A plastic handle is colder than wood but impervious to water and bacteria. A plastic impregnated wood handle has a color plastic resin injected into the wood. Lamson's Silver Burgundy series has wood impregnated handles. A metal handle. Only Global knives have metal handles with special black dimples to give warmth and a non-slip grip.
Handles secured with rivets usually have full tangs.
The tang is the metal extending into the handle. Full tang knives have their handles secured by three rivets. Victorinox knives have a partial tang. Knives with riveted handles tend to be smaller than those with molded handles, and are comfortable for those with small hands. Handles with molded plastic handles have rat tail tangs.