Design for choke-up hold on larger blade?

[Return of the J.D.]

In various discussions of the relative merits/demerits of large versus small blades, I've wondered about the possibilities of a large blade designed specifically so that it could, in a pinch, be held forward of the guard for fine work.

Certainly we've seen knives with single rather than double guards, which allows one to extend a thumb out onto the spine while holding the knife primarily by the handle. Also, we've seen knives with scalloped ricassos, which let you get a fingerhold on the underside of the blade, as well. But what I have in mind is a design that lets you really get most or all of your hand out forward of the handle for fine work with the point. I've thought that perhaps the Edge Mark 469 (with its bulging spine--might give you a fair grip) or, say, an Udhaipur-style khukuri (what Himalayan Imports calls a "Gelbu Special" model, with a thick spine, a broad, fairly-pronounced fuller toward the middle, widening out again just before tapering in toward the edge) might be examples of knives that could kind of work this way.

Anyone seen this done? With any success? Or, even if you've not seen it, how might it be done?

 

[MikeH]

The Busse Buffalo Soldier is a fairly short bladed knife with a choil and with three different thumb positions ground into the spine of the blade for various amounts of choke-up.
Those who have used them seem to hold them in high regard. I can't speak to this personally as I don't own one.

 

[Daniel Koster]

couple of things can help:

Choil (or finger ring)
Thumb-ramp (gently sloped)
Hole in the blade near the tip

At least, that's what I had in mind when I incorporated multi-grips into this knife:

There are other ways, I'm sure...can't get 'em all...

 

[Return of the J.D.]

Clever design, Dan! (Maybe you should figure out the Nepali word for "bullet hole," as a name for that new kind of cho you've invented!) Your creativity is impressive.