Delrin for handles?

[alexkuzn]

Did anyone tried delrin for handles?
You can get .125" x 1.5"x 12" for $2.26 on McMaster
It's wear resistant and safe to work with.

BTW epoxy won't stick to it. It's like teflon.

[Ray Rogers]

Delrin and Zytel are very commonly used as knife handles. Zytel is common on the molded folder handles of low priced folders and Delrin often shows up on commcercial kitchen knives ....

[cricket]

In my opinion, if your going to go to the trouble to hand-craft a custom knife,delrin would make it look cheap. Other materials are more expensive but the overall appearance of the finished knife,is well worth the extra money and effort it takes to finish it. Jig bone can be a good alternative,and it's not too expensive. Good luck with your project, I hope this advice is helpful.

[jonwelder]

I agree,, it would make a knife look cheap, which is what most stainless steak knives are, and yes,, epoxy does not stick too good either,, but a point you still have missed, those plastics mentioned scratch real easy and white delrin or UHMW plastics look real ugly when dirt gets into those scratches!! A very good alternative is "Micarta" comes in colors- works easy- won't easily scratch- takes epoxy well-cheap to buy, and friends in the manufacture of airplanes can scrounge you a lifetime supply!!! (I know) ---jon

[alexkuzn]

Originally Posted by jonwelder

I agree,, it would make a knife look cheap, which is what most stainless steak knives are, and yes,, epoxy does not stick too good either,, but a point you still have missed, those plastics mentioned scratch real easy and white delrin or UHMW plastics look real ugly when dirt gets into those scratches!! A very good alternative is "Micarta" comes in colors- works easy- won't easily scratch- takes epoxy well-cheap to buy, and friends in the manufacture of airplanes can scrounge you a lifetime supply!!! (I know) ---jon

####! Why I don't have any friends in airplane manufacturing business

[SteveS]

Alexkuzn,

I agree with cricket. Skip the cheap materials. If you are mass producing and want to sell lots of things for little $ OK. But for hand crafted stuff, spend the bucks. Even beginner knives (that you are making to keep) have more satisfaction when good materials are used.

The cheapest stuff I use is G10. I use that, because I think it's the perfect material for kitchen blades - not because it's cheap.

This is not to say I don't scrounge. Getting good materials for free is way cool.

Steve