Help me decide...

[nate j]

After mulling it over for quite a while, I'm nearly ready to pull the trigger on a LionSteel Warhorse.  The only question still vexing me is what handle material I should get.

Depending on what I think when I get the knife in hand, I'm hoping it could become a fairly regular carry.  So, my main concern is to get a durable handle material, one that can stand up to the rigors of daily carry and use.  Sometimes my knives and tools get used hard and put away wet, and I don't want anything I have to worry about wiping down, keeping a coat of oil on, or otherwise babying if it can be avoided.

Due to the cost, I will not be following the standard MT.o protocol of "get both" or "get them all".  One knife only at this time.  The cost difference between the different handle materials, however, is not significant and will not be a consideration.

Here are my initial thoughts:

• Olive Wood - has a pretty grain structure, but otherwise I'm not sure it's a great choice for a knife handle.  Probably my last choice at this point.
• Ebony - renowned for its hardness and longevity, but still wood.  Also a classic material for knife handles.  I own perhaps one or two knives with ebony handles, but none that I carry.  Looks and feels nice, but don't think it can match the durability of a composite.
• Natural Canvas Micarta - probably my top choice at this point.  Widely used and has a good reputation, and I own enough knives with micarta handles to be comfortable with it.
• Carbon Fiber - good looking, but I question whether the use of carbon fiber in knife handles is really a performance-based choice, or more of an aesthetic choice or sales and marketing gimmick.  I own maybe a couple of knives with carbon fiber handles, but only one that I've really carried. There seem to be a lot of concerns about poor impact resistance, though actual accounts of carbon fiber knife handles cracking or breaking seem to be in short supply.

Which handle material would you choose, and why?

[dks]

You have answered your own question really, either micarta or Carbon Fiber, most likely micarta

[RF52]

I would say micarta as well

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[gregozedobe]

I voted Micarta too, but none of the votes placed are showing for me, weird.

[Etherealicer]

• Carbon Fiber - good looking, but I question whether the use of carbon fiber in knife handles is really a performance-based choice, or more of an aesthetic choice or sales and marketing gimmick.  I own maybe a couple of knives with carbon fiber handles, but only one that I've really carried. There seem to be a lot of concerns about poor impact resistance, though actual accounts of carbon fiber knife handles cracking or breaking seem to be in short supply.

I have the Fox Suru with CF framelock, yes, the lockbar is made of CF. In my eye, there is absolutely no worry about the durability of CF.

As a fan of CF, I also have my custom kitchen-knife with CF handles (I have them for 2 years now and they get used a lot) and the CF looks still like new.

Oh and Italian companies usually do a great job with CF.

[pfrsantos]

You left out the "Awl of the above" option...

 

[Hevy (CT-782)]

You left out the "Awl of the above" option...

 

This is the way...

[Poncho65]

 

but I did vote micarta

[Fuzzbucket]

You have answered your own question really, either micarta or Carbon Fiber, most likely micarta

 

[SteveC]

Micarta   

[greenbear]

And it's another Micata from me 

It seems to bet he hardest wearing option. Carbon Fibre comes second but when worn can break down fairly quickly.

[David]

It's a Barlow it needs Ebony.   

[nate j]

I voted Micarta too, but none of the votes placed are showing for me, weird.

That was my fault.  When I created the poll, I set it to run for 7 days, but checked the "Don't show results until the poll ends" option instead of the "Show results once someone has voted" option.  Fortunately, I was able to edit it, so everyone who has voted should be able to see the running results now.

[nate j]

You left out the "Awl of the above" option...

 

No, I addressed it...

Due to the cost, I will not be following the standard MT.o protocol of "get both" or "get them all".  One knife only at this time.

 

[sak60]

As a daily carry with a durability factor Micarta is the one. Ebony would be second but a drop could end with a crack or chip. 

[gregozedobe]

That was my fault.  When I created the poll, I set it to run for 7 days, but checked the "Don't show results until the poll ends" option instead of the "Show results once someone has voted" option.  Fortunately, I was able to edit it, so everyone who has voted should be able to see the running results now.

Yep, I can see the votes now 

[Aloha]

While Ebony is gorgeous I chose Micarta.  I've got several knives in Micarta and as you know its hard wearing.   

[McStitchy]

My initial thought was Ebony, but the micarta looks nice on this one.
Hmmm, but micarta can get dirty at the corners/edges where the fibers are not fully enclosed in the epoxy 

Is there a Rosewood Dymondwood option? 

...a whatever, micarta then.

[pomsbz]

I don't really like the look of the micarta on this one, personally it would be the CF. In fact it was the CF, albeit on a Roundhead.

[Aloha]

   Truth its a hard decision.  I love the Ebony but CF sure looks cool and I don't have anything CF.  I do have lots of Micarta and can attest to its toughness. 

I stand by my choice tho 

[SteveC]

I think ebony or micarta are both solid choices, don't like CF too much on a knife.

[pomsbz]

To be honest you got me thinking, I'm looking forward to the upcoming Lionsteel Jack and perhaps I'll get it in ebony if it's offered.

[FolderBeholder]

I'm the lone voter for Olive Wood.

[comis]

Another vote for Micarta, never like CF as a handle material.  I have handled a fair amount of CF in my previous hobby, and once chipped/cracked, it gave some of the worst splinter ever.

[SgtTowser]

Wood for office, social, home, leisure and visual aesthic pleasure. But wood scratches. But wood can be sanded out. Always buts.

Ebony for dress. Olive for casual. Which do you do most?

Micarta for handyman-ing, boonies and feel in the hand. But not so smooth in and out of pocket, or riding bottom of pocket. Doesn’t care what it rides with.

CF  Slippery in and out is good, but not in use. And how heavy is a knife, really? How much additional strength does that knife frame need, really? Ditto on the splintering mentioned.

Wood and steel were the genius of Danish modern design. Wood is good.Do u mind sanding occasionally?

Micarta grips and washes and endures. Micarta for cutting. Wood for carrying. Bone for finger ID inside pocket. But bone chips with no fix. Bone not even on your menu. Saw cut Delrin also not on list. I love it. Identifiable texture. Grip. But it can crack. And no visual pleasure. Which will you do more of? Cutting, carrying, finding, eye balling? Clips mean no finding. But knives on clips are always in the way of what’s deeper in the pocket.

Form follows function.

Surface interface follows preponderance of use: carry vs. cut.

Where will it mostly reside? In hand? In pocket? In pouch?

Too many only think about the cutting and the opening.

A folding knife spends most time being carried. Therefore, a pocket knife HAS to fit the kind of carry you will do. Work pants, casual pants, or suit pants? Pocket liners vary. Think about your pocket lining.

The reason cellidor is so great on a SAK is it is smooth and rounded and loses no color to scratching by keys. It is distinguishable to fingers and easy on fabric. It’s cheap to replace. Pops on and off.  It’s great stuff.

But your lion steel? Different animal. Unless you are cutting all the time, how the scale material works on the way in, on the bottom and on the way out is the way to think about scale material.  How does it interact with what’s in your pocket?

Bolstered knives depend not only on scale surfaces, but on curvature of metal bolsters. Beveled edges like this lion steel are suboptimal for ride.

This lion steel is M390 with a handle. Is cutting what you are most going to do with it, or is carry the preponderance of function? Or is whipping it out and impressing people with your good taste the mission.

This is a classy knife. It needs ebony. M-390 is an over improvement. In a knife like this it is for saying you like and have the best. It isn’t really a knife for carrying on a work site or bush crafting. Who cares how grippy it is over lunch discussing a deal, or chatting at happy hour, or riding in a tux.

Get the ebony.

Don’t carry this knife a lot. Carry it for special occasions, or high end biz.

If you want to carry it a lot, micarta.

If it were me, I would look at some classic Barlows, or cigar style equal Enders by Case or Robeson, or retro classic like GEC Churchill. M-390 on a pocket knife seems like overkill on the metallurgy. Get one traditional for your suits and a another for your casual slacks. Then get a 390 in something locking with a grip you can’t slide down when you really need to apply some force.

But you are not me.

You have thought it through and like this retro mod Barlow by LS.

So: again ebony.

[nate j]

The MT.o hive mind has spoken.  Let it be so.  Order placed for one with canvas micarta handles.

Now the wait begins...

[SteveC]

 

[nate j]

It's heeeeere!

[SteveC]

Nice !   

[David]

Looking good!