Navigating the world of knife-making materials can be daunting. The scale, or handle material, is in some ways the easiest choice. Once you’ve decided on a type of knife, a blade material and manufacturing process, the handle can almost seem like an afterthought.
But materials range widely — common ones include almost any kind of hardwood (walnut, cherry, teak, etc.) as well as several synthetic materials (rubber, micarta — an extremely hard plastic common on many pre-fabricated knives). I’ve even seen knife scales made of mother-of-pearl or ivory. Each has its merits and cons so do your research.
I’ll link below to micarta scales on eBay — for a practical, durable handle with a non-slip grip, you can’t go wrong with a handle made of this material, especially if it’s grooved or textured.
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