What are pocket knife handles made of?

17th March 2020

What are pocket knife handles made of?


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		Pocket knife handles are usually made of metal, plastic or wood. This page looks at these materials in a little more detail to help you decide which handle might be best for you.

		Metal handles
		Carbon steel The type of metal most commonly used in hand tools like pocket knives is carbon steel – a type of steel alloy which contains a percentage of carbon.

		In carbon steels, the main alloying element is carbon. An ‘alloy’ refers to a metal created by mixing elements; ‘alloying’. Carbon steel is harder and stronger than most steels which don’t contain carbon.

		A carbon steel handle usually indicates that a tool is designed to last, but don’t assume a steel handle is better than the rest – steel rusts and corrodes when exposed to the elements, so a pocket knife with a steel handle will require more care and better storage.

		Aluminium Most metal pocket knife handles are manufactured from aluminium, which is cheaper, lighter, and has a greater resistance to rust and corrosion than steel.

		When introduced to the atmosphere, aluminium’s reaction to oxygen creates a thin layer across the entire surface of the metal, known as aluminium oxide. This layer acts as a protective coating, providing resistance to rust and most other forms of corrosion.

		Many users prefer aluminium-based tools because of their lightness – the lighter the tool, the lower the likelihood that you will experience aches and pains after use!

		It is worth noting, however, that aluminium handles are more likely to dent, scratch, or even bend, than steel handles.

		Plastic
		The most popular type of pocket knife handle is plastic. While the exact type of plastic used is not specified, most plastic tool handles are made of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

		Some handles will also feature soft or comfort grip sections, designed to make the knife handle more comfortable in the hand. These are usually made of thermoplastic rubber.

		ABS ABS is a very common type of thermoplastic, used in a range of tool handles and other applications. Though lighter than most metals, it is more resistant to bending and scratching.

		In fact, ABS is the plastic that Lego bricks are made of!

		This type of plastic is durable and easily moulded to a desired shape during production, making it the ideal choice for moulded tool handles.

		Thermoplastic rubber Where incorporated, the soft, rubber grip which the user holds is manufactured from thermoplastic rubber (also called ‘thermoplastic elastomer’).

		This type of rubberised grip is extremely popular for use on tool handles due to its elastic qualities, which mean that it can be comfortably squeezed and squashed in the hand, and return immediately to its original shape once released.

		This makes it possible for a user to squeeze the handle of a tool hard, without the handle digging painfully into the hand, and without any lasting effect on the shape of the handle.

		Wood
		Where a pocket knife incorporates a wooden handle, this is usually for aesthetic purposes; pocket knives with wooden handles are considered more attractive and traditional.

		Moreover, wooden handles are cheaper and easier to engrave with attractive designs and logos, and may be stained with a range of varnished finishes.

		Because even varnished and treated wood decays and wears over time, wooden pocket knife handles are the least durable.