Choils - Fine Control or Better Leverage?

[n7titan]

Looks good.
Choils, it seems, are also heavily preference based. The choil on the Esee4 doesn't bother me much, If I had fathead's knife I would probably be able to hold it in every position I normally would.

My plan is to round out the inner surface of the choil instead of removing it altogether. I also want to make scales that have a finger relief area on the backside of the choil. The stock micarta scales is too wide there imo; if it was thinner and I could more easily and comfortably wrap my finger further around the handle.

 

[stabman]

I do, however, find choils useful when I'm choking up to get better leverage for push cuts into tough media like wood.

It does work well for that.
On some knives it allows for finer control.
It is all dependent on knife/blade/choil/handle design, along with how all that fits each person's hand.

On some knives the choil didn't help for much at all.
On some it was super comfortable and ergonomic.
On some it was a magic blister machine.

 

[gsx-rboy750]

I looked this up because I am deciding between a Survive 5.0 and 5.1. I got a Esee LS which comes with a choil and I think that is the only reason I use it. I think 5.0 after seeing this discussion a it summarizes the thoughts in my head.

 

[VA27]

No choil for me. If I want a shorter cutting edge, I'll buy a shorter knife.

 

[RemyKaze]

No choil for me. If I want a shorter cutting edge, I'll buy a shorter knife.

You're obviously wrong and totally mistaken!


Just kidding. I love when an edge comes right up to the handle on Finnish and Swedish knives. I feel like American knives try to combine guards meant for safety or fighting with every design.