Best traditional folding knife ‘in hand’

[Camillus]

There are two things I value most in a traditional folding knife - the first is good looks the other is good ergonomics.

Sadly many traditional knives ‘just don’t cut it’ in the ergonomics department. The few that do are absolute stand outs.

Here are my picks for “best knife in hand” in my traditional collection.

Schatt and Morgan gunstock

The balanced weight on this one is beautiful and so are the proportions. This is a knife that you want to use - when you have it in hand you look around for something to cut to test it out

It does have a tang that is very exposed when the knife is closed, affecting its pocketability.

GEC #35

For an equal-end knife with asymetrical blades this really shouldn’t work, but the shape is suprisingly good. An added bonus is that it carries very well in the pocket - probably the most pocketable knife is this post.

GEC 78

I found the two blade version of this more satisfying in hand than the single blade, but either is an absolute winner and one of the few spear points that also deliver in the ergonomics department.

GEC 42

I think this 42 is the first GEC I bought after eyeing it up for several weeks and debating the steep purchase price. Several thousand dollars worth of knives later it remains my pick for the best GEC in terms of ergonomics, ahead of the 72/73/23 due to its larger size and narrowly ahead of the 43 imo, due to better handle ergonomics.

Have I missed out on any good ones?

 

[kamagong]

If you're talking comfort, it's hard to beat a single blade folding knife. Pick your choice of pattern, they all feel much better than their multi-blade kin.

 

[joeradza]

Until recently I would have said the GEC 73 for overall size and useability. Now, there's no doubt for me a 3 3/4" single blade sowbelly is #1. But Christian is right, almost any single blade that appeals to you.

 

[JohnDF]

I have two standout knives when it comes to "in hand" comfort... Both handle shapes are about the same.

The GEC #74


and the GEC #43

 

[Buzzbait]

I almost always prefer multiblade knives because of the grip. I have long fingers, and find it hard to get a good purchase on thin single blades knives.

My favorite is the Camillus C4 saw scout. Lots of layers equals a rock solid grip.

For a single blade knife, the #43 is as secure as it is comfortable.

 

[Hickory n steel]

For comfort in hand, it doesn't get much better than this in my opinion.

 

[kamagong]

I almost always prefer multiblade knives because of the grip. I have long fingers, and find it hard to get a good purchase on thin single blades knives.

That's what stag is for Buzz.

 

[Wowbagger]

A Case Trapper with genuine stag (the handle is more full than a bone handled Case).
Removing the spay blade makes it much better in hand for my way of using it.
Link with photos>>>>>
I'm liking that Gun Stock.

 

[Prester John]

I do have a single-bladed stag-handled knife that feels good in the hand, but none of my knives fits my hand as well as my Case amber bone trapper, especially when I'm using the clip blade.

 

[paulhilborn]

The Bull Nose has to be the best "in hand" knife I own for me fills the hand nicely and zero hot spots

 

[Wowbagger]

The Bull Nose has to be the best "in hand" knife I own for me fills the hand nicely and zero hot spots

Yep !
Good stuff.
I have a Sod buster and that handle is really great.
For the poking around that I do at work I need the clip point.

 

[McFeeli]

This one fits my hand perfectly. I have relatively small hands so it works really well for me. I also like the feel of a 73 single blade as well, but the 55-56 frame is fantastic. The curves sit in my paws like they were designed to, which I suppose they were, haha. It doesn’t exactly “fill” the hand, but it follows it quite well.

 

[Wowbagger]

. . . none of my knives fits my hand as well as my Case amber bone trapper, especially when I'm using the clip blade.

Speaking of Case Bone Trappers between my first post and the next one I went to the shop and cut off the spay blade on my newest Case Trapper, a Red Bone with CV steel that I bought for my traditional Christmas EDC. Red handles aren't really my thing to carry but I like looking at it on the table and Christmas time gives be an excuse to carry a bright red handled knife. If that makes any sense. We will see how much I end up carrying it the rest of the year. I went with the undecorated one so I can use the heck out of it and not feel bad if I had worn the painted Christmas lettering off the blade of a decorated one.

 

[Wowbagger]

This one fits my hand perfectly. I have relatively small hands so it works really well for me. I also like the feel of a 73 single blade as well, but the 55-56 frame is fantastic. The curves sit in my paws like they were designed to, which I suppose they were, haha. It doesn’t exactly “fill” the hand, but it follows it quite well.

Seriously good handle shape !
Hahahaha the modern flat slab sided knife dudes don't know what they are missing do they ?
OK, ok I carry a Para 2 as well . . . I'm just saying . . .

 

[Will Power]

An Opinel, no question. But it's not the most beautiful or exciting

Small 9cm Laguiole.

Queen Cutlery Country Cousin, GEC Bullnose.

I have 'special needs' with grip and comfort, over 30 years ago the tip of my ring finger, right hand, was almost severed in a slant cut from glass... The scar is deep and it feels uncomfortable even now.

 

[Camillus]

This one fits my hand perfectly. I have relatively small hands so it works really well for me. I also like the feel of a 73 single blade as well, but the 55-56 frame is fantastic. The curves sit in my paws like they were designed to, which I suppose they were, haha. It doesn’t exactly “fill” the hand, but it follows it quite well.

I totally agree - the #56 is underrated, although I think the wharnie is ergonomically better than the recent spear version. I think its a great little pattern

 

[DelOro]

For what I use a knife for (daily), the #48 is perfect in hand & cuts great!

Also looking forward to the #82 Dixie & Possum Skinners.

@Duckdog,

Here's a picture of the insolent "Cactus Rat" aka ground squirrel.

Outstanding knife choices everyone!

- Del

 

[Travman]

My favorite for in-the-hand comfort is the #21 Bull Buster. I like the way this one fills the hand and has a some left over. It definitely isn’t going to slip out of your hand. If it was jigged it might be even better with more grip. I have used this knife to chop down small trees.

I was hesitant to get this knife because of the large size, but it carries surprisingly well in my jeans front pocket. For some reason it stands upright and to the side of the pocket which leaves room for more stuff.

 

[Peregrin]

For me the "best in hand" is a single blade trapper pattern 3 1/2" to 4". I like stag covers, which usually add some width and grip. I find the pattern good for push cuts and pull cuts in most the knife tasks I come across on a daily basis.

A few examples that fit the bill for me. The Lloyd is at the top of my list.

4" Lloyd shadow

3 5/8" Ohta Wharncliffe

3 1/2" Cramer Lanny's Clip

Although these three differ somewhat, the shape of the handle makes them very similar in use.

I find that the additional blade in a two blade trapper makes the knife much less comfortable to use, especially in a configuration with a clip and wharncliffe blade, when using the clip. The wharncliffe hump creates a hot spot for me and has me continuously repositioning the knife to minimize it.

 

[black mamba]

As someone with largish hands (I wear a L or XL glove, depending on brand) a knife frame needs to be at least 3⅞" long for me to get all four fingers on the grip, which is necessary for serious work. Any reasonably rounded frame is comfortable for casual cutting, such as a letter, string, etc., but for me that doesn't count. At the small end of comfort, for me, is the GEC #74. I have both bone and elk examples, and the slightly thicker, rounder elk knife is wonderfully ergonomic.

For a larger, multi-blade knife, any 4 inch + serpentine stockman with round bolsters is very comfortable to use, and the low-lying blades of the Tidioute Dixie in micarta make it even more ergonomic. The rounded back fits beautifully into the palm of your hand, and the rounded spine of the Wharncliffe fills the small gap to the middle finger in a normal grip.