Pocket Knife Handle Materials

Key Takeaways

  • The most common types of knife handles are: wood/wood composites, metal, synthetic composites/polymers, and bone.
  • Some of the most popular wooden blade handle materials are: rosewood, walnut, ebony, and birch.
  • Common metals used for pocket knife handles are: stainless steel and aluminum (often anodized).
  • Synthetic composites and polymers used for pocket knife handles include Delrin, G10, Micarta, and Cellidor.
  • Bone used for pocket knife handles can come from many animals; bovine (cow) bone is most common.

When choosing a folding knife, it’s important to understand the types of knife handle materials, blade materials, and blade finishes and coatings. They all affect how the knife feels, looks, and performs, as well as how it should be maintained and stored.

Here are the most common materials used to make pocket knife handles.

Wood

Favored by traditionalists and often used for hunting, fishing, and camping knives, wood has been used to make handles for centuries. Wood offers a rustic look and takes on character with age.

Some knives feature solid wood; others use wood laminates (thin layers of wood bonded together) or wood composites (a combination of natural wood and synthetic resins).

Here are some of the most popular wooden knife handle materials:

  • Bear & Sons Cutlery 297

    Rosewood

    Famous for its rich, reddish-brown hue and unique grains, rosewood is beloved for its eye appeal as well as its density, natural resistance to moisture damage, and overall durability.

    Bear & Son Cutlery is known for making knives with beautiful rosewood handles, such as the 297, 247R, and 205R.

  • Buck Knives 112 Ranger

    Ebony

    Compared to other types of knife handles, ebony has a very striking look. The wood is a deep, blackish-brown color and is extremely dense and resistant to moisture.

    If you’re seeking an ebony handle, take a look at the Buck Knives 110 Hunter and 112 Ranger.

  • Victorinox Swiss Army Evolution Wood 10

    Walnut

    When choosing types of knife handle materials, walnut is an outstanding option for its extreme resistance against warping, as well as its moisture resistance, longevity, and beauty.

    The Victorinox Swiss Army Evolution Wood 10 is a multi-functional knife with a top-quality walnut handle and an array of 13 handy tools.

Metal

Metal offers incredible durability, stability, strength, and resistance to the elements. Cleaning pocket knives made from metal tends to be easy.

Here are the most popular blade handle materials made from metal:

  • Aluminum

    Prized for its light weight, aluminum is often used for modern tactical knives and assisted-opening knives. Many aluminum knife handle materials are anodized, which is an electrochemical treatment that enhances the handle’s durability.

    Kershaw makes fantastic knives with anodized aluminum handles, such as the Scallion 1620OL and 1620NB and the Leek 1660SWBLK.

  • Stainless Steel

    Stainless steel is one of the most prevalent types of knife handles, and for good reason. Although it’s heavier than other metals like aluminum, it offers a great balance of strength, durability, and corrosion resistance.

    Some stainless steel handles are coated with ceramic Cerakote for added protection from corrosion and damage, such as the Kershaw Leek 1660CKT.

Synthetics & Polymers

  • Case Yellow Synthetic

    Synthetic and polymer knife handle materials typically consist of plastics and resins blended with various materials like glass, fiberglass, cloth, or canvas. Some companies use or design proprietary synthetics and polymers.

    Case is known for its synthetic line with handles made from an acetal copolymer plastic called Delrin. Victorinox Swiss Army knives are often made from a polymer thermoplastic called Cellidor. Other popular synthetics are G10 and Micarta.

Bone

  • Case Smooth Chestnut Bone Trapper

    Bone blade handle materials can be made from many different types of animal bones. Bovine (cow) is the most common. 

    The Case Smooth Chestnut Bone is a great choice for those seeking bone knife handle materials.

Customize the Perfect Knife

All of these types of knife handles can be engraved. Personalize the handle of a pocket knife today!