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Fixed Blade - Knife handle - Cocobolo or Ebony

I come across some fixed blade knives specially those hunter / utility types that comes with various version of knife handles at the same price , Cocobolo or Ebony.

I am not using the knife for cutting or chopping, so the wood cracking under abuse does not come into picture.

How does Cocobolo or Ebony perform in dimension stability over long period of time (could be 20-30years)?

In terms of knife collecting value, which is a better investment?

Will the Cocobolo version outperform the Ebony version, everything being equal?

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on October 7, 2012 at 0:29

If you look at old knife company catalogs going back to the 1800's to early 1900's, you'll see both Cocobolo and Ebony being used commonly. And many of those knives saw hard use and have made it into this century! Both are considered hardwoods, and if I remember, are similar in hardness. As far as being collectible, I'd go by Levine's books and say generally wood handles are lumped together and are not worth as much as stag, bone and pearl. But, that being said, if the grain is extra nice, the Cocobolo might be easier to resell.

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Permalink Reply by Alexander Noot on October 7, 2012 at 0:32

Both will hold up just as well as the other. They are excellent woods.

Just buy whichever you prefer the look of. For me that would be Cocobolo. I find Ebony a bit boring the way it's simply all black.

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Permalink Reply by KK Low on November 4, 2012 at 11:22

Thanks Craig and Alexander for the insight. will take note!

regards

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on November 4, 2012 at 16:30

KK,

Ebony is beautiful to me for its simplicity. But only on certain knife patterns and those are mostly folders. In a fixed I would go with the cocobolo. Both are good woods, hold up well and have stood the test of time on many knives