Handle Finishing
Because the blade isn't the only thing people touch.
Handle finishing is often an afterthought, but it's the part of the knife that's always in contact with the user's hand. A well-finished handle feels smooth, solid, and intentional. A poorly finished one feels like a project that was rushed at the end.
Cratex works on the same handle materials knife makers use most: wood, Micarta, G-10, bone, antler, and stabilized materials. The rubber bond is gentle enough to smooth and polish without melting or burning heat-sensitive materials, and the variety of shapes lets you get into the contours, finger grooves, and transitions that define a comfortable handle.
Recommended Products
Cratex Mini Block Kit No. 128B — $58.28
Hand-finishing blocks are ideal for handle work. Flat surfaces let you smooth scales evenly, and the controlled contact means you can blend handle material flush with bolsters, liners, and pins without overshooting.
Cratex Cones (Box of 100) — $89.00
For inside curves on finger grooves and ergonomic handle shapes. The tapered profile naturally follows concave contours.
Cratex Mini Point Kit No. 167 — $58.28
For detail work around pins, lanyard holes, and the handle-to-guard transition.
Pro Tips
- Use lighter pressure on wood and stabilized materials than you would on steel
- Extra Fine grit on Micarta and G-10 produces a smooth, semi-gloss finish that feels great in the hand
- For wood handles, follow Cratex with fine sandpaper (400+) and your preferred oil/finish
- When finishing handles on an assembled knife, tape off the blade to prevent accidental contact
Also a jeweler? Check out our Jeweler's Guide to Cratex Finishing for techniques on precious metals.