Choil??

[CC U]

I bought the RC 5 and the Izula, due to the fact that they had no choil, and they are perfect, in my opinion. I can not wait to get the HEST, and I see the benefit to having a rope / wire cutter close to the blade, and it is small providing more blade to use. The main selling point for me is the removable handles.

I went down the busse road, used and abused the blades, but never once did I have to choke up on the blade, even when skinning a deer. It comes in handy for a fire steel, but past that I am lost on it's purpose, if I just use the right sized tool for the job.

Besides the chocking up aspect, what design benefit does the choil provide, especailly on a chopper? This question ties into the design a chopper thread, without a hi jack of it. I will purchase one with, or without a choil, but the submitted designs seem to have them as a prevalent feature.

 

[shotgunner11]

I personally love a choil.

At this point, I worry about cutting myself with a blade without one because I'm so used to it that I find myself wanting to put my finger on the blade.

It's just one of those love it or hate it things I guess.

 

[CC U]

I don't hate it, I don't understand it. There has to be a purpose for it, but to me, I question weather or not it creates a weak point in the blade. There has to be an advantage to it, beyond blade control? I am simply attempting to understand it.

Thank You in advance for any help.

Edit: I have a Ithaca Gun, Flathead Skinner, from back in the 70's, and it has a Choil as well as other modern knives. I am simply asking for some clarification as to the purpose.

 

[milani74]

For me, it allows my fingers to get close to the blade for fine work while still allowing the handle to have a finger guard. For me the finger guard prevents you from losing your grip while stabbing something and having your fingers slip onto the blade.

 

[Samael]

For me, it allows my fingers to get close to the blade for fine work while still allowing the handle to have a finger guard. For me the finger guard prevents you from losing your grip while stabbing something and having your fingers slip onto the blade.

Yep, that's one of the two purposes of a choil. The other is ease of sharpening (it's much harder when the edge runs right up against the hilt).

 

[BenchmadeBoy]

For me, it allows my fingers to get close to the blade for fine work while still allowing the handle to have a finger guard. For me the finger guard prevents you from losing your grip while stabbing something and having your fingers slip onto the blade.

I agree with this. I often choke up on the blade in this way while doing fine or intricate tasks.

 

[Deere Man]

I use the choil on my RC-4 all the time when making fuzz sticks for fire starting. I think it gives good control for whittling type activities. I also think it helps make a large blade more capable and controllable for finer tasks. It's not a deal breaker, but it's nice to have.