Stainless steel is the strongest metal on this list in that it will not dent or scratch as easily as titanium or aluminium. It has a fine grain so is comfortable to hold but because it is a very tough wood, it can be difficult to work with. For G10 knives, a soft toothbrush and hot soapy water are great for cleaning, and for surface oiling a product called Ballistol rubbed into the completely dry G10 surface will restore shine and color. If you are going to use it in wet conditions often, you don't want your knife handle to be made of soft or fine woods like black walnut; better to use hardwood or a stabilised wood, where the wood is injected with plastic. 8, Lane 2, Yanzigang Industrial Avenue, Longtao, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China. Also, people will have preferences for easy clean, low maintenance synthetics like G10 whereas others will hold fast and true to the stunning natural handle materials such as wood. Other traditional horn material includesdeer horn andbuffalo horn which also make distinctive knife handles for outdoor enthusiasts. But what exactly are all of these, and which ones are the best? What makes the success of wood is also its attractive look. Lets have a look. Countless articles and aficionados debate the best material, shape, length, and make of every knife blade. Finger guards are not necessary but can be something to take into account when choosing a handle design. Some knife handle materials are more difficult to sand and shape without mechanical help. It is tough, has a fine texture and a natural luster, and . Knife handles offer such a broad field for customization and personal taste that its no wonder that many people regard the handle as the most interesting part of the knife! Generally, you dont want to have a softwood under any humid conditions. When making a unique knife that captures the look and feel of the great outdoors, a pine cone handle is a creative choice. G10 is particularly popular for outdoor use and hunting knives because its extremely tough and hard but shapeable in the manufacturing phase. Sold by cast bricks, or cut to blocks, slabs and scales. Wood is one of the oldest, most popular types of knife handle material. Its just about figuring out what is going to be a better tool for you. Wooden handles are also porous, making them prone to cracking or breaking. The portion in our palm remains concealed and for the most part, ignored. Overall length of knife is 10" with a 14cm blade. Knives typically have three rivets, which can be visible or hidden, depending on the design. FRN is a really cheap material to manufacture, and is a good option is you have a limited budget. On any of our handle materials, just add some handle epoxy, fasteners, screws, or whatever you need, to turn any of our knife handle materials into a perfect knife handle replacement kit. Stainless steel is also corrosion-resistant (stainless). The lightness of its composition means that it can withstand broad impacts but is vulnerable to edge/sharp knocks. and exceptionally tough. Natural Wood This just means that the process involves soaking pieces of linen, paper or canvas and pressing them together. Yep, paracord was originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes. Bone handles offer another unique and natural knife handle material. 19932023 LeeKnives. . are very stiff, lightweight, resistant to chemicals, and able to withstand high temperatures. Many of them are already stabilized and dyed with resins for added protection and beauty. From shop DimecWood. G10. . SKU: HMMC-G10-EarthBrown-.125 Starting at $7.45 Add to Cart G10 - PEEL PLY COARSE Black 1/4" - Knife Handle Material SKU: HMNP-PPC-Black-.250 Starting at $9.57 Out of stock G10 - PEEL PLY MEDIUM OD Green 3/16" - Knife Handle Material SKU: HMNP-PPM-OD-.187 Starting at $8.94 Out of stock I hope this gives you some insight into the various options, so that youll be able to make a careful decision as to which material to choose for your survival knife. comfortable Non-slip Grip The textured-rubber handle features an ergonomic comfort design and made of slip-resistant, super polymer material . As you can see, the two knives above are the same brand and have the same handle material, but their handle designs are quite different. Like bone, stag is not the best for hardcore use. This treasure of the sea is available on desirable kitchen knife handles too! An updated cookware classic, at a fraction of the price. Aluminium can be anodized (a finishing process) to basically any color. As a note, teak isnt the MOST durable of woods, so its better on a knife handle thatll see gentler use or with a customer that understands caring for wood surfaces. Water Buffalo Horn Black Scales is one of most selling Knife Handle Materials. Ultimately, as long as a knife is comfortable to hold and the material is durable and heat-resistant, the choice of handle material is truly a matter of preference. are a very popular choice as the bones are very dense and readily available while adding an exotic touch to your finished knife. They offer a more polished appearance, are much easier to care for, and come in a wide array of shapes and colors. TPEs are preferred for their grip, which is not very slippery even when wet, and are therefore ideal for kitchen use. Rare Natural knife handle material with unique grain patterns Stabilized with a high-pressure resin infusion Wide range of colors and grain types Ready for CNC processing Can obtain a high-gloss polish Raffir Stabilized Fossils as knife wood materials Raffir Fossils are real mammoth fossils from the last ice age (10,000-40,000 BP). Youve probably seen me talk about finishes in the rest of this post. A traditional material with a vintage look. Definitely the most visually satisfying on this list, mother-of-pearls handles are very popular among collectors. In terms of performance, Ultem improves greatly on other materials commonly used in knife handles. But when you think of all the time you spend actually holding a knife (for most home cooks, thats every time youre in the kitchen), the handle becomes an increasingly important feature. The natural grain adds a beautiful, elegant touch to any blade, and wood can easily be carved and shaped to your liking. These composite materials are layered for maximum durability. However, because of aluminium being so lightweight, aluminium handles can be prone to scratches and dents. Corrosion-resistant (though not rust-proof). This is a synthetic replacement for rubber, made by Kraton. This guide offers beginners and experts a detailed overview of several popularknife handle materials. The material used to make a knife handle plays a big part in how comfortable, functional, and easy it is to use in the kitchen. 2X Natural Black Buffalo Horn Knife Scales knives Making Handle Material Blanks | Collectables, Knives, Swords & Blades, Blade Parts, Supplies & Accs | eBay! With a multitude of patterns and colors available, its a spectacular material often offered as accent or collar pieces on premium knife handles. However, the material is very lightweight and comes with an attractive woven texture for kitchen knives. Common types are maple, black ash, box elder, and pine cone burl. Natural materials are wood, bone, pear, and abalone. However, it has its charm and actually makes a comfortable handle. Learn about each material and decide which one best suits your needs and personal preferences. Theyre often used in kitchen knife handles, as they can be easily molded into a wide assortment of shapes and colors. Knife Terminology Compare our prices and quality, we offer the best selection of knifemaking handle material in the industry! It is important to note that, like wood, handles made from bone are porous and can crack or become deformed over time. Synthetic handles usually come in the form of acrylic, plastic, resin, and other composites. Scales come in many different materials and are what we are actually referring to when discussing knife handle material (the parts aside from the scale are usually the same material as the blade). It feels smooth and cool to the touch and has a sleek, modern look. However, it also looks and feels quite cheap and plastic-like. Pakkawood makes a good knife for customers with joint/mobility issues as its relatively lightweight. Leather knives are becoming rarer and rarer. Micarta is the brand name of a composite made from linen, canvas, paper, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other fabrics soaked in phenolic resin and baked under high pressure. However, many knives with metal handles feature a textured designs or a brushed satin finish for better grip. Steel itself is an alloy of iron and copper primarily, and its manufacture is relatively cheap. It is strong, abrasion-resistant, waterproof and can sustain bending in practically any direction. Fun fact: Micarta was originally designed to be an electrical insulator! An effective knife handle will give the user: These elements all need to be brought into conjunction with clever design and ergonomics that suit the task that the knife was created for. How far the blade extends depends on whether its a full tang or partial tang a full tang runs the entire length of the knife and handle, while partial tang only runs through a portion of the handle. It feels nice in your hands. While knife handles are constructed as one smooth piece, theyre actually divided into four anatomical parts. Well, its basically a strong substance made from taking strips of fiberglass, soaking them in a resin, and then compressing them. Rosewood has a pleasing finish thats easy on the hands. Leather handles are generally quite cheap. Oftentimes, the knife handle features a soft, jutting edge that, when held, rests right beside your pinky finger. TPE is basically rubberized plastic, combining the benefits of both rubber (grip, texture, and elasticity) and plastic (high strength, lightweight, and available in a variety of colors). Far from being purely cosmetic, these materials each have their own unique qualities, as well as pros and cons that can affect how the knife performs when used. Here are examples to illustrate what knives with and without a finger guard on the handle look like: Finger guard are not necessary, and you can get used to working with a knife that doesnt have one. Thermoplastic elastomers are a combination of polymers, usually plastic and rubber, and often go by a brand name Dryflex, Laprene, Santoprene, THERMOLAST K, and the like. Knife handles come in many different materials. G10 knife handles are also very customizable with patterning and coloring available to suit the buyers taste. Personally, I prefer having a finger guard as I feel much safer with it (I can be quite clumsy sometimes). If you want a handle that offers the natural look of wood but is a bit more resistant to the elements, you may consider one made ofstabilized wood. Bone 12.39 USD. A full tang knife relies in its structure and strength on a solid, continuous piece of metal. The process is basically about wrapping leather straps tightly around the knife. The plastic is created by soaking layers of linen or paper in phenolic resin, and then compressing them using high heat. G-10 and Micarta are both resin-based composites that make excellent knife handles. Thus, its best marketed to a client that is willing to spend more on their knife collection. Read on to find the 10 most common knife handle types and materials. This just means that the material soaked in resin is a bit different, though the texture, durability and strength are ultimately the same. As you can see in the images below, a full tang knife could just as well be used without a handle, and has a much more substantial profile than a partial-tang blade. Synthetic materials include Micarta, G-10, celluloid, various rubberized materials and acrylic. The Natural Black color of this unique organic material mean that every item is unique & looks beautiful. Stag is mainly found in hunting and Bowie knives since stag, bone, and horn often represent hunting trophies (traditionally). So not a good idea for a survival or tactical blade. , which is actually the part of the blade that extends into the handle. This also means that you have to choose wisely from these hundreds of options. Similar to blades, the most frequently used metals in knife handles are stainless steel, aluminium, and titanium. Natural materials -- like wood, bone, horn and antler -- are beautiful, traditional and time-tested as knife handles. Cow bones are a common choice, and you can even usegiraffe bone knife handles are a very popular choice as the bones are very dense and readily available while adding an exotic touch to your finished knife. The nature of handheld items pencils, umbrellas, mobile phones is that their primary function lies outside of our hands. We also offer the new composite-resin based Hybridwood knife handle material, an excellent choice for pushing the envelope on knife handle making. Carbon fiber is brittle, and will break upon sharp impacts. Its up to you to decide what matters most to you. Aluminum is low-density, which means that the knife feels substantial in your hand, but not heavy. Other companies usually have an option, for full tang fixed blades, where you can buy the blade (and tang) only, and then add your own paracord or custom handle. I strive to share my research and experience to help you make the most of your time out there! With a partial tang, you will apply a lot of pressure to the handle. Carbon fiber is a strong, durable polymer also known as graphite fiber. Most of these have been used for hundreds of years, and played an important role in the knife-making history. If youve used a skateboard before, you should know what grip tape is. Compared to traditional cutlery made from 100% v Similar material to Micarta is commonly known as Phenolic handle material. And one of them is the handles design. Now that weve learnt about some knife handle materials on the market today, lets talk more about other important knife handle factors and how these will affect your customer. Most metal knife handles are actually not pure metals, but alloys. Stabilized wood box elder burl block, Wood Knife Handle, Natural Wood Crafting Material, Turning Blank, Knifemaking ad vertisement by DimecWood. Free shipping for many products! This can often even cause the handle to come loose and detach. DimecWood. Main Criteria for a Survival Knife Handle Material Durability Grip Feel Beauty Metal Knife Handles Stainless Steel Aluminum Titanium Synthetic Knife Handles G-10 Carbon Fiber Paracord Micarta Natural Knife Handles Bone Wood Leather Recap Metal Knife Handles: Synthetic Knife Handles: Natural Knife Handles: So Which Material is Best? It is a very classy-looking option for hunting lovers. All content Copywright Protected Powered by Shopify, Experienced knife users know the handle may be just as important as the blade. There are so many knife handle materials out there. Polypropylene and ABS are two polymers with a high-strength and lightweight construction. Synthetic handles may be mass produced or hand made one piece at a time. As compared to all other natural materials, wood offers the most variety. FRN is known to be basically indestructible. Handles and Sheaths for Jantz Pattern Blades, "Hand Pick" Approximate Minimum Size 1/2" x 3", "Hand Pick" Approximate Minimum Size 1/2" x 4", "Hand Pick" Approximate Minimum Size 1" x 4", "Hand Pick" Approximate Minimum Size 1.2" x 4.5", "Hand Pick" Approximate Minimum Size 1.4" x 4.5", "Hand Pick" Approximate Minimum Size 1.6" x 4.5", "Hand Pick" Approximate Minimum Size 1.7" x 4.5".