5-7" fixed blade for xl-xxl glove size hands?

[Baron85]

I'm looking to add a new knife for general camp and outdoor activities. I currently use a Esee laser strike that I like but find the handle too small and square for my hands. I use a small hatchet or my junglas as well when carrying the laser strike for the heavy cutting as well as a folder in my pocket.

I would like the new knife to be a 1 knife does most well type that I can carry to take care of wood processing, fire making, field dressing ect. When I want to carry less, as well as my truck knife. I always carry a 3" pocket knife for small stuff.

The ones I am looking at are
Esee 6
Bark river bravo 1.5
Fallkniven s1
Survive!
Ambush alpha
And am open to other suggestions

The big question I have is handle size. I wear a xl or when I can find them xxl work glove. I have long skinny ( not meaty bear paw ) hands and find my junglas and laser strike to be too thin and don't fill my palm and I feel like I have to squeeze very tight to get a good grip. I have seen the tkc g10 scales for the eases but not sure if they will be big enough.

Please blade forum give me some advice. Price range prefer under $200 but could stretch to $250 and prefer buying used off the exchange.

 

[TravisH]

Hmmm ... if you don't like the Junglas and Laser Strike handles, I don't think you're going to like the ESEE 6 either.

I would recommend the KaBar BK&T series like the BK9 (9"), BK5 (8"), BK7 (7"), BK10 (5.5"), or BK2 (5.25"). They all have the same 'large' handle design (scales are interchangeable). They are definitely 'fatter' than the ESEE 6 and TKC makes G10 scales for them as well.

Similar to the ESEE 6 is the Doug Ritter RSK MK2 Perseverance (6"), aka BK12, shares the same 'large' handle as the other BKs and is made by Rowen who also makes the ESEE knives.

The BK12 is an exlcusive from KnifeWorks - http://www.knifeworks.com/dougritterrskmk2perseverance.aspx#.VbI7-7NVhBc


Personally, for a general camp knife, I would go with the BK5 or BK12. I have both.

 

[hhmoore]

My hands are similar, based on your description - maybe a touch smaller.
Whenever I see 5-7" fixed blade, my first answer is SwampRat Ratmandu. The Ritter RSK-Mk2 (BK12) is a close second. The Esee is very good as well; and, frankly, it's better than a third place knife, even though that's where I put it.
I will say that the TKC G10 handles for Esee make a big difference...but they don't make the handle any thicker. For any of the above, there are a couple of options if the handles seem too thin. You can add liners under the scale (you'd have to order them in advance on the RMD; because the scales aren't removable, unless you request it to be made that way). You can stretch a length of inner tube over the handle - improving the "grippiness" as well as adding thickness. In a way, doing that defeats the purpose of getting the TKC scales...but not really, because the improved shape will improve comfort even with liners or inner tube. (A positive attribute of the inner tube is that it can be removed whenever you want).

As far as the others - I mean no offense to the Survive fans, but the knives don't appeal to me. (Some models got new handles, and a freshening up of the design; so that could change the next time I look). Fallkniven - sort of the same...I took an F1 and an A1 in on trade, and have never used either. I feel like I should like them; but it just isn't there for me. Bark River - I love the Bravo 1-LT; but it's smaller than you want. I also have a Bravo 3, which is bigger, and I like that a lot - so I'd probably like the 1.5 or the 2 just as much.

Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the ones that have been mentioned from a performance perspective - comfort is another story, and nobody else's opinion of a given knife or brand means anything in that regard. The best thing you can do is find a place (or person) locally to get them in hand.

 

[ocnLogan]

Just put liners under the handle scales to increase the thickness of the handle. I did that to my bk9, and love the results. Is try it out on the laserstrike first, and see if that "fixes" the problem before investing in another blade.

 

[22-rimfire]

Some may have a bit of problem "adding liners". Just saying.... I tend to just buy another knife. The Becker handles on the BK-10, BK-7, and BK-9 are pretty thick to me and I like the factory handles.

I will suggest one of my favorites with a large handle. Blackjack 125 (5") or Blackjack 1-7 (7"). Both are great classic knives in the vein of Randall knives that are popular (but expensive). Some people believe that the reduced tang thickness is a negative to fit inside the handle, but I these knives handle what I need to be handled short of abuse. Some also don't like the large choil, but it works for more detailed cutting. It just has to fit into your sense of what a fixed blade should look like.

 

[AF]

Of those I can only speak to the Fallkniven S1. The handle is fairly thin and narrow. Fits my medium hand great.

 

[MaximIsayev]

I found that wrapping the handle in something like leather suede cord works quite well, it gives it some added grip and increases the thickness. Here's my BK9, the handle isn't wrapped in leather all the way so I can still use the original sheath, but even this way it makes for a very nice grip.

 

[mazman]

I have bear paw hands. I'll second the Becker suggestion. My BK2 fits my hand nicely. Also, not sure if the blade is long enough for you, but the Tops BOB has an exceptional handle. I'd rate that handle #1 of all my fixed blades. It has a very nice profile, and it's thick enough to give you something to really hold on to.

 

[MatthewSB]

I wear XL gloves, the ESEE-6 and Bravo 1.5 are my favorites from your list.

 

[bghorn]

I would recommend the KaBar BK&T series like the BK9 (9"), BK5 (8"), BK7 (7"), BK10 (5.5"), or BK2 (5.25"). They all have the same 'large' handle design (scales are interchangeable).

They're fatter but little too short for XL hand. Barehand fits well, but with gloves on, it's too tight for heavy usage. Which may not be an issue for smaller Beckers (smaller knives are used differently) but it is very noticeable on larger BK-9 under prolonged usage like chopping (no space for pinky). Very ergonomic handle for average to large hand but too short for large to x-large hand.

Of course, your mileage may vary, but that's my experience with Becker handles.

 

[ocnLogan]

They're fatter but little too short for XL hand. Barehand fits well, but with gloves on, it's too tight for heavy usage. Which may not be an issue for smaller Beckers (smaller knives are used differently) but it is very noticeable on larger BK-9 under prolonged usage like chopping (no space for pinky). Very ergonomic handle for average to large hand but too short for large to x-large hand.

Of course, your mileage may vary, but that's my experience with Becker handles.

It will depend a lot on the types of gloves you use as well.

I have large-xlarge sized hands (maybe normalish proportions, not huge mits, not spindly fingers), and find the handles have more than enough room for me. If it helps, I measured my palms width last night, and its right about at 4in, and again, they are just fine for me. Then again, I don't wear gloves when using my knives. And I'd imagine thinner "mechanix" style gloves will cause less of a problem like this than thicker "work gloves" will.

Also, when I chop with my BK9, I don't hold it like normal. I grip it with two or three fingers (have a lanyard on correctly, the wraparound way). The pinky and/or ring finger will hang off, and give me much more chopping force. The rear handle pommel area + the lanyard keeps my grip very secure. No issues or worry about the blade slipping. That may be another reason I have no problem with the handles (other than hand size differences).

Personally gloves cause me more discomfort than not wearing them, and not wearing them keeps me cautious (which I think is a good thing when handling knives). The seams on the gloves have given me blisters before. YMMV.

Anyway, just mentioning that many of the differences in how people use their knives will change the perception of the handle. So, just be aware of how you think you'll use the knife, and you should be fine.

And adding liners to a removable scale knife is super easy. Almost anything can be used. Many people use old DVD or videogame cases. Just trace out the handle scales on the plastic, and get them to rough shape. Then bolt back on the handles and trim away the excess. Easy peasy (and easily reversible if you mess up). For me, the BK9 wasn't a large enough handle to feel comfortable stock. I found the thicker spine of the BK2 made the handle feel better. So I added some red liners. I love it now.

Anyway, good luck making a choice. Many of these are great options .

 

[Boats]

As you carry a hatchet for heavier tasks, why not get away from the "big knife" paradigm? I have NBA class mitts and both of the below knives work in my hands, (not pictures of my actual examples tho.)

For wood and game processing, why not try out a 180mm length blade leuku? This one by Ahti fits the bill for about $90.00:

All of the puukko makers understand making handle shapes used with gloves on.

If that's too outside the box, consider buying a BK-15 with the micarta grip package and get a great 5" blade with a far better grip than most beckers have. You'll still only be just over half your budget if you shop smartly.

 

[mete]

The S-1 Fallkniven is too small for you .Some of their larger knives have both longer and thicker handles . My hand is 4" across the knuckles but for you a 4.5 -5" is what you need. With scales you usually can add spacers easily but not length.

 

[Brisket]

The Fallkniven S1 is a great knife but I would also agree that it would likely not be hand filling enough for you. The A1 has a 6.3" blade and a significantly larger handle than the S1. The BK7 and the Bravo 1.5 both have robust and contoured handles. I would also suggest that you look at some of bladeforum member Big Chris' customs knives as he has large paws and makes some of the best custom handles I have experienced.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Check out the Lionsteel M7

 

[Baron85]

Thanks for all the great advice so far. I have looked at the beckers and they really don't so much for me looks wise. I like to buy knives that look appealing and can be used. I'm not into safe queens but I like buying knives that I will be proud to hand down to my kids some day.

I already have a nice hunting knife and just purchased from here another one, spyderco southfork, so hunting knife is taken care of. I would just like to try a new solution for the woods with the 1 knife does all.

As far as why not just carry a hatchet, I do that now but would like the option to go light with just my pocket knife and a mid size knife. I have tried that with the junglas but it's just too big for me in that role. The new knife will also be kep in the truck as my emergency knife. I don't want to keep a hatchet, and multiple knives in my truck that is already packed. I'm really leaning towards the bark river bravo 1.5 or maybe the 2?

 

[Hard Knocks]

I know what I would grab, but they can be hard to get and a user would push your limit pretty hard. Still, deserves a mention because I believe it might fit what you're asking for, SwampRat Ratweiler LE. Blade is 7", excellent handle on the LE to offset the problem you're having IMO.

Near knife in pic, compared with Swamprat M9 in rear which is a 9" blade



Ratweiler LE comparison pic with ratmandu which is a 5" blade





The original Ratweilers are great, but have thinner scales than the more recent LE. Also, since you asked about the Bravo 2, it may fit your needs, the handle has some thickness to it. I'd prefer it in 3V though, and am not sure if they have produced the '2' in 3V yet. Mine is in A2, still, a fine knife.

 

[jfk1110]

Fallkniven PHK- 5" blade, Fallkniven volcano-6.75" blade. Both come in excellent steels, or a NL2 or NL3.

 

[SALTY]

Hmmm ... if you don't like the Junglas and Laser Strike handles, I don't think you're going to like the ESEE 6 either.

I would recommend the KaBar BK&T series like the BK9 (9"), BK5 (8"), BK7 (7"), BK10 (5.5"), or BK2 (5.25"). They all have the same 'large' handle design (scales are interchangeable). They are definitely 'fatter' than the ESEE 6 and TKC makes G10 scales for them as well.

Similar to the ESEE 6 is the Doug Ritter RSK MK2 Perseverance (6"), aka BK12, shares the same 'large' handle as the other BKs and is made by Rowen who also makes the ESEE knives.

The BK12 is an exlcusive from KnifeWorks - http://www.knifeworks.com/dougritterrskmk2perseverance.aspx#.VbI7-7NVhBc


Personally, for a general camp knife, I would go with the BK5 or BK12. I have both.

Beckers' Grivory grips wrapped in paracord should be just right for you.

 

[Swampdog]

If what SALTY says still don't work, then cut a piece of bicycle inner-tube to fit over the paracord that is wrapped around the grips.