Materials I use: Handles
Handle materials matter too!
Now, no one would argue that steel isn’t the backbone of a good knife, and that choosing the right steel isn’t of paramount importance. But if the steel is the backbone, then the handle is the heart. The right handle material, shape, and size can make or break a knife. Even the finest steel, heat treated and polished to perfection, is nothing more than a shiny paperweight if the handle isn’t right. This is why I use only the finest materials for my handles. It’s also why, if someone commissions a knife from me, I choose the handle material with the intended use of the knife foremost in mind.
Handle Materials break down into roughly two categories: Natural and Synthetic.
Natural materials include:
- Wood
- Bone
- Antler
- Horn
- Teeth and Tusks
- Fossils
- Coral
- Precious and Semi-Precious stones
- Metals
- and more
Synthetic materials include:
- G10
- Micarta
- Richlite
- Resin
- Carbon Fiber
- Plastic
- etc…
Both naturals and synthetics have their pros and cons.
Most people would agree that natural materials are the most aesthetically pleasing, but some are quite porous and may need to be “stabilized” to ensure longevity. Stabilization involves impregnating the material with a resin-like stabilizing agent under pressure, then curing with heat to solidify the agent. This makes the natural material non-porous, which prevents the material from absorbing ambient moisture from humidity, water, blood, or other liquids. It also reduces or eliminates shrinking and swelling with temperature changes. A natural material that has been stabilized will last generations without cracking, shrinking, breaking, discoloring, or any other form of degradation it might otherwise endure through normal use or storage. Not all natural materials need to be stabilized, however. Metals, stones and gems, fossils, petrified wood, certain antlers, bones and horns, and hardwoods that are naturally dense and oily all hold up quite well without being stabilized. Regardless, I do try to use stabilized materials whenever possible.
Synthetic materials, on the other hand, are nearly indestructible. Micarta and Richlite are highly water resistant, while G10 is almost entirely water proof. While they may not be as visually appealing as many of the natural materials, they certainly have their place as handles on hard-use knives. Tactical knives, utility knives, machetes, and even many hand tools all can benefit from synthetic handles.