ESEE Laser Strike Handle

[utah_fish]

I really like the shape and size of the blade and the kydex sheath is awesome as well. That said, every time I pick the knife up I want to grind off that choil point and reshape the handle. The choil point is right where my index finger wants to be. To me the whole handle is a bad design and ESEE could take a good knife and make it a great one with a simple redesign of the handle. I would remove the choil altogether and have a handle length of 4.5 inches versus the current handle, excluding the choil. Thinking about removing the choil point on the handle but that would result in a handle that is 5 inches which is a bit long. Still would probably be better than the current handle. Thoughts?

 

[MatthewSB]

Before grinding steel (and removing coating, etc.) I would sell it at a slight loss and get something else.

I dig the choil on the LaserStrike, but there are lots of "bushcafter" styled knives out there with extremely versatile handles.

 

[sd550]

Just sell it and get a Becker BK-16, that's what the LS would be without a choil .

 

[KingMC]

I second the Becker, they are always a good brand and have fantastic ergos. Plus, if you don't like the standard grivory you can upgrade to micarta and still come out the same as if you bought an ESEE.

 

[utah_fish]

Interesting comments guys. I like my modified 10's and my BK5. I have a BK17 and it's nowhere near as beefy and nasty as the laserstrike. Probably will go with Matthews suggestion to part ways with it. BTW - here's a pic of the 10's and 5, now that you mention Beckers. The bottom one is a recent add from a member here. Really an awesome mod.

 

[chiral.grolim]

I really like the shape and size of the blade and the kydex sheath is awesome as well. That said, every time I pick the knife up I want to grind off that choil point and reshape the handle. The choil point is right where my index finger wants to be. To me the whole handle is a bad design and ESEE could take a good knife and make it a great one with a simple redesign of the handle. I would remove the choil altogether and have a handle length of 4.5 inches versus the current handle, excluding the choil. Thinking about removing the choil point on the handle but that would result in a handle that is 5 inches which is a bit long. Still would probably be better than the current handle. Thoughts?

While i don't disagree that it is a badly designed handle, i just need a little help on what you want. By "choil point", do you mean the pseudo-'sub-hilt' portion of the index groove? The one in the handle? The "choil" is the heel of the blade itself:

You may like the outcome of the customization better than the original, but I agree with what others have said, sell that one and get a knife more to your liking.

The modification immediately makes me think BRKT Canadian Special LT:

But this one has better steel, better edge-geometry, better handle... but much more expensive. You could also get a custom from one of the bladeforums makers for a similar price and have exactly what you want :thumbup:

 

[utah_fish]

Good input Chiral. Didn't know the names of the parts of the knife. So what most folks call a choil is really a finger groove.