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Thanks to continuing advances in the materials sciences, as well as the traditional materials that have remained in use over the years, we now enjoy a wide variety of knife handles from which to choose. However an abundance of choices can result in confusion if one does not have some basic information with which to make a selection. The old saying "you can’t tell the players without a scorecard" really does apply here. While by no means exhaustive, the list compiled here does represent the majority of commonly seen knife handle materials and should provide a starting point for your selection. |
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Abalone
This is a shellfish material. Abalone comes from the shell of a sea snail and when polished displays an iridescent hue of pinks, blues, silvers and greens. Smooth to the touch, hard and cosmetically attractive, abalone must be cared for though as it can be damaged from sudden impact such as dropping to a hard surface.
Aluminum
Quality knives made with aluminum handles are typically made with 6061 aluminum with a T6 temper. This is a high quality, tough aluminum with a tensile strength of 42,000 psi and is used in the manufacture of aircraft wings and fuselage (also referred to as T6 aluminum or T6 aircraft aluminum). Aluminum can be anodized for colorful knife handle applications and is excellent at resisting corrosion and wear & tear. Pound for pound aluminum is stronger than steel and therefore will provide excellent service, making a strong, rigid and lightweight knife frame.
Bone
The shin bone of cows has long been used in the manufacture of knife scales. Giraffe bone also has a prominent place in this arena. Bone offers a natural look and feel and is rugged enough for most any use. Decorative touches can be applied such as staining or jigging which adds texture to the naturally smooth material.
Burlwood
Burlwood is not a type of tree but rather describes a growth formation that certain trees produce when under environmental stress such as attack from fungus or insects. Burlwood results when the tree cells do not divide and reproduce as they should and is basically the tree equivalent of cancer. This growth response results in an area of highly figured wood on the tree, prized for its beauty. Only certain trees are even capable of producing this pattern and therefore it is a very select wood.
Carbon Fiber
Materials made from carbon fiber are actually made from a woven mat of carbon fiber yarns. Many carbon filaments, each thinner than a human hair, are woven into a yarn and then the yarns are woven into a mat. Most similar to asbestos in nature, carbon fiber products, such a knife handles are made by laminating layers of these mats together with an epoxy resin and then baking. Pound for pound one of the strongest materials known, carbon fiber is impervious to temperature and humidity and makes an attractive, durable and lightweight handle material.
Celluloid
No longer used as knife handle material, celluloid can only be found on the collectors market. Celluloid can mimic the look and feel of Acrylic when made clear or can be made opaque in a variety of colors. This material was widely used at the turn of the century, however celluloid was found to be an unstable material, breaking down over time by cracking, shrinking and discoloring. Even worse, celluloid will give off a corrosive gas while undergoing this process, causing rust on the knife as well as any nearby metal objects.
Cocobolo
A dense tropical hardwood with multi colored layers. This fine grained wood is rich in natural oils and used extensively in knife handles and gun grips. It is a stable and hard wearing material for a knife handle and can be used in any knife application from pocket knife to hunting or tactical knife.
CPL Composite
Known most familiarly as the material from which bowling balls are made; CPL Composite will produce a swirl pattern unique in each application which can have attractive and rugged qualities. CPL applications in knife handles to date have mostly been smooth in surface but if desired can be made with a texture and in a variety of colors. CPL is certainly durable enough to play a wider role in hard use knives.
Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN)
As its name implies, FRN is a Nylon based material strengthened by the addition of fiberglass filaments. This is an excellent material for a knife handle as it can be made very strong, tough and highly impervious to wear & tear. Structurally, FRN will resist swelling or shrinking and shares many of the properties of Zytel. FRN is non-conductive and can be textured or made into any shape desired. This is a rugged and dependable material often found on outdoor or tactical knives that will see rough use.
G-10
A product made from layers of fiberglass weave bonded together with resin and compressed. This is a popular and rugged material for outdoor or tactical knives as it possesses tough and dependable qualities. See this link for a video demonstration of G-10 being made.
Grivory
Grivory is a descendent of Zytel and shares its general composition, that being a fiber reinforced thermoplastic. However Grivory is a step up from Zytel and is tougher, can withstand higher temperatures and provides better impact protection.
Kraton
A synthetic replacement for rubber, Kraton provides improved heat resistance and wear over natural rubber while maintaining the flexibility and traction that rubber would provide in a knife grip. Kraton is an excellent material for the knife handle and enhances the grip with a flexible, "always tacky" kind of feel.
Leather
Usually applied in a stacked washer style, the most famous application would be in the Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife. Leather rings stacked on top of each other and compressed can make a fine, durable handle with good grip. Further treatment of the leather, such as with epoxy, can yield can yield different effects. One example of this is the SOG Bowie.
Mammoth Ivory
All ivory is from the teeth or tusks of certain animals, such as elephant, hippo, walrus or in this case from the now extinct mammoth. Mammoth ivory does not exhibit any unusual or different characteristics in comparison to other ivories and is a decorative and distinctive way to adorn a knife handle. Typically marketed as "10,000 year old mammoth ivory", these claims are not always well supported. Purchasing from a reputable dealer is advised. Not necessarily for tactical or hard use, ivory of any type can be damaged through chipping or cracking if abused and knives made with this material are more within the collector form than anything else.
Micarta (green canvas & black linen)
Another in the list of fabric laminate materials, Micarta is produced similarly to G-10 and carbon fiber. Fiberglass or even simple linen weaves are layered atop each other and impregnated with a variety of resins, compressed and heated to form a stable, rugged, non-conductive substrate which can be formed into a knife handle. Available in varieties such as "green canvas" or "black linen", Micarta is a material that makes an excellent knife handle and can be found on knives ranging from the simple pocket knife to hunting and tactical knives as well.
Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl, also known as nacre, is taken from the inner shell lining of mollusks and is prized for its beauty and iridescent appearance. As a knife handle or gun grip, mother of pearl adds an attractive and sophisticated look. Expensive to use, the knife with a mother of pearl handle will be an artful knife of distinction, not expected to see hard outdoor use. As a shell lining, mother of pearl is strong and resilient, however in decorative applications it is often applied so thinly that it is susceptible to chipping or cracking if dropped.
Natural Horn (buffalo, Ram, Impala)
Taken from the horn of various animals such as buffalo, ram or impala, natural horn is an attractive and rugged material for a knife handle. Although wear can become evident through cracking after years of use, horn offers excellent service as a knife handle and provides a rustic aura that many find appealing.
Pakkawood
Like Staminawood, Pakkawood is a laminated wood composite impregnated with resin to create a tough, low maintenance handle. With a sanitary equivalent of plastic, this material is often found on kitchen knives and is appreciated for the warm look of wood it provides and ability to be made in a variety of colors/stains.
Phenolic Resin
A resin based thermoplastic, the best example of this is some of the Buck hunting knives. Phenolic resin in those knives has a smooth surface and is molded for finger grooves. Phenolic resin is another in the long line of synthetic plastic and resin type products which make for durable and weather resistant knife handles. Wear and tear does not come easily upon these handles and they are a good choice for outdoor use.
Polypropylene
This is basic plastic and is a good choice for cost conscious manufacturing of economical knife handles. Possessing at once sanitary as well as durability, plastic has much to recommend in knife handle application. While plastic will never win an exotic knife handle award, it does offer good service as a rugged, maintenance free and economical material.
Quince Wood
A highly figured wood similar to burlwood in appearance and desirable for the attractive impression it makes. This wood is stable and rugged, although typically found on gentlemen’s folders or other similar knives of distinction.
Stag
At one time referred strictly to the antler of Sambar stag, however has gained a flexible meaning over the years with the scarcity of Sambar. The term "Stag" can now refer to the antler of several animal varieties but all similar in appearance with a natural and attractive look.
Staminawood
Like Pakkawood, Staminawood is a laminated wood composite impregnated with resin to create a tough, low maintenance handle. With a sanitary equivalent of plastic, this material is often found on kitchen knives and is appreciated for the warm look of wood it provides and ability to be made in a variety of colors/stains.
Titanium
Increasing in popularity in recent years as a knife handle material, Titanium is used in many military and aerospace applications due to its exceptional strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Those same qualities endear it as a knife handle material, although do add somewhat to the price of the knife. Typically used as a knife frame or liner as opposed to a simple scale, titanium is appropriate on diving or tactical knives as it will resist corrosion, wear & tear and provide excellent structural rigidity without excessive weight.
Zytel
A nylon based material, Zytel comes in varying strengths and toughness depending on the amount of fiberglass it contains or various other resins added for toughness. The variety normally seen in use for knife handles is very rugged and impervious to warping, shrinking, rotting or any effect from weather elements. Zytel handles are often textured for added grip. Zytel is a hard wearing material that will last for years unchanged and is a good, cost effective choice for use in high volume production knives.
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