Chef knife has a fat butt

Maelstrom78 · Dec 24, 2015

I'm thinking of taking it down a bit towards the butt. It looks so square from below. Maybe make it teardrop shaped? Thoughts?

Tony Miller · Dec 24, 2015

Agree. It will look better and feel better in the hand if you thin it down some on the bottom of the butt end. I would leave the top alone unless you thin down the whole handle.

AVigil · Dec 25, 2015

Just call it a "Chef Bowie Knife"

Then you are good to go

Very nice work btw.

:thumbup:

Matt Rochester · Dec 25, 2015

Or a tactical chef's knife!

no.4shot · Dec 25, 2015

The thread title sounds like something my wife would ask. Which like wives we all like something different. I give it a thumbs up.

woodwrkr221 · Dec 25, 2015

Looks to me like it needs to be round or oval instead of square so that the handle flows into the butt. The size might be ok if it were reshaped.

Kevin McGovern · Dec 25, 2015

Sir Mixalot approves of this handle shape, and he cannot lie.

Ken H> · Dec 25, 2015

I've made a few kitchen knives with that shape and most folks seem to really like the "coke bottle" shape for the handle. I think the trick for the butt to be far enough back the hand doesn't grasp the butt, but ends about the neck so the butt acts as a stop for the hand. I've also made smaller paring knives with just a tapered butt folks seem to like. I'd give it a :thumbup:

Maelstrom78 · Dec 25, 2015

AVigil said:
Very nice work btw.

:thumbup:

Thanks!

no.4shot said:
The thread title sounds like something my wife would ask. Which like wives we all like something different. I give it a thumbs up.

Thanks!

Matt R said:
Or a tactical chef's knife!

I'll get started on the MOLLE sheath!

woodwrkr221 said:
Looks to me like it needs to be round or oval instead of square so that the handle flows into the butt. The size might be ok if it were reshaped.

The handle itself feels awesome. I think I'll take the very very back down some.

kdogmcg said:
Sir Mixalot approves of this handle shape, and he cannot lie.

Ken H> said:
I've made a few kitchen knives with that shape and most folks seem to really like the "coke bottle" shape for the handle. I think the trick for the butt to be far enough back the hand doesn't grasp the butt, but ends about the neck so the butt acts as a stop for the hand. I've also made smaller paring knives with just a tapered butt folks seem to like. I'd give it a :thumbup:

Thanks! I really like the back taper acting as a stop for the hand as well. People really been liking this shape. For some reason it just seemed blocky. I'll take it down some and then post another pic.

Here's my first kitchen knife a few knives ago just for fun.

I still use it today!

Ken H> · Dec 25, 2015

BTW, what wood is the handle? It's very nice

Matt Rochester · Dec 25, 2015

I just saw my first chef's knife that I made last year for Christmas and I'm almost embarrassed. It's amazing how far you can go in 1 year. It was for my sister and while it has been a great knife, it's butt ugly! I will have to make her another and hide that one so that it is never seen in public again!

Maelstrom78 said:
Thanks!

Thanks!

I'll get started on the MOLLE sheath!

The handle itself feels awesome. I think I'll take the very very back down some.

Thanks! I really like the back taper acting as a stop for the hand as well. People really been liking this shape. For some reason it just seemed blocky. I'll take it down some and then post another pic.

Here's my first kitchen knife a few knives ago just for fun.

I still use it today!

Maelstrom78 · Dec 25, 2015

Yeah Matt it's been about a year. My first was from a D. Comeau pattern. Thanks!

Maelstrom78 · Dec 25, 2015

OK so did some reshaping, CA finish and finished the handle for a petty/paring. So I finally have a pair for myself heh.

Maelstrom78 · Dec 25, 2015

Ken H> said:
BTW, what wood is the handle? It's very nice

Stabilized and dyed maple burl.

Lu1967 · Dec 25, 2015

I really like that black handle knife.As much as I like carbon steel blades,they tend to look a little un-sanitary in the kitchen.I only my one and only when no ones around.

Maelstrom78 · Dec 25, 2015

Yeah I like the random patina. Gives it character.

Angus McGunnigle · Dec 27, 2015

Ken H> said:
I've made a few kitchen knives with that shape and most folks seem to really like the "coke bottle" shape for the handle. I think the trick for the butt to be far enough back the hand doesn't grasp the butt, but ends about the neck so the butt acts as a stop for the hand. I've also made smaller paring knives with just a tapered butt folks seem to like. I'd give it a :thumbup:

I agree. That knife is very nice and there is nothing wrong with the butt.

The Zieg · Dec 27, 2015

You could do, for aesthetics, but I wouldn't bother. I never have my hand that far back on the handle when prepping.

Zieg

LARRYZ10 · Dec 27, 2015

I like it just fine just the way it is. If it feels controllable in your hand then I would leave it alone. Just my opinion. I like fat butts any way. LARRY

Maelstrom78 · Dec 27, 2015

On my second set of pictures you can see I took a little off the very back end. It was a little bit chunky before. This way everything flows together. So that small change seems to have made a big difference. Probably one of the nicest knives I've made to date. The nice handle material really makes it pop IMO.

Chef knife has a fat butt

Adam Vigil working the grind