When it comes time to choose that new bowie knife, you’ll have quite a few things to consider. One of the most important is what type of handle material you want. While blade length and the actual style of the blade are certainly vital questions to answer, choosing the right handle is imperative. The right handle choice will give you a bowie knife that offers a great grip, the look and feel that you want, and will also play a role in the durability and longevity of your knife. What materials can you choose from?

First, you will find that wood is one of the dominant choices on the market today. These handles can be utilitarian, but they can also be beautiful. Some bowie knives feature solid wood handles, but most make use of a two-part handle, made of wooden scales held together by rivets run through the wood and through the tang of the knife. Knives that make use of wooden scales are usually “full tang,” while those with a solid wood handle use what’s called a “rattail” tang. Full tangs are preferable to rattails, as they provide better stability and longevity in your knife.

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.

You should ensure that the knife you purchase has a full tang, rather than a rattail tang, as this provides better durability and solidity for your knife. You should also ensure that the bowie knife that you choose features a good grip – slick handles will betray you in the end and can lead to injury quite easily.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knifes store featuring the Cold Steel rubber training knife.

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