Knife handles are an underrated aspect of the knife industry as they serve as the foundation for the tool, being the key point of contact between you and the knife. The handle is where you control the blade to maintain safe and accurate use.
Poor quality handles create potential danger and discomfort, the absolute last things you want with a sharp object in your hand. No matter if your knife is to be used for cooking, whittling, hunting, or any other application, a lightweight composite handle is always a viable choice. So, whether you’re manufacturing a knife or buying one, read on to see why composites are a great investment when it comes to choosing a knife handle material.
Why Handles Matter
Knives can be dangerous– that is an obvious statement. But when thinking about how to make a knife as safe as possible, a lot of discussion revolves around the knife handle material.
A handle that gives a solid, comfortable grip to allow for maximum control over the blade is a great start. Along with a solid grip, having a lightweight frame gives more dexterity to the user as well.
A durable handle is also something that is highly prioritized by knife manufacturers; the last thing you want when cutting is for the knife to give out. All these factors aim to give the user more comfort and control with their sharp tool allowing for safer, more dynamic movements; making the knife an extension of their arm.
What Are Composites?
Many knife handle manufacturers gravitate towards composite knife handles, but what exactly are composites?
Simply put, composites refer to a combination of two or more materials that exhibit different physical or chemical properties to create one final product. There exists a fiber aspect and matrix aspect between the materials involved in the composite, and when combined, a new material is produced with different properties than either of the original materials. The fibers provide tensile strength and the matrix serves as the binding foundation behind it.
Knives are far from the only industry that incorporates composites into their products. Composite products are used in a variety of household appliances like washers, dryers, refrigerators, and ovens, while also being key for different aerospace pieces. You’ll find these composites on construction sites and within civil infrastructure as well; composites are all around you whether you recognize them or not!
So why are composites used in knife handles too? They provide a host of factors that are ideal for knives! This includes:
- Durability
- Comfortability
- Resistance
- Easy maintenance
- Customization and Aesthetics
Composite Knife Handles: What Are My Options?
Within the realm of composite knife handles, there are a few different options you can consider. The differences in these material options stem from the materials used in the construction of the composite (the fiber and matrix), which changes the properties and feel of the final product. Two of the biggest composites are G10 and carbon fiber, but there is also a brand new revolutionary composite on the market; AmeraGrip.
Here are some of the key features of the above-mentioned composites:
G10
G10 is a longstanding composite that was first introduced in the 1950s. This material consists of a woven glass cloth fiber in an epoxy resin matrix and has seen an insanely wide variety of applications.
In the context of knife handles, G10 excels due to its lightweight feel with its great strength/durability, great balance, excellent electrical and chemical properties, and resistance to heat and flame. These properties make for superb cooking or hunting knives.
What’s more, G10 composites come in 20+ different colors and patterns, giving plenty of room to customize. This material remains popular for knife handles, but does have many other applications due to its all around strength as a product, such as pistol grips and high-stress fishing gear. It’s hard to go wrong with a G10 handle!
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is a classic material in many realms, but especially within the world of knife handles. This material is known for its strength, which comes from the strands of carbon tightly woven within a resin matrix.
Carbon fiber is also lightweight, which contributes to its widespread popularity. While there isn’t an extreme variety in aesthetics for carbon fiber, the material itself provides the pattern often sought after.
One of the only downsides to carbon fiber is that it can be one of the more expensive composite materials on the market. The production of this material in knife handle form is an intensive process, but the results are worth the effort and cost.
Considering Composites For Your Products: What To Consider?
Within the world of knives, there are a variety of applications and specialties.
For example, you have your butcher knives and other kitchen specialty knives that are typically used for cooking. Kitchen knives excel at consistency in cut, grip, and resistance to heat.
Then there are hunting knives, which need to be rough, strong, and resilient to cut through tough material. Survival and protection provide another set of desired knife characteristics like reliability, ease of use/weight, and grip. These different composite materials will excel in these different situations and must be taken into consideration.
After use comes other general considerations for your product. The price associated with each different composite material will vary and certainly play into how you want to approach choosing your product.
The general weight of the knife will also tie into what you choose for a handle. And of course, the grip and feel of the knife in your hand will vary depending on which composite material you choose to purchase.
Caring For Composites
Just as with any material, to maximize the effectiveness and longevity of a composite knife handle, you need to take care of the product. This fact should be presented to any customer buying your product.
For composite handles, proper maintenance includes regularly cleaning the handle of any substances. It also includes repairing any damages and compromises in the structure. Keeping an intact, clean, functional knife handle will allow your composite to last for a long time to come.
Why Composites For Knife Handles?
Composites continue to make advances and see employment in a variety of applications.
Knife handles are no exception in the industries that are benefiting from composite products; the lightweight, reliable, comfortable, and customizable aesthetics of a composite handle make them superior to many other options. Other materials struggle to keep up!
Whether you’re buying or manufacturing knives, having a knife that is safe and reliable is the key to any proper usage. Whether you’re in the kitchen or miles into the woods, having complete control of your tool is paramount when working with such a sharp edge.
Composites are a great way to achieve this satisfaction guarantee at an affordable rate. See what all the hype is about and why composites continue to beat out the competition by trying composite knife handles today!