Help me decide...

[FolderBeholder]

It's heeeeere!

  Even though I voted for Olive wood, that micarta does look very nice!

[SgtTowser]

It's heeeeere!

What a fine knife! It’s an instant classic.

[sak60]

 
Nice colour. Congrats.

[nate j]

Thanks all!

Already having a LS Shuffler, I more or less knew what I was getting with the Warhorse.  However, this was the first knife I've gotten in a while that screamed "Carry me!" as soon as it came out of the box.  So I have been carrying it, and it rides very comfortably in my right front pocket next to my wallet.  It has pretty much only seen cigar and some light package duty so far, all of which it handled with ease of course.

I'm happy with the micarta handles as well.  IMO they don't look quite as nice as some of the others, but should hold up very well to regular use.  They seem to be polished to a fairly high grit, but still allow a good grip.  They also seem to strike the Goldilocks point for pocket carry, i.e. not so slick that the knife is at undue risk of sliding out of the pocket and being lost, but not so aggressive that it will tear up pockets.

Other than the modern materials, I really like that this Barlow (at 3 3/4" closed) is somewhat larger than many traditional Barlows.  I also like that it has two full-length (2 15/16") blades, as opposed to one full-length and one shorter blade as found on many traditional Barlows.

[Aloha]

   Thats a real looker.  With use the Micarta will take on a patina.  I have a few textures of Micarta from very aggressive to smooth.  Sounds like yours has a nice balance which is great.

[Fuzzbucket]

It's heeeeere!

Congratulations, that's a seriously good looking knife.  So much so infact... 

[nate j]

Thanks guys.

I haven't carried it every day, but it's been a regular in the rotation.  Here it was on cigar duty earlier...

[Andetto]

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?

Hi Nate
Micarta.
Cant get why you are confused.
Cheers

[Andetto]

Thanks guys.

I haven't carried it every day, but it's been a regular in the rotation.  Here it was on cigar duty earlier...

Congrats.