Why do some people dislike aluminium handles?

B

bearcut

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Sep 3, 2006
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Reading the thread entitled, 'Design a knife with nothing you want', I was surprised to see so many negative reactions to aluminium slabs. I have a few folders with aluminium handles and I like them just fine. The only drawback I have is the conductivity. My 525 mini-presidio can get pretty cold, but then I use it up in the arctic and it's my work knife. I'm in and out of the cold so the knife never gets super frozen or anything. For in town, the conductivity is a non issue with other aluminium handled knives.

My fixed blades all have micarta/thermorun/G-10 handles and I use them for outdoor/survival use so I understand those handle choices.

I like aluminium handles on folders. For an EDC they can be made very stylish. I like many synthetic too. Am I missing something about aluminium that is a real drawback?

I used the 'Search' feature before I wrote this, and couldn't find anything...
 
Plus it takes alot more machining to get aluminum to be grippy enough for typical use.
 
The only thing I don't like about aluminum is how easy it marks up. Even with type 3 hard anodize it looks like crap after a few months of pocket carry. I also hate plain titanium for that reason. Give me some scales please!
 
357Wheelgunner said:
Because they're slick and get cold or hot. This is why G10 is used on quality knives..
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Not entirely true.

There are a multitude of high/semi high dollar knives with metal handles , whether steel or titanium , I'm sure some aluminum as well.

I am not a huge fan of metal handled knives but there are some exceptions.
 
For me, it isn't just aluminum, it is any metal scales. Thermal conductivity is the largest issue, although the slickness, especially when wet, doesn't win any points either. A good coating can take care of the slickness, at least until it wears off, but metals just conduct heat too well to remain comfortable throughout the temperature range I have worked in.
 
Although I agree about the cold, my main issue is a 'feeling' that's hard to describe. Metal handles have no "soul".
 
Bearcut, pay no attention to what others think are the only kind of knives worth carrying. I'm old enough to know what I like, how well it works, if it serves my purpose or not, and if it fits my budget. I'll bet you are, too. By me saying this, I'm not ruling out learning about good knives and types of construction, but at my age I've become kind of "fad resistant" as I sometimes put it. :D
 
Scratching and denting turn me off. I dropped a Benchmade Walter Brend # 600 on the tile floor and it landed on a corner and it flattened. Boo!
 
I like my CRKT M16 - 14. It has Grey aluminum handles. I would agree that it can be a little slippery, but that is only when my hands are really dry, like when it is actually cold down here. The aluminum handles feel very sturdy to me, I just wish there was more grip.
 
So zombies should like em, right?
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Zombies eat flesh straight off the bone, so they don't need knives at all. But if they did, yeah they'd probably like metal handles. :)
 
One of the reasons why the Zero Tolerance ZT 0200 is my all-time favorite folder is because of its' thick, sculptured G-10 scales. They feel very good, solid, and very secure in my hand...Wet or dry.
 
I've been a fan of aluminum handles for quite a while. For my every day use, I'm rarely using them in a cold environment and aluminum feels good in my hands. But I did just recently get a Benchmade 710 and I am impressed with how the textured G10 feels. I have a Kershaw Leek with smooth G10 handles that I don't care for. I really dig my Benchmade 707, which has aluminum scales with a textured G10 insert. It is a nice combination for me.

My Benchmade NRA Series Gaucho is my favorite aluminum-scaled folder. Those scales feel excellent in my hand, probably due to the pattern cut into them.
 
THe BM Presidio is pretty nice with aluminum scales.

I own a G-10 Nimravus but I'd like to get another, this time with aluminum scales (and the BM nylon tactical sheath while I'm at it).
 
same as mentioned - gets too hot/cold, almost never machined for grip, and the surface finish doesn't last.
 
Bob W said:
Although I agree about the cold, my main issue is a 'feeling' that's hard to describe. Metal handles have no "soul".
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I disagree with this, my CRK Shadow III has plenty of soul and it is solid A2. It speaks to me at night! lol. That and in extreme hot or cold it is nothing that cannot be fixed by some simple parachute cord. Not to mention its easy to clean blood off of (hunting).
 
I disagree with this
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It'd be kind of ironic if plastic handles did have "soul" while metals ones didn't!
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It was difficult enough to put my vague thoughts into written words. There's no way in heck I can defend them, debate them, or explain further. :D
 
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