What Are Bowie Knife Handles Made Out Of?
Choosing bowie knives from the plethora of designs and construction materials on the market today can be quite confusing. You’ll need to choose the right blade material, as well as the right blade size. However, you will also need to know what type of material you want in the handle. Bowie knives feature a number of materials used for handle creation and each offers unique benefits (as well as costs). What are your options?
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.
You will find that bowie knives can also feature handles made out of metal. Steel is the usual choice here. You will also find that these handles are usually joined to bowie knives that feature more modernistic designs, such as those with saw-tooth edges on the spine of the blade. Of course, one of the best things about metal handles is that you do not have to worry about the handle wearing out over time, though corrosion can be a problem in some rare cases.
Other options for handle material include plastics, composites, bone and even linen (hardened with a special manufacturing process). Each of these offers unique benefits, whether that be cost reduction, lighter weight or even longer lasting durability. Bone, in particular, is ideal for any bowie knife that you might want to display, as well as for those knives that will actually see use in the real world. However, before you can choose any of these materials, you should know what you want in a handle, as well as what to look for under the handle.
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.
Dave is the owner of an online bowie hunting knives and glock grip extensions store.