Dave Winston just called and is about ready to handle a knife for me and Im not really sure what I want. Love the "bark" feel of stag, like Ironwood and Elk.

So give me some input what you guys think I should get

of those choices I'd go stag

It not limited to just them, I need other ideas!

For a everyday heavy use knife I have had great luck with African Blackwood. Anice stag or mammoth makes a very nice piece also.

Randy

A lite colored Ironwood.

What purpose are you going to put the knife to work at? For real hard use Micarta or G10 are hard to beat. For looks then stag, jigged bone or fancy wood are all beautiful. Mostly it is all just personal preference. My problem is I like them all!

Its a hunting knife

I've always been impressed with his weathered elk.

If you're the type who likes to ride hard and put up wet then Micarta or G-10, absolutely.

If however, you are willing to use it and then clean and treat as needed, any of the natural materials are ok. Stag is always a classic. A good compromise I've found between looks and wear is old Westinghouse Paper Micarta. Gives the look of Ivory but wears like, well, Micarta.

The next one I've got coming is a Stellar's Sea Cow bone handle. Can't wait.

The weathered elk is hard to beat.

I have some of his weathered elk and it's amazing

But he's getting ready to do two for me using camel

I really like bead blasted G10.

Me too!

These days,style,steel type,handle material ,etc. I can't limit myself to "favorite" . I like pretty much everything when it comes to knives.
I think there's alot of that going around,that's why you'll see threads like this. Us knife guys like so much,it is a hard decision.

What about Moose?

I've seen a folder with it ,on it

Micarta or G10

For hard use Micarta, for light use Mammoth. Like the burl woods too.

If someone likes the look and feel of wood, then Ironwood is tough to beat and it is durable too.

How about some musk ox horn. The coolest stuff bar none.
I just have to figure what knife(s) to put it on for myself.

Unfortunately mine is carbon fiber.

I like carbon fiber a lot as well. Tough as nails and has some what of a 3D appearance depending on how the sun light hits it.









For the micarta fans is some rare, hard to find stuff...

The Dowell's are really nice.

Wanna' trade for a rusty Case?

A tempting offer, but I'm going to pass for now.........grin

You know how to find me if you change your mind.

David does a great glass bead blast finish on G-10. Nothin' fancy...no jiggin'...just G-10 that he glass bead blasts. It puts a real 'grippy' texture on the scales...I don't think someone could pull it from your hand with a rope...! It looks good too, especially the bright orange G-10. I like G-10 or micarta (canvas or paper in particular) best of all on a field knife that I'm gonna use a bunch.

African Blackwood, Amboyna and Desert Ironwood

More pics please

OK, here's is a fixed blade that Rick made with Amboyna Burl...

Amboyna


African Blackwood


Desert Ironwood

I prefer Wallnut................

Walnut/440C for the win..............

Cool grinds on that.......

Walnut/440C - Field and stream's top 20 pick of the year.

Au Naturale...is the ONLY way to fly. That way when you are not using it,you can LOOK at it................

For a hunting knife, Stag or Bone.
For one of those big thick survival or "bushcraft" knives I'd go with stacked leather like the old Ka-Bar's.


That's right,,,, I'm old.

Just wanted to put in a vote for Axis (chital). This is mainly what I use. Relatively straight runs for hunter size knives and closer to the tips for smaller knives. Hardly any pith. Nobody has come up with a fail (fingers crossed).

Anything but micarta sucks. That being said if forced to go natural this is hard to beat.

Those don't suck.

Mr. Winston's weathered elk is my favorite for looks...catches my eye every time I see one. That said, I do nothing but micarta, G10, or carbon fiber anymore.

I like maple. It's lighter colored than walnut.

Birch is lighter yet.....440 rocks.....

Micarta...the perfect knife handle material from a practical standpoint.

I'm not a fan of micarta, I find it rather blase without character and so very commonly seen. It is highly functional but in no way my favorite. Carbon fiber looks so much cooler, IMHO. And natural materials always look more appealing; again IMHO.

I could go white micarta but only because it looks like ivory.

I'm a slut for highly figured wood, burl usually being the best, and highly figured maple being my all time favorite - to date.

Never heard anyone looking at my knife collection state how wonderful the micarta handles look while frequently hearing compliments on the wood and bone. Most commonly visitors first pick up my Menefee micarta handled fillet and comment on the blade, never heard a comment regarding the handle.

I don't give a crap if folks that see my knives don't fawn over the beauty of the scales. I got the dang things to use, not to hear their condescending comments....

Very seldom does anyone ever see the knives I actually carry in the field or in my pocket.

Dale

I drool over your boner pics.

Knives are like women, wood scales especially maple do nothing for me. I really like elk scales but will take the G10 to use. Will be trying Micarta this year.

That's it!

I'm going to try Micarta myself................

I see a lot of replays for micarta, what if any are the benefits over G10?

Try both and fend for yourself.

Until then..........(grin)

I'll get back to you in Dec.

youse guys have some nice knives!!!


Best,

GWB

I like Westinghouse Micarta!

I'm with ya there Eric.

I've kinda taken a shine to Micarta, also.

Best,

GWB

Gee 200 years from know those will be useable.

What is the North knife. May or Ingram?

It's like (micarta) wrapping your blades in a McMillan.

Looks like one of Gene's semi-skinners.

Ingram.


Best,

GWB

Lots of good advice. I have a knife with cape buffalo horn and it has shrunk slightly over the years so that it's now slightly undersized. Not by a huge amount, but enough to be able to feel the edges of the full tang when it's held. I don't know if stag has this tendency as well or not.

Something to consider.

Frank

Once or twice a year I give my natural material scales an over night soak in mineral oil. It'll help prevent shrinking, cracking or checking.

I've never heard of micarta shrinking or cracking. Ever. It's pretty inert to the elements...it was engineered to be so it could be used in industry...and last and perform, and last and perform, etc.. I like mineral oil though...I like it on natural materials like bone and wood and such.

Micarta is a good bit lighter than g10

I kinda look at it, from a users viewpoint, that G-10 is layers of fiberglass that are impregnated with epoxy/resins under pressure...whereas micarta is layers of paper, linen, or canvas impregnated with epoxy/resins under pressure. One is likely as good as the other...they are tough materials that are impervious to whatever harshness is applied to them by hard field use or nature.

You guys sure have some nice knives
I'm gonna have to break down and get me one

good one, slut.........grin

Hey I resemble that remark.............big grin

Thanks, thought I was missing something.

Really? Gonna have to look into that

Looks like an Ingram, Menefee, Winston, Dozier, Randall and Sasquatch. Do I win anything?

he caught the gay.

Other than adding on more notch to the "coup stick" of my belief that you should be regarded as a man among men, probably not.

Best,

GWB

It's ok to like another mans boner.

Right?

LMAO

course it is SLM

just don't go reachin' fer my rope!!!!!!


Best,

GWB

Gee you owe me a new keyboard now ,LMFAO !!!

I owe ya' a lot more than that friend, add it to my tab, as I've too much month left at the end of my money this one.

Best,

GWB

I'll be singn' that tune all day today.

funny how that works.........


I like this image much better,




Best,

GWB

Dem dares some fine pelts for trappin'

I recently picked up a Menefee made, Carbon Fiber scaled, Coke Bottle Slip Joint from Vince. It is quickly becoming my favorite handle material! In the short time I've had this thing I have seriously put it to the test. I work construction and carry it every day. I have dropped it numerous times on to concrete floors, sometimes even from an elevated position. Also, had it in my pocket one day and decided to jump in a pool for a swim. Completely forgot about it in my pocket! Swam for quite a lengthy period of time with it on me too. This thing still looks like the day I received it, not a scratch on it! Carbon Fiber for scales is, in my opinion, the most durable material I've seen to date. Especially if you wanna use them everyday. Besides the durability of the scales on this particular knife ... it's a pretty damn good looking knife to boot! I'm impressed.

Rick
I am hoping to change your fav to either pecan or hickory in a month or two.
Just sayin.
Carbon fiber is really cool, especially if you are not the one who is making the handle out of it.
jmho
Tim

If carbon fiber was a joy to work with, Girl Scouts would be making knives.