Dave Sabot

What Are Bowie Knife Handles Made Out Of?

When it comes time to choose that new bowie knife, you'll have quite a few things to consider. One of the most important is what type of handle material you want.

While blade length and the actual style of the blade are certainly vital questions to answer, choosing the right handle is imperative. The right handle choice will give you a bowie knife that offers a great grip, the look and feel that you want, and will also play a role in the durability and longevity of your knife. What materials can you choose from?

You'll find that steel is one of the most commonly used materials for bowie knife handles. While metal handles are frequently added to "modern" evolutions of the bowie knife, you'll find some knives based on the original design that feature these types of handles. Metal is a good choice for excellent grip, for durability and for longevity. However, be aware that improper storage of bowie knives with metal handles can lead to rust in some cases.

Wood can be shaped easily, so that it has any type of style desired, or it can be made to resemble other materials.
Metal - Metal is a popular choice for bowie knife handles, particularly for those based on militaristic themes. You will find metal handles offer excellent grip, thanks the patterning they bear. You will also find them available in a wide range of colors, from black to silver, blue and many other colors, as well. Of course, the metal used in the handles varies from knife to knife, ranging from steel to stainless steel and other options.

Composite - Composite handles are interesting options for your bowie knife. One example is called micarta, which is a trademarked material that is actually a composite of paper, canvas, linen, carbon fiber and several other materials. This has the benefit of being extremely lightweight and durable, as well as providing protection against rust and corrosion. Another benefit of composite materials is that they can resemble other materials, such as metal, wood or even bone, without the cost.

Leather - Leather wrapped handles are also quite popular. Usually, a piece (or several pieces) of high quality leather will be wrapped over a wood or steel handle. The leather used might be any color, ranging from black to blue and all the colors in between. You will also find numerous different types of leather offered, from standard cowhide to more exotic options, as well.

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