What Handle Materials do you like and why?

Blerv · #21

kbrouwer wrote:I like FRN but i feel like it's missing something, I don't know what... for one thing... its not as strong.

Most handles are as strong as their liners. In an unlined situation FRN is very durable and elastic. Most blades would snap at the spine before the handle.

paladin · #22

1. FRN is hard to beat for dirty, sweaty WORK
2. Stag or Brown / red jigged bone is great for classic old school BEAUTY
3. Having said that, at the moment I'm finding a good balance between utility & beauty is COLORFUL POLISHED & SCULPTED G10

The Deacon · #23

kbrouwer wrote:I like FRN but i feel like it's missing something, I don't know what... for one thing... its not as strong.

Depends on how you define "strong". FRN is more flexible than G-10 or CF of equal thickness but, for that very reason, it will laugh off impacts that would shatter either one of them.

Gunslinger · #24

I love peel ply carbon fiber, It feels great in the hand and it's beautifle to look at. My 2nd favorite would be titanium with a stone washed finish.
Third would be smooth G10, I love the wood grain look you get with it.

Bladekeeper · #25

For me the blade dictates the handle a mirror or stonewashed finished compliments a very rich wood burr like horse chestnut or amboyna .
A satin or black blade goes better with micarta or coloured g10 and IMO nobody does blades that suit coloured g10 better than spyderco although I don't mind admitting I don't like the spyderco logo to be on the handle for me it's a blade only aesthetic thing.

Edit spyderco are my favourite production company but again I have to admit frn really does nothing for me in the looks department .

yowzer · #26

When it comes to traditional knives, I like jigged bone handles. They don't work so well on things like the Delica, though. For more modern designs, and fixed blades, I really like Micarta and derivatives. My least favorites are Spyderco's peel-ply G-10 (Feels like holding a lump of concrete), and metal. FRN (Which I really like for a work knife), wood, stag, polished or other textured G-10 and others fall somewhere in the middle.

bdblue · #27

Overall mic arts is my favorite and it can work on folders, custom fixed blades and utility fixed blades.

I dont mind g10 and most of my folders are that way. I will buy frn folders but only for special purposes. And as for color most of mine are black but I do have brown and blue para2's, and I would like to have a green one and maybe something in maroon.

I have a lot of custom fixed blades and besides micarta they have stag and nice woods such as ironwood or some kind of burl.

bh49 · #28

All depends on the blade. I love some woods, micarta, some patterns and color of jigged bone. Dreaming about Caly3 with Honey Amber stag bone scales.
Smooth G10 sculpted can be great for some knives as well.
Not a fan of FRN or metal scales, including Titanium. Taiwanese style CF is fine. CF on Dodo is OK too.

pinepig2 · #29

Peel-ply carbon fiber for sure.

CF is more durable than G10 in my experience, and the peel-ply texture has a great look and even better feel. It exudes a high-grade quality, while still being rugged.

I hope to see a sprint PM2 with this handle material again someday (or new designs).

The woven CF on the Taichung knives is fine, but a significant step down from the peel-ply.

Jeremy_A_Neel · #30

I know peel-ply is a fabric that is placed on composites during the molding process, but I don't know what "peel-ply" G10 or carbon fiber is.. Is the peel-ply left on?

The Deacon · #31

Jeremy_A_Neel wrote:I know peel-ply is a fabric that is placed on composites during the molding process, but I don't know what "peel-ply" G10 or carbon fiber is.. Is the peel-ply left on?

Not exactly, at least not the way the term is used by knife folks. In our context peel-ply refers to the surface texture created by that fabric. Every G-10 Military, and almost every other model with G-10 scales that Spyderco has ever offered have peel-ply G-10 scales. Peel-ply CF is less common, but the S30V/CF and BG-42/CF Sprint versions of the Military and the CF Stretch used it and at least a couple other models/variants with CF scales may have used it as well.

The Mastiff · #32

FRN, Micarta, and woods ( simple hardwoods like Oak, Walnut, etc.)

Joe

Doc Dan · #33

Blerv wrote:Most handles are as strong as their liners.

Blerv, you are absolutely correct. Once, a police officer and I had to perform a rescue and had to pop a small chain the process. My knife, without liners, simply flexed and did not break the chain. The police officer had a knife with liners and he popped the chain easily and we were able to do the rescue. I do not buy folding knives without stout liners since that day. Period.

Slash · #34

Laminated cf...

I actually know what I'm buying and the related costs associated with them.

Edit: forgot to say why? Because, it cost less and looks kool.

v8r · #35

My favorite is Micarta. The polished g10 on the Vollaton is right there at a close second. Next would be metal handles.

I guess I just enjoy less aggressive textures that don't chew my knuckles up when I reach in my pocket for keys.

Holland · #36

my favourite is definitely peelply cf, light and sexy

FroOchie · #37

Titanium by far. I love everything from the color to the feel, the strength and the weight. If it comes in Ti handles I'm bound to want it.

gull wing · #38

I'll start with the least used:
Fixed blade (drop point hunter)............Canvas Micarta - It offers a slip proof grip in wet, bloody, fatty. (-)It stains easily.

Folders.........Textured G10, black. Yes, not exciting I know, I know, but it doesn't show dirt and much, use it hard and then scrub with a tooth brush you are done. It has a great grip by the way. It's a no fuss material.

Splice · #39

My preference lately has become G10. It provides excellent strength and is overall far more rigid than FRN which inspires more confidence. Not that I'm putting that much stress on my knife anyway, but stout is stout. I also like how lightweight they are, allowing it to ride easily in the pocket.

I'm also VERY partial to carbon fiber, especially the textured twill weave Taiwan puts out. How can you not go for this?

JCP1969 · #40

Carbon fiber, G10 , wood , bone , mop , micarta paper and linen and must have FRN. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford a blue stretch , or Schempp Rock. Someday a Warrior and other stretch variations. What is pretty cool , there is something for everyone's taste. Maybe not through Spyderco but your own customization or a professionals.

James