Finger grooves

[uccman]

Are finger grooves such as those found on the Randall #14 a help or hinderance? I do not own a knife with finger grooves on the handle and would like to hear the opinions of others before buying.

 

[A T Barr]

Grooves are great.....if you are going to only hold your knife in one position. Otherwise, IMHO they suck.

------------------
A.T.
http://www.customknives.com

 

[Dr.Lathe]

I have never held a finger groove handle I like with more than two grooves. The handle on my SIFU limits how I can hold the knife. I had a Randall #11 with the finger grooved stag handle. My fingers never seemed to line up properly with the grooves... What a thing to do to a nice piece of stag!!!! Just my OPINION.....
Neil

------------------
Just updated 10/31!! New Knives, New Pics!!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 

[Scott Evans]

Finger groves … I like’em

A knife with finger groves may feel uncomfortable at first. However, as your hand develops a “feel” for the knife (reflex muscle memory or indexing) the groves become an asset beyond that of just improving your ability to grip the handle. They aid in the familiarization that develops so that one may instantly know the position of the blade regardless of how the knife is held. Obviously some grove patterns are better then others.


------------------
“We are the pilgrims masters; we shall go, always, a little farther.”

 

[Lynn Grififth Knives]

I like a finger groove for the forefinger. I think 1" is ideal. Very important thought that the handle be rounded. Sharp corners on a handle are never comfortable, even less comfortable in a finger grove.

------------------
Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 

[B. Miller]

I have Randall models 1 & 14, both have finger grooves. Finger grooves tell you where to put your fingers on the handle when you hold the knife. The modle 14 finger grooves feel comfortable in my hand. but the model 1 doesn't. This tells me that the handle shape is also important. It would probably be better if you could hold the finger grooved knife before purchase.

 

[Jay Maines]

When I first started making knives, I would put finger grips on every knife I could. I felt it added to the value of the knife, in that it provided a more secure grip, opened up more of the exotic hard woods grain pattern etc. I carved them with my dremil tool to fit my right hand, and I thought they were just great. However, at the shows, when a customer would pick up one with my finger groves, I'd ask, "How does that feel?" I hardly ever got the answer I wanted, which would be,"Just great, I'll buy it!" Instead they would say , its to tight, its to big, it does'nt feel right etc. Then I realized that not everyone had hands and fingers the same size and shape as mine. THE VOICE SAID TO ME. THE HAND IS VERY ADAPTABLE, LEAVE THE GRIPS OFF!!? So I have, and only put them on very few knives, were I have an idea of the size of the customers hands, and they request them.
I carryed a Randall #14 Survival, with finger grips, in S. Viet Nam for three tours. I loved the feel of that knife when I picked it up. I used and abused it on a daily bases, and can't recall the grips every getting in the way of using it.
Jay Maines www.sunrisecustomknives.com

------------------