Ideas for knife handle

[JackD]

I just skimmed this thread, but didn't see anyone mentioning leather rings for a handle material. More work, but hardy.

 

[U201491]

I am fashioning some heavy duty knives out of farrier rasps. The steel is great, but my ideas about the handle are lacking. I dont want to go for plain wood, and mammoth ivory seems like my favorite choice now, but I am making these for using not for show, any ideas about how tough the mammoth ivory would be? Any other suggestions?

Cocobolo, or Non Wood Like Micarta. You can even make your own Micarta, and that is tougher than wood handles. Iron wood is good also. Hard on tools though. Ebony and Ivoryy are oil hungry or they eventually crack. Cocobolo is a great compromise and nice looking.