Aluminum handles/scales/frame issue

akadave2

akadave2

Joined
Jun 21, 2008
Messages
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I see a lot of high-end knives opting to use aluminum instead of Ti for their handles/frame etc. Im a bit ambivalent about this. I have experienced, "back in the day" issues with a design like this with durability being an issue. I feel that if I pay north of $200 for a new folder that they should be able to cop for Ti or a combination that is more substantial. Am I wrong in this now with possible advances with aluminum composition?
 
Aluminum isn't my favorite handle material, but some of my favorite knives have Al handles. My Freeman BLF 451, the AWT scales on my Mini Grip and my Benchmade 943 all have aluminum handles and they perform wonderfully.

I'm not sure about the current composition, others can offer commentary about that, but when it works I'm fine with Al. I think what hurts Al is when it doesn't work. I know many people love the Kershaw Blur but to me the Al handles with traction tape just scream "cheap". It seems to me that Al is a compromise material; when the knife can't afford Ti and steel would leave it too heavy. I see this on a lot of Al handled Bucks. Knives that were designed from the get-go for aluminum wear it well, otherwise it can come across as "here, we made the handle out of aluminum because...because...meh."

I don't mind aluminum showing more wear than steel or titanium, to me it kinda personalizes the knife, the Boba Fett effect.
 
I am not a fan of aluminum.
However, I like a few knives that have aluminum frames, like my Benchmade Resistor.
I'd like it better if it was titanium though. :D
 
Not a big fan either. Had one with an internal stop pin that I dropped from about 3 feet up. The scale bent enough that the blade would no longer open. Though I did eventually open it up and use a Dremel to remove enough material to open correctly.

I also don't like how it wears and gets lots of dents and scratches. Don't like the way it feels either.

Though I would be much more accepting of it if it was used as a thick liner that could even be drilled and tapped with a thin scale of G10 or CF that would protect it and give it more traction and a better look. Especially if used as a nested liner. I think you could make a pretty sturdy knife that's also fairly lightweight for it's size.
 
stabman said:
I am not a fan of aluminum.
However, I like a few knives that have aluminum frames, like my Benchmade Resistor.
I'd like it better if it was titanium though. :D
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I'm a bit the opposite. I think titanium is one of the most overrated materials used in knives. If a company uses aluminum instead and saves me money, more power to them.

That said, I prefer composite materials to metal scales in almost every case.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
I'm a bit the opposite. I think titanium is one of the most overrated materials used in knives. If a company uses aluminum instead and saves me money,
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Strangely, they often don't.
They save money themselves, and sell to us at titanium prices (or pretty close). ;)

I like titanium; has a better feel in hand compered to aluminum and steel (I have enough examples of steel and aluminum handles to definitely notice the difference).
 
If we're talking a budget model, I'd rather have aluminum than steel scales. Let's at least save some weight. At the high end I wouldn't expect to see aluminum at all. It's hard to spin aluminum as anything 'premium'.
 
Aluminum is a great material but I think its under used due to the misunderstanding of the average consumer. An aluminum with a T6 hardness is really tough and underestimated....working with it without annealing it is a pita.
So many different grades of Ti that people dont know about, same with aluminum. Saying that the handles are made of Titanium or aluminum is like saying the blade is made of "Damascus"...
 
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For me it depends of the knife. For exemple, i have a mcusta katana with aluminium handles and i hate the thing. On the other hand. I love my kershaw blur. Sure it doesnt look premium but with the s30v steel it performs like a premium knife. The other that i like despite having a full aluminium handle is the Lionsteel SR1A.
 
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what expensive knives use aluminum scales? i dont see them or i possibly just dont consider them because of aluminum and pass on them without looking at price (most likely).

so the question is, what knives are you referring to in the OP?

i guess the 940 would be one that comes to mind. but i dont see why someone would consider it not worth it because of the scales.
 
I have a bunch of Al handled knives and have no issues with any of them. If I see a knife I really like, Al handles don't stop me.
I have one kind of expensive knife with it, Guardian Tac Helix Nano, and the texture feels great in hand.
I really like the knife and wouldn't change anything about it.
Flash posted above about the knurled Al handles on that Pro Tech. I have one, full size, and it is amazing in hand!!
Joe
Pics of both.
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The PT, smaller one, is smooth Al.
f5b9ef96f9e8afc95f65f3694e374fd4.jpg

Another I really like is the MT LUDT.
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88bb9eb2566958d71583f4def5b55004.jpg
 
I actually like some al handles...especially when they save some weight and still have good ergos, like the 940. Protech uses al handles in most their models...some well over $200...and they look great and work well. I do agree on some makes and models, al handles look and feel cheap. I generally don't just choose a blade just bc it has titanium scales...I can take them or leave them. Some models,like with ZT, or just too damn heavy and thick for me to be using everyday.
 
I just picked up a Protech/Emerson CQC7-Cocobolo with two tone single bevel blade that was north of $200. The handle material is aluminum. Granted its an automatic with non-standard features, nice wood, embellished button etc.


Mo2 said:
what expensive knives use aluminum scales? i dont see them or i possibly just dont consider them because of aluminum and pass on them without looking at price (most likely).

so the question is, what knives are you referring to in the OP?

i guess the 940 would be one that comes to mind. but i dont see why someone would consider it not worth it because of the scales.
Click to expand...
 
I've tried, on numerous occasions, to like knives with aluminum handles. I just can't take to them, though. I'm stubborn and will still try one every so often, but I know I'll just end up moving it on in the end. LOL

I was very close to keeping the House of Blades exclusive Kershaw Link. Beautiful anodized aluminum scales on that one with a great texture, but I eventually sold it off. I'm the same way about assisted opening knives, too, now that I think about it.

Oh well, diff'rnt strokes and all that :)
 
Was attempting to post this last night when the site went down . . . again.
Guess I missed the game and they are just sweeping the stands but here goes nut'in

I feel that if I pay north of $200 for a new folder that they should be able to cop for Ti or a combination that is more substantial. Am I wrong in this now with possible advances with aluminum composition?
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I totally agree but

I just don't like how the paint or anodizing scrapes off the alu and leaves a nasty looking blemish. Heck one of my "plastic" handle knives (all the same color all the way through the material) I had a pretty serious bike crash . . . cartwheeling through the air then sliding down the street on my butt (knife in back pocket) sliding right on the handle of the knife. Can hardly see the scratches. Knife works perfectly after.

As far as the STRENGTH . . . OH YAH there are alu alloys that, if properly heat treated, are VERY durable and STRONG LIKE BULL ! No problem there.

Still I TOTALLY prefer Ti !

and as alway here is where I insert my : Put the Ti BACK in the Ti Lite ! ! ! !
mine are alu and painted. LOVE THE KNIVES THOUGH . . . still

 
I'm a bit the opposite. I think titanium is one of the most overrated materials used in knives. If a company uses aluminum instead and saves me money,
Strangely, they often don't.
They save money themselves, and sell to us at titanium prices (or pretty close).

I like titanium; has a better feel in hand compered to aluminum and steel (I have enough examples of steel and aluminum handles to definitely notice the difference).
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This latter ^

Ti can be brutally STRONG stuff for the weight. Although PART of the reason they don't use Ti is it is a little heavier than alu (is between alu and steel). A knife like the Ti Lite I posted is a heavy knife and would be even heavier from Ti but I am all for milling out the back side of the handle to save weight FORGET THE DRILLED HOLES (dirt catchers) . . . but all that milling costs $$$$.

Though I would be much more accepting of it if it was used as a thick liner that could even be drilled and tapped with a thin scale of G10 or CF that would protect it and give it more traction and a better look. Especially if used as a nested liner. I think you could make a pretty sturdy knife that's also fairly lightweight for it's size.
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Pretty darned good idea. Any makers doing this ? Alu doesn't take fine thread screws as well as steel liners . . . not for the all thumbs disassembler for cleaning the knife. Not saying it can't be done. I work with high quality alu parts that even have alu SCREWS threaded into alu and if done RIGHT with quality materials and workmanship it isn't an issue but talking serious money for the end product.
 
The Benchmade 940/943's were available in Ti, Carbon fiber, G-10, and Aluminum. I have all the permutations. I like Al the least and Ti the best. Although the specific gravity of Ti is 2X the SG of Al, some makers mill out the insides of the handle, or 3D print a bird cage, or skeletonize the handle slabs utilizing slots or holes. I love relieved Ti handles.
 
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