Do you prefer to use sleek or complex body knives?

T

Tseg

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Aug 25, 2018
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I have an assortment of knives but I realize I've gravitated to carrying sleek knives... I'm still undecided if it is related to looks or wearability? But there are very aerodynamic looking knives, and then complex knives with a lot of bumps, angles, grooves, notches and cladding. Which do you find yourself migrating to daily?

Complex:
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Sleek:
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I do find myself gravitating to more neutral handle shapes, as well as knives that have thinner blade stock for daily carry. If i know ahead of time that im really gonna be beating on it ill carry something a little beefier.

Although with your examples I wouldn't necessarily consider the Inkosi to be very complex compared to others, but to each their own.

My most carried folders are generally the TRM Neutron 2, QC Waypoint, and the Hogue Ritter RSK. I'd consider all of them to be pretty neutral as far as shape goes.
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When I am out and about, a smooth and fairly sleek handle is OK, but not a very straight one. For farm chores, I want a knife that will not slip out of my sweaty hand when the heat index is 120F. Complexity can be overdone and become very uncomfortable, like a Hogue X5.

This is my all-time favorite handle:
view


I like good handles on rams, too/
 
It really depends on the knife, but I don't think the complexity of the handle comes that much into play. I will say that when I decide to carry a knife, I am more concerned how flat it lays and how wide the profile is.

Case in point: I EDC a Spartan SHF which I would say has a pretty complex design with the finger cut outs and jimping and whatnot. It goes in my right front pocket. At times, when I feel the need, I carry a Spyderco Civilian in my back right next to my wallet. It's a pretty sleek design for all intents and purposes but the Reverse S makes for a wider profile if flatter than the SHF. It rides better against my wallet and is auit d just fine for a bit of a back draw if I need it.

Aesthetically, I prefer a more complex design.
 
The main purpose, of some knives ,is their very novelty of mechanical complexity , materials , and /or decorative features .

For my working , carry knives, I don't want any unnecessary / nonfunctional complexity . Or added expense .

But, I also don't want to compromise any functional elements, just for a "sleeker" appearance .

Examples : Too smooth and sleek a handle can be difficult ,and even dangerous, for hard use .

A pocket clip can be very useful . Wave openers . Lanyards / fobs etc .
 
Compared to many knives I see here, I would still put any CRK in the "sleek" box. And I prefer sleek, both in knives and female companions.
 
TC said:
Compared to many knives I see here, I would still put any CRK in the "sleek" box. And I prefer sleek, both in knives and female companions.
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Just saying... If you consider my Inkosi sleek... "I would still put any CRK in the "sleek" box. And I prefer sleek, both in knives and female companions, with curves and lumps in the right places".
 
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Tseg said:
Just saying... If you consider my Inkosi sleek... "I would still put any CRK in the "sleek" box. And I prefer sleek, both in knives and female companions, with curves and lumps in the right places".
Click to expand...

Yeah, well...there's sleek and then there's slick. Slick being just a bit less than sleek. You need to be specific on the slick-to-sick continuum (sick being hopelessly complex). 😁
 
For "looks," I'll buy anything that I like. For carry, I lean towards, "sleek."
 
Hmmm... I like both really. I've always preferred what I call "American designs". In my head we have a certain archetype of folding knife that is a combination of something like a Bugout, an Al Mar SERE 2000, a Sebenza, A Mayo TNT, A Prometheus STS, maybe a Griptilian. In my own personal mind, all those are pretty close to the "American folder" design. I've never seen so many overly small, overly large, weird-shaped opening holes and fullers, and compound grinds, and all that complexity as when I came back to the knife scene a couple years ago and saw that Chinese knives were kind of the "new thing". And I don't at all mean to make this about American vs. Chinese manufacturing or politics at all. But speaking purely in a design sense, I almost always tend to prefer the more simple, sleek American design.
 
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