The ultimate guide to knife handle material - Find the right one!

While using a kitchen knife for meal prep, you will understand the importance of two main parts of a knife-blade and handle. I am sure that you have paid incredible attention to the blade because a sharp knife can get the work done fast and simple, but please don’t forget that the handle plays a significant role when it comes to kitchen safety, and also a blade might lose it functionality without a proper handle. 

That’s why we want to share a complete kitchen knife handle guide and help you get the right one.

In this article, we will cover the pros and cons of different handle materials.

1. Wood
2. G10
3. Micarta
4. Stainless
5. Thermoplastic Elastomer

 

Wooden Handles

Wooden scales are the mainstay for knife handles because it adds unique beauty and has an excellent and textured grip.

Wood comes in a wide variety, ranging from thousands of colors and grains, so you have to take into account all the factors based on how, how often, and where you’re going to use the knife. 

It requires high maintenance. If the wet condition is a common scene, you will get cold feet on the soft or fine woods like black walnut, hardwood or stabilized wood will be a better option for you because they are durable.

Walnut

Pros

Widely used (furniture, kitchen fixtures, gun handles, and more)
Aesthetic beauty
Contains oil and smells well

Cons
Not as stable as other woods for handles
Heavy
Bleached when exposed to sunlight

 

Rosewood

Pros

cost-effective  
Good for most demanding uses
Durable and lightweight

Cons

Less resistant to moisture

 

Ebony

Pros

Resilient performance
Deep and luxurious after polished
Fine texture
Doesn’t absorb moisture easily 

Cons

Pretty expensive

 

Cocobolo

Pros

Super durable
Give resistance in both wet and dry conditions
Rich color scheme (Yellow & Red are the most common ones)

Cons

Sometimes it might cause irritation and allergic reactions when touched

 

Stabilized wood 

Hey! This is the best way to take advantage of softer or rotten wood 

Inject polymer resin and then compress under high pressure to create a very dense and durable material that still exhibits natural beauty. 

Pros

Bewildering variety 
Attractive and stable
Comfortable to hold

Cons

Porous if not stabilized

While wood adds aesthetic beauty to the knife handle, there are also some disadvantages. The biggest factor is its maintenance, which does require more patience and dedication. 

 

G10

G10 has been used on outdoor EDC knives and it is known for its lightweight and durability. It is a resin-based material, one of the toughest glass laminate materials on the market, which makes the handle grippy in hand so that it can prevent the knife from slipping from your hand. 

 

Pros

Solid and durable
Light and grippy
Highly water-resistant
Excels in heavy use

Cons

Doesn’t have a natural pattern like Micarta  

 

Micarta

Micarta is also a resin-based material and the materials used in micarta handles can vary, including linen, paper, burlap, or canvas other than glass. Micarta praises durable kitchen knife handles for a long time of reliable use.

Pros

Strong performance
Light and durable
Comfortable 
Less easy to scratch

Cons

More expensive
More susceptible to water

 

G10 and Micarta are both great knife handle materials available. Since G10 is made of glass fibers while micarta is made of linen, paper, etc, it tends to have stronger performance and durability.

 

Stainless

Stainless steel is chosen for handles due to its durability and strength. The whole knife can be constructed from one piece of steel. To provide extra friction, the stainless steel handle should be incorporated with etching or ridges, otherwise, the knife will easily slip from your hand. 

Pros

Easy to maintain
Resistant to corrosion

Cons

Prone to scratch or dent
Added weight (Not for heavy-duty knives)
Slippery 

 

Thermoplastic Elastomer

TPE is an excellent choice for kitchen knife handle material. The material combines plastic and rubber, offering a firm grip so that the handle is non-slip even when wet.

Pros

Extremely lightweight
Easy to maintain
Recyclable and eco-friendly
Cost-effective

Cons

Melt at a high temperature

 

A comfortable kitchen knife handle can take your sharp blade to the next level, which helps you fully enjoy your everyday cooking. It is not easy to determine what is the best material for knife handles. Whether it is lightweight or comfortable in hand, it is more about your personal preference. 

If you have a hard time deciding on the right kitchen knife handle for your needs or the best bang for the buck, G-10 is an exceptional choice. It is a great all-around handle material that features excellent grip at a middle-tiered price.