The knife handle isn’t less important than the knife blade. The functionality and performance of a knife depend much on the knife handle also. The knife performs with a combination of the quality of both blade and handle. It does not only add aesthetic beauty to the knife but also contributes a lot to the performance, durability, and usability of the knife.
So, while choosing the right knife, one should think about the knife handle material also.
KNIFE HANDLE MATERIALS
With the improvement of technology, there have been a variety of knife handle materials. There are synthetic, metal, and natural handle materials to choose from. All of the materials have both advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s take you to a complete guide to knife handle materials. Then you’ll be able to choose the knife handle that can meet your requirements. Whether you choose a survival knife or hunting knife, or tactical knife, this guide will help you pick the proper handle material.
TYPES OF KNIFE HANDLE MATERIALS
First of all, you need to know what types of knife handle materials are available in the industry. From here, you can choose what type of handle material will suit your needs most. We’ve tried to cover all of the types with details.
There is a wide range of knife handle materials. All materials can be divided into three sections:
Synthetic Materials
Synthetic knife handles are man-made materials. This material is the newest one. It is lightweight than metal handles. If you want to express your style and individuality through your knife handles, you can choose this type of material. These materials can be both handmade and industrially produced. Moreover, scientists are engaged in exploring better and newer designs. These materials are best for high-durability and appearance.
Metals
Metals are widely used knife handle material. This is considered an excellent choice for outdoor tools because it is more durable and tough. The metal handles are also corrosion resistant and smooth. But they are heavy and lack grip. Besides, these metals are excellent for pocket knives.
Natural Materials
These are the oldest material for knife handle for its widespread use over a thousand years. You can find natural knife handle materials in nature, and they are organic. These materials represent the lifestyle of our ancient ancestors. They made tools and knives from what they found in nature for their survival. If you love classic and unique designed tools, then these natural knife handles will suit your taste. Again, it has a significant impact on the history of knife-making.
Let’s check out all of the materials of these categories.
ALL MATERIALS AT A GLANCE
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
G-10
⧫ Affordable ⧫ Durable ⧫ Eye-catching
⧫ Brittle ⧫ Not elegant
CATBON FIBER
⧫ Water-resistant ⧫ Lightweight ⧫ Good grip
⧫ Brittle ⧫ Expensive
MICARTA
⧫ Durable ⧫ Lightweight ⧫ Water-resistant
⧫ Costly ⧫ Slippery
FRN (ZYTEL)
⧫ Indestructible ⧫ Inexpensive ⧫ Durable
⧫ Plastic feeling ⧫ less grippy
KRATON
⧫ Excellent grip ⧫ Water-resistant ⧫ Sturdy
⧫ Not aesthetically attractive
PARACORD
⧫ Customizable ⧫ Comparatively affordable ⧫ Fancy
⧫ Poor grip ⧫ Not much durable
JUMA
⧫ Durable ⧫ Customizable ⧫ Multiple color and pattern options
⧫ Slippery and smooth ⧫ Expensive
KRINITE
⧫ Strong and hard ⧫ Reasonable
⧫ Fragile ⧫ Plastic feeling
C-TEK
⧫ Unique ⧫ Lightweight ⧫ Varied colors and designs
⧫ Fragile ⧫ Not much durable
METALS
STAINLESS STEEL
⧫ Corrosion-resistant ⧫ Increased durability ⧫ Toughest
⧫ Less grip ⧫ Heavy
ALUMINUM
⧫ long-lasting ⧫ Durable ⧫ Lightweight
⧫ Slippery ⧫ Feels cold
TITANIUM
⧫ Corrosion-resistant ⧫ Comfortable ⧫ Lightweight
⧫ Slippery ⧫ Expensive
NATURAL
WOOD
⧫ Traditional and attractive ⧫ Waterproof ⧫ Durable and comfortable
⧫ Not for heavy use ⧫ Porous
BONE
⧫ Affordable ⧫ Customizable ⧫ Traditional
⧫ Porous ⧫ Prone to cracking
HORN
⧫ Pleasing ⧫ Multiple colors ⧫ Budget-friendly
⧫ Smooth ⧫ Porous
LEATHER
⧫ Traditional ⧫ Good grip ⧫ Lightweight
⧫ Not much durable
MOTHER OF PEARL
⧫ Attractive ⧫ Elegant ⧫ Naturally beautiful
⧫ Expensive ⧫ Slippery
RUBBER
⧫ Firm grip ⧫ Shock-absorbent ⧫ Water-resistant
⧫ Susceptible to damage
STAG
⧫ Water-resistant ⧫ Classy ⧫ Inexpensive
⧫ Porous ⧫ Susceptible to shock
ABALONE
⧫ Unique ⧫ Different colors, patterns and Affordable
⧫ Smooth ⧫ Brittle
SYNTHETICS
This material is the newest addition to the handle materials. Scientists are inventing newer and better designs. So, these materials provide better durability, increased grip, and lighter weight. These materials are considered to be less durable and strong than metal handle materials. But they are proved to be corrosion-resistant and waterproof. There are a bunch of brands of Synthetic knife handle materials.
The most commonly used synthetic knife handle materials are G-10, Carbon fiber, Nylon, Micarta, FRN/Zytel, Kraton, Paracord, Juma, and Acrylic. Here, we’ve tried to mention most of the synthetic materials with both pros and cons.
G-10
G-10 is a famous handle material, known as a Fiberglass Composite Laminate. Generally, it is a robust substance built by taking layers of fiberglass cloth and soaking them in resin, then compressing them under pressure. The substances are turned into a highly durable, strong, lightweight, and hard material.
This G-10 is considered to be the most sturdy fiberglass resin material that is more robust than Micarta. This material is best for the fixed blade and tactical knives for its lightweight, increased durability, and availability in different colors. Though this material’s production is entirely different from carbon fiber, their properties are not entirely different. But it’s much cheaper than carbon fiber.
Different designs and patterns added to the handle provide a comfortable grip and solidness. It’s corrosion and rust-resistant and is textured smoothly. It’s also heat, moisture, and chemicals resistant.
Thus it comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Different colors give the knives a unique and classy aesthetic look.
MERITS:
- Doesn’t rust or corrode, waterproof
- Lightweight and comparatively inexpensive
- Durable and strong
- First-rate grip depended on textures and design
- One of the hardest materials
- Resistant to moisture and impacts
- Eye-catching with a wide range of styles, patterns, and colors
- Comparably affordable
DEMERITS:
- Brittle as it’s made of fiberglass
- Not much elegant and good-looking
- Limited colors available
CARBON FIBER
Carbon fiber is also called graphite fiber that is considered to be among the toughest materials in the industry. This type of knife handles features stronger and more durable construction. It is the latest technology material for its extraordinary strength compared to its weight. Carbon fibers provide excellent chemical resistance and stiffness.
The manufacturing process of this carbon fiber handle is very laborious and time-consuming. So, only high-end and expensive knife handles are made with this material. This carbon fiber is worth the price.
This material is designed in such a way that it appears as an attractive and high-end knife handle.
So, if you’re looking for a high-priced good-looking knife handle, then you’ll love this carbon fiber material.
This material is strong but lightweight and also expensive. Though it’s a strong material, it is brittle like most synthetic materials. It means it can break under sharp impact and stress.
In fine, this carbon fiber is considered as one of the unique and high-quality knife handle materials.
MERITS:
- Extraordinarily more durable and stronger than other materials
- Very lightweight material
- Water-resistant
- Innovative design that adds value to its appearance
- Customizable with various patterns, colors, and textures
- High-end and good-looking material
- Good grip because of carbon weave texture
DEMERITS:
- It is brittle, so it can break under sharp impact and stress.
- Expensive because of its labor-intensive production process
MICARTA
Micarta is the brand name of the famous phelonic handles. The micarta knife handle is a kind of phelonic. The phelonic is regarded as a class of substances that are made of phenol. Phenol is an organic combination that is a kind of resin. It is considered a safe option for any kind of situation for its extraordinary strength and durability.
This Micarta was designed to be an electrical insulator. It has become one of the best knife handle materials.
This Micarta material is produced by soaking linen cloths in phenolic resin. This process ends in a very lightweight, strong, and something classier in appearance than G-10.
The Micarta knife handle material is suitable for generally fixed blades like survival knives. There is no texturization, so this type of handle is very smooth. Therefore, it is difficult to handle and use for its slippery surface. Sometimes, the handles are textured for improving grip, but those are expensive.
As this material is tough and robust, it doesn’t scratch easily. But it scratches under sharp impact and high pressure like carbon fiber and G-10. This is one of the pricey knife handles.
MERITS:
- A hard, strong yet lightweight material
- Very durable and tough material
- It is resistant to impact, dings, and scratches, excluding sharpened steel
- Water-resistant
- Variety of customizing option to choose
DEMERITS:
- Highly priced
- It is brittle, so it can break and scratched under sharp impact and high pressure
- Smooth and slippery
FRN (ZYTEL)
Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon is shortly known as FRN. This is also called GRN- Glass Reinforced Nylon. Generally, it is made from both nylon and fiberglass and formed into different shapes as desired. Zytel is a kind of FRN.
These types of handles are strong and durable. It is also resistant to abrasion and bending and is possibly indestructible. It is also cheap compared to other materials.
In FRN, the nylon fibers are organized randomly throughout the knife handle, which results in a strong and tough handle in every direction. It is the opposite of Carbon fiber, G-10, and Micarta that has fiberglass strands arranged in a particular direction.
This is one of the cheap knife handle materials for its production process. This material can be molded into all shapes as desired and textured in myriad ways while producing. So, this is considered an excellent option for people with a limited budget.
Though it is textured in various ways, it lacks the grip found in other handles like G-10. It is textured and dark in appearance and feels like plastic.
If you’re not much concerned about your knife’s appearance, then this one will be an outstanding knife handle for you overall.
MERITS:
- Resistant to abrasion and bending
- Easy to handle and maintain
- It is possibly indestructible
- One of the inexpensive materials in the market
- Very durable and robust material
DEMERITS:
- Feels like plastic
- Comparably less grip
KRATON
Kraton is originally a rubbery material, and Kraton knife handles are made from rubbery polymer. Though they are smooth and comfortable, they are solid and tough as well.
As Kraton is a synthetic rubber, it is flexible and waterproof with extraordinary sealing abilities. It has a textured and secured grip. It is highly resistant to weathering, extreme temperatures, challenging conditions, and heat compared to natural rubber. Despite everything, it absorbs moisture and water. This can make this handle sloppy and decrease its quality over the years.
While it is about appearance, there is nothing attractive in this Kraton knife handles. As this is sturdy and durable, it just can be made textured for a good grip. But this doesn’t add anything to its appearance; it just looks like black rubber. There are not many color options available also. Kraton handles also come with various hardness grades according to your preference.
If you’re looking for a knife for your working purpose, then the appearance will not concern you much. Generally, this material is used for utility knives.
MERITS:
- Excellent grip that makes it an excellent option for utility knives
- Gives the handles an excellent and comfortable grip
- Sturdy and very durable material
- Water-resistant
- Highly resistant to harsh conditions and weathering
DEMERITS:
- Not aesthetically attractive and no color options available
- Can absorb fluids, so it becomes difficult to clean
- It can absorb fluids that make it weak and brittle over time
PARACORD
Paracord is a short form of Parachute Cord. Though used for parachutes earlier, it has become one of the best cords for survival, bushcraft, and, ultimately, outdoor trip and adventures. This Paracord is a sturdy and tough material used in hiking, hunting, fishing, and many more outdoor activities.
Paracord knife handles are supposed to be “back to roots” design. This type of knife handles has become trendy these days. These handles are made by covering the knife tang with Paracord.
The main benefit of this type of handle is you can unfold the Paracord from the handle in case of any emergency. Plus, this handle makes the knife very lightweight. So, this is perfect for the people who prefer a handy and lightweight knife only for emergencies. This is also inexpensive.
But if you’re looking for a durable and comfortable knife to use for a long time, then this isn’t the right handle material. These Paracord handles come with a very poor grip as the material is very smooth. Additionally, the handle is uncomfortable to hold for a long time and even can cause blebs in hands.
The handles are very flimsy. So, they need long term and loads of maintenance. If they become dirty, you should wash them carefully. This type of handle appears to be attractive and fancy to knife lovers and collectors. But to some people, nothing is appealing in these handles.
MERITS:
- These handles are customizable and available in multiple colors
- Versatile and lightweight to use for survival and emergencies
- Comparably affordable than others
- Great option for survivalists and knife enthusiasts
- Fancy in appearance
- The Paracord will be helpful
DEMERITS:
- Only fixed blades
- Poor grip
- Absorbs moisture and water
- Not much durable and comfortable
JUMA
Juma knife handles are made of Juma. Juma is a material that is made by mixing high-quality resin with various mineral bases. This material is straightforward to give the form of knife handles as it is very straightforward to machine.
Moreover, it is straightforward to polish, making it a durable and strong handle with a tough surface. So, it doesn’t get any dings and scratches easily. Eventually, you won’t need any special maintenance for it. They will stay neat and clean just by regular washings.
Juma looks like ivory and also feels like ivory. It comes in a wide range of patterns and colors. It is also customizable. It is very smooth, and there is no texturization. So, it doesn’t offer much grip. It is also expensive.
MERITS:
- It is a very durable and strong material
- High-grade handle with a tough surface
- Available in multiple patterns and colors
- Customizable
DEMERITS:
- Very slippery and smooth, and no texturization results in less grip
- Expensive
KRINITE
Krinite is a new material used for knife handles. It is made of durable and high-quality acrylic characterizing a swirl of thin strands of poly paper in various colors for comparison. The material through this process comes out as a unique and eye-catching handle material.
It was introduced several years ago. Krirnite is the latest version of acrylic, along with multiple advancements and improvements. Again, it is available in a wide variety of sizes, patterns, and colors. These various designs make the handles more attractive and colorful.
This Krinite is simple to work and shape with traditional woodworking tools at a very reasonable cost. For a glossy and smooth finish, this material is polished in an effortless way. This Krinite is an excellent combination of smooth finish and appearance with a solid and firm grip. It offers a secured grip even with the maximum polish.
It is both challenging and durable. But it is very lightweight in comparison with hardwoods. So, it is an excellent option for a durable yet lightweight knife. As it is a solid material, it is suitable for pistol grips and knife handles.
But this feels like plastic. So, it is less elegant. As it is a tough material, it is fragile. So, it needs proper care and maintenance.
Overall, this Krinite is the latest, affordable, beautiful material for knife handles.
MERITS:
- Tough and strong material
- Available in multiple patterns, designs, and colors
- Comparably lightweight
- Reasonable
DEMERITS:
- Feels like plastic
- Fragile
C-TEK
C-Tek is a comparatively new material in the knife making industry. It is generally an aluminum honeycomb material infused with a strong resin. As it is combined with synthetic and metal chemicals, it is unique and beautiful.
This is available in a wide range of resin colors and various structures. This C-Tek is used in handles entirely and as an inlay in combination with other materials. It is found in two cell sizes and two thicknesses.
There are variations of this C-Tek material like:
Lizard Skin is generally similar to C-Tek with a formless cell structure that is infused with resin. It looks like a kind of rescuing the defected or damaged C-Tek honeycombs.
C-Tek Matrix is another type of C-Tek made from interconnected mesh produced from melted aluminum and then infused with resin.
Though it is beautiful and attractive, it is not much durable. It is less durable than other knife handle materials based on resin such as Micarta or G-10. It is susceptible to chipping mostly at the outside.
MERITS:
- Unique and attractive handle material
- Lightweight
- Available in a myriad of designs and colors
DEMERITS:
- Fragile
- Not much durable
METALS
Metal is a famous material for knife handles for its durability and toughness. Metal is a sturdy material. It also resists corrosion well with proper care and maintenance.
Mostly, pure metals are not used for metal knife handles. Instead of pure metals, alloys are being used. Alloy is made by mixing metal with another metal or non-metallic components. This is used for different reasons. The main reason is alloy makes the metal handles more durable and more robust. It even lowers the manufacturing cost.
But the metal handles lack grip as they are very smooth. So, it absorbs moisture that makes it challenging to handle. Eventually, it increases the chance of corrosion and rust. But it can be mitigated easily with proper maintenance.
The most used metals for knife handles are Titanium, Aluminum, and stainless steel. Each comes with its properties and benefits.
STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel is not just for knife blades. It is a popular material for both knife handles and blades. It is an alloy of copper and iron mainly. It is one of the most robust knives handle material on this list. This is also a very durable material for knife handles. Plus, this is one of the inexpensive materials for knife handles.
It does not get scratch and dents easily like aluminum and titanium. Besides, it is impact and corrosion-resistant. But it does not mean it is corrosion-proof. So, if it is not taken care of and maintained well, it can rust. Proper care and maintenance can keep it spot and rust-free. Proper maintenance includes washing them with hands and drying them after use. Leaving it in humid spaces should be avoided. Moreover, it is resistant to scratching and dents.
But this stainless steel is heavier than titanium and aluminum. So, it is inconvenient to use in heavy-duty, survival, and everyday carry knives. Mostly, these handles are very smooth, and it results in a lack of grip. So, they get slippery very much when wet. Rubber, plastic, or grip tape are coupled with the steel in some knives to improve its grip and reliability. Manufacturers also design the handles with a combination of ridges or etching with steel to offer friction as required.
If you are searching for a durable, budget-friendly knife handle material, then this is the one you can choose. This is very sleek and beautiful in appearance and silver in color.
MERITS:
- Corrosion-resistant with minimal maintenance
- One of the toughest and strongest knife handle material
- Offers increased durability
- No dents and scratches
DEMERITS:
- Lacks grip that makes it difficult to use and handle
- Designless handles are very slippery and smooth
- Quite heavy, mostly for heavy-duty and everyday carry knives
ALUMINUM
Aluminum is a very reliable metal for knife handles for several reasons. Mainly, it is a very lightweight and tough material perfect for mostly all types of handles. Aluminum is a widely used metal for all types of products.
It is corrosion-resistant and also water-resistant. It is also inexpensive. Aluminum handles with fine textures provide a secure and excellent grip. So, these handles are very comfortable to handle and use for a long time. It is a low-density metal that makes it feel quite sturdy but not heavy.
Aluminum is anodized in different colors. So, you can get knife handles with your desired colors. It is also available in different thicknesses. Different alloys are used in making these aluminum knife handles. The widely used aluminum is T6-6061. This metal is mostly aluminum, but other metallic components like nickel, magnesium, and copper are also mixed.
But these handles are uncomfortable to use in winter seasons for its conductive properties. During winter, the handles get cold. For its increased lightweight, it is prone to dents and scratches.
Overall, aluminum is a reliable and durable material for knife handles at a reasonable price.
MERITS:
- Aluminum is a long-lasting and exceptionally durable material
- Very strong and tough
- Comparably lightweight than other metals
- Available with a variety of thickness and colors
- Resistant to corrosion and water
- Offers enhanced and secured grip if it is textured
DEMERITS:
- Feels cold to touch in winter
- Can get dents, dings, and scratches
- Slippery if it isn’t textured
TITANIUM
Titanium is one of the most demanded and high-quality materials for knife handles. Generally, titanium knife handles are well-known for their durability, lightweight, comfort, and toughness. But it is one of the expensive knife handle materials for its manufacturing cost.
Titanium is considered a sturdy and durable metal that offers much toughness than aluminum. Though it is slightly heavier than aluminum, it is regarded as a lightweight metal.
Comparably speaking, titanium is as strong as stainless steel yet weighs 45% less than steel. However, it is 60% heavier than aluminum but is more robust than aluminum.
Though it’s a strong metal, it is springy. It also can’t resist dings, scratches, and impacts. That’s why; titanium is used in locking liner knives.
Titanium handles and blades are considered non-ferrous. So, they don’t rust in touch with water and adverse weather conditions. This feature makes it suitable for outdoor use. The best thing is it is perfect to use in all seasons for its natural warm feeling. Unlike Aluminum, these handles will not make you feel uncomfortably cold in the winter seasons.
Pure titanium isn’t used in knife handles. So, there are different alloys of this material. The most used titanium is Ti 6Al-4V. It is also known as TC4 or Grade 5 Titanium. Grade 5 titanium is very lightweight, corrosion-resistant, formable, and strong.
The most attractive feature is this Titanium can provide distinctive as well as appealing colors. It can be anodized with heat or electro-plating. Electro-plating is used to customize and modify the material for knife handles. Bead blasting makes it texturized to offer a better grip.
MERITS:
- One of the most sturdy and durable materials
- Lightweight compared to others
- Highly corrosion-resistant
- Feels comfortable and warm during winter
- Texturization makes it grippy
- Bead-blasting and anodization provide various color options
DEMERITS:
- Invincible and so it is prone to dings and scratches
- Slippery to hold without texturization
- Expensive than other metal handles
NATURAL AND ORGANIC
Natural materials are the oldest material used for knife handles. It has been using for thousands of years. Mostly it is found in nature. There is a wide variety of natural substances that have been using for knife making.
These natural handles are not much lightweight, durable, strong, and waterproof. But these handles are traditional and aesthetically attractive compared to metal and synthetic materials. So, these handles are appealing to knife enthusiasts and collectors. People who love organic products prefer these organic knife handles for aesthetical beauty and historical significance.
The natural knife handle materials are wood, bone, leather, rubber, horn, mother of pearls, stag, pine cone, abalone, etc.
WOOD
Wood has been using for knife handles from the beginning. In the beginning, knives were usually made using wood. So, it is a well-known natural material for knife handles, mostly survival knives. There are various reasons for choosing wood as knife handles. Moreover, appearance and comfort are necessary thing s to consider while choosing the wood handles.
Firstly, there is a wide range of woods available to choose from. There is a vast amount of woods with various colors, hardness, textures, and patterns. You can choose your desired knife handle easily.
Generally, there are two kinds of wood: hardwood and softwood. The hardwood handles are made from coniferous trees like pine, spruce, and fir. These handles are beautiful, durable, and hard. They are very comfortable to use. With proper care and maintenance, these handles perform well for a long time. The softwoods are from deciduous trees like hickory, walnut, beech, and oak. But they are not much comfortable to use in wet conditions.
Again, there is another category of wood: stabilized wood. It is a type of polymer compressed with a resin to make the handles more waterproof, durable, and more robust. It is also attractive with a natural look. Some common stabilized woods are Dymondwood, Pakkawood, and Staminawood.
If you want to use your knife in humid conditions, you should prefer hardwood or stabilized wood handles.
Besides, there is a wide array of patterns, colors, prices, and densities of woods. Wood handles add more values to the aesthetic beauty of the knife with a natural look. So, these handles are famous among knife enthusiasts and collectors.
Overall, this wood is a durable and attractive option for knife handles at an affordable price. The price depends on the type of wood used, handle finish, textures, and scarcity. These handles provide an excellent and secure grip.
MERITS:
- Wide range of patterns, colors, and textures available
- Traditional, attractive, and natural appearance
- Very durable and long-lasting
- Offers secured and good grip
- Comfortable to use
- One of the affordable handle materials
- Waterproof
DEMERITS:
- Durability decreases if used in wet conditions
- Not perfect for heavy use
- Can be porous and slippery
BONE
Bone is one of the earliest materials in knife making history. It has been reintroduced in the knife industry for making classy custom designs. It is used in modern as well as traditional knives. It is a popular material among knife collectors and enthusiasts as an attractive yet cost-efficient material. Moreover, it is widely used for traditional hunting and pocket knives.
This bone comes from naturally dead animals. There is a wide variety of animal bones, including cow, camel, giraffe, and elephant. But the widely used bone is cow bone. Apart from bones, the tusks of animals like walrus, elephant, etc. and the antlers of animals like elk, deer, etc. are used for knife handles.
The bones can be customized with a wide range of options. There are natural bone handles and handles dyed with various colors. Again, the handles give various textures for improving the grip. These handles are good-looking and appealing in appearance. So, people prefer these knives as a traditional, affordable, and aesthetic tool.
Apart from appearance, there are some downsides to these bone knife handles. These handles are not much durable as they are prone to cracking as well as deformation. Again, light, moisture, and temperature changing can also change the handles. So, they are not as perfect as heavy-duty knives.
It is also porous and can get slippery that affects knives’ stability and usability. Therefore, these bone handles need adequate maintenance and care. If you don’t use them in humid conditions and keep them dry, they will perform well for a long time.
Overall, the bone is a popular knife handle material for people who prefer traditional and aesthetically beautiful looking knives.
MERITS:
- Affordable
- Gorgeous and eye-catching colors and designs
- Wide variety of customizing choices
- Traditional and classic appearance
- Naturally available
- Simple to process and dying
DEMERITS:
- Prone to cracking and deformation
- Porous and slippery
- Not much durable
HORN
Horn knife handles are made of the horns of naturally dead animals. The horns of cow, sheep, and buffalo are mostly used for horn knife handles. These handles look much like bone handles.
These bones are used for mostly hunting knives as they provide a better natural look to the knives. These are generally used for aesthetical pleasure. They are also very cost-efficient.
These horn handles have a very classy natural look. It makes the handles an excellent choice for knife collectors and enthusiasts. Plus, with their traditional appearance and integrity, these knives make their place in fancy customized design knives.
There are various customizing options available for the bone handles. Dying offers a wide variety of colors to these handles.
But these handles also have some drawbacks like bone handles. They are very smooth and slippery without any texturization and etching. Again, they are prone to crack. They are porous. So, they absorb moisture in wet conditions. Other external conditions, like light, moisture, and temperature, can affect the handle’s stability. So, these handles are not a durable option for everyday and heavy use.
This horn handles act as an excellent choice for hunting knives for its traditional, eye-catching appearance and affordability. The price depends on the type of horns.
MERITS:
- Aesthetically very eye-catching and pleasing
- Broad range of customizing choices
- Available in multiple colors
- Provide hunting knives a natural look
- Budget-friendly
DEMERITS:
- Smooth and slippery without any texture
- Porous and absorb water
- Prone to cracking and deformation
LEATHER
Leather isn’t much popular as knife handles; instead, it is becoming rare nowadays. But it is a beautiful and inexpensive handle material. You can seldom see leather handles now. It has become old-fashioned these days. Sometimes, you can find leather handles in fixed blade knives like traditional military, fighting style, and hunting knives.
The leathers are wrapped tightly around other material to make these leather handles. In some circumstances, the handles are made out of compressed leather washers.
The leather handles have a stunning and vintage look. They also offer a very nice grip because of their natural textures. Moreover, they are lightweight. So, they are very comfortable to use. These leather handles have a wide range of textures and colors.
But these lather handles are not much durable. They are not water-resistant. So, they absorb water and moisture easily. So, they are prone to cracking. They are comparatively less robust than other materials. These handles need more maintenance than other materials. These facts make these leather handles improper for everyday and heavy use.
However, this leather material is perfect for an eye-catching classy knife.
MERITS:
- Eye-catching appearance
- Traditional and natural look
- Available in various textures and colors
- Offers an excellent grip
- Lightweight and eventually comfortable to use
- Affordable
DEMERITS:
- Not much durable and strong
- Susceptible to cracking and damaging
MOTHER OF PEARL
The mother of pearl is another rare handle material. It is not much used in handle making because of its high cost. But it is the most aesthetically pleasing knife handle material. That’s why; it is famous among knife enthusiasts and collectors.
Mother-of-pearl comes from the mollusks such as oysters. Consequently, it can turn into pearls. That is why; it has been named as mother-of-pearl. Because of its place of origin, it’s costly. But it is straightforward to make knife handles. Sometimes, it is used with various exotic materials or as an inlay within the handle or thumb stud.
Again, it can be given various shapes. It is naturally attractive and good-looking. So, it doesn’t need any extra color. Besides, it gives the knives a feel of elegance. It is powerful. Its strong surface makes it scratch-resistant.
There are several varieties of mother-of-pearls, such as black mother-of-pearls. It is costly. So, they are perfect for dress and collectible knives.
But its smooth surface makes it very slippery. Without any textures, the mother-of-pearl handles become slippery. As a result, they have a little grip. So, they are not an excellent choice for a tactical blade or survival knives. But because of this slippery surface, they are simple to clean. Though they are durable, they need special maintenance and care.
Overall, these mother-of-pearl handles are great as a luxurious tool for knife collectors.
MERITS:
- Attractive and appealing appearance
- Classy and elegant
- Durable and strong
- There are some varieties to choose from
- Natural beauty
DEMERITS:
- Very expensive
- Slippery and so lacks grip
RUBBER
Rubber isn’t much famous in making knife handles. But it has an ultimate benefit for specific knives. Rubber handles are useful for survival and hunting knives due to their performance.
Rubber is water and moisture-resistant. So, it doesn’t absorb water. Again, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable; instead, it feels warm and pleasant in humid conditions. As it is shaped ergonomically, it is comfortable to use even in adverse outdoor conditions like wet or freezing weather. As a result, it works great in all seasons.
Moreover, it is shock-absorbent naturally. So, it is perfect for knives for use in chopping things. It also provides a perfect and secure grip due to its finger guard and diamond-patterned textures. These properties make it a perfect choice for long-time heavy use.
Plus, the rubber handles come in a wide variety of colors and textures. So, it has a pleasing and attractive appearance.
This rubber can tear as it isn’t that much strong like other handle materials. So, it is used in combination with other materials. As it is susceptible to damage, it needs special care and maintenance.
MERITS:
- Provides a secured and firm grip
- Wide variety of textures and patterns
- Water-resistant
- Shock-absorbent
- Comfortable to use in humid and harsh conditions
- It is shaped ergonomically
DEMERITS:
- Susceptible to damage
STAG
The stag is a material that comes from naturally deceased deer antlers. If you want a combination of both a traditional and natural look in your knife, then this stag is the right choice for your knife handles.
Its natural properties make it perfect for Bowie and hunting knives. Stag, horn, bone knife handles symbolize hunting trophies. So, these stag knives are like a treasure for hunting lovers and knife collectors.
Moreover, this stag is very durable. It is also water-resistant. Its natural texture provides a secure and firm grip. As a result, it is suitable for challenging tasks.
These stag handles are available in mostly all kinds of knives from cheap to expensive. Its natural and traditional appearance gives it a unique and classy feel. So, it is a stylish and elegant option for hunting and knife lovers.
But these stag handles are not much durable as other heavy-duty handle materials. It is also susceptible to damage and cracking. It is porous. Again, it is very smooth. So, it can get slippery. These things make it not a very good option for extreme and long-standing tasks.
MERITS:
- Water-resistant
- Perfect for hunting and traditional knife lovers
- Classy and elegant appearance
- Unexceptional feel and material
- Inexpensive
DEMERITS:
- Susceptible to shock, damage, and cracking
- Can be slippery and porous
ABALONE
Abalone is the affordable version of mother-of-pearl. Those who can’t afford mother-of-pearl knives, they can choose these abalone knife handles. These handles also have a classy and elegant look.
It is made of the shells of mollusks. As every mollusk shell is different, the abalone handles come with varied patterns and colors. So, they are unique and eye-pleasing. People who love exceptional knives can keep these knives in the collection.
They are also cheaper than mother-of-pearl without compromising in appearance. These abalone handles are appealing and more colorful with unique designs and patterns. Moreover, they are water-resistant because of their slippery feature. So, the cleaning of these handles is not much complicated.
But these abalone handles are not much durable. They are brittle because of their thinness. So, they are prone to damage and cracking. Again, they have a poor grip as they are also very smooth and slippery like mother-of-pearl.
Overall, these abalone knife handles are an excellent choice for people loving classy and natural knife handles.
MERITS:
- It is very good-looking and unique
- Exceptional and eye-catching designs, colors, and patterns
- Water-resistant
- Comparably affordable than mother-of-pearl
- Classy and natural look
DEMERITS:
- Smooth and slippery
- Not much durable as a consequence of brittle and thin features
OVERVIEW
Finally, we’ve come at the end of the knife handle material guide. Through this guide, we’ve reviewed the knife handle materials in detail. So, you’ve got a clear idea of the types and varieties of the materials. We’ve tried to focus on most knife handle materials. But there are also other materials. The materials mentioned here are mostly used and common handle materials.
While buying a knife, choosing the right blade, and handle is essential. Through this guide, you’ve known about the materials with advantages and disadvantages also. This will help you while choosing your knife.
If you are looking for a durable knife handle, then you should go for metal handles. They are very durable and strong, but heavy. But they don’t offer the best grip. In this case, most synthetic materials are lightweight and also offer a very nice grip with durability. They are modern handle material used with different textures and patterns.
Again, if you are a knife enthusiast or collector, then you can choose the natural handles. These handles have an excellent traditional appearance. But most of them are not hardwearing and much durable.
So, it’s up to you what type of knife you are looking for. We’ve tried to help you choose the right handle material according to your needs.
