I’m in the market for my first fixed blade knife. I’ve only owned a gerber paraframe mini for about 5 years, and think it’s time to upgrade once and for all.
The 2 I’m looking at have bamboo and leather handles, and are in my price range. But I haven’t a clue as to whether bamboo is actually a good handle material or not. But leather I’m aware is fine.
Has anyone ever used a bamboo handled knife?
Can’t say as I’ve ever seen a bamboo handled knife. I have several with wood handles (cherry, maple, and walnut) and they all work well. The cherry handled one I made myself about 15 years ago and it gets carried quite a bit. Most of my other knives are bone, horn or antler handled. I’m kind of partial to antler and bone myself. It has a nice feel to it and is quite durable.
I don’t see any reason why bamboo would be a bad material for a knife handle depending on the use you intend. If you’re going to be pounding nails with the handle, it may not work but for realistic use of the knife I guess it should perform about like the wood handle knives I have and they have given me no problems.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
I have found bamboo to be hit or miss depending on the style, tupe of bambo, the curing and the type of useage the blade will get. now if its just bamboo inserts then go for it but personalally i’ll stick to my kabar
the problem I can see with bamboo is its a grass, the grain will be really dull in short pieces and it isn’t stabilized. were I to make a handle of bamboo I would cut it out of flooring. the problem with leather is it rots and molds. I like synthetics, not nice to look at etc. but a knife is a tool and it gives me the best grip. by the way the sharpest knife I have ever purchased was a CRKT brand, but I am real fond of Randalls, just cant afford one yet.
Eric
Well the bamboo handle is made of ( at least it appears to be) 2 pieces. Here are the 2 I’m looking at right now:
http://tinyurl.com/yf7fd6k
http://tinyurl.com/yfn3g4f
the k-bars have been around since WW2 or before, they are in the sharpened pry bar classification of knife, made for the demands a field marine can put on one. you could clean fish with one but I wouldn’t want to try and fillet one out. the Original size is big enough that it can get you in trouble in some areas. and it will get you funny looks in the gas station on the way to fishing. The short one is still a big knife. they are a good quality inexpensive knife.
the one with the bamboo handle the medium hunter is still a big knife but for $30 bucks if you dont like it you can put it in your trunk for emergencys.
If it were me I would keep looking but a knife is a personal thing, every one has different likes.
What do you intend to do with this knife. just general camp chores and hunting or is it primarily a fish knife?
this is more my type of knife, in style and size.
Eric
I use mine for alot of things, like whittling, cutting fishing line, and other day to day uses. As far as design goes, I prefer the more traditional styles, like buck’s knife styles. What I DON’T like are these new knifes that have a 2 inch wide blade that’s only 3 inches long. But a 4-5 inch blade is probably all I would need, so I’ll keep looking.
I picked up that knife last summer and have been pleased with it. Synthetic grip, but its easy to hold, heavy enough to feel, and use effectively, but light enough that you wont notice it on your belt after a short time. It cant do super detailed work, but the partially serrated blade means it can perform a wide variety of tasks as well.
What’s your price range and what are planning on using it for?
pan the knives you were looking at are big knives and you will feel them on your belt something like the little finn on this page
or this buck
would probably serve you better, nice thing is you wouldn’t even know it was there until you needed it.
Eric
Here are a couple of my knives. The one in the middle, I carry quite a bit. The other 2 are carried but not as much. They were presents from my wife and son and I know what they paid for them so I don’t want to walk off and accidently leave one on the bank of a creek somewhere for someone to find.
I agree with the other comments. The classic K-Bar is a great knife. It’s been around for years, served our military through at least a couple wars and is a very good all around camp knife. It is heavy, it is fairly large and it’s a little uncomfortable to carry all day. But for a combination fighting knife and camp knife, one would be well served.
It just depends on what you want it to do.
Jeff
i’d be more interested in the steel than the handle. last time i checked you cut with the steel, hold with the handle.
I must really be demented today. Every time I read this topic title I think it’s going to be a post about the winter Olympics figure skating! I think I need a nap!
look at these. maybe a little more thana you want to spend but I’ve had one for 40 years.
http://www.uparchery.com/index.php
I was addicted to cold steel back when they had an economy line with carbon V steel. Great stuff. I don’t know much about them now. I do have a puukko and leuku that are terrific “plain jane” knives for everyday use.