Favorite Handle Material / Texture

[paladin]

I consider myself a "texture-snob"...if I don't like the way a handle material "feels" I find myself not buying the knife even if I know it's a great utility design. My favorite texture is the bi-directional fishscale FRN on the Caly, jr. I don't like the way G-10 feels, not to mention the number it does on my pockets.

[The Deacon]

I favor natural materials, most particularly wood, ivory, antler, and bone. While I've found that, if a knife is properly designed, texture is not really a necessity, I do appreciate and enjoy the texture that's a natural feature of stag and the subtle texture provided by the grain and pores of wood. I also think jigging, when done right, can also improve both the look and feel of bone.

[jackknifeh]

I thought about it for a couple of min. and don't think I have a favorite. I have more of the CF twill knives but that is because I like the knives. I do love the CF twill though. It's attractive and provides enough texture to have a good grip IMO. What I care about most is that the knife doesn't want to slip out of my hand when using it. The only time I had that problem was with a set of white bone scales I made. The proper texture carved into them might have solved that issue. Too much "texture" is not something I like. Slightly off subject is I find some spine jimping to be too much. The jimping on the Native lightweight resembles a saw blade. That's what my thumb told me. I had to round the jimps just to use the knife. Maybe my thumb is a whimp.

Jack

[v8r]

I like the Ss handles, polished G10,and Micarta the best. Like Deacon said texture isn't really needed if handle design is correct. Don't like having my knuckles gnawed off each time I put my hand in my pocket to grab keys.
If most of us would be honest we would admit we don't need all that extra grip because we collect more than we use.

[jackknifeh]

I like the Ss handles, polished G10,and Micarta the best. Like Deacon said texture isn't really needed if handle design is correct. Don't like having my knuckles gnawed off each time I put my hand in my pocket to grab keys.
If most of us would be honest we would admit we don't need all that extra grip because we collect more than we use.

I know you aren't suggesting some people have more knives than they absolutely need! I've never concieved of such a notion. :D

Jack

[rnbtexas]

Are you saying that my one a week habit isn't a necessity for the past few weeks. Well, I would have to disagree and so would the other knives in my collection......... Oh I guess I see your point.

[kbuzbee]

I don't like the way G-10 feels, not to mention the number it does on my pockets.

G10 is one of my favorites but it prefer it after it wears for a bit, smoothing it out.

I've found that, if a knife is properly designed, texture is not really a necessity,

for my uses, I've found exactly the same thing. I certainly understand those who use their knives with oily hands, preparing game, etc, but that's not my lifestyle. For me, a nice smooth and lighter material works best. Twill CF and smooth Micarta/G10 are great. Steel is fine but a bit heavy for my tastes. TI is slightly better, but not much.

I used to love the looks and feel of wood handles but after I had a rosewood handle Gerber split wide open on me, I got kinda turned off my it. The handle was very well fit to my hand. They replaced it with no problem but the new one had smaller finger contours and never fit like the one that failed. I still own that knife, but I've never used it. I am thinking about making a set of wooden scales for a mule though (that should be interesting given my complete lack of skills ) Wish me luck!

Ken

[rodloos]

I think my favorite is the twill CF. Followed by G10. I actually prefer the "grippy" feeling of new G10 over the smoothed out G10 that has been carried for awhile. Maybe that's why I like the twill CF, it doesn't wear smooth in the same way as G10. But I don't have a problem with FRN either. And my polished CF (such as Caly 3, Michael Walker sprint) and nishijin are gorgeous to look at (almost as pretty as say, my mother-of-pearl Kiwi done by Santa Fe Stoneworks).

I'm just not fond of Stainless at all, I just find it to be uncomfortable, heavy and slippery.

As far as jimping, I like it a lot, and I think the best jimping is that of the PPT, very small fine texture that isn't sharp, but gives just a bit of traction.

[bh49]

Natural materials are my favorites. There is nothing better for me than bone or wood. I like micarta as well. Polished G10 and Taiwanese CF are OK. I used to like peel-ply G10, not anymore, even Calys are one of my favorites.

[phillipsted]

My favorite scale material is canvas micarta. While you can polish it out to a very pretty gloss, you can also sand it down to a matte finish that gives an unbelievable amount of grip. Plus, micarta feels warm and natural in the hand.

TedP

[ValueKnifeLover]

I love the feeling of brand new medium-traction G-10. Not sure why, I just love it. I also have to agree with Ted. Canvas Micarta is just soooo nice to hold. :D