Why Use the phenolic handle? does it have some magic properties, is it used because it is traditional, or because it is inexpensive? It looks a bit slippery, I have seen a few cracked handles, but truly, It has been around so long I seem to not be appreciating something about them. The first Fixed blade knife I bought myself was a buck, back in the mid seventies, although I do not recall the model. I think it was called the "fisherman' model, but have not really looked it up. It had the phenolic handle, and I remember I was very happy with it for a couple of years before a relative sold it in a garage sale because she felt boys should not have knives.
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Phenolic handles
- Thread starter Bumppo
- Start date
Back in the 60's, micarta was the go to handle material if you wanted a tough handle that was weather proof and rugged. I bought a Buck 102 woodsman around 1968 or 9, and it had the handle your talking about. By 1998 or so, the blade was used down to a very pointy toothpick, but the handle was still good. That knife was my 'go-to' sheath knife for a long time, and was used for most outdoor adventures with my growing family all through the 70's and 80's, and the first half of the 90's.
It was a little slippery at first, but I soon took some sandpaper and roughed it up to kill the polished surface, and bring out the micarta texture, and it was great after that.
It's rugged as all heck.
It was a little slippery at first, but I soon took some sandpaper and roughed it up to kill the polished surface, and bring out the micarta texture, and it was great after that.
It's rugged as all heck.
- Joined
- Aug 24, 1999
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- 3,135
The early 60's was when Buck started using phenolic on its fixed bladed knives. I wonder if Chuck remembers how they chose that material back then? I know it is pretty tough stuff. Working in the warranty department, we get very few knives back with cracked handles. Most of those had been beaten on or run over. We got one today that had gone through a fire. The handle didnt handle it very well either. 
The early 60's was when Buck started using phenolic on its fixed bladed knives. I wonder if Chuck remembers how they chose that material back then? I know it is pretty tough stuff. Working in the warranty department, we get very few knives back with cracked handles. Most of those had been beaten on or run over. We got one today that had gone through a fire. The handle didnt handle it very well either.
I think my 119 I sent back a month or so ago went through a fire, but I don't know. Thats what people told me on here. Handle is still in decent shape though.
David Martin
Moderator
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- Apr 7, 2008
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Thanks Joe for taking the time to comment. DM
Thank you for answering, everyone, The intention of the question was not to disparage the handle, the cracked ones i saw were abused. More so, I just want to learn about them, and some of the thinking that goes behind some of the decisions in materials and design.