First post: how should a knife, fit the hand?

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I have medium to large hands. While trying a Benchmade Nim Cub II recently, I noticed that the handle fell about 3/4 to 1" from the end of my hand.

What is ideal? For the knife handle to sit inside the hand, flush with the hand, or protrude slightly?

Thanks for your responses.
 
However you like. I don't mind either. If it is comfortable in your hand in the grips that you use it and the manners that you use it then your set to go.
 
There really is no "ideal" it all depends on personal preference and what's comfortable for you.
I like to be able to have at least a 3 finger grip on the handle, however, it just depends on the knife.
For example, my Spyderco Cricket is tiny, but it feels great in my hand, for others, that may be different.
As long as I have a nice confident grip on the knife and it's comfortable in my hand, it's good to go. =]
 
whatever is comfortable for you... Good way to test is go out and cut whatever you find yourself cutting on a day to day basis. Switch from your normal grip, to your reverse grip, etc...

My most ergonomic for me is My Spyderco Military which in the normal grip has an inch or a bit more left at the butt. In the choil grip which I probably even use more often I have 2+ inches hanging out back there. But I love the knife because it has so many grips available, without "locking you in" to any one position. Sometimes I grip far back if I need more reach or a little "whip" action to a cut.
 
Tried out a BM Mini Presidio today, the aluminum scale version. Just fit perfectly in my hand.
I think you'll know when a knife feels right. As BladeChick said, a grip that inspires confidence!
 
+1 for depends

when im at work i need a sharper tip and a grippy handle. and it has to fit in my hand in this awkward grip i use most at work. opening boxes on the fly in a freezer in the dark with not enough space to safely cut the box open.

when im off or not at work i like a nice large handle like the zero tolerance 0300. a little slick but nice grip and a nice big blade. i never need a big blade, a small SAK classic would always do the trick but its what i like


if it feels good to your hands and works for your needs its a good knife

my suggestion is go to a shop that has a large selection and try them all :)
 
Also, eventually you'll get a good idea of what's comfortable for you and just know when you look at a knife if it'd feel comfortable.
Though, with the knives you can't tell or just aren't sure, I'd try and handle them first.
 
Depends on whats comfy for you. I find my Kershaw Tremor to be very comfortable and easily fit my entire hand on the handle with room to spare. Ka-Bar Dozier can fit 4 fingers on the handle and my thumb on the jimbing and it's comfortable. Than I have some unnamed kershaw which I can't find out what it is even by looking at the model # (assuming big5 exclusive) which is 2.5in which can only fit 3 fingers and my thumb halfway down the back of the blade past the thumb hole and I find it comfy. Yet a smith and wesson which is of identical size isn't anywhere near as comfy for me just due to the ergonomics of it. I mention all this just to prove a point don't get carried away thinking only one style of holding a knife is right or you will only find 1 particular style comfortable, just try it out if you can. If it comfy use it, if not don't use it.
 
Appreciate the replies. I don't have any smaller nice knives, just some big military size knives . So I was questioning how a smaller knife should fit. I'm looking for something for EDC.
 
That opens a new realm of possibilities and needs. Do you want a folder or a fixed blade EDC? How large is your idea of an EDC knife? what will you be doing with it? For any knife, the most important thing is that it be comfortable in your hand while its being used, or it wont get used.
 
I think it depends on your grip and what you are cutting. If you are cutting cardboard or heavy rope, something like that, you probably are putting a lot of force into the blade. If you are cutting open envelopes and taped packages, this doesn't take a lot of force. A handle that doesn't go all the way through your hand will make it harder to put a lot of force into the cutting, and might even be dangerous. For cutting like that you are probably holding your knife in your tight fist and the end of the handle should at least be flush with the heel of your hand. If you making detail cuts such as small food prep or opening packages you are probably holding the knife in a looser fist, maybe with the first finger extended, and you won't be putting as much force into the knife but also the handle is running through your hand at a diagonal and almost needs to be longer for that. I have said before that I don't really need a large knife for my cutting chores but I need a large handle and that usually means that you are going to get a large blade to go along with it.
 
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