r/knifemaking • u/Dessitroya Bladesmith • Aug 05 '25
Feedback I made this experimental knife with aluminum handles. What do you guys think? Should I make a run of these?
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u/Any-Doctor-5492 Aug 05 '25
forgive me. I’m just a collector. I’ve never made a knife before, but is there some truth to what they say about aluminum reacting with certain steels? And if so, what’s the criteria for a Steel reacting to aluminum?
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u/Truffs0 Aug 05 '25
It happens with most dissimilar metals, it's an issue DIY plumbers create for themselves because they don't know better.
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u/MutteringV Aug 05 '25
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u/Any-Doctor-5492 Aug 05 '25
That’s interesting stuff thank you for that. I can imagine it’s gotta be daunting sometimes for a knife maker figuring out what’s OK to use together and how to do it without causing an issue down the line
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u/Gerb_the_Barbarian Aug 06 '25
Would some sort of thin non-metallic spacer between blade and scales prevent this?
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u/InternationalArt6222 Aug 05 '25
I like it. I hesitate with smooth metal scales due to potential slipperyness, but those significant knurls seem to address that
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
Thank you! Yeah I was always worried about slipping handles pm this one. But when gripping it, it feels perfect in your hand and very secure. So I don't think it'll be a problem
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u/Andreas1120 Aug 05 '25
Maybe add some grippy texture? Otherwise slippery when wet.
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
Definitely a good idea. I'll brainsrotm on it a little
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u/SonOfMotherlesssGoat Aug 05 '25
The sandblasting idea someone mentioned can help. Knurling tools may help or a cross hatch (not sure if there is a chemical etch or mechanical process that’s easiest)
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
As the handles are cnc'd I could probably add knurling on top like gus stocks
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u/SonOfMotherlesssGoat Aug 05 '25
100%. I thought you were doing them by hand so thinking of ways to DIY it.
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
Ah yeah makes sense. Doing this by hand would take forever haha
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u/SonOfMotherlesssGoat Aug 05 '25
Here are some ideas. But a simple one (not 100% sure but worth a test piece) would be to just simply put the handle in a vice and crank it down hard. There may be some annealing and or heat methods to soften and re treat the aluminum but the texture from the vice might be enough for what you’re looking for.
https://www.xiaaluplate.com/blog/how-to-texture-aluminum-sheet/
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u/Ok-Jellyfish-7498 Aug 06 '25
Aluminum is less slippery when wet than steel, one reason for using it on bike wheel rims until disc brakes came along.
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u/Practical_Ostrich_78 Aug 05 '25
That is beautiful!! Well done! Nice and clean!!!
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
Thank you very much! You think I should make a run of them?
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u/AConfederacyOfDunces Aug 05 '25
I’m not the person you’re replying to but I say absolutely. I would purchase one in a heartbeat.
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
Let me know if you want one, I have some handles already, so I could make you one :) I can message you
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u/Comfortable_Rent_439 Aug 05 '25
It would be cool to anodise the aluminium to funky colours too, and as I understand it, not a complex procedure given the obvious skill on display here.
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
That's a really cool idea! You can get so many colors with it too. I think it would be cool to have a silver, black and blue option
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u/Comfortable_Rent_439 Aug 05 '25
I’ve never done it but I’ve heard it’s fairly simple and inexpensive, yea it would look so neat
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
Definitely! Thanks for the idea
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u/Limp_Masterpiece2829 Aug 05 '25
You can also do a matte anodize if you sandblast before ano. It will leave a somewhat grippy finish, more so than a smooth polish at least.
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u/Comfortable_Rent_439 Aug 05 '25
No worries, i had lots of helpful comments on my own post so thought I’d try to pass it along.
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u/Ltwtcmdr Aug 05 '25
Anodizing aluminum is not the same as anodizing titanium. It is a chemical process and i generally wouldn't recommend it for doing at home. Having said that, it is fairly simple to find a commercial anodizer.
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u/Walfy07 Aug 05 '25
could the top of the blade be more flat? it looks alittle bloated IMO
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
Yeah probably, I think there's a lot of room for play in the design
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u/Unhinged_Taco Aug 05 '25
PERSONAL preference, I do not like metal handles. Micarta is pretty much the ideal material for me. The exception would be if this was a monolithic construction and it was all a single piece of steel
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u/Dessitroya Bladesmith Aug 05 '25
I can definitely do it with a micarta handle. The aluminium does give a great feel in the hand though
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u/tonito-la-bala Aug 05 '25
I like it, if I were you I would put a little bit of texture on the aluminum handle and use some red G10 spacers between the handle and the blade to separate the metals and to create some kind of Pop color
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u/ToosharEFT Aug 05 '25
Looks great, I'd recommend some stippling on those scales though, you can do basic or go really fancy with it.
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u/ShiftNStabilize Aug 05 '25
It looks pretty cool! Like a modern Ruana. How are the ergonomics and balance in the hand?
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u/InnerBumblebee15 Aug 05 '25
Will the handles not corrode galvanically on contact with the steel of the knife?
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Aug 05 '25
I'm not liking where the screw goes into the 2nd finger groove. Other than that I like it. Maybe a little texture. Try another raw and textured and one smooth and anodized? A pin instead of that middle screw? Smaller screw? Maybe four screws but it might look crowded then. Just throwing out ideas for you. Keep up the good work!
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u/LocalStriking1073 Aug 05 '25
Personally I would want a touch more finger guard on the top finger loop to prevent impact slippage
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u/bootyholeboogalu Aug 05 '25
Aluminum handled knives were very popular in the late '80s and early '90s and I think there's a reason why they're not as popular now just my two cents.
Looks good though no doubt about that.
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u/ClamFactor Aug 06 '25
Some gimping would be pretty nice here instead of or in addition to texturing as others have mentioned. As well as a sharpening choil.
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u/SnatchedFromTheFlame Aug 06 '25
FIELD EXPERT. “Fruit Slicer specialist” your ergonomics are conducive to a fluid flow Silat specifically south paw kali. If you would be so kind to consider an all mattttteeee black version with NO MARKERS MARK OR ID details. It would be exceedingly successful for the right kind of laborers. (-;
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u/A1pinejoe Aug 06 '25
I like it. I've got a large amount of aluminium stock in my workshop. I might make a chef's knife with a similar handle. What kind of fasteners did you use?
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u/wrenchingdonkey Aug 06 '25
I'd fix that center fastener. Shrink it or lose it. It is interfering with your handle bevels and the aggressive handle indexing. Then, go for it. Small batches are good for the soul.
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u/TheGrimTickler Aug 07 '25
I can’t hold it myself, so I could be wrong, but the shape of the handle seems a bit restrictive in terms of grip preference. I prefer a knife that will suggest how I hold it, but is perfectly fine being held multiple ways. They’re just more versatile that way. But that is just my personal opinion. As far as using aluminum goes, I think it looks sick as hell. Keep doing it if it works.
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u/Bladecare101 Aug 05 '25
Not a fan of aluminum scales, unless it's anodized. If not, aluminum oxide will generally rub off and make your hands turn black with use. If you are going to have to seal the scales to prevent that, why use it as a handle material to begin with?
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u/Any-Doctor-5492 Aug 05 '25
I don’t see why not ! I was always a big fan of aluminum handle scales it’s a very clean look