What do you think of metal handles?
- Doc Dan
- Member
- Posts: 14759
- Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
- Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.
What do you think of metal handles?
What do you all think about metal handled knives? I like the simplicity, but they can be slick and move around in the hand. Steel is pretty strong, but it is heavy. Titanium is light weight compared to steel, but is expensive. I keep falling in and out of love with metal handles and cannot decide.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
I want to try aluminum. I think it might have a nice balance of weight and cost
-
- Member
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2020 11:57 am
- Location: Austria / Europe
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
Hi Doc,
I understand you completely.
Love my Worker und Herbst, but don,t carry them because of scratches on surface.
The look and feel good and smooth, but I miss some grip.
In wet environment I whouldn't prefer Metal handles.
Also when its very hot or cold.
Markus
I understand you completely.
Love my Worker und Herbst, but don,t carry them because of scratches on surface.
The look and feel good and smooth, but I miss some grip.
In wet environment I whouldn't prefer Metal handles.
Also when its very hot or cold.
Markus
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
Not a fan at all. I've sold off nearly every one I've owned, like my SS Police, ATR 1, and Catbyrd.
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
I have no interest in stainless steel handles but I have several knives with Ti handles and I really like them. I've had no issues with the ones I have being too slippery and I like how easily they slide in and out of my pocket. That said, I also really like textured FRN and grippy G10 and I tend to carry those more when I'm at work or working out in the yard. I guess it all depends on what I'm using the knife for
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!
-
- Member
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:32 pm
- Location: Olympic Peninsula WA
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
I like the way they look, but I dont like the way they feel in use. The only metal handled knife I still have was a gift, and it stays in the collection as a keepsake.
-
- Member
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:32 pm
- Location: Olympic Peninsula WA
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
double post
- TenGrainBread
- Member
- Posts: 311
- Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:52 am
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
Unappealing to me. They work ok but to me are inferior to composites in weight, price, grip, thermal conductivity, etc... I live in Wisconsin which means 8 months of winter a year. I don't like having cold metal in my pockets or my hands.
I think titanium has a "cool factor" for a lot of people. One of those things that I don't understand aesthetically, like damascus steel, acid wash finishes, overuse of the word "patina", and chunky "tactical" designs. Oh well.
I think titanium has a "cool factor" for a lot of people. One of those things that I don't understand aesthetically, like damascus steel, acid wash finishes, overuse of the word "patina", and chunky "tactical" designs. Oh well.
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
This, but I don’t live in the cold anymore.TenGrainBread wrote: ↑Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:51 amUnappealing to me. They work ok but to me are inferior to composites in weight, price, grip, thermal conductivity, etc... I live in Wisconsin which means 8 months of winter a year. I don't like having cold metal in my pockets or my hands.
I think titanium has a "cool factor" for a lot of people. One of those things that I don't understand aesthetically, like damascus steel, acid wash finishes, overuse of the word "patina", and chunky "tactical" designs. Oh well.
-
- Member
- Posts: 1788
- Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 4:08 am
- Location: Norway
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
For work and outdoor I prefer synthetic handles, but variation is the spice of life so for office/ EDC I don’t mind a little metal now and then.
There’s also some fun in having knives in different materials, so you can compare and nerd out.
I haven’t yet been able to justify a knife in the heavier metals like, stainless, brass and copper. Just haven’t found a knife in those materials that I think will see any amount of use.
There’s also some fun in having knives in different materials, so you can compare and nerd out.
I haven’t yet been able to justify a knife in the heavier metals like, stainless, brass and copper. Just haven’t found a knife in those materials that I think will see any amount of use.
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
I live in Southeast Asia, so metal handles per se aren't a deal breaker for me, as long as the handle shape facilitates a secure grip.
- Makunochimaster
- Member
- Posts: 1851
- Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2019 5:40 am
- Location: Ukraine
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
Metal handles is cool
Native 5 cpm-s110v G10. Native 5 cpm-s110v frn.
Lil' Native MB cpm-s30v. Dragonfly 2 zdp-189.
Delica 4 cts-204p limited. Cricket Nishijin blk vg10.
Urban n690co. Persistence s35vn lightweight.
Lil' Native MB cpm-s30v. Dragonfly 2 zdp-189.
Delica 4 cts-204p limited. Cricket Nishijin blk vg10.
Urban n690co. Persistence s35vn lightweight.
- The Deacon
- Member
- Posts: 25717
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Upstate SC, USA
- Contact:
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
Definitely ambivalent. On the plus side, metal handles allow for an extremely thin knife and make an excellent canvas for engraving. On the minus side, they're cold, easy to scratch and ding, tend to be relatively heavy, and, unless engraved or roughened in some other way, they're slick.
Paul
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
I voted Other. They definitely have their place and their issues. They're among the thinnest you can get if you're into thin, but they're also typically very slick. They're very sturdy being of some kind of metal, but also significantly heavier. I'm not a fan of knives that can't be disassembled, so that's a big drawback for me. If they were done with some kind of textured machining I'd be a lot more interested. That said, a stainless SE Police is still pretty high on my wish list, even if I never carry it and even with the things I don't like about back locks and ricassos, it's just a classic design that I have to own for some reason.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
~David
- standy99
- Member
- Posts: 2205
- Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:07 am
- Location: Between Broome and Cairns somewhere
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
Mnandi with timber inlay is the only metal handled knife I own.
Living in a tropical climate they just don’t work for me.
Could go back to that other brands nice titanium handle but I’m too far into team Spyderco now and slowly gravitating to more fixed blades.
Living in a tropical climate they just don’t work for me.
Could go back to that other brands nice titanium handle but I’m too far into team Spyderco now and slowly gravitating to more fixed blades.
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
I only like metal handles if they are Titanium.
Stainless steel, I only want after it has been inlayed with stone, bone or wood.
Stainless steel, I only want after it has been inlayed with stone, bone or wood.
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
-Thomas Jefferson
-Thomas Jefferson
-
- Member
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2020 8:07 am
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
Titanium is good to go. I have a couple of aluminum handled knives that I’ll never sell, but aluminum doesn’t seem to hold a finish well. I’ll take either over FRN though.
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
I like some metal handles.
Even stainless steel can be enjoyable to me!
I don’t think there’s much metal does better than another handle material, but I can enjoy the aesthetic, simplicity (or complexity), etc.
As with others, I like the various inlays and engravings often seen with metal handles.
Spyderco’s stainless steel knives are very nice and I actually appreciate the unique smooth sensation of the finish they use (that doesn’t mean there aren’t simple ways to create a good grip with metal handles).
Titanium is maybe slightly preferred along with aluminum, but my experience with those materials is limited.
Corrosion and deterioration are concerns as I live in Florida. As is metal’s ability to hold and loose heat, but I want to focus on positives for now.
A knife recently released from Boker with a steel frame lock is appealing to me for its seemingly “tidy” look and feel, but I may value the work put into getting the most out of “basic” materials more than others (Having trouble articulating exactly what I want to say here). Perhaps “appreciating the mastery of a craft” is a better way to put it...
Similar to the stainless steel handled Byrds that keep the tradition and craftsmanship of such a handle material/construction alive.
Though likely personal bias, stainless steel handles have some “air of nostalgia.”
I associate it with genuine work or a tool you might see clipped onto some worker’s jeans.
Aside from the old fashioned “tool-like” aesthetic, metal that is finished as Spyderco’s handles especially is beautiful to me the same way a quality satin or brushed finish can be on a blade.
That goes for things like bead blasts, stonewashes, polishes, etc. and all useable metals including bronze, brass, and copper.
Even stainless steel can be enjoyable to me!
I don’t think there’s much metal does better than another handle material, but I can enjoy the aesthetic, simplicity (or complexity), etc.
As with others, I like the various inlays and engravings often seen with metal handles.
Spyderco’s stainless steel knives are very nice and I actually appreciate the unique smooth sensation of the finish they use (that doesn’t mean there aren’t simple ways to create a good grip with metal handles).
Titanium is maybe slightly preferred along with aluminum, but my experience with those materials is limited.
Corrosion and deterioration are concerns as I live in Florida. As is metal’s ability to hold and loose heat, but I want to focus on positives for now.
A knife recently released from Boker with a steel frame lock is appealing to me for its seemingly “tidy” look and feel, but I may value the work put into getting the most out of “basic” materials more than others (Having trouble articulating exactly what I want to say here). Perhaps “appreciating the mastery of a craft” is a better way to put it...
Similar to the stainless steel handled Byrds that keep the tradition and craftsmanship of such a handle material/construction alive.
Though likely personal bias, stainless steel handles have some “air of nostalgia.”
I associate it with genuine work or a tool you might see clipped onto some worker’s jeans.
Aside from the old fashioned “tool-like” aesthetic, metal that is finished as Spyderco’s handles especially is beautiful to me the same way a quality satin or brushed finish can be on a blade.
That goes for things like bead blasts, stonewashes, polishes, etc. and all useable metals including bronze, brass, and copper.
rex121 is the king of steel, but nature’s teeth have been cutting for hundreds of millions of years and counting :cool:
- araneae
- Member
- Posts: 5490
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
- Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
Too slippery, heavy and cold in winter. Metal handles are almost always a pass for me.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
Re: What do you think of metal handles?
In general not a big fan unless there is sufficient texturing to afford a good grip in less than ideal conditions.
That said, I have several...some I really like, and others, not as much, whether standard production, Sebenzas, or customs.
That said, I have several...some I really like, and others, not as much, whether standard production, Sebenzas, or customs.
- Retired from the chase -