How much do you know about innovative materials for knife handles?

Wood:

This is one of the oldest handle materials and is still widely used today. There are as many types of wood handles as there are trees. Hardwood is often the better choice due to its durability. Many times, wood must be stabilized before it can be properly used as a handle. The wood is impregnated with resin so that it is not affected by moisture. If this is not done, the wood may expand or contract and eventually break or fall off the knife altogether.

Bone:

In this category we include knife handles of antler, horn, ivory, and plain bone. Like wood, this is a very old, very traditional material for handles. The most common bone used is cow, as it is both abundant and cheap. However, you can also find things like mammoth on the market, which is rare and therefore expensive, but can be very striking when it is placed correctly on a knife handle. The bone can be textured to provide a more positive grip. If it is not textured it can be slippery, especially when wet. It can also be dyed any color imaginable. Many users prefer bone simply because of its tradition.

The biggest drawback to bone is that it is not the most stable material. It is porous and can easily break when dropped or hit.

Leather:

Leather adds a very traditional, old-school look to knives. Typically, a leather knife handle consists of a series of leather washers stacked on the foot of the handle. Each washer has adhesive on it, and they are tightly compressed by a nut on the end of the handle. The handle is then sandpapered to the proper size and shape. Leather handles are very comfortable for the user and they look great for starting.

However, leather is susceptible to moisture, so problems can occur in wet environments. If you use your knife a lot, the oil on your hands will deteriorate the leather over time, but some users prefer to use mink oil or a similar treatment to help protect the leather.