Natural material choices include wood, leather, and bone. Kraton is a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), also known as TPR (thermoplastic rubber). So whether youre slicing an apple or preparing a multi-course meal, its important to have a knife handle thats the right fit. These are reinforced with resins to make the handle more durable, waterproof and strong. While knife handles are constructed as one smooth piece, theyre actually divided into four anatomical parts. If you want to re-create one of historys most iconic edged weapons or a truly unique, classic-looking knife that harkens back to our survivalist past, a natural handle is the way to go. Wood handles are durable and typically not too expensive, either. This means it will break when stressed extensively in other directions. G10 handles can also be easily carved, peened or engraved to provide a more textured grip. A customer favorite, great for stick-free cooking and easy cleanup. There are countless brands and names for synthetic knife handle materials. , which is actually the part of the blade that extends into the handle. I did a bit of research into what the different types of handles are, and what the advantages and drawbacks are for each handle material. We recommend that you always choose the material that you like the best. As the toughest fiberglass resin laminate, that is also water- and temperature-resistant, G-10 handles produce hard-wearing kitchen knives. These unique structures have been stabilized in colored resin to create beautiful material that can be processed with normal woodworking equipment. and well respond as quickly as possible. G10 Handle Kiritsuke Gyuto 197 mm Hammered Finish. A good range of knife handle materials (both natural and synthetic) is always prudent as this allows you to have something readily on hand for every buyer. The Natural Black color of this unique organic material mean that every item is unique & looks beautiful. Knife handles are usually either made with natural or synthetic material. Knife handles offer such a broad field for customization and personal taste that its no wonder that many people regard the handle as the most interesting part of the knife! However, their organic nature does get affected by changes in heat and humidity, and requires more maintenance. FRN is known to be basically indestructible. The wood that is commonly used in composites is referred to as burl, which indicates that the wood comes from a tree with a round knotted growth. The process is basically about wrapping leather straps tightly around the knife. Therefore, we want to encourage new makers to take the dive head-first into the wonderful hobby of knife making. Youve probably seen countless ones looking through product description and reviews. FRN is a really cheap material to manufacture, and is a good option is you have a limited budget. SKU: HMMC-G10-EarthBrown-.125 Starting at $7.45 Add to Cart G10 - PEEL PLY COARSE Black 1/4" - Knife Handle Material SKU: HMNP-PPC-Black-.250 Starting at $9.57 Out of stock G10 - PEEL PLY MEDIUM OD Green 3/16" - Knife Handle Material SKU: HMNP-PPM-OD-.187 Starting at $8.94 Out of stock These woods are recognizable for their strength, hardness, attractive natural appearance, and coloring. Knife Handle Materials | Jantz Supply - Quality Knifemaking Since 1966 Being non porous, G10 knife handles do brilliantly in wet conditions and cost a lot less than pricey knife handle materials like carbon fiber. Quality can decrease drastically over time. The Ultem-ate Handle Material. There are actually three main handle finishes, from what Ive found: bead-blasting, anodizing and other coatings. G-10 is in many ways similar to carbon fiber, but is much cheaper! Kraton handles can come in a variety of harnesses, depending on your preference. One of the strongest materials in the industry. Thermoplastic elastomers are a combination of polymers, usually plastic and rubber, and often go by a brand name Dryflex, Laprene, Santoprene, THERMOLAST K, and the like. These cured and dried form blocks of G-10 then can be formed into handle shape, mounted into the steel sides of the knife, textured or sanded and polished. Stabilized wood is dried and mixed with chemicals to enhance its strength and fix imperfections. This is done to produce a non-reflective, rougher surface, which is more prone to corrosion. A nice smooth wood texture. Synthetic knife handles are constructed of man-made materials. Titanium is very strong and durable for its light weight, and is therefore often used as a coating for knife blades, just to add extra protection and improve the blades corrosion-resistance. Mother-of-pearls knives are generally quite expensive (makes sense to me). Cow bones are a common choice, and you can even usegiraffe bone knife handles are a very popular choice as the bones are very dense and readily available while adding an exotic touch to your finished knife. We also carry other high-quality synthetic knife handle materials such as carbon fiber, Micarta, Damagrip and woven fiberglass knife making products like G10 and others in an assortment of the most popular and unique colors and patterns, such as the highly popular "Textured" G10. You can also find other high-quality materials like fabricated ivory, Juma, unique resins, rubber, Fantasy Marble, and more. Carbon fiber knife handles are lightweight, and easy to manipulate with an impressive strength to weight ratio. Stainless steel is also corrosion-resistant (stainless). Polypropylene and ABS are two polymers with a high-strength and lightweight construction. Metals are popular handle materials, the main ones used being Titanium, Stainless Steel and Aluminium. Similar to Micarta, layers of fiberglass cloth are soaked in phenolic resin and then compressed at high heat. With a sumptuously smooth finish, abalone gives exceptional feel in the hand and the appeal of a kitchen accessory thats functional yet also unique to look at. Wood Wood is one of the oldest, most popular types of knife handle material. However, on the other hand, it is heavier that the other two, which can be cumbersome, whether you are using it for EDC (Everyday Carry) or survival. The natural grain adds a beautiful, elegant touch to any blade, and wood can easily be carved and shaped to your liking. Finding the Right Knife Handle Material for You | Misen This also means that its a poor environment for bacteria to grow, so your buyer can be assured of good sanitation. The stabilizing process makes wood both customizable (pattern and color) AND it protects the wood from U.V and color loss damage. Stainless steel is the strongest metal on this list in that it will not dent or scratch as easily as titanium or aluminium. Youve probably seen me talk about finishes in the rest of this post. I strive to share my research and experience to help you make the most of your time out there! Each piece is an original work of art no two pieces are the same.Color and pattern may vary from . Our experience is that most beginners do a better job on their first knife than they thought that they could. Stamped Knives: Break Down the Differences, Balance balanced to suit the buyer & cutting stroke, Grip the grip is comfortable, formed to hold easily, Safety safe to use without injury or strain, Corrosion/Moisture resistance it should repel liquids, A sense of security because their grip is firm, No. You can usually get this at a local hardware store. This diversity offers every customer a look theyll love in their kitchen. Jantz Supply offers a large selection ofmaterials for making knife handles, including many of the natural and synthetic options mentioned in this guide. Leather handles are generally quite cheap. Both materials are durable, water-resistant, and comfortable to use, but G-10 costs less and is less susceptible to environmental factors. If you are new to knife making, consider your equipment carefully before choosing a new handle material for your next knife making project. Raffir Hotspring- BLUE- Slabs & Blocks More expensive than other metals, resulting in higher priced knives. Most horn is considered an advanced material to work as it can be difficult to shape. Entdecke 1 Black Linen Micarta .250 " Sheet Knife Handle Scales Material - 6" x 12.0" in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! Were going to address all these questions and more in our look at knife handle materials! Steel itself is an alloy of iron and copper primarily, and its manufacture is relatively cheap. However, titanium kitchen knives are more expensive than other types of knives . Damascus Clad 9Cr18Mov Oval Stabilized Wood Gyuto 210 mm, G10 Handle Kiritsuke Gyuto 197 mm Hammered Finish, Pakkawood Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set Damascus, Knife Balance: A Hidden Element in Every Knife, Forged vs. Paracord is actually short for Parachute Cord. We currently offer more than 128 categories of exotic knife handle woods, composites, natural bone handle materials, carbon fiber sheets and knife handle scales, as well as many others. Overall, stag as a knife handle material is very durable, dense, and also has a widely considered attractive aesthetic to it. While relatively strong, carbon fiber is not indestructible and may be prone to chips and cracks in cases of high impact. Do Not Sell My Personal Information (CCPA). 14.79 USD Best Knife Handles: Pros and Cons of Each - KnifeBuzz The most common varieties of synthetic materials used in knife handles are carbon fiber, G10, glass-reinforced nylon, and Micarta. Its sturdy, but also springy, and can be used as part of the locking mechanisms of folding knives. The one Ive seen the most while doing research is Ti6Al4V, which means it is made up of 6% Aluminium (Al), 4% Vanadium (V) and the rest 90% is Titanium (Ti). Aluminium can be anodized (a finishing process) to basically any color. Corrosion-resistant (though not rust-proof). SCRIMCAST BONE / HORN / IVORY. Long Genuine Elk Antler Stag Roll Tip Knife Handle Cut Scales Materials The evolution of the knife goes parallel to the development and evolution of the handle. The resin can be dyed any number of colors including blue, red, green, orange, yellow, black, and white. An aluminium handle can get quite slippery, so I would recommend making sure the handle is textured aluminium, so that you are able to have a relatively good grip even when it is wet. Synthetic handles usually come in the form of acrylic, plastic, resin, and other composites. Theres a lot, and scientists are constantly designing new, better ones. Titanium blades and handles are non-ferrous (they dont contain iron), which means they wont rust (since rust is caused by the oxidation or iron). Natural Black Buffalo Horn Raw Solid Seal Material DIY Knife Handle Handle Materials G10, Micarta, Carbon Fiber - Alpha Knife Supply When wood is stabilized it becomes stronger and has more impact resistance, this builds the overall strength of the knife. The plastic is created by soaking layers of linen or paper in phenolic resin, and then compressing them using high heat. , a product of DuPont, which is resistant to impact, abrasions, and breakage. Like the Sebenza 21, the Inkosi comes in both a large and small size and is available in a variety of inlays. Given the unique nature of pine cones, no two patterns are exactly alike. Some types of wood, especially if theyre very soft or porous, require a stabilization process for increased density and durability before they can be used on a knife handle. Kraton material is elastic at its core, and it provides the kind of flexibility and abilities of natural rubber, but - unlike regular rubber - it has resistance to heat, cold, and chemicals, making it a perfect handle for many kinds of knives. Norplex-Micarta is the original manufacturer of Micarta and considered the best quality Micarta in the world. Ebony handles are particularly suited to users that appreciate a heavy handle to give solidity in the hand. 12.39 USD. G-10 handles are usually textured to give the hand a good grip (once again, grip is a key aspect!). Proper treatment of your handles with oils such asLinspeed Oil can protect your wood from damage. Knife Scales made of G10, Micarta and Carbon Fiber are exceptionally durable man made materials and make for nice knife handles. I'm an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys camping and hiking. Micarta is made from resin and burlap, while G-10 is primarily fiberglass. Other coatings: in some cases, the handles may be lined with a thin layer of another material, such as titanium or a ceramic. Lets have a look at some of todays top picks in synthetic knife handles! Many of them are already stabilized and dyed with resins for added protection and beauty. Our selection of fine stabilized and dyed burl wood knife handle materials includes premium cocobolo, desert ironwood, Indian rosewood, koa, figured black walnut, black ash and many others. To help you store and care for your new favorite knives. Ebony wood is super handsome with dark, gothic shades that ooze shine. We have LIVE inventory and fast shipping! One is made from primarily layering materials such as canvas, paper and burlap (micarta) and the other is layers of fiberglass (G-10). When making a unique knife that captures the look and feel of the great outdoors, a pine cone handle is a creative choice. Leather requires a high maintenance and is not half as durable as most synthetic materials. Many brands prefer to work with wood composites (i.e., Pakkawood for Shun and Richlite for Wsthof). However, unless the handle has a hollow core, a completely stainless steel knife might be too heavy for the average cook. I'm an outdoors enthusiast and I love camping. [Left Handed] Sakai Takayuki Kasumitogi Buffalo Tsuba Japanese Chef's This produces a strong but light material that is completely stable and almost indestructible. Most of these have been used for hundreds of years, and played an important role in the knife-making history. Limited resistance to impact, can be dented. 2X Natural Black Buffalo Horn Knife Scales knives Making Handle These include maple, walnut, olive wood, rosewood, mesquite, desert ironwood, and pink ivory. Most horn is considered an advanced material to work as it can be difficult to shape. Learn about each material and decide which one best suits your needs and personal preferences. Some of the best types of wood to use for a handle include walnut, birch, oak, rosewood, cocobolo, ebony, and burl. Pros: Wooden handles provide a secure grip and feel natural to hold. The most important aspect to look for in a good knife handle is a comfortable grip. Rosewoods are also dense and strong without being heavy or cumbersome. Specifications Leather Handle Washers Material: Top Grain Cowhide Outer Dimension: 1.30 x 1.00 x .125 Inches Slot Dimension: 0.40 x 0.120 Inch Color: Natural (Vegetable tanned) Sold as: (100 Pack) . They are strong and durable, and are therefore a great option for outdoors equipment. Overall length of knife is 10" with a 14cm blade. Well, its basically a strong substance made from taking strips of fiberglass, soaking them in a resin, and then compressing them. It might help if youre clumsy, and just add a little extra safety to the knife. Check out our natural knife handle material selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. The natural grain adds a beautiful, elegant touch to any blade, and wood can easily be carved and shaped to your liking. Scales come in many different materials and are what we are actually referring to when discussing knife handle material (the parts aside from the scale are usually the same material as the blade). These materials are either designed to have an increased grip, or a better durability, or a lighter weight, or many things at once. Wood A large variety ofnatural woods are used to create knife handles. Like bone, stag is not the best for hardcore use. Stabilized golden amboyna burl wood panels, Knife Scales, Handle What does that means? A metal handles smooth surface can make it prone to slipping, especially when wielded by a wet hand. Lets look at some things that need to be considered when choosing a knife handle: If youre ticking these boxes, you can be confident that the buyer will receive a knife product that will give them decades of pleasurable use! Its also a good thing to have cordage readily available in any survival situation, whether it be for building a shelter, repairing your bag, making a bow drill. Titanium is a lighter metal with low-density, high-strength, and similar corrosion-resistant properties to stainless steel. Products specifications : 100% Original Buffalo Horn Made Knife Scales; Premium Export Quality Products; This is commonly done with wood or bone handles, although the later is mostly used in pocket knives, custom knives, or collectibles. However, the material is very lightweight and comes with an attractive woven texture for kitchen knives. This means that the closer the tang is to full tang, the better the handle is attached. ***The Kasumi blade by Sakai Takayuki is a reasonably priced line of traditional forged knives which work well for first time users as well as more experienced chefs.It is made to put soft kitchen knife iron on Yasuki's traditional . An effective knife handle is vital to the overall operation and handling of any knife. Bone is a cheap, cool traditional material, and this is why people like it. What options are available out there? Compared to traditional cutlery made from 100% v Of course, its not surprising that theyre significantly more expensive than other materials. Knife Handle Material. When a knife is said to have a full tang, this indicates that the solid piece of metal that constitutes the blade runs down the handle as well. An updated cookware classic, at a fraction of the price. No one ever told you that, hey! Add to Favorites Handmade bushcraft hunting camping knife 95mm, M390 stainless steel ad . . The Misen Dutch Oven is an update to the cookware classic. This means that it is basically a synthetic rubbery material. It is available in a wide variety of colors. Their legacy dates all the way back to humanitys ancient ancestors, who used knives and other tools made purely from what they could find in the wild. Not only can it be easily carved into different shapes, wood knife handles are also available in many different species. Ebony wood Ebony Wa Handle Yanagiba 300 mm Ebony wood is super handsome with dark, gothic shades that ooze shine. Definitely the most visually satisfying on this list, mother-of-pearls handles are very popular among collectors. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. Because Pakkawood just like natural wood is unique, each pakkawood knife handle will be a one off in its aesthetic, so youre selling an individual product with its own specific charm. At LeeKnives we pride ourselves on offering the best available thinking and design when crafting our knives, and that patience and research is reflected in our product range. But what exactly are all of these, and which ones are the best? The most popular TPE is. Carbon fiber is a strong, durable polymer also known as graphite fiber. The production of carbon fiber is quite an effort, and that will definitely reflect in the price! A customer with tiny hands or joint problems is not going to be able to use a heavy, overly bulbous knife handle easily and safely. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. DimecWood. Most of these have been used for hundreds of years, and played an important role in the knife-making history. Natural knife handle materials Natural materials offer an earthy and sympathetic gripping surface, so it's no wonder that they see regular use for knife handles. Norplex-Micarta is the original manufacturer of Micarta and considered the best quality Micarta in the world. Other companies usually have an option, for full tang fixed blades, where you can buy the blade (and tang) only, and then add your own paracord or custom handle. Its strong composition and textured grain give the knife handle a good grip, durable composition, and aesthetic appeal. It can be customized in some ways, including color and textures. Bone handles offer another unique and natural knife handle material. You can findtextured G10 scales with honeycomb, diamond, and other patterns. Natural materials are wood, bone, pear, and abalone. Authentic hardwood and antler handled Gaucho knife , hand crafted in Tandil, Argentina by the skilled hands of Artesanias. Knife Handle Material. There are so many knife handle materials out there. Wood also weather and tarnishes over time, lending a distinguished and elegant look to the handle. It helps the customer if you sell them a knife that suits their lifestyle and time available for product maintenance. Buffalo | Knife Handle Material | KnifeKits.com Carbon fiber is brittle, and will break upon sharp impacts. The material is not durable, and is very slippery. Those on a smaller budget may considerfabricated mother of pearl handles, which offer the beauty of genuine mother of pearl at a much lower price. Which handle materials are going to offer your customer the best kitchen experience? The next part is the tang, which is actually the part of the blade that extends into the handle. With oil heavy wood, a rosewood handle retards pests like wood borer and that oil also gives the wood an enchanting fragrance. Ive seen a lot of 410, 416 and 420 handle steels in product descriptions, so these are probably the most common ones out there. Wood is also popular because of the large range of options it offers. Their plusses and minuses are as follows: Carbon Fiber ' Carbon fiber ' is a generic term for any material made by weaving together strands of carbon which are then set into a resin. But just be aware that while it is corrosion resistant, it is not corrosion-proof, and will rust if you dont take care of it. Eco-products Plantware Renewable And Compostable Knife - 7 Inch - Case Stag is mainly found in hunting and Bowie knives since stag, bone, and horn often represent hunting trophies (traditionally). This material is hard, impervious to weather and wear. G10 knife handles offer many of the same qualities that make carbon fiber appealing: Theyre strong, durable, lightweight, and highly resistant to moisture, heat, and chemicals. Largest variety of handle materials with many sizes, types and colors. Natural, Fossil and Alternative Ivory and Bone This can include dying it to give it different colors, or texturing it to improve grip. are a very popular choice as the bones are very dense and readily available while adding an exotic touch to your finished knife. The opposite of this is partial tang, where the blade only extends partially (usually very thinly) through the handle. There are also many alloys of of aluminium used in knife-making, with the most common one out there being T6-6061. Fish fillet boning knife stainless steel scraping fish scales fish Very wrong. This just means that the process involves soaking pieces of linen, paper or canvas and pressing them together. It is important to note that, like wood, handles made from bone are porous and can crack or become deformed over time. Thats because it is extremely durable, water-resistant, lightweight It pretty much has all the features that make a good survival knife handle. Handle Material Hunter Green Bone 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 5. These include an increased durability and tensile strength, but also often a lower overall manufacturing cost. This is wood that has been injected with polymer resin and treated under high pressure to make it denser and more durable. These handles usually have a polished, glossy appearance with a deep, rich coloring. Photo Gallery #2 , which offer the beauty of genuine mother of pearl at a much lower price. It is also an expensive wood and is typically used when the knife maker wants a naturally dark handle. Free shipping for many products! Ultimately, as long as a knife is comfortable to hold and the material is durable and heat-resistant, the choice of handle material is truly a matter of preference. 7" Knife- Plant Starch Cutlery Choose Plant Starch Cutlery when you want to enjoy piping hot foods that need a burly set of cutlery. Natural knife handles are organic and can be found in nature. Step 2: Cut and Insert the Pins. The most common ones are African blackwood, desert ironwood, rosewood, cocobolo, and walnut these are types of wood that are both solid and stable (they don't expand or contract in extreme temperatures). For customers involved in professional food preparation a very tough and durable knife handle is best as the knife will see use (and abuse) day in and day out. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Get a multitasking workhorse, or a specialized blade. The knife industry uses various alloys of titanium (an alloy is a combination of several metals, so not one pure metal). G10 & FR4 - Handle Material - SHOP CATEGORIES - USAKnifeMaker.com Polyoxymethylene is another type of plastic that is slightly pricier, but protects against discoloration or color fade. What makes the success of wood is also its attractive look. and exceptionally tough. What kind of knife handles should you include in your range? If you want to be sure you are getting the original ask about the manufacturer. What Is the Best Knife Handle Material?: The Key Factors To - Suntrics While there are so many different materials out there to use, most of them can be categorized as either natural, synthetic, or metal. Theyre stronger yet lighter than virtually any other handle material choice, which is great for those who want a sturdy knife that wont weigh them down. *** The reasonable Plastic Tsuba Handle version are offered for beginner rank customers at more reasonable price. Titanium is a kitchen knife handle material that is strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant. Many knife enthusiasts find that the rough texture of the knife also contributes a good grip to the handle. Fun fact: G-10 was designed to be used in electronic circuit boards because of its excellent resistance to water, oil and acid.