Fully Custom Handle Grip - Has Anyone Done This?

C

Cushing H.

Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
2,714
I have a friend that has previously lost a skinner (he is an active deer hunter). I thought I would take a shot at making a blade for him. I thought it might be a nice touch to fully customize the handle grip to his hand. My thought was take modeling clay, shape in roughly in the profile of a skinner handle - then have him grip it like he was holding a knife. I would then take the finger placement imprints and transfer them to a profile that would then be cut out in steel. Has anyone done this? advantages/pitfalls? Is there a different way to accomplish a custom handle fit?
 
I tried this once, and IMO, the major pitfall with this is that you will be locking your friend into having only one way to grip/handle his knife, forcing his wrist to do all the manipulation of the knife. This may not be an issue with a skinner, though.
 
There are very few things that have not been tried in the knife world.
As stated above-there are many reasons not to lock a knife user's hand in one position.
 
Yeah, it's neat if you hold it that way. And it will be so ugly you'll never want to look at it.
 
Ummm ... i think perhaps i was not clear in what i meant. I did not mean to create a “fits like a glove” thing ... rather use the impression to place the finger round(s) in the correct locations so that the grip is relaxed, and not stretched ir strained so as to match the handle. Peoples hands do differ in size after all...
 
Some of my favorite handles are a kinda stretched out tear drop. I’m not much for groves, notches or bumps that force your fingers into a particular position. I will take a few picture later. Think bird and trout style. That’s probably one of the most useful blade/handle combo.
 
maybe try it with your own hand and some pine and see how it works for you first
 
Is this what you're referring to JT?
uTVk4dE.jpg

Mbkq5NJ.jpg
 
Study how Bob Loveless designed his handles for a drop skinner.

Do it like that and it will be comfortable and controllable in any position during use.
 
AVigil said:
Study how Bob Loveless designed his handles for a drop skinner.

Do it like that and it will be comfortable and controllable in any position during use.
Click to expand...
Or even the loveless improved handle design
 
I would get him over for an afternoon while you do the final shaping of the handle. Get him to hold it and guide you in shaping it
 
Alex Topfer said:
I would get him over for an afternoon while you do the final shaping of the handle. Get him to hold it and guide you in shaping it
Click to expand...
This is the best idea. Your buddy will probably think it pretty cool. I once made a carving knife for a coworkers wife who had real bad arthritis and couldn't grip a regular knife for a sustained period. I mocked up 3 handles out of 2X4 and she tried them. Made revisions on what she liked till I found a size and shape that worked for her. She liked a heavily contoured way oversized handle.

Unfortunately she came down with a sudden illness and passed away before I could deliver. I put a normal handle on It and gave it to her husband.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top