What's the most versatile handle material

[Sapper75]

Guys,

What's the most versatile material for the scales on a knife that could potentially be used in arctic/desert/jungle conditions? Ideally on a woodlore pattern full tang bushcraft blade? Is it even possible to get a material that would suit all these conditions?

Thanks.

 

[Jared]

I believe it's G10.

But I doubt you'd have much of a problem with materials like micarta either.

 

[John Fenna]

I would go for wood every time - and time to look after it ...

 

[ozzy1977]

Got to be wood, personally I don't like plastics .

 

[robevs73]

G10 or micarta get my vote.

 

[brancho]

I would go stick tang and wood for arctic and desert myself.

 

[Shinken]

Stick tang and micarta for me. Less to go wrong with stick tang in those enviroments

 

[woof]

Just sent my JLT(self designed blade)off th Stew of this parish for him to change the scales. It currently has reindeer scales, which look lovely, but a to smooth, & if my hands are cold or damp, they become slippy. I'm looking to have micarta/g10 put on it.

Rob

 

[Squidders]

If you don't like the look of micarta there is always stabilised wood.

 

[Hibrion]

I always go for plasticised wood, or a very dense wood like Desert Ironwood. I think they will do more or less everything the man made stuff like micarta and G10 will do and add a bit of beauty too. I would go with brass corby rivets to avoid rust and add strength to the full tang, even if the epoxy should fail for whatever reason.

 

[marcelxl]

I like Micarta, some of it and done well can be just as easy on the eye as tree wood…. had my micarta handled blades in cold of below -20 and up to +35 including getting wet and have no issues with them at all.
But then I have had Puukko type knives out in the same and had no problems either

I just got a BCNW-01 in Desert Ironwood and been out camping the last two weekends in -20 with no issues.

I hear G10 is actually better/tougher than micarta.