- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 1,526
Well, I am in the "get a guard" camp. I prefer the enhanced safety that a guard provides. I do prefer only a single, lower guard to a double guard, though.
Some people have mentioned folding knives not having guards - well, this may be true, but quite often, folding knives are short enough for the butt of the handle to fit into the palm. This allows the hand itself to act as a guard. Many larger fixed-blade knives don't have this ability. On the flip side of that, though, Jerry Hossom, knife maker, doesn't believe in texturizing handles. In his opinion, a handle can be shaped so as to give sufficient grip. Could this be true of the guard question, too? I think that much of the answer depends on your intended use for the knife. If you plan on piercing anything or plan on general hard use, I believe a guard is definitely a desirable feature.
"Are you an expert with a knife? At least very experienced? If not, you might consider disregarding all advice addressed to experts until you feel yourself to be one."
I think this is sound advice. Why take a chance with your fingers, especially when out in the wilderness, where your body is your only means of staying alive?
Some people have mentioned folding knives not having guards - well, this may be true, but quite often, folding knives are short enough for the butt of the handle to fit into the palm. This allows the hand itself to act as a guard. Many larger fixed-blade knives don't have this ability. On the flip side of that, though, Jerry Hossom, knife maker, doesn't believe in texturizing handles. In his opinion, a handle can be shaped so as to give sufficient grip. Could this be true of the guard question, too? I think that much of the answer depends on your intended use for the knife. If you plan on piercing anything or plan on general hard use, I believe a guard is definitely a desirable feature.
"Are you an expert with a knife? At least very experienced? If not, you might consider disregarding all advice addressed to experts until you feel yourself to be one."
I think this is sound advice. Why take a chance with your fingers, especially when out in the wilderness, where your body is your only means of staying alive?