Ergonomics, traction and size

[Mayonardo]

One of the things I enjoy about buying and specifically using traditional knives in my day-to-day activities or their wide variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. These factors make perusing through the forum looking at the bewildering variety of knives, old and new, a real treat. However to me, actually buying and using these amazing knives has not been at all together great experience in many cases. I’ve seen knives that I really thought we’re going to work well, operate well, feel well and be just an all-around effective knife for me, but not so.

I think what brought this realization on is that my small selection of daily users has subtly changed over the past year to include mainly acrylic and mycarta covers, have multiple blades, and that fall in the range of 3 to 3 1/2 inches. *edit (Except for my oil Field Jack). All of them open easily. They are all high-quality construction. All have a basic shape that is designed to fit my hand when open and in use. Most importantly the covers all offer a decent amount of traction.

I think smooth wood and bone make beautiful covers but far less effective than those with a bit more traction and feel. I don’t buy stag because I think it raises the price too high and searching for stag that is symmetrical in size so that you don’t have a big bulge on one side and a big dish on the other is way too much trouble.

All of my beautiful but my smooth and slick covered knives have been sold or will be gone soon. For me, I will be interested in covers like mycarta, acrylic (I know, big surprise to me too how much friction that material actually offers) and jigged bone.

I’m interested in your opinions.

 

[afishhunter]

If a knife does not "feel right" in my hand when I use it, it goes into the cigar storage box, or I give it away.

For example: After reading so many "good things" about the Congress pattern, I bought one.
Admittedly, it was not the "best" available, but it was inexpensive enough that if for some reason I didn't like it …
I bought a new manufacture "Black Ice" (or some such thing fake celluloid handled Imperial.)
I would have to say "It is one of the most uncomfortable patterns I've ever held." The "reverse curvature" of the frame … not for me …
Anyway, that one went to my co-driver.

Generally, I prefer multi-blade knives that are 4 inches closed or a bit longer. They go all the way across my palm, and it just feels better/more secure in hand than a smaller knife.

The smallest I've used or carried on a regular or semi-regular basis (and always with a larger knife in "reserve") is a 2 blade 2 1/4 to 3 1/2 inch (closed) Barlow. The handle shape helps give a solid grip, or a 3 5/8 canoe, Scout/Camp, etc. or a 92/93 mm SAK Huntsman.

I've tried a small/medium 3 1/2 stockman (Buck 373; same size as the 303, but a lot less costly.) I'm sorry, but it did not feel right in my hand either. It felt "weak" of "flimsy" (even though it had/has no blade wiggle) when I used it. I don't know … maybe it was because of the slimmer blades and it was all between my ears....
I prefer a 4 inch or larger stockman. The "good news" is I won't be buying another "small"/"Medium" stockman, so there is one more available for y'all that like that size stockman best. It won't be me that buys the last one in stock, just before you decide "pull the trigger" on it.
That 373 is in the cigar box … I thin … or I may have given it to a trucker friend. (I don't have the cigar box with me at the moment, so I can't check. Truth to tell, I'm really not all that fussed about it.)
Some may hate me for it, but I prefer the way a Buck 110 or Old Timer 6OT/7OT feels in hand over the 112. Please don't get me wrong; the 112 is a fine knife. However, it just feels a little "cramped' to me. (might be because I've carried it's "big brother" and the same size Old Timers every day for over 45 consecutive years?) I still carry and use the one 112 I have on occasion, (SK Blades Lil' Jack). However, I don't anticipate buying another 112.

I Agree witrh you, Mayonardo . If a knife does not "feel right" there is no reason to keep, carry, and/or use it.
Why be unhappy with your daily carry?

 

[willard0341]

My use of a knife is minimal at best. When I do come upon a legitimate need to cut something whether it is a blister pack, package etc. my lipstick truly hangs out. Stag, wood and acrylics is what has been catching my eye lately. As far as purchase or the slickness of the scales that is not a factor for me in my daily adventures. I’m right with ya on the 3 to 3.5” range. It is a fun hobby where I’d like to read more and purchase less for 2020. Obligatory knife picthis maybe relevant to the topic. I really like the whittler pattern and the blades on this knife but the nail nicks are shallow with a minimal “ledge” for purchase.

 

[kamagong]

I don't like the cold feeling of synthetics. So it's natural cover materials for me -- bone, stag, wood, and even nacre or ivory.

As to ergonomics, my preferred slipjoint is a single blade ~ 3 3/4" closed. That's my sweet spot that balances ease of use and ease of carry. Any bigger and it's too large and bulky in the pocket. Smaller and it's not as comfortable to use.

Multi-blades slipjoints provide versatility, but I don't feel handicapped at all by a single blade knife. I overwhelmingly use the main blades on the stockmen and pen knives that I own. Plus, the extra steel just makes the knife heavier. Perhaps even more importantly, I like not having the folded, unused blades dig into my fingers when I'm using a knife.

The cool thing about slipjoints and traditional knives in general is that there is a pattern for anyone's taste.

 

[abcdef]

I think a large part of the general population falls in to the practical user category. Thus the preponderance of SAKs and scouts. We connoisseurs get more interested in different patterns/scales, but the old cigar shape is still the standard for most.

 

[gaj999]

I've found the same thing. I've carried lots of patterns and sizes and always come back around to multi-bladed knives in the 4-4.25" range. Plus or minus another quarter, as some knives, like the 4" Buck 301, feel small for their size and tend to get left in the drawer and others, like the 3.75" Churchill, feel big for their size and get pocket time. Smaller knives just don't feel good in my hand when I have anything substantial to cut and once the main gets beyond about 3.5", it's too long to be nimble. Blades need to be thin and flat or hollow ground. Since I over accumulate users rather than collect, I've learned to avoid knives that I know I won't want to use. When it comes to covers, I like wood and micarta and bone. Stag is not my thing but if it's thin I can live with it. Horn is a non-starter. Acrylic never really spoke to me as I like my covers to be understated, but if a grail comes along in acrylic I have no qualms about jumping on it. At the 8 ounce weight, things tend not to get carried much, although the Elephant Toe is an exception since it carries small if that makes any sense. Those exceptions certainly keep me interested.

 

[JohnDF]

Ergonomics: I like a dogleg or serpentine pattern. They look good and feel comfortable in hand or pocket.
Traction: I think jigged bone offers the best grip. I don't care for stag, but that should offer a good grip too.
Size: I prefer a knife in the 3-1/2" to 3-3/4" range, but will carry a knife that's smaller, but seldom bigger.
Considerations: If a knife has a single blade, it can have a narrow or wider handle. But if it's a multi-blade knife, it needs a wider (not thicker) handle to feel comfortable. I hate the "roll of dimes" feeling in hand and in the pocket.

 

[JohnDF]

Here's a picture to demonstrate what I mean...
The Old Timer is thicker across the back and more narrow across the handle. This causes it to roll in the hand and spin in the pocket. On the other hand, the Case is less thick across the back and wider across the handle, which makes it ride flat in the pocket and not roll in the hand. I carried an Old Timer middleman all during high school but now prefer the Case Medium Stockman. for those reasons.

 

[Railsplitter]

Here's a picture to demonstrate what I mean...
The Old Timer is thicker across the back and more narrow across the handle. This causes it to roll in the hand and spin in the pocket. On the other hand, the Case is less thick across the back and wider across the handle, which makes it ride flat in the pocket and not roll in the hand. I carried an Old Timer middleman all during high school but now prefer the Case Medium Stockman. for those reasons.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this perspective. Although not a deal breaker for me personally, I don't like pulling my knife out of my pocket to find that it turned upside down. Not a huge deterrent but it does irritate me.

 

[Mayonardo]

Smaller knives just don't feel good in my hand when I have anything substantial to cut

I agree. The only small knife that I haven’t found objectionable in that regard is the Pemberton. Even then the two blade version is better due to its increased thickness. I tried a Case Peanut but not for long. Too small, difficult to use the nail marks, especially for the pen blade, too slick to be secure in hand. Cute, but not sufficiently functional for me.

 

[Will Power]

Interesting thread, but difficult for me to identify answers musings though.

Admire multi-blade knives, the workmanship & ingenuity of them. Prefer Stockmans but only when they have low riding sheep foot, hate that feeling of handful of blades you can get when holding some multis Point taken about frame types that roll around in the pocket, broad handle EE patterns work best against that- GEC 35 Churchill. Dislike multi blade Congress they feel all wrong in my hands.Whittlers I used to like but as I'm incompetent at carving find the 2 secondary blades redundant and usually too small, does depend though.

That said, rather prefer Singles, you can bear down on them more somehow so it's a grip ergo thing.Single-spring 2 blades are a very good compromise, like these patterns in particular

Do not like heavy knives in the pocket, won't let them in now

Small knives need thick handle slabs, improves grip and comfort, otherwise too skimpy.

Traction, in terms of material, well not really found it an issue Don't know why, I've small hands but a very strong grip maybe that's why Basically, I like most scale materials except MOT/MOP just don't get it and it's fragile, Ivory I'm afraid I won't have... Metal handles I can't stand the look of and they feel unpleasant in the hand. Otherwise, I like all bone, synths, woods, stag, horns Would say that bone appears the most fragile, cracks and chips a lot more than woods or stag so don't drop it

One of the most ergonomic knives I've held is the Laguiole, it may not look it but that curved flintlock pistol shape combined with thick slabs is a delight. One aspect that is unique to me and grip (so it is both ergo&traction&size) is that when I was 23 I almost severed the tip of my ring finger right hand, a deep V cut that went through the nail. Long ago but the scar is still uncomfortable when holding some knives.

Best sizes, this is so difficult as a) it's pattern dependent b) even a few millimetres make a LOT of difference on a Traditional. A 3" knife can be tiny&dinky but can also be credible, a 4" can be clumsy, railway sleeper like or very appealing . But, 3.25-3.5" seems best.

So, will I purge my collection of those who don't get much hand time? Probably not but I like trading so there's an outlet. I mean, your shoe size stays the same so you stick with one size for your feet, hands are different they respond to different sizes of knives

 

[mike Berkovitch]

Indeed very interesting. 5 years ago I would have said, for me whittler, bone handles and something in the range of of 3.5"-3.75" closed. These days I tend to single blade trapper or Barlow, 3 7/8" - 4 1/8" smooth scales, bone or micarta. Something I can carry in formal dress without attracting too much attention and yet use to slice easily what I need.
Also I enjoy carry and use lockback knives, it's still traditional locking mechanism and psychologically I feel safer.
Mike

 

[Shurke]

I like smaller knives. Though I've carried some that measure as long as 4" closed, I tend to be happiest when I've got a sub 3.5" knife in my pocket. Since February, my only carry has been a single blade (wharncliffe) Pemberton in stag. I've been thinking I might change it up this year for a Canal Street sheepsfoot boy's knife.

I like handling multi-blade traditionals, but when it comes to use, two blades is the max for me. And those two blades feel best in my hand when they're placed at opposite ends of a single spring.

Cover-wise, I'm getting more and more picky. Lately the only materials I really find myself really liking on my users are stag and wood. There's just something about how warm those covers feel. I've got one user in ram's horn, and it's all right.

One thing is constant across my users: they have to be easy to open. If a pull rates at 7 or higher, it's not going to make it into my pocket.

 

[Will Power]

mike Berkovitch Certainly agree about the lockback Mike, although smaller than you like at 3 3/8" the GEC 83 is a fantastic lockback, goes well in formal clothes too, Clip or Drop-Point.

Regards, Will

 

[mike Berkovitch]

mike Berkovitch Certainly agree about the lockback Mike, although smaller than you like at 3 3/8" the GEC 83 is a fantastic lockback, goes well in formal clothes too, Clip or Drop-Point.

Regards, Will

I had GEC 83 few years back, but it had slight up and down play when opened. That freaked me out, so Isold it. Same with Case copperlock. A good production traditional lockback is hard to find, and not many custom makers are willing to make them (and the those who agree, I cannot afford ). Anyway the search continues..
Mike

 

[Will Power]

Then you'll have to try Moki, not only no play in ANY direction but you can hardly see the line between the blade & backspring, looks like fixed-blade Nor do they cost a fortune.

 

[rockman0]

I favor jigged bone, stag and sawcut bone in the 3 3/8" to 4" range, love an old sawcut barlow 2 blade for my watch pocket along with a bigger single blade for rfp. Nothing I use either for requires much traction, If I need traction I grab a fixed blade with grippy slabs

 

[mike Berkovitch]

Then you'll have to try Moki, not only no play in ANY direction but you can hardly see the line between the blade & backspring, looks like fixed-blade Nor do they cost a fortune.

I Have Moki Kronos, high Japanese quality in VG 10 steel. Great knife. I might replace it with larger one.

 

[comis]

Though it is slightly off topic, I do carry and use my SAK daily and find most of my traditional user following a similar spec to SAK--3.5 inch for a good hand hold and preferable man made material for longevity and daily abuse. So far this criteria has worked out fine.

 

[Henry Beige]

For the uses to which I put an EDC knife, the particulars of the grip do not mean a whole lot to me. It is usally a light use, I hold the knife in my fingertips, and not for very long. My greater concern is weight, and how much room it takes in my pocket, which it will usually share with two otther knives.