There’s no doubt that the Kiridashi knife holds the bar for the most efficient cutting function done by a utility knife when it comes to traditional knives. 

Plus, it goes beyond the usual household use as it has become a budget-friendly tool for survival. 

A Kiridashi knife is a Japanese multi-purpose knife characterized by a chisel-grind edge and sharp point. It is beveled on one side and is relatively smaller than other sharp utility knives. It was invented for woodcraft, Bamboo pealing, carving, leathercraft, and other purposes.

These primary features make the Kiridashi knife a perfect company in the wild or wherever you may need to do some cutting or snipping. 

Read on and find out more about the Kiridashi knife and why you should get one for yourself. 

What Is a Kiridashi Knife? The Characteristics

A Kiridashi is a craft knife by its original design. The said purpose is quite clear, considering the very form of the knife. 

If you buy a Kiridashi knife, you’ll first observe its sharp point, which is usually used for carving and other craft-related tasks. 

The blade is usually beveled on one side and has a chisel-grind edge that is straight or curved. This blade pattern allows crisp cuts and precise carves. Not to mention, it makes the entire knife easier to maintain, considering you will only have to sharpen one edge of the blade. 

Origin/History of Kiridashi Knives:

Unsurprisingly, the Kiridashi knife comes from Japan – the very country that brought the world other knives and related weapons, like the samurai. It is considered a traditional small utility knife among the Japanese. 

Its invention is etched on the history of Japan as a country that usually marries tradition and technology. 

Centuries ago, Japanese people would carry Kiridashi knives in the sleeve pocket of their kimono or yukata. It was essentially a pocket knife carried around for crafting or woodwork.

Nowadays, the Kiridashi knife is used not just for carving but also for other tasks, like regular cuttings, garden snipping, and even self-defense. Hence, several variations of the Kiridashi knife can be found in the market.

Nevertheless, the process of forming this knife remains faithful to tradition. 

When you buy one of these in physical or online stores, it usually comes with a case and lanyard. Both items are for the protection and preservation of the knife. 

Other Kiridashi knives are also folded, although this usually takes away the traditional form of the knife. Nonetheless, it’s far more convenient and easy to carry around without the risk of getting wounded by the knife. 

What Does Kiridashi Means?

The word Kiridashi means “to carve” in Japanese. The name itself is a clear nod to its purpose, which is for carving bamboo and other woods.  

As its popularity moved to other parts of the world, the term Kiridashi became associated with “pointed knife,” referring to its angular tip.

What Is a Kiridashi Knife Used For? 

As a multi-purpose tool, the Kiridashi knife now fulfils different functions. They are mainly used as pocket knives, but they have been proven to be valuable in various settings such as the following.

Arts and Craft

Since the Kiridashi knife is a carving knife, its primary purpose is to produce items for utility and art purposes. 

For example, you can use a Kiridashi knife to chisel or etch woods. 

School-goers in Japan would put their Kiridashi knife in their pencil case as it is used to cut bamboo, paper, and other items for their art assignments. Moreover, they also use it to sharpen their pencils. 

Utility 

You turn to your Kiridashi knife for regular cutting tasks. This covers cutting cords and ties, removing splinters, drilling holes, and many more. 

A sharp knife can cut different materials as any other knife does. Use it to cut paper, polyester, cardboard, and even leather. 

Survival

One of the most popular uses of the Kiridashi knife is for survival. Kiridashi knife is used as a pocket knife when you stay in the wild. It is used to cut ropes when setting up camp or making feather sticks. 

Likewise, it is also needed when foraging some food or carving woods into essential items. For example, you can use the Kiridashi knife to cut bamboo and turn it into your dinnerware.

You can even use the knife to protect yourself from any harm in unfamiliar territory.

But more than its purpose in survival drills and related outdoor activities, a Kiridashi knife is a lifesaver in real-life emergencies considering its multi-functionality. 

That’s why it is highly recommended that you keep one in your survival kit or bug-out bag. 

Kitchen

It may seem unorthodox, but there’s no reason why you can’t use them in the kitchen. 

Although it’s a challenge to use it to cut meat or larger ingredients, it can help peel fruits and vegetables. 

Likewise, if you are camping or going on an outdoor trip, you can use it to prepare your meal. Surely, there’s not going to be a set of kitchen knives in your bag for these activities. 

Gardening 

A Kiridashi knife can also be used in gardening techniques like grafting. Plus, you can also do your trimmings or plant cuttings using the same knife. 

It is even more helpful when dealing with smaller plants as the chisel-grind edge can be easily focused on tiny parts without damaging other plant tissue. This is why it is so popular among bonsai cultivators. 

Is Kiridashi Knife Used for Self-Defense? 

Yes, you can use a Kiridashi knife for self-defense. However, the very form of the knife, which includes its sharp pointed tip, makes it an effective weapon for combat. 

Imagine you are attacked, which puts your life at risk. You can disarm your enemy by slashing or cutting the skin in one blow. Depending on the size of the Kiridashi knife, the blade can get through the flesh up to 2 ¾ inches deep. 

Additionally, because of the sharp angular tip of the knife, it’s easier to do a counterattack that will keep your enemy off guard. 

But aside from the pointy tip and the sharp edge of the Kiridashi knife, its small stature is another reason why it’s an effective tool for self-defense. This means you can carry it around while hiding it from your enemy. 

Much like how Japanese people keep their Kiridashi knife in their sleeves, you can also hide your knife in your clothing. You can just put it in your pocket and take it out when you need to defend yourself from an attack. 

How To Make a Kiridashi Knife 

The Kiridashi knife is usually made of high-quality stainless-steel blades. They are manually forged and pressed by the device bearing the molds. 

Once the blade is formed, the steel gets adjusted and is further shaped using a hammer. 

In making a Kiridashi knife, the following steps are involved:

1. Prepare a cut out of your Kiridashi knife design
2. Choose the right steel for the blade
3. Mark the steel using the cut-out of your design
4. Cut the steel using an angle grinder and cutoff wheel
5. Harden the steel through a pressing device
6. Hammer the beveled edge
7. Put it in an oven or kiln for tempering
8. Sand the bevel for sharpening

Kiridashi Knife Template

Want to make your very own handmade Kiridashi knife? Just download this template to guide you on the complete process.

Top 5 Kiridashi Knives

If you want a Kiridashi knife fast, you can usually find Kiridashi knives in Arts and craft stores, survival tactic shops, and online stores like Amazon. But you might get overwhelmed with the myriad of choices. 

While you may want to assume that all Kiridashi knives for sale are equal, that’s not generally the case. Some products stand out above others, given their attributes and price range. 

So, if you want to know which Kiridashi knives are the best in the market, check out our top 5 Kiridashi knives 

Last update on 2025-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Summary

Whether you will forge your own Kiridashi knife or buy one online, it’s safe to say that owning one of these traditional pocket knives will make your life better. 

Given its multipurpose nature, portability, durability, and historical value, having a Kiridashi knife around are worth its cost. 

That being said, don’t hesitate to get one for yourself. Make it a part of your tools for daily and emergency use.  

While the main reason for using knives is as a utility tool to cut and slice things, women tend to carry them mainly for self-defence and protection from possible threats among other many reasons. For women to ensure their safety, a knife is such a versatile and effective weapon, because they are easy to conceal, boosts self-confidence, is intimidating, and much more.  

If you are a woman reading this, it means you know that you need one. But why especially a knife? Read on to find out Why each Woman Should Carry a Knife.

Why Do Women Use Knives For Self-defence?

Statistics show that approx. 80% of women have experienced frequent street harassment globally. Most likely, you have endured one yourself or perhaps another form of violence. And you might have been carrying some sort of self-defence tools, such as pepper spray or scissors but knives remain one of the most popular self-defence weapons for women to carry along. Pondering why?

1. Easy to Conceal

Every woman, or at least the majority, carries a shoulder bag. Self-defense knives come in different shapes, sizes, and types. A folding blade knife would be small in size and easy to hide in your bag or pocket. It’s important to stress that it should be easily accessible or it wouldn’t serve the purpose it’s intended for.

2. Self-Confidence

Carrying a knife would make you feel protected and ready to defend yourself when needed. Consequently, this would boost your self-confidence and make you less prone to attacks from robbers, rapists, or bullies as they tend to harass less confident women when they target their prey.

3. Intimidating

Unless the attacker is well experienced and with a certain physical appearance like being big built, the chances are a sharp blade pointed to their face is going to intimidate them. A scared woman with a knife fighting for her life might cause more damage than a trained marine seal. In most cases, when you deploy a knife, the attacker would retreat and flee away.

4. Convenient to buy

Knives are sold about anywhere. You can buy self-defence knives from a local store or even online. Buying a knife does not require any special licenses, unlike firearms. There are a variety of online stores that would ship them straight away to your doorstep. In an article, I have written about the Top 5 Best Self-Defense Knife for a Woman

5. Accessible

Having the right self-defense knife at the right time is vital but what is more important is to be accessible and easy to deploy. Semi-automatic and automatic folding knives are suitable for this role, opening into a “combat” position in an instant making you ready to defend yourself in a blink of an eye.

6. Can cause Serious Damage

Disclaimer: It’s not encouraged to use a self-defence knife to hurt others or cause damages or loss of lives unless in rare severe cases and only for the mere purpose of self-defence and as a last resort to save yourself from a life-threatening situation.

Although it’s not advisable to deploy your knife and actually use it to cause damages to attackers, in certain cases, this might be unavoidable. In such instances, a knife can cause severe damages that would paralyze the attacker providing you with ambient time to escape the danger or call for help. With the proper training, you would be able to target certain body parts that would serve the goal without taking the life of a person. 

7. It’s legal

Despite not having any specific license to buy or carry a knife, in some states, certain knives might be illegal to carry and considered a misdemeanour. Having that said, it’s most likely legal to carry a knife or sharp objects for self-defence taking into consideration the conditions that apply differently in each state or country.

References:

5 Illegal Knives in Texas

What Knives are Illegal in Florida?

8 Illegal Knives in Canada

7 Types of Knives That Are Illegal in Australia

18 Knives That Are Illegal In the UK

Or check your local law before you buy/carry a knife.

How does a woman conceal/hide her knife?

The simple answer is, just about anywhere you feel comfortable being in your bag, pocket, or in a sheath hidden under your pair of jeans. Also, knives come with a sheath that can be clipped onto your belt hidden under your jacket.

One of the major reasons women choose knives over other self-defence tools is the ability to hide them. This is mainly because of their compact size compared to guns for instance. However, it’s also crucial to be at reach when deemed necessary. Hiding or concealing a knife without being able to reach for it swiftly will not achieve the desired results.

Certain attires may make it difficult for you to hide the knife. Wearing dresses, pencil skirts or snug-fit pants might not be the best option for this mission. You need to be very careful while choosing your apparel and knife design to ensure accessibility and comfortable placement. A big fixed blade knife would be challenging to conceal and may cause discomfort.

Conclusion – Why Every Woman Should Carry a Knife?

As a woman, your first choice for a self-defence tool should be a knife for many reasons. This is due to its reliability, effectiveness, and accessibility. Hiding the knife and keeping it ready for confrontation wouldn’t be an issue too. But what is more important is to ensure that you know how to handle a knife. A knife can be very dangerous if not handled properly. Not only it’s important to learn how to use it, but also how to maintain it. A dull knife might hurt one’s hand while deploying it.

A spiral knife is a tri-edged knife that is typically crafted from genuine metal, stainless steel, or aluminium. The manufacturing tools utilized to form the blade are designed to create the individual edges we see on the product. 

Appearance-wise, the knife is curved in a spiral form, similar to a long screw. The three individual edges connect at the end of the knife to allow for a sharp and pointy tip. 

For a little history, these knives were so effective and merciless that they were banned in wars. 

Any use of the Jagdkommando™, whether by the hands of a civilian or even a soldier would be considered to be illegal and a war crime in cases of war. 

Evidently, the purpose of this knife in use would solely be to eliminate the being in question, hence why the attempt or active use of the said product would result in their death and your sentencing. 

However, Owning or possessing the Jagdkommando knife is not illegal. For example, the Jagdkommando knife has been legal to own in all of the American states except for California.

History of the Jagdkommando

The Jagdkommando was officially invented in 1962, where the logo and company would be founded as well. Through Austrian special operation forces, the renowned and feared design would be produced and eventually deemed immoral and inhumane by numerous organizations; legal/protective acts. 

The knife itself would be named after the special operations group known as the Jagdkommando, who served as a part of the Austrian Armed Forces. The soldiers who trained to be a part of said forces were highly skilled, with knowledge and tactics that enabled them to pursue high-risk situations and missions with ease. 

Along with a multitude of weaponry and warfare resources, the tri-edged dagger was created in 1961 by Austrian manufacturing.

And thus, the infamous tri-edged dagger that was developed and utilized by these agents is now referred to as a Jagdkommando. 

Top Best Spiral Knives

Since the Jagdkommando knife, there have been other spiral knives crafted for the same intended purposes. Here are three of the best spiral knives you can access, some brief description and core attributes: 

Last update on 2025-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

M48 Cyclone

The M48 Cyclone is a Jagdkommando style tri-edged twisted knife. It is considered to be one of the most dangerous knife designs ever.

As a result, the M48 cyclone is typically purchased to be a sort of collector’s item or art piece, for the sake of historical and cultural reminiscence. 

The M48 Cyclone is classified as a spiral knife, being a dagger, solely with the purpose of stabbing. You cannot cut/slice anything regularly with this knife. 

The edges of the blades are very sharp. The knife itself is typically black on the indie and on the handle, and gray where the blade is. 

The tip of the M48 cyclone spiral knife could cut you by merely resting your fingertip on it. That’s how sharp it is! 

Stabbing an individual with this dagger would have the same effect as the original Jagdkommando knife. The only purpose of this knife is to attack and induce significant damage onto a target. 

In order to recover from the sort of wound an M48 blade would leave, you would require the immediate medical attention of a team of surgeons under the best-case scenario. The inflicted wounds are brutal and irreversible. 

On the handle there is a glass breaker, giving the knife the versatility of being deemed a survival knife by certain legal standards. 

The blade is 5.75 inches in length, and the overall length of the dagger is 10.5 inches. This knife weighs 13.5 ounces/380 grams. This knife was designed by United Cutlery. 

Attributes: 

Price range: $50 – $60 on average on Amazon.

Steel: Stainless Steel

Purpose: To Stab/The product is a dagger

These knives come with different finish options as well.

K Exclusive

The K exclusive spiral dagger knife is leaner and longer than the other spiral knives on this list. The K exclusive typically comes in Gray Titanium with the appropriate sheath, constructed with stainless steel and other secs you’d find desirable on a spiral knife. 

Notably, the knife is gray titanium coated, not entirely cut from titanium. When inserting this knife into a target or product, it will turn on its own as expected from a spiral knife. 

The stainless steel handle allows for slip resistance. 

Unlike the average spiral knife, this knife is quad-edged. Rather than inflicting a triangle-shaped hole into the target, you would leave an even more significant and circular gabbing hole.

It is far more aesthetically pleasing to a wider range of people, with its shiny and traditional appearance. There is also a compartment within the handle that you can screw open as you please. 

The tip of the knife itself is considered to be significantly sharp. By simply placing your fingertip on the tip of this knife, you could easily puncture the flesh. The blades themselves however are not very sharp in comparison to other blades. 

Attributes: 

Price range: $65 and free shipping on amazon.

Steel: Titanium coated and Stainless Steel

Purpose: To Stab/The product is a dagger. 

Overall, it is a wonderful collector’s item and is an ideal knife for anyone who is getting into collecting knives or would like to add a spiral knife to their collection. Appearance-wise, it looks as if it means business (and it sure does!). 

It is aesthetically pleasing yet basic and practical in consideration of the average knife collection. 

Jagdkommando

The original Jagdkommando is considerably expensive in comparison to most collectible daggers and knives. It is the original design and the primary dagger referenced when discussing banned weapons for war practices. 

We’ve discussed the Jagdkommando in-depth, however, the question remains: Why is it that it is so expensive? 

The Jagdkommando knife is crafted with a different level of expertise and precision than that of the aforementioned knives. With it being the original brand, manufacturing, and design for the spiral knives we collect now, as well as the excellent quality.

People purchase these knives for collection purposes, and so, to own an original Jagdkommando knife with the same metals, design, and manufacturing you anticipate whilst researching them is worth the price in question. 

A cheaper knife runs the risk of not being as sharp, well designed, or simply being cheap in appearance. In-person, you can really tell the difference between a good and bad knife. 

These knives can typically come in two different materials and thus, the price range changes as well. Both the stainless steel and Titanium danger will come with a certain level of sharpness and aesthetic that you’d expect coming from a Jagdkommando knife. 

Attributes: 

Price range: $1000 – $1200 on average via certified vendors.

Steel: Titanium/ Stainless Steel

Purpose: To Stab/The product is a dagger

M48 Vs Jagdkommando:

When comparing the M48 and the Jagdkommando, it should be known that the core differences are authenticity and quality. 

As you’d expect, a knife that costs $60 to $70 dollars is not likely to have the same traits and quality as the original 1000 dollar product. 

The original is a collector’s item that is revered by those who collect hunting and battle weapons. To own the original means a lot more than owning a product that came out in the 2000s. 

This does not in any way dismiss the quality of the M48 because it certainly does the job. As for functionality, it takes on the role of being a spiral knife effectively. It is found that, in numerous exemplary tutorials/walkthroughs, the people demonstrating the product can use it on the “mock target” without putting much strength into it. 

When it comes to collecting, the M48 is a good starting collector’s knife as it is not a huge investment. 

Even so, the core difference is the historical value and quality; the Jagdkommando is known to be sharper and more capable than the M48, regardless of the M48’s competencies. 

Is the spiral knife illegal?

Overall, the spiral knife is not illegal to own. There are no laws that state that a regular spiral knife is illegal to own. In some places, it is illegal to carry, but that is all dependent on which country and state you are in. 

Some spiral knives are not legal to order in certain states because certain manufacturers create the product with details that would allow them to inflict greater harm. Within said countries or states/provinces, it is hardly practical to distribute these knives based upon laws that are already in place. 

For example, it specifically states on the amazon website that the K EXCLUSIVE dagger cannot be legally shipped to MA and NJ. Keep this in mind when spiral knife shopping. 

It is obviously illegal to use on a human being because the use of this knife would only result in the killing of that individual. 

Is it banned by the Hague/Geneva convention?

The Geneva Conventions dealt with the issues and treatments of the multitude of roles and individuals that had a part in the functions of war. 

The case is that they go against the Geneva Convention, as a result of how inhumane they were considered to be even for war activities. This is why they were banned. 

Despite it being considered a war crime to use at one point in time, it was never made internationally illegal by the Geneva Convention to own. 

Is the Spiral knife categorized as knife or dagger?

The spiral knife takes on a dagger-like shape and appearance, as well as not having the cutting and stabbing ability of a knife. 

This is why, in cinema, when you see someone stabbing another individual with a bigger knife, one that might seem thicker or more textured, they may twist the blade further to actually allow for the individual to fall and die. 

This is because a dagger is not as sharp as a knife. Spiral knives align with the aforementioned attributes and are categorized as daggers for this reason. 

Do they cause someone to bleed more than a standard knife?

The spiral knife does cause someone to bleed more than a standard knife. This is because an ordinary knife would allow for the body to heal on its own. 

If the body cannot heal it naturally, stitching up a standard knife wound is no problem; neither is covering one up on your own. It gives you more time to seek medical attention than a spiral knife.

A spiral knife will leave a gaping hole in the body. This is significantly more difficult for the body to heal naturally. Historically speaking, it is far more difficult to stitch up as well. 

It was because of this that the individuals who were stabbed by spiral knives would technically bleed out more because they bled out for longer periods of time (and in most cases, to their deaths). 

Is the wound from a spiral knife impossible to stitch?

The wound from a spiral knife is not impossible to stitch, but it is considerably difficult. Especially during the time period they were originally used in and banned during, health workers would find themselves having a far more difficult time stitching up patients with wounds from the spiral knife. 

This was a result of the triangular nature of the wound created by a spiral knife. 

Soldiers who were stabbed by them would die not so long afterward because although the wound itself was not lethal in some cases, they would not be treated or stitched back up. 

This is why the use of the spiral knife was deemed inhumane by the Geneva Conventions and considered to be a war crime. 

Is the spiral knife effective?

The spiral knife is incredibly effective, especially when targeting more volatile areas of the body. This is why it was deemed a war crime to utilize, as the use of this knife is bound to result in death. 

Alternatively, some knife enthusiasts and experts state that the use of a spiral knife may be counterintuitive.

Why you may ask? Some people fail to realize how utterly painful and effective a standard or well-crafted knife can be in battle or whilst hunting. 

By stabbing any creature, no matter the area, it will result in bleeding and significant pain. Suppose you stabbed them in a volatile area, where the liver, heart, stomach, or lungs may be, internal bleeding and other complications may arise that would work in your favor. 

It is with that being said that during battle, the act of stabbing should be a one and done. You want to stab the opponent in theory and runoff, or stab the animal and trudge it over to your desired location.

The problem here is that if you were to use a dagger, you may find it far more difficult to take the dagger out of the flesh of the target. 

We see this in the film, as stated that the act of removing a dagger after stabbing the target involves twisting and significantly pulling back. The amount of time you will spend doing so is not long, but it is long enough to land yourself attacked by the target who is still conscious or another potential threat. 

This knife was considered to be outstandingly effective during times when they were used on opposing soldiers, who would find themselves unable to stitch up a typically simple wound. 

However, since your only purpose for using a knife or dagger today would be to hunt an animal, it’s not like a deer was doing to hitch a ride to the nearest hospital in the first place. 

Where to buy a Spiral Knife?

Spiral knives are so easily accessible and available that you can purchase one from Amazon, as well as the original company websites of your desired knives. Here are some of our recommendations:

Last update on 2025-11-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you’re looking for a knife handle material for sweaty hands that won’t slip out, then the best material to work with is micarta. Many people will recommend replacing the scales on a hunting knife with micarta to improve your grip. This is because micarta is known to be more grippy once it is wet.

Are you curious to know what knife handle material is the best choice for hunters with sweaty hands? You’ve come to the right page. Today, we’re going to discuss what handle material is resistant to moisture so your sweaty hands won’t cause the knife to slip. Let’s find out what knife handle you should be using.

Which Knife Handle Material is Best for Sweaty Hands?

If you were to ask hunters across the US what their go-to knife handle material is for sweaty hands, there will only be one material mentioned, Micarta. This is one of the most common materials to use for the handles of hunting knives because they are still easy to get a good grip on when wet.

You can easily use a knife with a micarta handle if you’re sweaty, it’s raining, or you’re hands are covered in blood from the game. Since micarta isn’t smooth, it doesn’t slip as easily when your hands get wet. This allows you to maintain a good grip, no matter how sweaty your hands are.

What is Micarta?

Micarta is a thermosetting plastic that consists of composites of:

• Carbon fiber
• Linen
• Paper
• Canvas
• Burlaps
• Other materials.

All layers of material used to make micarta are coated in a resin. The resin will hold all the materials together, and then they will be cured at a high temperature. This process was originally used for electrical purposes or decorative items, but over the years it has been produced to serve a number of purposes, including knife handles. 

Is Micarta Better For Wet Hands Than G-10?

Micarta and G-10 handles are very similar. The main difference is that G-10 handles are made from fiberglass materials. Both a micarta and a G-10 handle are designed to be strong, however, the handles are smooth at first so they need to be carved so they have a grip.

When compared to one another, micarta handles have shown to be a better choice for sweaty hands. This is because the materials used to make micarta offer a better grip when wet. All the base materials used to make micarta handles are natural, so there is a lot more texture to grip onto when they are wet. 

Why is My Micarta Handle Slipping?

Most tactical knives will have a micarta handle because it’s easier to maintain a grip on without soaking up fluids or residues. However, some hunters will notice that their micarta handle starts to slip on them. Micarta is a synthetic material, so it will require maintenance to remain grippy when it comes in contact with moisture.

After you have used the knife many times, dirt and oils from your hand begin to clog up the grooves and ridges in the handle. This is easy to clean though, all you need to do is use soap, water, and a good quality sponge to clean it up. Once your handle is clean, it should have its grip back.  

Are Carbon Fibre Knife Handles Good for Sweaty Hands?

Carbon fibre knife handles have a lot of benefits, making them a great choice for hunters. However, they are not as easy to work with as micarta if you have sweaty hands. You likely will not get the same performance using a carbon fibre handle with sweaty hands as you would with dry hands or wearing gloves.

However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add a carbon fiber knife handle to your collection. These hands are very strong and durable. They are also lightweight but can withstand a high amount of pressure without breaking. 

One of the more unique aspects of carbon fiber handles is the artistic designs. Many people simply buy them to collect and use their micarta handles for hunting. 

Where to buy Micarta Knife Handle?

So if you have decided that this is the best knife handle for your sweaty hands, you might be wondering where to buy them?

While you may check local stores, I would indeed prefer to get them shipped to my doorstep from Amazon. Here is our top 5 recommendations:

Last update on 2025-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Final Thoughts- The Best Knife Handle Material for Sweaty Hands

When you are choosing the right hunting knife to work with, the handle is just as important as the blade. If you are prone to getting sweaty hands using a knife, you should consider when choosing what handle to work with. If the handle doesn’t have a good grip, you could easily drop the knife.

Micarta is the best knife handle material for sweaty hands. Since it contains many natural materials, the moisture from sweaty brings out the textures. This ends up improving the grip of the handle you are using. For this reason, many hunters will choose to bring a knife with a micarta handle to use in their game.  

Deer are beautiful animals, and most of their beauty comes from their antlers which most people even call horns or crowns. These antlers look spectacular on their own because of their shape and structure. However, most people do not know that deer shed their antlers in the winter season.

So, if you are lucky enough to find one, you can use it for several things one of which, of course, is a knife handle. But how do you cut the deer antler and prepare it for a knife handle?

First of all, before you cut a deer antler for knife handle, choose the blade for which you will make the handle. Then, prepare the antler for your handle. Moving forward, file any excess parts on your blade for a better fitting. Before you glue the antler handle, it will have to go through a process of softening and straightening if required. Finally, clench it to your blade and hammer a rod to your blade.

Things you will need to cut deer antler for knife handle

If you are all in for knowing, how do you cut deer antlers? Then you must know the things that you may need to get things done. Below are some of the necessary things that you may need to cut deer antlers in the right way:

• Protective gloves
• Eye protection goggles
• A deer antler that is right by all means
• Knife
• Hacksaw
• Band saw
• Stuff used for sanding.

Can you shape deer antlers? Yes, you can, and using these things, it will become very simple and easy for you to cut and shape deer antlers to make a handle for your knife.

Cut Deer Antler For a Knife Handle: A Step by step guide

You might have made wooden or metallic knife handles in the past. Even if you didn’t, it is worth knowing that when we talk about cutting deer antler for Knife handle, things are not as simple.

1.     Hold your knife firmly

The first step in the process is to grab your knife correctly which is a critical point that will set a good base for making a good knife handle. If you are out in the woods, stabbing the knife’s blade in a log would be the solution for a firm grip. Otherwise, you can use a vice or a clamp to get the best results.

2.     Prepare the antler

Moving on to the next step, you need to pay attention to things like “how do you cut deer antlers? You cannot use deer antlers as they are, and there will be some clicking, snipping, cutting, and shaping the antlers for sure. Make sure to use the right tools to get the desired shape that will match your blade.

3.     Get your blade ready.

Once you have your blade ready, you need to move on to the next step. It is about getting the knife ready. In this step, you will ensure that the backside of the knife is good for the deer antler handle. Making any trims or sanding things down may be needed in this step.

4.     Softening antlers is crucial.

You cannot get the desired results for the knife handle without softening the antlers as they might not be as straight as you want them to be. Softening them will allow you to straighten them for the best results. Well, softening it is not as difficult at all as you may think. All you need to do is to soak them in cold water for 24 to 48 hours before boiling them for a few minutes. It usually takes no more than 30 minutes to an hour.

5.     Adjust and shape antler correctly for your knife

Once the antler is soft enough, you can adjust it on the backside of your knife and push it ahead. In this way, the handle will get on the knife, and then you will need to dry it. Using some sanding equipment, you can shape the deer antler knife handle and file some excess parts around.

6.     Start gluing using super glue.

Although you have got the handle to get on the knife at this point, things do not stick well. So, it is a good option for you to use super glue. Make sure to use enough of it but at the same time refrain from overdoing things as it may get messy and take a lot more time to dry.

7.     Clench tightly

The final step you need to do and the one that matters a lot in the whole process is to clench tightly. Clenching needs you to get a steel nail or a metal rod. You can even get things done with a brass rod. What you need to do is to get the nail/rod through the holes and make it short so that it fits perfectly.

The last thing you need to do is to hammer the nail/rod tightly so that it holds the handle in place as well as makes everything fit perfectly. Doing this, and you are done with making the deer antler knife handle.

How to find the right antler for the handle of your knife?

Are you thinking about what antler is best for a knife handle? If you find any, you need to select the one that seems to have the strongest feeling and the best shape for knife handles. Otherwise, they are not that easy and simple to be found. So, to help you find out the right antler for making your knife handle here, we will get you through some tips that will help you out.

Search for antlers in areas with low hunting

If you have been searching for antlers in the areas where there is a lot of deer hunting, then you have been wasting your time. The reason is that when someone hunts for a deer, they most probably take everything they find with them. So, look for an area with less hunting.

Follow deer trails

The trails that deer leave give you a higher chance of finding a good antler for your knife handle. Make sure to look around the bushy areas to increase the chances of you finding a good antler.

Deer have specific areas where they come to play and jump. These are the places where a jerk from jumping can get the antler to shed. So, it would help if you make sure to search this area thoroughly. Searching carefully in this area will increase your chances of finding the right deer antlers.

Take your time and have patience.

The last thing that you need to keep in your mind is that you need to be patient. It is not a race that you want to win, so make sure that you walk slowly while looking for deer antlers. Similarly, always keep your eyes on the ground for any deer trails.

Why it is better to use a deer antler for a knife handle?

While you can use plastic, metal, or wood for making knife handles, why must you go for deer antlers? Selecting deer antlers brings several benefits as well.

So, here is why it is the better choice to go with them.

·       Your knife will get a special value.

When you make a handle with deer antlers, the knife will not remain like any other ordinary knife. It will become social as you have invested your time and craftsmanship in that which will add an unrevealing sentimental value.

·       These knives are expensive.

Buying a knife with deer antlers handles from the market is costly. So, making one by yourself means that you are giving yourself a premium gift. If you decided to sell it, you would be able to do so with a higher price compared to a wooden handle knife.

·       These knives are not easy to make

If you need to have something that tells people about your craftsmanship and skills, then going with a knife handle can be your best choice. It will be the perfect example that you have the patience as well as craftsmanship to make such a beautiful thing.

·       Having a deer antler handle knife will always keep you ready.

Having a knife made especially for the outdoors will mean that you are always ready to deal with any situation. So, whether it is some hunting or any other activity, your knife will be your perfect sentimental partner.

Tips to precisely cut deer antlers without damaging it

In the process above, you may have noticed that the cutting process was the one that got a lot of attention. Well, the deer antlers are not as strong, and they need to be handled with care so that you can make the best out of them. Follow these tips for the best results:

Look for the right part to cut

Cutting is important but cutting at the right spot is more important. When you are cutting deer antlers, you need to keep check the following things:

• Their shape
• Length and straightness
• Thickness and strength
• Any damage that may make them useless for you

By keeping track of all of these things, you can precisely cut deer antlers.

Always cut using the right tools and have patience

The next thing is to cut them using the right tools. Deer antlers are delicate, and if you use power tools on them, you may damage them. So, it is important to use something more on the softer and slower side, like a hacksaw. Having patience throughout the process is the key to success here.

Cutting will not do everything. Make sure to use other tools as well

To get the precision that you are looking for, you need to be sure that you are using some additional tools. For example, sanding the excessive mass up will give you a cleaner finish.

Make sure that you are not removing too much.

The last thing here is that you need to be sure that you are not removing too much to get the shape that you want. Let some mass stay there as it will add structural strength to the deer antlers knife handle.

What sort of tools do you need to make a deer antler knife handle?

If you are looking to make a deer antler knife handle, then you do not need a lot of power tools or other complex tools. The simplest hand-working tools will be good to go with.

Is it good to use deer antlers to make knives?

Yes, the deer antler knife handle can make your knife look a lot better in different ways, depending on how you finish it.

What type of saw do you need to cut the deer antler for knife handle?

As you cannot use the power saw because of the delicacy of deer antlers, it is better to use the hacksaw or band saw for making the deer antlers’ knife handle.

What to do if your deer antler needs some straightening?

If you cannot find deer antlers straight enough for making a knife handle, then you can make one straight yourself. You only need to keep it dipped in cold water for 24 to 48 hours before boiling it for some time which will soften it so that you can straighten it.

Do the deer antlers grow back?

Yes, deer shed their antlers in the winter season, and later in the year, these antlers grow back.

Bottom Line:

When it comes to cutting deer antler for knife handles, people often show interest, but there are several confusing questions like can you soften deer antlers? Well, if you are determined enough to make a deer knife handle, you will easily find the solution to any problem you face.

Making this handle is not a simple process for sure, and here we elaborated on everything you needed to know about making one yourself.