just has to look good.

 

[sparkyv]

Another vote for G-10 and micarta.

 

[JeffG]

What are your favorite knife handle materials that you prefer?

I was discussing this with a few people because I have some stag rounds in the supply box that are calling me to use. I like MOP but not on users. Ivory types are nice as well but anything that resembles elephant is a no-no.

My sampling is small so hoping to get a bit more input on possible handle materials to seek out.

Antler and wood are my favorites. Kind of an old school taste, but it suits me.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Milled titanium

 

[Nuclear]

Canvas micarta or wood.

 

[rust collector]

Wood works for me, especially in a working knife. Birch offers a good grip when wet, and highly figured wood is visually appealing. Micarta is durable, but I can't warm up to metal. Leather, though grippy, looks rough after much use.

 

[hso]

Stag
Micarta
G10

 

[Old Dog]

Stag, linen and canvas micarta and G10 are also at the top of my favorites, but I like wood (ebony, any burl or spalted can be beautiful) for many knives and swords.

 

[huntsman]

MOP for Sunday go to meeting knives, working knives is whatever.

 

[RA40]

Great! I've been out of touch with knives so I was happy to see that stag is well liked. I had some stag rounds and cut one up to put on a knife handle.

 

[Blue Jays]

My preference is for rough canvas micarta (like Busse used to use back in the day), G10, aluminum, and titanium. Carbon Fiber is decent, too.

 

[RA40]

I wish I could find this type of rag Micarta:

 

[Valkman]

Rag micarta is rare and those who have it hoard it. The only way I know of to get some is to make it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

It's funny, I see a lot to fhte folders I like offered in a carbon fiber show side oprtion. I know in some cases that it's ourely for looks, but I see weight emphasized by people quite a bit also.

I don't like carbon fiber for more than an inlay here or there. I do not care for it as a promary handle/scale material. It's too smooth IMO. I also don't worry about weight on a folder either. I see people quibbling over an ounce or two. If a pocket knife is "too heavy" for me and I don't want to carry it as a result, then I think my underlying medical issues are a biger concern than my knife weight.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Mountain Mahogany, linen Ivory Micarta. The Ivory micarta turns yellow with age just like the real stuff. But it's also very tough.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Well, not a "favorite", but I've had this Cold-Steel Bushman for a while, but I've been afraid to carry it in the wilderness as the possibility of the smooth steel handle slipping through my hand, if wet or bloody, and the razor sharp edge running across my fingers didn't appeal to me. Just the other day I realize how tough and durable bow-handle wrap is, having used it on many bows and a single shot black powder pistol I have. So I wrapped the Bushman with it. It is a very firm grip, even when wet.

By tying the knot in the lanyard in just the right place, one can put one's fingers through it, and that also keeps the knife from moving rearward with bad results. The Bushman is a good knife. You can't break it, even if you "baton" on it all day. And you can make a spear out of it, which was the reason I bought it in the first place.

 

[Valkman]

I don't like carbon fiber for more than an inlay here or there. I do not care for it as a promary handle/scale material.

I agree. I never used it and don't own any knives with it as handle material.