The kind i have and LOVE is a leather handle, w/ a metal chain. i absolutly love them. nice on the hand, and absorbs some tension if the dog pulls. ...and the best part, if you find a stray dog that doesn't have a collar, you can use the chain as one, just snap the clasp in place and the dog doesn't get chocked.

(what's odd, is i can find these in Kmart, but not in Petsmart. and i swear by these leashes.)