What are typically used but respectable (non-custom) handles?

[josemartinlopez]

I'm enjoying the running threads on handles. Could I just ask what people here accept as typically used, respectable (non-custom) handles on higher end knives (say at least US$200)? Handles that people would expect and not dismiss as cheap for a higher end knife?

To contrast, could I also ask what people consider higher end or one or two tiers above, such that they would be willing to pay more for that kind of handle (without going custom) for a higher end knife they like? I thought this is an easy and welcome upgrade by some of our vendors outside Japan so was curious what people's expectations are.

 

[childermass]

As someone who isn’t into fancy handles I will have to say burnt chestnut is the only upgrade I would pay for on a japanese blade. Else I can live with almost every handle out there as long as it’s not a d-shape or comes with a plastic ferrule .

 

[Qapla']

Micarta is the obvious choice, though plenty of respectable above-$200 knives use pakkawood for the handle. I've never seen G-10 on a kitchen-knife handle.
https://www.japaneseknifeimports.com/collections/blazen/products/blazen-ryu-240mm-gyuto
https://japanesechefsknife.com/coll...hattori-forums-fh-series-gyuto-210mm-8-2-inch

Some even use polyoxymethylene.
https://www.korin.com/HSU-PIMGY-240

If you want to get fancy, different fancier materials have different properties (e.g. bone, carbon-fiber, or glamorous plastics like corian).
https://japanesechefsknife.com/coll...-series-santoku-180mm-7-inch-stag-bone-handle
https://www.korin.com/japanese-knives/brands/nenox-nenohi/nenox-carbon-fiber-handle

 

[Carl Kotte]

I like most, but as @childermass said, plastic ferrules are not nice. Ordinary ho-wood is nice enough. I like d-shaped

 

[Carl Kotte]

For some inexplicable reason I often end up replacing stock handles anyway. I blame boredom.

 

[Michi]

The Yoshikane Enju wood handles are nice:

https://www.epicedge.com/shopexd.asp?id=94870

 

[M1k3]

For some inexplicable reason I often end up replacing stock handles anyway. I blame boredom.

I bet having a 'Handle plant' helps.

 

[Carl Kotte]

I bet having a 'Handle plant' helps.

Yes, that and an obsesessive quality controller.

 

[zizirex]

the Japanese like Ebony & Rosewood handle for their traditional upper range. some newer models like to use Ziricote, Wenge, Sakura, Enju, and Laurel on Wa handle, then Ironwood, Micarta, Turquoise, for Yo Handle.

some people like Ho woo, I personally don't like it. I tried the burnt chestnut, don't like it either. Rosewood and heavy dense wood are what I am comfortable with.

everyone's choice is always different.

 

[LostHighway]

Plastic ferrules are a hard "no" for me. As far as the handle itself goes it is more about size and shape rather than type of wood. I have oval, octagonal, and D-shaped handles that are all reasonably comfortable but I've also had a few Japanese stock octagonal handles that I didn't like, they just felt too small despite my rather small hands. If I'm selecting wood burnt Chestnut, Yew, Walnut, and Cherry are all fine. I have not owned an Enju (Sophora japonica aka Styphnolobium japonicum) handle yet so the jury is out on that option

 

[Silky]

A few knives use Japanese lacquer (like the Kagekiyo line or Sakai Takayuki urushi series) for their handles that can look pretty nice. I've also seen some handles with non-burnt chestnut or Chinese quince that look really nice, but not necessarily traditional.

 

[MowgFace]

I, too am a sucker for the traditional. Ho, Ichii, Burnt Chestnut, Walnut are all great. i ABSOLUTELY HATE ebony and dislike rosewood in general. Have handled a few rosewood that i wouldnt mind, but Ho, Ichii, Burnt Chestnut, Walnut live on most of my knives

Recently bought 2 Enju handles from Bernal though, and i really like those as well.

 

[NO ChoP!]

The Takefu crowd has been using Honduran rosewood with pakka ferrules, which is nice. So nice, I actually decided not to upgrade my sg2 Dami. Not super pumped about pakka, but it beats the heck out of plastic and is strong and resists shrinkage, so it has its place. I really prefer the traditional horn for ferrules.