ASHBM… hand shaped or machined?

VoxHog

VoxHog

Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
3,174
Which would you pick between hand shaped or machined micarta slabs? I'm about to order mine. :D

I love the comfort of hand shaped, but tend to like machined on choppers because they don't slip around as much. Does the handle shape of the ASHBM along with hand shaped scales give you a secure and non-slip grip?
 
Micarta I would get hand shaped, g10 I got machined but gonna soften them up with a bit of hand sanding.
 
I ordered standard and I'm liking them. They are very comfortable and don't feel bumpy at all. If I decide later I can always smooth them out myself, it wouldn't take that long.
 
Mate I love hand shaped canvas. So velvety and comfy :)

tumblr_mvifdjkMeH1siuc9oo5_1280.jpg
 
RobStanley said:
Mate I love hand shaped canvas. So velvety and comfy :)

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Click to expand...

Awwww sweetness! Thanks for the picture Rob. That's what I requested on my LE, handshaped black canvas micarta. Good lord I hope Jerry never gets rid of the micarta option. It'd be a darn shame. I just can't get used to G10 on my fixed blades. Tried it and am never happy with it. The natural feel of micarta and it's toughness just can't be beat. G10 might be tougher but I'll sacrifice a little bit of toughness for that feel good feeling of micarta any day.
 
This is a pretty noob question. ..but what's the difference between the standard and hand shaped cuz my ashbm seems pretty hand shaped lok. And very comfy but I didn't specify anything. Any answer is appreciated.
 
Hand shaped doesn't have the textured dimples. It is smooth all over. I didn't get hand shaped and find it very comfortable as well. It is purely a preference, OOOH look at me thing.

nerv102 said:
This is a pretty noob question. ..but what's the difference between the standard and hand shaped cuz my ashbm seems pretty hand shaped lok. And very comfy but I didn't specify anything. Any answer is appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Either is awesome, they both have advantages. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Let us know what you decide. :thumbup:
 
I can't see there being a big difference honestly..mine being standard handles..they are super comfy and very grippy considering I have black paper micarta..but I have knives in canvas and linen micarta as well textured and non and the major difference to me is the canvas and linen both feel warmer than the paper if you know what I mean? They are all grippy and the ashbm being by far the heaviest excluding my kukuri.
 
When I can't decide, I always go with machined... that way I can shape them by hand myself if I decide to later.
 
Hand shaped G10 on mine.....when it gets here. I don't like the "soft" / "fuzzy" feel of canvas micarta.... but I do like black paper micarta either machined or hand shaped.

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- This color combo is what's coming on mine. (photo credit roenman)
 
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I went with machined black canvas and it feels great :thumbup: even when going at it really hard on a log the grip feels secure and comfy.
 
Thanks for all the great comments. I like hand shaped as long as the handles won't slip & rotate while chopping. Looks like I'm going to go with hand shaped black canvas on this one. :)
 
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