Cord-wrapped handles?

H

Hesparus

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Oct 31, 2004
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I've seen a lot of people with cord-wrapped handles on their knives. It seems like a good idea because it is very lightweight and gives a good grip, but I worry about what happens when it gets wet (with a carbon steel blade) or when it gets blood/guts etc in it. Is this the type of thing that's only suitable on a backup knife? The last time I went camping I carried a belt knife with a scale handle backed up by a neck knife with a cord handle and it worked well, but my experience is limited.
What are your thoughts?

- Chris
 
I use it on some of my smaller knives.. and they are coated anyway(as far as rusting). When I did use my Izula to skin a deer and some squirrels I simply changed out the paracord. Not really hard to do.
 
The popularity of cord wrapped handles have always been a mystery to me. They do get gross when used on a fishing or hunting knife, and are a harbor for all kinds of germs. Difficult to clean, and if out in the woods you have to remove the cord wrap when it gets contaminated. That means spending time rewrapping it and having spare cord to burn. It all seems a waste to me Why not just put a real handle on the knife? Or use a knife with a real handle?

I can only wonder if it's just part of the paracord fad where people go over board with it. I never remember seeing the stuff when I was growing up.

Carl.
 
A cord wrapped blade SHOULD have the cord and tang sealed with a high grade epoxy.

When properly done, it should not absorb anything or ever unravel.

To clean, simply wash it down in the sink with some Dawn and a toothbrush like any other knife.
 
jackknife said:
The popularity of cord wrapped handles have always been a mystery to me. They do get gross when used on a fishing or hunting knife, and are a harbor for all kinds of germs. Difficult to clean, and if out in the woods you have to remove the cord wrap when it gets contaminated. That means spending time rewrapping it and having spare cord to burn. It all seems a waste to me Why not just put a real handle on the knife? Or use a knife with a real handle?

I can only wonder if it's just part of the paracord fad where people go over board with it. I never remember seeing the stuff when I was growing up.

Carl.
Click to expand...

^^ This.

They also provide little or no shock insulation and allow the full tang design to transfer the shock & pain right into your hand when chopping. The bumpy design is also a source of "hot spots" on your hands.

I've always seen para-wrapped cord as a cost-cutting measure, maybe a cosmetic feature for some, but nothing great for a real usin' knife.
 
I really think its a way to cut costs on the knife. I have some asian style knives with nice cord wrapping that has been epoxied and sealed and they make for a handsome knife but I dont think its a practical handle material. Give me good old micarta or G10.
 
It may be just me, but cord wrapped handles look terrible, and just don't work. I would not have that material on any knife I owned.
 
Mannlicher said:
It may be just me, but cord wrapped handles look terrible, and just don't work. I would not have that material on any knife I owned.
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I think it looks good myself. You can have multiple wraps and colors, and it adds a little comfort to a knife that you don't want scales on.
 
TheGame said:
I think it looks good myself. You can have multiple wraps and colors, and it adds a little comfort to a knife that you don't want scales on.
Click to expand...

This begs the question of why you wouldn't want scales on a knife for a real handle?

I think it comes down to knife makers and manufacturers selling this cord wrap and bare metal handle bunk under the guise of the latest trend, but it's really a cheap way to pawn off this stuff on a guidable public. Less work for the knife maker. I grew up around hunters and trappers, though it was the 1950's, and I never saw cord wrapped handles. let alone an unfinished knife with a metal skeleton handle like some of the 'new' stuff being sold. Knives had handles made from stacked leather, wood, stag, bone, plastic, something.


As far as I'm concerned, the knife is unfinished until they put a handle on it.
 
Some knives I want to have a thinner profile so I can carry them around my neck or in my pocket. The paracord adds to the comfort somewhat, without adding bulk. There is scales available for the Izula, but I still prefer it with a cord wrapped handle.
 
It would depend on how it is done. Swords were traditionally hilted in wood wrapped with cord, then covered with leather and wire. But, the idea of using naked paracord is a "tactical" fad pitched by manufacturer's to better their bottom line. Using paracord became popular in the later 80s as a way to insulate the hand from the bare round pipe metal which was then common on so many hollow handled "survival knives". There really wasn't a whole lot more that you could do with one of those. But otherwise, there are pleny of places where you carry an extra pair of shoe laces, that wouldn't interfere with the performance of your primary survival tool, and just about any other material would make for a better, safer, more comfortable and more durable handle.

n2s
 
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TheGame said:
Some knives I want to have a thinner profile so I can carry them around my neck or in my pocket. The paracord adds to the comfort somewhat, without adding bulk. There is scales available for the Izula, but I still prefer it with a cord wrapped handle.
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I'm with you on this one i like a jute wrapped handle on neckers or if i want a really flat knife to carry. It just adds another option to knife handles although i do like me some desert ironwood or cocobolo in a higher grade for good looks and warmth.
 
I have an Izula with a paracord wrap. I bought mine before ESEE offered the version with the scales. I used it last year to butcher a cow in the field (along with a few other knives/tools). Blood, bits of guts, and various fluids got all over it. I did remember thinking that the wrap offered a better grip, due to the texture, especially when I got the fluid from the kneecap all over my hand (I don't know what it is, but it is some of the slipperiest fluid I have EVER felt). The wrap obviously smelled like dead cow afterwards, and as I was lazy (I know, I know) I simply soaked the entire knife in a bowl along with some Tide detergent. After about an hour, I scrubbed the paracord wrap with an old toothbrush. Yes, I did not unwrap the cord, I was that tired from butchering the cow in 90 degree weather.

I did have to resharpen the edge, and sand off some rust spots with 2000 grit sand paper (the Izula is 1095 carbon steel for anyone unfamiliar) after the wrap had dried. The cord is still on there right now, and is fine. I don't plan on buying scales for this Izula because I'm a little fond of it the way it is, but if I buy another knife, I would definitely get a real handle. Hope that answered all your questions.
 
The slippery stuff is called Synovial fluid. It lubricates the joint.

I wrapped my BK11, & took it off after 1 day. The cord is irritational rubbing against the skin, & it ruined the ergonomics of the handle.
 
I appreciate all of the comments. I have been working on a design for a neck knife for backpacking or bushcrafting. The first version I made featured a cord-wrapped handle. As I mentioned in the original post, this is very comfortable, grippy and lightweight. With the sheath, it's over 3oz. I'd like to use micarta scales, but I don't want to make it any heavier than it is, and a wood or micarta handle of the same thickness would be heavier than the cord wrap. I have two more prototypes in progress right now with features to reduce the weight some more (I plan to try thinner steel as soon as I can get some).
This really isn't intended for skinning or gutting — primarily carving, which it's pretty good at — although it could in a pinch. Because this obviously isn't intended as a one-tool option, I don't know whether it's necessary to make it more useful as a backup skinner if it ever needed to be.
Here's the original prototype for your viewing pleasure (5.5"oal):
318206_574837838850_1720194955_n.jpg


- Chris
 
There is also a certain survival aspect for a cord wrap. Specifically, when I'm in a plane crash and stuck in the middle of nowhere, a cord wrapped handle is great. First, it doesn't take up much space in my pocket or crewbag. Thats important because in a situation like that maybe I would prefer a big 'ol BK9, but the fact is, the best knife is the one you have with you. Smaller knives are easier to carry. But back to my point: If I have a cord wrapped Izula, I not only have a reliable knife that I can use to save my life, I also have 10 or so feet of cord I can use.

If you are using the knife for "survival" maybe think of the cord wrap as less of a handle, and more of a convenient place to store some line.
 
Interesting thread. I have enjoyed reading it and it raised a question I have. I have knives with all types of handles and I have some with cord wrapped handles. I like having options. However, I have never coated my wrapped handles with epoxy or anything else. I read it and thought about it and it seems to make a lot of since. My question is this: Does coating the cord wrapped handle destroy the functionality of the 550 cord should I have to remove it and utilize the line in the field or in a survival setting? Or could the cord still be removed and used as efficiently as if it were not coated? Thank you.
 
I think it all depends on the kind of knife. I'd definitely want a real handle on a large fixed blade. But on smaller neck knives, paracord wraps work fine. They're fun to make, (kinda like the male equivalent of how girls accessorize their Barbie dolls,) add a bit of grip/comfort, and cost and weigh next to nothing. It all depends on the kind of wrap you use, too. A Strider-style wrap feels almost as good as an actual handle. (Just my $.02.)
 
tueller said:
Interesting thread. I have enjoyed reading it and it raised a question I have. I have knives with all types of handles and I have some with cord wrapped handles. I like having options. However, I have never coated my wrapped handles with epoxy or anything else. I read it and thought about it and it seems to make a lot of since. My question is this: Does coating the cord wrapped handle destroy the functionality of the 550 cord should I have to remove it and utilize the line in the field or in a survival setting? Or could the cord still be removed and used as efficiently as if it were not coated? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Epoxy is tough. Once the cord is saturated, it would be useless for other purposes.
 
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