All About Pocket Knives

I took a survey about pocketknives on the internet and here are the results*... (*Warning: Ivoryman, you may not want to read any further ... )

When asked "What is your favorite material for a pocketknife handle?''... The results were unexpected to say the least

The least favorite material was Bone at 17% and the most favorite was Plastic at 35%..... ... .... How is that even possible?

I'm wondering--were a bunch of twenty-somethings privy to modern tactical folders the majority of who was surveyed?

Metal is terrible in warm or cold weather. I've gotten burnt on aluminum scales when leaving a knife laying out in the sun while out working, and a cold metal-handled knife ain't fun when you're not wearing gloves. Steel slabs (demo knife, Camillus Dura-Tool, most older-style multitools) hurt bad when you're making a heavy cut. Most coatings used to give the handles decoration will wear off with extended use. Even my new-ish Mercator is starting to lose some of the black paint, and gold-detailed "black cat" and "K55K" markings.

Plastics just don't age well. Any texturing gets chewed up or worn off, smooth Delrin scratches, and they just look ugly. White ALWAYS yellows. Celluloid is a ticking time-bomb, and at best, it shrinks. Over time, you just say screw it and send it off to one of our knife mechanics to get fixed. And don't even get me started on that nasty mess that Kraton always turns into with age. Only my one-hand openers and lightweight lockbacks are bought in plastic nowadays.


Bone and stag, and even wood just get better with age.

I wish more cutlery companies would return to using "run of the mill" woods like Walnut. I understand rosewood, ebony, and cocobolo are protected, and why they are no longer used anywhere near what they were. Walnut is not, and is pretty common. Looks good, especially when you keep it properly treated.

Bone and stag are both durable, and age incredibly well. There's a reason Case makes factory "Pocket Worn" bone handles. I have a '40-64 6347 that belonged to my great-Granddad's best friend, and the handles have worn wonderfully. I've got a display full of old Rogers and Peachseed bone folders, as they just look amazing. Stag does too, but I don't own very many stag handles.

I have to wonder if those taking that survey were younger folks whose idea of a pocketknife is a tactical folder with G-10 or FRN handles, or a SAK with plastic scales. That might explain why plastic was the top pick.

philco wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 11:03 pm I have to wonder if those taking that survey were younger folks whose idea of a pocketknife is a tactical folder with G-10 or FRN handles, or a SAK with plastic scales. That might explain why plastic was the top pick.

Phil, you said it... I thought the same thing after seeing the results. I clicked on "Bone" and expected it to #1 ... when I saw it was dead last ... my jaw dropped... ,,, Now I feel EVEN more like an 'Ol fart...

cody6268 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:45 pm I'm wondering--were a bunch of twenty-somethings privy to modern tactical folders the majority of who was surveyed? ...
Bone and stag are both durable, and age incredibly well. There's a reason Case makes factory "Pocket Worn" bone handles. I have a '40-64 6347 that belonged to my great-Granddad's best friend, and the handles have worn wonderfully. I've got a display full of old Rogers and Peachseed bone folders, as they just look amazing. Stag does too...

Cody, great posting, I think you summed it all up in an excellent manner. I remember cutting up cardboard to burn outback in my chiminea in my yard during winter and the metal handle just about froze to my bare hand when I grabbed it...

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:23 pm I took a survey about pocketknives on the internet and here are the results*... (*Warning: Ivoryman, you may not want to read any further ... )

When asked "What is your favorite material for a pocketknife handle?''... The results were unexpected to say the least

The least favorite material was Bone at 17% and the most favorite was Plastic at 35%..... ... .... How is that even possible?

Ha ha ha but, apparently you don't know me very well. I always read on and love stuff like this. The results are what these particular voters said with their votes. Fine with me, my opinion is irrelevant. My vote is a drop in the bucket. And let them buy other stuff, less competition for those of us who will take bone, stag, ivory, horn, grainy wood and micarta. I found this interesting, but as stated, consider the respondents and this may or may not have been a random sample or an accurate reflection on knife enthusiasts everywhere. And what's the margin for error? The numbers don't tell you everything. But glad you posted, it is interesting to hear the results.

cody6268 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:45 pm

I wish more cutlery companies would return to using "run of the mill" woods like Walnut. I understand rosewood, ebony, and cocobolo are protected, and why they are no longer used anywhere near what they were. Walnut is not, and is pretty common. Looks good, especially when you keep it properly treated.

Yay Cody, I love wood handles, I would throw some curly maple into the mix too.

Russian interference.

Ivoryman wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 11:28 pm

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:23 pm I took a survey about pocketknives on the internet and here are the results*... (*Warning: Ivoryman, you may not want to read any further ... )

Ha ha ha but, apparently you don't know me very well...

I-Man, what you are saying makes sense, but when I took the survey, I guess I had my AAPK goggles on , because the obvious answer was of course Bone!
For example, Maher & Grosh Cutlery just released their new knife and the bone sold out in about 35 seconds... For me, if I can get bone (or stag) it is the 1st choice hands down ... Then it turns out... there is a whole big 'Ol world out there... and not everybody see it like I do...

1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2023 12:28 am Russian interference.

I knew it!!!! Conspiracy fact! Russia, Russia, Russia!!!

I think Phil nailed it. The pathetic survey results are a statement about the people taking the survey and have nothing to do with knowledgable knife enthusiasts. Really, plastic, give me a break!

Does MOTS qualify as plastic? Micarta? G-10? Black Comp?

1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:18 am Does MOTS qualify as plastic? Micarta? G-10? Black Comp?

Most imitation pearl is cellulose acetate/celluloid, so yes, it's a form of plastic.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:18 am Does MOTS qualify as plastic? Micarta? G-10? Black Comp?

I always thought of Micarta as more of an organic material, however... apparently it is considered a thermoset plastic. ... In fact Micarta is a composite material that has been used in various applications since the early 20th century. It is a thermoset plastic made by impregnating layers of fabric, paper, or other substrates with resin and then compressing them under heat. The result is a hard, dense material that is strong, lightweight, and durable. ,,,, and I do like Micarta I think it makes a great handle

So great, The earliest pocket knives discovered date from 600BC in Austria. Did any of THEM have plastic handles, huh?

Newfangled rubbish. Kids these days don’t know how good they have it.

Parker

philco wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 11:03 pm I have to wonder if those taking that survey were younger folks whose idea of a pocketknife is a tactical folder with G-10 or FRN handles, or a SAK with plastic scales. That might explain why plastic was the top pick.

''Newfangled rubbish. Kids these days don’t know how good they have it."
-Parker

It sounds to me as if Phil and Parker are saying; ''If it wasn't for you meddling kids... Natural Materials would have run away with it"

You would think that all the idiot “woke” indoctrinated young people would want “green” knives that were biodegradable.
Plastic is not only ugly but it’s the absolute worst substance for the environment.
To those that are true knife fanciers, it’s the least desirable handle material.
I don’t think of G10 or Micarta as plastic (although they do contain resins) because they are well suited for hard working knives. They have their place. Durable, strong and resistant to water, temperature and many chemicals but….. nothing can take the place of bone or wooden handles for aesthetics. They feel good in the hand.
Bone and wood are also suitable for everyday work as well as collecting. Other natural materials such as abalone and MOP are beautiful but too fragile for any practical use.
Plastic or composition scales are at the very bottom of any knowledgeable person’s list.
Just goes to show what our society has evolved into. It shows how ignorant the general population has become. Ban plastic soda straws while choosing plastic handles for knives.
YES…. The world has indeed gone insane !

"Hello, my name is ...uh...Reverand."
(Everyone mumbles "Hi Reverand")
"And I have a weakness for yellow plastic handles."

Seriously, I do agree that natural handle materials are the best, with bone and stag being the best of the best, but I do so LOVE yellow plastic handles! I don't care much for fake sawcut or fake stag Delrin. Red or black plastic is ... uninspiring. Just yellow.

I believe it goes back to a German Eye knife that I lost when I was a teenager. I have mourned that knife for over 40 years!

And as to the title of this thread:
Yes. The world HAS gone crazy!

Reverand wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2023 10:14 am "Hello, my name is ...uh...Reverand."
(Everyone mumbles "Hi Reverand")
"And I have a weakness for yellow plastic handles."

Seriously, I do agree that natural handle materials are the best, with bone and stag being the best of the best, but I do so LOVE yellow plastic handles! I don't care much for fake sawcut or fake stag Delrin. Red or black plastic is ... uninspiring. Just yellow.

I believe it goes back to a German Eye knife that I lost when I was a teenager. I have mourned that knife for over 40 years!

And as to the title of this thread:
Yes. The world HAS gone crazy!

Reverend,
I can understand that. While plastics are my least favorite some very traditional knives feature Yellow plastic. Case Sodbuster has always had yellow plastic covers (with other colors and materials to follow). The bright yellow covers makes it easier to see a knife you lay down and have to search for. As for the yellow German Eye knife, I bet you can find the same one to replace the one you lost but I know it wouldn’t be the same. I’ve lost a few myself over the years and it’s a safe bet that all of us have as well.

The results could be influenced by the many in the younger generation who are vegan and don't use or want to own ANY animal products like bone, stag, MOP, and other related. They do however own a few knives.

Plum crazy!!!

On the sixteenth reply, Oscar got it right with his “woke indoctrinated young people” reply. In my opinion, that’s the cause of lots of today’s problems. Their minds, thankfully, don’t work like ours. And besides, who doesn’t love blaming things on “ being woke”

rugmar wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:11 pm On the sixteenth reply, Oscar got it right with his “woke indoctrinated young people” reply. In my opinion, that’s the cause of lots of today’s problems. Their minds, thankfully, don’t work like ours. And besides, who doesn’t love blaming things on “ being woke”

rugmar,
If their minds worked like ours, they wouldn’t be “woke idiots” and we wouldn’t be in this mess.

Delrin cover ie oldtimers rugged perfect for a user
The only stag I use is in a fixed blade hunting knife

I think you got it right garddog, "...rugged perfect for a user".
I'm no "woke" youngster at 73, but I just surveyed my using knives and 11 of 21 have plastic handles.
(I hope that revelation doesn't get me excommunicated or something.)