The Complete Guide To Knife Handle Materials

For most casual knife enthusiasts, pocket knives are all about the blades. But people seem to forget that there’s an entire other side to every knife and it can be just as, if not more important than the sharp end. The knife handle is the part you hold onto in order to operate it. And in the instance of folding knives, it acts as the case in which the blade is housed when it isn’t in use. It even houses and protects the mechanisms that deploy and lock a knife into the open position. The point is, knife handles deserve more respect and attention than they are given.

One of the things that can make or break the quality, style, durability, and longevity of a knife is the material out of which its handle is constructed. That’s not to say that there is any one material that is better than all the rest, but there are certainly drawbacks and benefits to all the common types – from the way they look, to the grip that they offer, to the amount and type of punishment they can take. To get a grip on the most common substances used in the everyday carry world, we’ve put together the following complete guide to knife handle materials.

Scales, Slabs, & Inlays: A Foreword On Handle Layouts & Constructions

Though you’re almost certainly aware of what a knife handle is, this part of the cutting tool is often comprised of several different components and can be configured in several different manners — all of which you’ll want to be privy to in order to fully wrap your head around modern knife handle constructions. Some knives simply utilize handle slabs made from a single construction. Mated together via a back-spacer — assuming it’t not an integral knife where the entire handle is made from a single piece of billet — solid construction handle slabs require specific locking mechanisms that are compatible with this layout such as frame locks and AXIS-style locks. More commonly, however, knives are constructed around a liner that’s been cloaked in two handle pieces on  one of both sides — known as “handle scales” or just “scales.” Similarly, knife handles can also be fitted with small sections composed of scale materials called “inlays.” 

Common Metals: Alloyed Strength

Metal of just about any type is a great knife handle material for its toughness and long-lasting durability. It’s strong, can take a beating, and – in most cases – resists corrosion decently with a little maintenance and care. However, the biggest drawback to metal as a handle material is probably its lack of grip. Most everyday carry pocket knives that feature a metal handle are smooth and, therefore, increasingly difficult to handle the more moisture is introduced to the equation. And an increase in moisture also means an increased likelihood of rust and corrosion, but that is easily mitigated, as we stated. The three most common varieties of metal used to construct knife handles are aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. And each has their own benefits within the metal handle subset.

Aluminum

There are a few really great things about aluminum as a knife handle material. For starters, it can be anodized into just about any color you can imagine, which makes for a great style addition to any knife, and also adds some extra hardness. Aluminum is also a very low-density metal, so in conjunction with being pretty tough, it’s also very lightweight. Its downsides include a limited resistance to impact – which can result in dents and scratches – a lack of grip when not textured, and it can be uncomfortable to hold if used during the colder months. The most commonly used variety of aluminum is 6061 and its variations therein.

The Knife Seen Here: Case Kinzua

Sibling to the winner of Blade Show’s Best American-Made Knife of the Year, the Case Kinzua is a modern everyday carry flipper knife that’s comprised of an anodized aluminum, frame-lock-equipped handle that’s been mated to a canto-style blade crafted from CPM S35VN. Considering its build quality, materials, and workhorse capabilities, the Kinzua also offers pretty stellar value. 

Stainless Steel

While not as light as aluminum, stainless steel offers a much greater resistance to dents and scratching. It’s also quite resistant to corrosion, although not completely impervious to it – so you need to maintain a measure of care to keep it rust and spot free. As far as metal handles are concerned, stainless steel is certainly the most commonly available and the least expensive, but it is probably one of the heaviest. Having said that, if you are looking for a workhorse of a flipper knife and you want one with a metal handle, stainless steel is probably your best bet on the cheaper end of the spectrum. Common varieties include 410, 416, 420, etc.

The Knife Seen Here: Kershaw Cryo

Penned by industry legend Rick Hinderer, the Kershaw Cryo is a phenomenal EDC folder that punches well above its weight. Spanning 6.5” overall, the knife features a frame-locking stainless steel handle and a flipper-tab or thumb-stud-deployed 8Cr13MoV blade — both of which are fortified via a titanium carbo-nitride coating. Backed by a lifetime warranty, the Cryo unequivocally offers some of the best bang for your buck of any knife currently on the market, as well. 

Titanium

Titanium is shockingly light for how amazingly durable and tough it is, but it is also the most expensive common metal used in knife handles. It offers an extremely high resistance to corrosion, doesn’t conduct and retain cold as much as its counterparts, and can be anodized just the same as aluminum. Surprisingly, titanium is actually less resistant to scratching than stainless steel, but the upside of lightness outweighs that downside. Be wary, however, if you’re drawn to titanium for its supposed super strength, you might end up discovering that it is not, in fact, indestructible. Cheap alloys of titanium have the potential to be weaker than stainless steel. The most commonly used variety on titanium knives is Grade 5 — also known as 6AL4V. As a side note: titanium is also used as a coating on both blades and sometimes handles that adds a bit more strength and overall toughness.

The Knife Seen Here: Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 31

Offered in small or large sizes and in a variety of blade shapes, the Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 is widely viewed as the grail knife in the everyday carry space. Easily one of the most all-time influential pocket knife designs, this frame-locking titanium folder is meticulously hand-crafted in America and boasts a level of build quality and fit and finish that’s second to none. This heirloom-grade knife is also offered with the buyer’s choice of either a CPM S45VN or MagnaCut construction. 

While not typically as durable and tough as metal, synthetic materials make up for it by offering up some unique looks, better grip options, and a complete imperviousness to rust. After all, rusting is solely a property of metal. You could probably even call them waterproof. Typically, synthetic materials also tend to be a bit lighter than their metal counterparts. They also range on the more expensive side of the spectrum, as they are often harder to make and are, therefore, rarer. The most common varieties of synthetic materials used in knife handles are carbon fiber, G10, glass-reinforced nylon, and Micarta. Their plusses and minuses are as follows:

Carbon Fiber

“Carbon fiber” is a generic term for any material made by weaving together strands of carbon which are then set into a resin. As such, the material is only going to be as good as its made. Usually, that isn’t a problem, as any knife maker or brand worth their mettle isn’t going to peddle anything with discount carbon fiber. But, if you see a knife with a carbon fiber handle and the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Typically, carbon fiber is extremely lightweight, is completely impervious to rust and corrosion (it’s non-metallic), and will be stronger than stainless or carbon steel. It also has a tendency to be rather brittle, not terribly resistant to impact, and on the more expensive side of the spectrum. Still, this is one of the most unique (both in properties and looks) materials used in knife making.

The Knife Seen Here: Benchmade Freek 560-03

Back in 2020, world-renowned knife-maker Benchmade treated its Mini Freek model with a top-shelf carbon fiber and CPM S90V upgrade — a treatment that’s now been bestowed upon the full-size version of the famed folding knife. Made in America, the Benchmade Freek 560-03 is a high-end AXIS-locking EDC knife with a milled carbon fiber handle, a premium S90V blade, and red-anodized thumb-studs and back-spacers. 

G10

G10 is the common term for a grade of fiberglass composite laminate (a cloth material with a resin binder) used in a number of everyday carry and, more generally, gear applications. Though they are made quite differently, it is not entirely different from carbon fiber when it comes to properties. It’s immune to corrosion and rust, is easily textured and thusly offers excellent grip, and it can come in any number of different colors or patterns. Also like carbon fiber, G10 tends to be on the more brittle side and does not resist impact well. And while it has little to do with functionality, G10 does not pack the same allure and looks as some other materials because it resembles plastic both in appearance and feel.

The Knife Seen Here: Spyderco Para Military 2

Unquestionably one of the greatest EDC knives of all time, the Spyderco Para Military 2 — or “PM2” — is a tactical take on a folding knife that features a slew of Spyderco’s signature design elements including its leaf-shaped blade, thumb-hole opener, and proprietary compression lock. Crafted around a G-10 handle with excellent ergonomics, the PM2 can also easily be upgraded thanks to a wealth of available aftermarket scales, back-spacers, pocket clips, and other items. 

GRN/FRN

Short for glass-reinforced nylon or fiberglass reinforced nylon (or glass-filled nylon), GRN/FRN is a thermoplastic material that is notable both for the fact that it is relatively cheap and practically indestructible. It can also be molded into just about any shape and textured in any number of ways. All in all, GRN is an excellent handle material across the board but it, like G10, does not pack the same allure due to its resemblance in both appearance and feel to plastic. Having said that, unless you are overly concerned with the look of your knife, this is an all-around superb handle material which requires essentially no maintenance whatsoever.

The Knife Seen Here: SOG Flash AT

Another tactically-inspired EDC folder, the SOG Flash AT is a reliable workhorse of a pocket knife that was engineered from the ground up specifically for everyday carry use. Weighing in at under 5oz, the Flash AT features an assisted-opening 3.45”  cryogenically heat-treated, titanium nitride-coated D2 blade and a GRN handle with SOG’s proprietary AT-XR lock supplemented via a spine-mounted sidearm-style safety switch. 

Micarta

Originally developed by George Westinghouse as far back as 1910, Micarta is a brand name for a thermoplastic set composite made from linen, canvas, paper, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other fabric. And while that description might seem a little obtuse, what you need to know is this: Micarta is very lightweight, extremely tough, and superbly durable. Its biggest downside, however, is that its manufacturing comes at high cost to makers and that trickles down to the price of the knives it is featured on. It is more commonly used in fixed blade knives, but it can still be found in high-end folders and – though it is naturally smooth – it is often textured for increased grip. The process by which it is made can also elicit a very unique look in a wide variety of colors.

The Knife Seen Here: The James Brand The Kline

First unveiled in 2022, The James Brand’s The Kline is the very definition of a workhorse EDC knife. Made in America using premium materials, this full-size folder offers ample utility in a decidedly robust and rugged package. Consisting of a Micarta handle mated to a CPM MagnaCut blade, The Kline boasts a level of build quality and craftsmanship that can only be achieved through meticulous small-batch manufacturing. 

There are a number of different organic substances that are widely used in knife making. And while the knives are a bit fewer and further between in the everyday carry world, these handles no less have had an impact and deserve some recognition. Perhaps the most common material used in the natural category is wood. It offers up classic looks, it’s very easy to work with (both from a maker and user standpoint), it’s fairly long-lasting and durable when properly cared for, and – best of all – it can be significantly cheaper than other comparable materials. It does, however, have a few downsides. For instance, wood is not resistant to water or waterproof and can actually soak it up, causing the handle to warp and – with repetitive soaking and drying – eventually crack, split, or even rot.

Wood & Bone

Another very popular natural material used is bone or antlers. Typically, you’ll see animal bone handles in fixed blade knives, but the material can be incorporated into folding pocket knives, as well. It’s a beautiful and unique addition, but it can be brittle and deform and crack over time, just like wood. Other, usually more expensive, but similar materials are mother of pearl or abalone – both of which come from sea creatures. This material is gorgeous, but not particularly practical for hard use as it is pricey and can scratch fairly easily. That being said, it’s still a noteworthy option. And, lastly, there’s leather. Typically, leather is not the sole material used in a handle. Most often, it will be wrapped around something else, like wood or metal. And it’s also not very common in folding knives. Chances are if you find a leather-handled knife, it is going to be a fixed combat blade or a bowie knife used for hunting. It offers excellent grip but will crack and peel over time – especially if exposed to too much moisture.

The Knife Seen Here: Opinel No.08 Carbon Steel Folding Knife

Perfectly encapsulating the notion of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the Opinel No.08 Carbon Steel Folding Knife is a French peasant knife with a design dating back to 1890. Secured via a proprietary Virobloc safety ring, this knife sports a XC90 Carbon steel blade and a simple wooden handle. And, not only does the No.08 make for a great EDC knife and a fantastic gentleman’s blade, but with a price of around $20, it also offers a level of value that’s hard to beat. 

While aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, carbon fiber, G-10, GRN/FRN, Micarta, and wood are unquestionably the most popular modern handle constructions, there are a slew of additional scale materials that are also found on contemporary pocket knives. This includes everything from old-school alloys like brass and copper to ultra-exotic materials like meteorite and mammoth bone to proprietary constructions like Zytel and Grivory. Below, we’ll briefly break down each of these unique knife handle constructions. 

Brass: An alloy comprised of copper and zinc, brass is a charming old-school metal construction that boasts a muted gold-like hue and the ability to form a unique greenish patina. Extremely malleable, brass is often used to construct handle scales, though the material is also utilized for making bolsters, inlays, and other hardware and trim elements on pocket knives. 

Bronze: Composed of copper that’s been infused with around 12% tin, bronze is a distinctive alloy material that dates all the way back to 2,500BC — giving it a decidedly antique aesthetic and making it perfect for retro-inspired knives and other EDC items.  

Copper: Another old-school construction often chosen for its ability to form a unique patina over time, copper is an affordable alloy material that, like bronze and brass, has the ability to bestow regular items with antique or vintage vibes. 

Fatcarbon: Founded in 2019, Fatcarbon is pioneering Lithuanian outfit that specializes in the creation of ultra-exotic, proprietary multi-color carbon fiber composites. Fatcarbon’s proprietary carbon fiber is most commonly-found on the handles of ultra-premium knives — which are often paired with Damascus blades. 

Forged Carbon Fiber: Also known as “shredded carbon fiber,” forged carbon fiber is a special, high-end material comprised of short carbon fiber strands and bits that have been shredded, soaked in a resin matrix, and then pressed and cured into form. 

Grivory: Most commonly used in the automotive, industrial, and aerospace industries, Grivory is a proprietary polyphthalamide-based, high-temperature resistant, semi-crystalline thermoplastic composite made by EMS-GRIVORY. 

Mammoth Bone: A material that’s unsurprisingly very expensive and very rare, mammoth bone is exactly what it sounds like; bone that’s been harvested from an actual woolly mammoth — a species that’s been extinct for over 4,000 years. 

Meteorite: In an effort to give the most exclusive knives a unique and unmistakably high-end feel, actual meteorite is occasionally used as a handle material. These scales are literally crafted from pieces of debris off of comets, asteroids, and other objects from outer space. 

Polymer: Not just a single construction, polymer is more of a blanket term that describes a specific type of modern synthetic material composed of large molecules that have been bonded together using a unique manufacturing process. 

Richlite: First established in 1943, Richlite is the name of both a material and the company that makes it. FSC-certified, this eco-friendly material is composed of sheets of recycled post-consumer recycled paper that’s been stacked, saturated in a phenolic resin, and then heat and pressed. 

Santoprene: First trademarked by Monsanto in 1977, Santoprene is a rugged, a high-performance, vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer. Despite the material looking and feeling like rubber, it’s markedly more durable, as well as much more resistant to heat. 

Stabilized Wood: Typically reserved for more high-end, premium knives, stabilized wood is a special timber-based construction that’s created through a special process in which wood is impregnated with an acrylic polymer resin using calculated vacuum and pressure cycles — thereby massively improving the wood’s dimensional stability, durability, and performance. 

Timascus: Exclusively found on super exclusive, ultra-premium production and custom knives — often referred to as “full dress knives” — Timascus is a portmanteau of the word’s “titanium” and “Damascus,” and is essentially a layered Damascus steel that uses titanium instead of steel. Timascus handles are also very commonly paired with Damascus blades. 

Ultem: A construction that’s grown extremely popular in the EDC space in a very short amount of time, Ultem is a unique proprietary semi-transparent high-strength plastic construction manufactured by Sabic. This polyetherimide-based material is lauded for its immense durability, unique semi-opaque appearance, and ability to remain mechanically stable under extreme conditions. 

Valox: Made by Tekra, Valox is another proprietary construction that’s composed of an amalgamation of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate. Technically known as “Valox FR Resin 357,” this thermoplastic polyester resin is revered by modern knife-makers for its stellar durability, lightweight, and affordable price. 

Zirconium: Like platinum or palladium, zirconium is an extremely high-end metal construction that, like titanium, offers phenomenal strength, durability, and wear resistance, while still being incredibly lightweight. Zirconium is also one of the most expensive handle materials on the planet, and as such is pretty much exclusively reserved for super high-end knives. 

Zytel: Utilizing a thermoplastic polyamide formulation, Zytel is a proprietary name-brand of fiberglass-reinforced nylon that’s owned by Celanese and that offers fantastic strength and resistant to impacts and abrasions. 

The Complete Guide To Knife Locking Systems

Interested in furthering sharpening up your knife knowledge? Then be sure to check out our compete guide to knife locking systems for a deep dive into both common and proprietary locks and mechanisms.