When finding the perfect knife, there are a lot of factors to consider – one of them being the type of handle you choose. Texture, weight, durability, rust resistance, cost, and, of course, how it looks are all things to look at as you make your decision. What will you be using your knife for? How often will you be using it? Will you be carrying it every day? Whatever your answers, there is a perfect knife handle for you! Here’s a breakdown of some pros and cons of each of the handle options available to you.
Let’s start with the METAL options.
Aluminum: Aluminum is strong, durable, and rust resistant. It’s lightweight, so you get the strength of a metal without too much weight attached. It is often anodized to give it a nice color. Aluminum is susceptible to scratching though, and a smooth aluminum handle can affect how well you can grip the knife. That being said, you can get aluminum handle knives that have been given some texture to enhance your grip. Buy Aluminum Handle Knives
Damascus: Damascus is a mixture of hard and soft steels to create a visually appealing pattern. It is metal, so it is strong and tough, and hey, IT. LOOKS. COOL. But because there is a lot of work into making it look so cool, the cost may reflect that. Damascus handle is often paired with a Damascus blade, increasing the cost as well, but you just can’t beat the craftsmanship that goes into making a knife handle like this! Buy Damascus Handle Knives
Stainless Steel: Stainless Steel is super strong. A stainless steel handle is rust resistant and durable, but heavy. That may make it a poor choice for EDC. Like aluminum, without added texture, the handle may also be tricky to keep a good grip on, but many stainless steel handles have added grooves to aid with this. A bonus to stainless steel is that it is more scratch resistant than some of the other metal options. Buy Stainless Steel Handle Knives
Titanium: Titanium is strong, durable, and rust resistant. Like aluminum, it can be anodized to give it an interesting color. Considered the improved aluminum, titanium handles have a tendency to be a bit pricier and used on higher end knives. Buy Titanium Handle Knives
Wire Wrapped: Wire wrapped knife handles provide a great, textured grip. They are often seen on swords and daggers. Sometimes a wrapped wire handle is just that- the entire handle wrapped with wire. But sometimes it is used as an addition to a wooden or leather handle. It is quite attractive! Buy Wire Wrapped Handle Knives
Next, here are some NATURAL handle options that are available.
Bone: There are several types of bone handles available. Bone is often dyed and textured to create fairly inexpensive, yet attractive handles. The downside to a bone handle is that it is prone to cracking and it is porous, so it can absorb water. Buy Bone Handle Knives
Horn: Horn handles can come from several different types of animals. The more exotic the animal, the more expensive the knife handle. Because of their natural beauty, horn handles are often left smooth without any texturizing, making the grip slippery. The color can vary slightly, but the attractiveness remains the same! Horn handles are porous and prone to cracking as well, so it is best to keep them as dry as possible. Buy Horn Handle Knives
Pearl: Pearl handles are strong, durable, and absolutely beautiful; however, they are expensive. Pearl handles are not typically altered for grip, so they are smooth and more likely to slip, but a pearl handle is one you just can’t overlook. Buy Pearl Handle Knives
Stag: Stag handles are used anywhere from EDC knives to collector’s knives. They have a rough texture which is great for grip and are said to really feel good in the hand. Dense and durable, the stag handle offers strength as well as a beautiful natural look. Buy Stag Handle Knives
Wood: There are many types of wood handles varying from birch, to maple, to oak, and more. They can differ in color, appearance, and feel, but for the most part, they are consistently durable and beautiful. Be careful with wood handles in wet conditions though. They are often porous and water absorbing, which will have a negative effect on the handle if not properly taken care of. Wood handles can vary in price depending on the type of wood you choose. Buy Wood Handle Knives
Leather: Leather handles offer a great grip and inexpensive, attractive look, but are not durable. They also absorb water easily, which can cause damage to your handle. Because of this, most of the time leather is simply used to accent a handle. Leather handles are best for knives not intended to be used as often. Buy Leather Handle Knives
Abalone: Abalone handles are made from the shells of mollusks. They are more affordable than pearl handles, but some say just as beautiful. Abalone handles are thin, which means they are brittle, so they are not as durable as pearl handles. Like the pearl, the handles are smooth, negatively affecting grip. Buy Abalone Handle Knives
Lastly, here are some SYNTHETIC handle options that are available.
Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber knife handles are made from strands of carbon that are woven together and set in resin. The weave of the carbon strands creates a texture that enhances the grip. There are also several colors and patterns available in carbon fiber handles giving you a great variety to choose from. They are lightweight, which makes for nice carrying, but can crack or break from heavy impacts. Buy Carbon Fiber Handle Knives
Micarta: Micarta is a popular name brand of resin handles. It is very strong and durable, and is resistant to scratches. Unfortunately, knives with Micarta handles have a tendency to be expensive and the handles are usually smooth, making grip more difficult. Buy Micarta Handle Knives
Nylon: Nylon is a popular material for knife handles. It is known for its strength and impact resistance. Some nylon handles are reinforced with glass fibers, enhancing these characteristics. This is called GRN or FRN. Buy Nylon Handle Knives
Plastic: Plastic handles are a great option if you are looking for an affordable, low maintenance handle. Plastic handles are water resistant, and generally offer a nice grip. That being said, they are not the most durable choice. Buy Plastic Handle Knives
Acrylic: Acrylic handles are an affordable, fairly durable option. They sometimes come with artwork printed on them, which can be a selling point for some! Buy Acrylic Handle Knives
Rubber: Rubber handles offer a very nice, comfortable grip. They have great impact resistance and water resistance and are generally affordable. However, they are not the most good-looking handle choice. Buy Rubber Handle Knives
G10: G10 is a laminate composite made of fiberglass. It is made similarly to carbon fiber in that layers of fiberglass are set in resin, resulting in a strong, lightweight handle. It is typically patterned to create a texture offering a nice grip, and comes in a variety of colors. G10 handles can be brittle under heavy impacts, and has a tendency to have a more basic appearance compared to other knife handle choices. Buy G10 Handle Knives
Zytel: Zytel is fiberglass reinforced nylon. It is incredibly strong and durable. Zytel is injection molded which is beneficial for manufacturing high volume, so it is a strong, low cost option. That being said, some do not like the “cheap” feel of the handle and it has less to offer for grip than others. Buy Zytel Handle Knives
Cord Wrapped: Paracord wrapped handles are a two- for- one deal. You have paracord for potential survival situations just as near as you have your knife. Paracord also comes in a variety of colors, making it a pretty customizable option. The downside to paracord wrapped handles is that they absorb moisture and can be hard to clean. Buy Cord Wrapped Handle Knives
Delrin: Delrin is the stiffest, unreinforced polymer available. It is used in injection molding which makes high production easier, offering a very durable, yet affordable handle choice! Buy Delrin Handle Knives
Grivory: Grivory is the name of a plastics company. It is nylon mixed with fiberglass, which produces a very hard and strong plastic similar to zytel. Buy Grivory Handle Knives
Kraton: Kraton knife handles are soft, comfortable, and very strong. They provide a great texture for gripping, and are impact resistant much like rubber. Keep in mind that they can absorb moisture which can negatively affect the functionality of the handle. It looks like black rubber, so it is not the most attractive choice of knife handle. Buy Kraton Handle Knives
Corelon: Corelon handles are a plastic handle most commonly used on Case Cutlery’s line of pocket knives. They provide an attractive variety of patterning! Corelon handles can be brittle if dropped often. Buy Corelon Handle Knives
Celluloid: Celluloid is a plastic made from cellulose nitrate and camphor that has been around since the 19th century. It is a tough, flexible material that is water resistant. It comes in a variety of patterns and colors! Buy Celluloid Handle Knives
Thermorun: Thermorun is a go-to choice for survival knives because it has a great, comfortable, and safe grip that is also affordable. It is a strong plastic with similar properties to rubber. It is water resistant and impact resistant. Buy Thermorun Handle Knives
