Abalone/ Paua – Gathered in Mexico, Abalone shells are cut into thin “feathers”, edges are glued in thin sheets with each sheet color matches and then laminated with a high pressure laminate into sheets for handle material. Paua is a similar shell found in New Zealand.
Alumite – A hard coating used to protect aluminum handles from corrosion and scratches.
Amboyna – Comes from SE Asia, only the burls from the Narra tree are used to give the numerous, beautiful swirls that comes out in the Amboyna handles.
Anodized – A treatment that colors titanium using electric current.
Black Mother-of-Pearl – Rare shell harvested by deep sea divers in various parts of the Pacific Ocean; no artifical color or enhancements added.
Boi D’arc Wood – Comes from the Osage tree of Texas, this dense yellowish, orange wood is used frequently by Native Americans.
Bone – Procured from Brazil, the shin bone of the Zebu cattle are the main source of bone suitable for Case bone handle materials.
Carbon Fiber – Graphite fibers (the size of a human hair) are woven together and fused in epoxy resin. It’s lightweight, three-dimensional in appearance and is a superior (and expensive) handle material.
Corelon – A synthetic resin handle material developed in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Curly Maple – A knurly section of wood from a maple tree is used for handle material. The wood has a curled design, giving it a very distinct look.
Curly Oak – A knurly section of wood from an oak tree is used for handle material. The wood has a curled design, giving it a very distinct look.
Desert Iron Wood – Comes from the deserts of SW America or Mexico, a heavy wood which is regarded as some of the most beautiful wood anywhere.
Ebony – Comes from Africa. This black wood is also used in woodwind instruments.
Exotic – EX indicates that the handle material used is from a variety of the most unique and desirable materials available; such as, precious gemstones, giraffe and ostrich bones, etc.
Glass-Filled Nylon – Material used to make sheaths. Nylon is reinforced with glass particles and other materials to provide strength and durability while still allowing some flexibility.
G-10 – Using the same process as the Micarta, G-10, however, has a glass cloth reinforcement substrate for exceptional strength characteristics with a very high impact and tensile strength. The lines and swirls that show in the finished knives are these layers of glass cloth.
Hardwood – This number is usually used for a hardwood, such as walnut. Walnut is a very durable and rugged hardwood used for working knives.
Imitation Mother of Pearl – Imitation Pearl is a composite material that looks like mother of Pearl.
Imitation Ivory – Imitation Ivory is a composite material that looks like natural ivory.
Ivory – Since the last ice age, the Mammoth Ivory tusks have been locked in ice some 12,000 years. This is perhaps the most beautiful and exotic of all handle materials.
Jigged Bone – Derived from deceased animals, generally the chin bone of a cow. The bone is generally dyed and surface texture is obtained by cutting grooves into the bone.
Jigged Laminate – Laminated wood with a jigged pattern; such as used on the Folding Hunter.
Jigged Synthetic – Plastic molded covers with a jigged pattern.
Kraton® – Man made material resembling rubber that can be molded into knife handles. Provides a non-slip grip.
Lace Wood – Comes from Burma Rain Forest and is a hardwood.
Micarta – High pressure plastic laminate with either a paper or cotton cloth reinforcement substrate. Micarta is a very durable handle material which is waterproof, impact resistant and polishes well. The lines and swirls that show in the finished knives are these layers of paper or cotton cloth.
Midnight Stag – Genuine Stag except it is treated with a black dye and the covers do not get burned during completion.
Mother-of-Pearl – Natural shells harvested by deep sea divers in various parts of the Pacific Ocean.
Pakkawood – A laminated wood typically birch or maple, impregnated with clear resin and bonded together. Pakkawood has the natural beauty of finished wood and a high resistance to heat and moisture.
Pink Mother-of-Pearl – Only pearl shells which are found in fresh water; no artifical color or enhancements added.
Polypropylene – A thermoplastic substance that is a synthetic polymer of propylene. It’s used in making pipes, industrial fibers, and molded objects.
Polycarbonate – A strong synthetic resin used in molded products, such as knife handles, unbreakable windows and optical lenses.
Prime Stag – Genuine India Stag with an extra rough texture – the best of the best.
Red Stag – Genuine stag except ithe stag is treated with a red dye and the covers do not get burned during completion.
Rosewood – A handle material that comes from a number of hardwood trees from rain forests. It has a rose colored effect and is becoming more rare.
Sermollan – A rubberized plastic used on kitchen knife handles that offers a secure grip and resistance to bacteria.
Smooth Black Synthetic – Black poured plastic molded handles usually made from Delrin® or Thermoplastic Rubber.
Smooth Synthetic – Poured plastic or Delrin® molded handles made in most any color except black and yellow.
Snake Wood – Comes from South America and is considered the heaviest wood on earth.
Stag – Naturally shed or dropped deer antlers. The most desirable Stag comes from the Sambar or Chital deer in India. Stag covers are burned lightly during the completion process.
Stainless Steel – Steel that contains a minimum of 12-1/2-13% chromium, making it resistant (not stain-proof) to corrosion. The chromium oxide “CrO” creates a barrier to oxygen and moisture, preventing rust formation.
Thermoplastic – A substance that becomes soft and pliable when heated, without a change in its intrinsic properties. Polystyrene and polyethylene are thermoplastics.
Titanium – A material that can be both hard and tough; widely used to armor jet fighters. About 1/3 lighter than steel. Very useful for knife parts, but will not hold an edge so is not useful as a blade.
Tulip Wood – Comes from the Tulip trees, found in jungles and North America.
Vintage Bone – Natural Bone with a special jigging pattern which has similar characteristic to stag.
Vintage Stag – Genuine Stag that is not dyed or burned during the manufacturing process, but is given extra buffing and hand finishing.
Wood Epoxy Laminate – This is an impregnated wood laminate, which is extremely hard and machines similar to Corian, aluminum and Micarta.
Yellow Synthetic – Smooth yellow poured plastic molded handles, called Delrin®.
Zebra Wood – Comes from Africa, a hard, dense, beautiful wood, naturally striped like a Zebra.
Zytel – A glass-filled nylon material used in making handles for knives. DuPont trademark.
6.5 BoneStag® – Case registered trademark, is bone handle which is jigged and treated with flame to achieve the look of stag antler material.
