Does Warren Osborne have tiny hands?

arcanum

arcanum

Joined
Dec 22, 2003
Messages
180
I just got a BM943 today, and though I love the blade shape and general ergonomics of the handle, the thing is just so damn tiny in my average-sized hand. (Maybe I've been spoiled by the supersized 806?) I'll have to wait until tomorrow for the arrival of my new 710 -- maybe my Benchmania just doesn't extend to all models.

Are the BM Osbornes just meant for more delicate tasks?
 
arcanium,

I am not too familiar with the model you speak of, but I understand where you are coming from. Ever since getting my Buck/Strider tanto, I find most knife handles to be way too small. Most other tools I have come with handles meant for HUMAN hands :) If I grab my Schrade stockman and then my Buck/Strider, it becomes immediately apparent which has a better "tool handle". Not that you can't use stockman knives for cutting or anything! Its just that the size of the big Buck folder makes it easier to hang on to and get rough with.
 
I personally find the 710 and 806 handles too large to be comfortable. I'm only 5'11" and about 260 and have medium large hands. I take a size large glove.

I find the 941/943 to be one of my very favorite designs. If I'm really doing rough around the house stuff, working in the garage, etc I might carry something larger, usually a Microtech Socom Elite or Amphibian. But that's only on weekends. During the week I'm generally in business attire where a 941 or Buck 172 Mayo is about as big as I can comfortably carry. I own three 941 keepers and carry two of them quite often. I have a red BC1 model that hangs out in it's box looking cool, a carbon fiber/D2 model that I carry all the several days a week and a Ti/S30V version that I carry when I'm feeling special. I feel that while it is a sleek design, it is quite a capable knife. I've cut lots of stuff with them, and while I'll probably never skin a deer with one, I'll be you could do it. Just avoid cutting live electrical cords. They'll do it but it's a little hard on the blade (don't ask how I know this, but Angie at Benchmade Rocks!).

I should state that all mine are plain edged models as that is my preference, but I have been thinking I might add a combo edge limited edition version just to complete the set.

Light, sleek, sharp, pointy, an Axis lock and made of premium materials, what more could you want?

Now the 770, that's small.

John
 
Originally posted by jmxcpter
I personally find the 710 and 806 handles too large to be comfortable. I'm only 5'11" and about 260 and have medium large hands. I take a size large glove.
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Damn you're a big guy or did you mean 160?
 
Warrens hands are normal sized. I know this because several years ago I collected his work. At that time he was making working lockbacks that were as fine as anything you could find anywhere. The fit and finish was first class all the way, as is Warren!
 
I've been told I have ape hands...

palm is on the fat side of normal, fingers are long and skinny. A quick example of hand size, I use the full 4.5" on the spydie military. It's about right for me.

just got 2 new knives in a passaround/trade, both small for my hands... crkt m16-01 and a kit knife that was fileworked. If my fingers were 1/2" shorter, or palm skinnier they might fit well.

I modify my work gloves. Thumb and little finger hit the ends, lose 1/2" of palm to my fingers. 1/2" off the end of the gloves helps. Those are a large. 6'0, 170-175lbs.
 
Originally posted by arcanum
Are the BM Osbornes just meant for more delicate tasks?
Click to expand...

Some folks use them to skin deer, others to scrape paint out of windowsills, others to cut open and into collapsed metal sheds by slicing open the flimsy metal doors. So, they're not as robust as a 710, but they'll handle more than the average knifeknut will throw at them.

All Benchmades are meant to be used hard. The harder you use them, the more you'll appreciate them.
 
Thanks, all -- I guess I should have given the 943 a little more time. After flipping it all day yesterday (and last night, and this morning), it's growing on me and becoming more comfortable. The blue anodized spine between the black scales is a nice touch, too. A good change from the usual G10.
 
Well let's see how big or small our hands are! :) A 12" ruler should be enough for most of us. Now, take your thumb and pinky finger and strecht them out so they are as far apart from each other as possible (like you were opening your hand up to catch something and stretching it as far open as possible).

Now what's the farthes distance you can measure between the tip of your thumb, and the tip of your pinky? I get about 9 1/2". Then measure from the base of your palm (where your wrist ends) to the tip of your middle finger. I get 8".

So my hand span is basically 9 1/2" wide x 8" high.
 
Not sure if I like the direction this is heading, Wade!

9 7/16" handspan; 8" wrist to fingertip. [Edited after remeasuring accurately.]

And John, you're not alone in that weight class! I'm 6' and 245 lbs.
 
Originally posted by knifenerd
Man!! At 5'11" and 170lbs., I feel like a midget around here.:D
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I'm about 6'1, but I'm only around 170lbs. Although in recent years I'm starting to put on more weight. I used to be a real stick. :)
 
Originally posted by artsig1
9.0" X 8.0" is my wingsp.........uh handspan.
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Mine as well, no wonder we like the same knives! I'm 6'0" and 260#, so don't mess with the Sebenzanistas, we'll step on your toes ;)
 
although I'm 9.7x8, my palm is 3.5x4-almost square. Ilike big handles.--Joe
 
10"X 8 1/4" I've got fairly wide hands with stubby fingers. Haven't handled the Osborne knives but I generally find about a 5" handle to be the most comfortable for a serious work knife. Any handle under 4" is tough to get all 4 fingers around.
I don't mind a narrow or thin handle, actually prefer it if I'm doing detailed stuff, but it has to be long enough.
 
You'll love the 710...plenty of room to roam around. I think you would also favor the 73x series Ares handles. Some of BM finest IMO.

By the way:

6'2" 230

Span: 9.75, 8.25

Out.
 
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