Balance. (last thread for the night.)

[Walking Man]

Balance. What is it to you? And how important is it to you?
In a fighter, it's crucial, the blade must be light and lively so the combatant can survive by being faster than his target.
In a utility knife. Maybe not as important, but I still like a knife that feels good in the hand. For me, it's easier not to drop a well balanced knife, it sits in the hand and is easily controlled.
How do YOU determine what a good balance is for you?
This is how I do it. I just hold the knife in my hand, and wiggle it side to side, and up and down, and more importantly, I toss it from hand to hand. How easily it passes and is caught is the most crucial test for me. So far one of the best balanced Busses I have is the ripper, I have a mini EU17 that is too blade heavy, and another that is too handle heavy, due to handle length. The ripper is in between, and I think the blade might be a little lighter too, due to the recurve and serrations.
added:
Balance is generally not an issue for me with smaller knives. It only starts to be an issue, good or bad, with knives with a little heft to them...... Let's say everything bigger than the streets for me.

 

[Chiggie]

I stick a finger out (index) and see how far down the handle or blade I have to rest the knife on that finger before it doesn't tip off. Ideally I look for knives that can balance on my finger on the side of the hilt. I have found that most of the time the closer to the hilt it balances, the more comfortable it is in my hand. Not every time, but most.

 

[Walking Man]

I have found that most of the time the closer to the hilt it balances, the more comfortable it is in my hand. Not every time, but most.

I think I prefer a balance around where my index finger rests.

 

[Chiggie]

Makes sense. I actually prefer a knife to be blade heavy if it has to be off balance so I guess you like them dead on.

 

[Walking Man]

Makes sense. I actually prefer a knife to be blade heavy if it has to be off balance so I guess you like them dead on.

Yeah, I'm pretty much NOT talking about choppers or kitchen knives, where a little forward heavy can be very good. Just the basic all around knives.

 

[Chiggie]

Hey, don't knock kitchen knives. Ever see Under Siege?

 

[Walking Man]

Hey, don't knock kitchen knives. Ever see Under Siege?

I'm not knocking them, I'm just talking about finely tuned knives!

 

[barrabas74]

For non-choppers? I am about it being back at the gaurd to make the blade close to balance but the blade quicker. I like balance like that in field dressing knives, in skinners I want a heavy handle because it keeps me from pressing into the hide as much. Just preference.

 

[Last Visible Canary]

I really disliked the shba because it was so handle heavy. I couldn't index the edge or tip at all because of it. It was like I was just holding a handle. I mainly just dont like knives where it's so handle heavy that the blade disappears.

I tend to prefer the balance to be just ahead of the index finger.

 

[mymindisamob]

One reason I love the SJTac, is the balance, but nothing has beat the beautiful weight ratio (according to my senses anyhow) of my ST Ripper. It flows like a fighter should. I feel the sweet spot for balance is vastly different in a blade I carry for EDC and one I carry for defense. I'm sure it is this way for just about everyone and the intended use. The only blade I care for having a true center balance, is the occasional thrower.

 

[Gravelface]

I like blade heavy knives....I am not to concerned about knife fighting balance as I have NO desire to fight with a knife. I like the functional. That is it.

 

[Chiggie]

I like blade heavy (slightly) and I do carry one for defense. It feels like the slight weight towards the tip helps me snap on thrusts. It might just be my imagination.

 

[Macchina]

I like a little blade heavy. It seems to make it easier to point when fine cutting.

 

[benjammin2]

I like the balance point just at the choil, or just ahead of the guard. From a fighting perspective, I think this helps with follow through just enough without adding significant inertia. In the hand, the balance point moves back a bit due to the latent inertia of the hand itself. A knife with balance in the grip feels inadequate somehow.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

i like em all. balanced, blade heavy, handle heavy, whatever.

 

[papathud]

Blade Heavy makes for easier throwing, Chopping,slicing.

Handle heavy makes for greater control when doing fine work, or whittleing.

The Ergo Badger is a Case in point for a Handle heavy knife, lots of control, a great tool for wood working in camp, tough to throw though.

 

[Tyrkon Lawson]

Balance depends on use for me. In a chopper I like a more forward balance. Sort of like a khukri. In a fighter I like the balance more at the choil or the handle so as to keep the blade lively.

I use the same method as you WM. Grab the knive and start experimenting to get a feel.