Materials
UK Native Woods
English Oak (Quercus robur)
Durable and traditional, English Oak is tough, heavy, and resistant to wear and decay. Its coarse grain gives good grip, though it may need stabilizing for fine detail work. A classic choice for tools and weapons, offering strength and heritage.
English Yew (Taxus baccata)
Tough yet fine-textured, Yew is flexible, strong, and visually striking with orange-brown heartwood and dark streaks. It turns and finishes beautifully, making it ideal for premium knife handles, though it can be prone to cracking if not seasoned properly.
Elm (Ulmus spp. – e.g., English or European Elm)
Strong and impact-resistant, elm features a beautiful interlocked grain that adds character and resists splitting. Its toughness makes it well-suited for handles that require strength and resilience.
Elm burl offers rich grain complexity and natural beauty, with swirling, interlocked patterns. It has moderate hardness and good shock resistance. Best used when stabilized due to variable grain and moisture content, making it an eye-catching and tactile handle material.
Walnut (Juglans regia)
Smooth, stable, and refined, walnut is a favorite for its elegant grain and excellent workability. It’s lightweight but strong enough for everyday knives, with a natural dark finish that ages gracefully.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Exceptionally pale and fine-textured, holly is one of the whitest hardwoods, making it a rare and elegant choice for knife handles. It has a smooth, uniform grain and takes detail well, ideal for carving and fine finishing. Best suited for decorative or collector-grade knives.
Holly burl is pale, dense, and smooth-grained, with a creamy white appearance and intricate, swirling patterns in burl form. While relatively rare, it offers excellent fine detail and polish, though it's best stabilized to reduce the risk of movement or checking.
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Exceptionally dense and fine-textured, boxwood is nearly ideal for small, precise handles. It carves cleanly and polishes to a glass-like finish. Historically used for tool handles and instrument parts due to its stability and tactile feedback.
Ash (Fraxinus spp. – e.g., European Ash)
Tough, springy, and lightweight, ash is known for its excellent shock resistance and comfortable feel in hand. It has a straight, open grain that provides good grip, especially when textured. While not naturally decay-resistant, it performs well in dry conditions and can be stabilized for added durability.
Ash burl combines high durability with decorative grain, showing wavy, irregular patterns. It offers moderate hardness and shock resistance, though burls can have voids and require stabilizing. A good mix of beauty and performance in custom handles.
Antler & Horn
Stag Antler
Traditional, rugged, and naturally ergonomic, stag antler has long been favored for hunting and bushcraft knife handles. It offers excellent grip due to its natural texture and curvature. Dense and durable, it can be polished for a smooth finish or left raw for rustic appeal. As an organic material it will only get better over time with proper care and adds unmatched character to each piece.
Horn (commonly Buffalo or Cow Horn)
Dense, smooth, and polishable, horn provides a sleek, natural alternative to synthetic materials. It can be shaped into a high-gloss handle with excellent tactile feel, and comes in a range of deep blacks, browns, and translucent grays. While not as rigid as antler, horn is flexible and strong, though it should be protected from high heat or moisture to prevent warping.
Exotic Woods
Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota)
Extremely dense, oily, and durable, desert ironwood is one of the hardest woods used in knife handles. Its tight grain, high polish, and rich color variation (deep browns, blacks, and gold streaks) make it ideal for premium handles. Naturally resistant to moisture and decay—no stabilization needed.
Bocote (Cordia spp.)
Strikingly bold and exotic, bocote features dramatic dark brown to black striping over golden brown wood. It is dense and oily, with good natural luster and excellent stability. Ideal for statement knife handles, though oils may affect glue adhesion without proper prep.
Ebony (Diospyros spp. – e.g., Gabon or Macassar Ebony)
Jet black or streaked with dark brown tones, ebony is among the hardest and finest-grained woods. It finishes to a glassy surface and resists wear exceptionally well. Its density and luxury feel make it a top-tier choice for traditional and collectible knives.
Olive (Olea europaea)
Warm, creamy tones with irregular dark streaks make olivewood both beautiful and functional. It’s moderately hard, fine-textured, and polishes well. Used in both kitchen and artisan knives, olivewood combines visual elegance with decent durability and comfort in hand.