Advantage of wood handle over synthetic? (First post)

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ObeyMyFast!

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Jul 7, 2010
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I was just wondering if there were any advantages to having a wood handle over synthetic. I'm looking to get a nice folder, definitely under 200, probably in the $100 range. I like the idea of a wooden knife, as I think it might feel better in your hand. Is there any advantage to nylon handles, etc...? (I was thinking about the para-military, or a gerber freeman wood folder http://www.elinemerchandising.com/7170.html)


Or, is it all personal preference?



Thanks for the help! :)
 
I love wood handled knives but some suffer in one form or another depending on wood. it can crack, swell, chip, get stained, etc. Synthetic handles can be stronger, not swell, easier to clean, grippier, etc. I prefer wood though, it gives a quality look & feels right on a knife.
 
when treated properly wood handles can be pretty damn strong... and look better IMO.

really cant beat stuff like micarta for toughness though.
 
Take a look at the Lone Wolf Blackfoot or Longhorn depending on what size blade you prefer. They come with nice strong, checkered ebano wood with a s30v blade. I haven't been able to put mine down. They run about $95 and I highly recommend them!
 
benyaM95 Ranger Knif said:
What are you going to use a knife for?
if it's gonna be outdoor activity(camping, etc...) wood may be a problem
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I plan on having this be my primary knife. I have a few others, but nothing special. I want to be able to have this one for a while. Maybe not an EDC, but something that isnt too bulky to where I can put it in my pocket.








and I agree that a wooden knife looks really good. To me, it looks more "expensive."

Thanks for the help. I'll keep in mind the swelling, cracking, chipping, etc...
 
monger4142 said:
when treated properly wood handles can be pretty damn strong... and look better IMO.

really cant beat stuff like micarta for toughness though.
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+1... Wood can be very durable when treated well and if it does suffer you can always have it replaced. It's a question of what you're looking for aesthetically and whether or not it is worth sacrificing a little or a lot of durability for that classic feel and look. A lot of people may prefer not only the monstrously indestructibility factor of G10, micarta etc but also the looks.. Comes down to personal preference and a compromise of qualities.
Best,
Gabriel

Edit: if you're getting a knife for around the $100 mark I would go for a synthetic material just to be on the safe side. A quality wood/bone handle with nice fit and finish could quite easily add up to $100 or more...
 
Stabilized wood.

It's virtually indestructable, when done this way. The wood is impregnated with resin, under pressure (in the better examples, anyway). When treated this way, it's basically as durable as most synthetics. The resin will protect it from absorption of moisture, and also keep it from cracking/splitting. Also makes it very strong. And, obviously, you still get the aesthetic beauty of wood.

Natural (unstabilized) wood looks and feels great in the hand, but is very vulnerable to the effects of moisture/drying. It'll warp/expand/shrink/split/chip, depending upon how moist or dry it is. At the very least, it should be kept oiled/waxed to minimize the effects of moisture/drying. Even then, there's no guarantee it won't be damaged if/when it gets wet.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Stabilized wood.

It's virtually indestructable, when done this way. The wood is impregnated with resin, under pressure (in the better examples, anyway). When treated this way, it's basically as durable as most synthetics. The resin will protect it from absorption of moisture, and also keep it from cracking/splitting. Also makes it very strong. And, obviously, you still get the aesthetic beauty of wood.

Natural (unstabilized) wood looks and feels great in the hand, but is very vulnerable to the effects of moisture/drying. It'll warp/expand/shrink/split/chip, depending upon how moist or dry it is. At the very least, it should be kept oiled/waxed to minimize the effects of moisture/drying. Even then, there's no guarantee it won't be damaged if/when it gets wet.
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Any recommendations for stabilized wood? Thanks!
 
Wood looks better!

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Sometimes I like the durability/ease of care of synthetics, but I prefer wood most of the time. Every wood-handled knife is unique and there are plenty of options that are durable enough for most uses.
 
Phillip Dobson said:
Wood looks better!

-mg_1687-2.jpg


Sometimes I like the durability/ease of care of synthetics, but I prefer wood most of the time. Every wood-handled knife is unique and there are plenty of options that are durable enough for most uses.
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NICE knife man, and I completely agree on a fixed blade...wood simple looks better. It also says classy instead of tactical, which can be important.
 
Last edited:
Knives are handled in wood essentially for aesthetic reasons.

Some woods (such as lignum vitae) are extremely durable even without any treatment.

But no variety of wood, as far as I know, matches the durability of synthetics such as G10.
Such materials are virtually indestructible.
 
personally, i prefer g10, micarta, grivory and other synthetics over wood for knives i will use...they are just more practical and will offer superior grip/traction. for older style folders or safe-queens, a nice burl or ironwood handle looks beautiful and as said earlier by Bill86, just looks classier and more elegant.
 
ObeyMyFast! said:
Any recommendations for stabilized wood? Thanks!
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Most of the better manufacturers who use it will say so in their product descriptions. I think Lone Wolf uses it for at least some, if not most, of their knives. And there are quite a few aftermarket customizers that will replace factory scales with exotic materials, which might include stabilized wood. If need be, ASK a maker if they use it.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Stabilized wood.

It's virtually indestructable, when done this way. The wood is impregnated with resin, under pressure (in the better examples, anyway). When treated this way, it's basically as durable as most synthetics. The resin will protect it from absorption of moisture, and also keep it from cracking/splitting. Also makes it very strong. And, obviously, you still get the aesthetic beauty of wood.

Natural (unstabilized) wood looks and feels great in the hand, but is very vulnerable to the effects of moisture/drying. It'll warp/expand/shrink/split/chip, depending upon how moist or dry it is. At the very least, it should be kept oiled/waxed to minimize the effects of moisture/drying. Even then, there's no guarantee it won't be damaged if/when it gets wet.
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+1

Pretty much what I was going to say.

A few exceptions are very dense woods like Lignum Vitae and Desert Ironwood that are naturally dense and hard and do not require stabilization to be durable. And on the other end of the spectrum, if it will be a hard use knife, stay away from Spalted Woods. Even stabilized they are not recommended for hard use applications.

The main "advantage" to wood handles is that they look great.

Kevin
 
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