Hand filling ergonomic folders for large hands

A Manix 2? I’m thinking you’ve already tried one out, but it’s the first knife that comes to my mind when I think of ergonomics. I have average sized hands, though.

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Another I don’t think I’ve seen listed is the ZT 0920. Looks plenty thick and hand filling, but I’ve never tried one personally.
 
I'll agree with BB on the North Arm Skaha II. They did a great job of making a pocketable folder with a sculpted grip that feels great.
Also, the ZT 0801 has plenty of titanium to hold onto. Kinda big in pocket, though.
And the Freeman 451. Close to a 110 in size and feel, but way lighter. And has a clip and the slickest flip and close action.
 
If you're not.opposed to vg 10, I'd suggest Al Mar sere, shrike, or payara. Second would be ZT 56x series. The benchmade bedlam has one of the best handles I've felt on a folder too! Happy hunting.
 
McFeeli said:
A Manix 2? I’m thinking you’ve already tried one out, but it’s the first knife that comes to my mind when I think of ergonomics. I have average sized hands, though.

shhDOE5.jpg


Another I don’t think I’ve seen listed is the ZT 0920. Looks plenty thick and hand filling, but I’ve never tried one personally.
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Yes, the manix is a sweet knife and my edc. I have the same cruwear version as you, and the M4.
 
For me, the most perfect "meld" of large hand-filling size and scale contouring has to be my Custom Olamic Wayfarer. Simply perfect ergos.
 
jfk1110 said:
If you're not.opposed to vg 10, I'd suggest Al Mar sere, shrike, or payara. Second would be ZT 56x series. The benchmade bedlam has one of the best handles I've felt on a folder too! Happy hunting.
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The Al Mar is one I've considered in the past, but it seems expensive for G-10 VG10.

As for the ZT, I've never owned any of the 56x series. Only ever a 0392.
 
number9 said:
I'll agree with BB on the North Arm Skaha II. They did a great job of making a pocketable folder with a sculpted grip that feels great.
Also, the ZT 0801 has plenty of titanium to hold onto. Kinda big in pocket, though.
And the Freeman 451. Close to a 110 in size and feel, but way lighter. And has a clip and the slickest flip and close action.
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I did try out a Skaha, I can't remember which gen but it felt too small for me. I did like the 3d scales and slicey blade tho.
 
I like this thread, I'm on the same hunt. Helle and Casström folder is made for bearing down on wood, so the handles are up to the task, but very unlike what you pictured in first post and lacking pocket clip.
So then AD10 is the best I've tried, and Ritter Houge.
For comparison, crooked river and 4 max handle is too slim for me. And Manix 2 lw is too thin.
And I still have to try out a Gator, Freek and Shaman which also looks to live up to the role.
 
I forgot to include the Fantoni CUT. Comes with flipper and without. The way.it fits.my hand is unbelievably comfy. I got the non-flipper! Tired of flippers.
 
Buck 110 and CS recon 1 should be high on your list. The falkniven workhorse is like a modern buck 110 for a lot more money. I personally really like the buck 110lt because it's cheap and fills the hand well, while also being pretty lightweight so it's great for hiking and camping.

The BM AFO is probably the closest thing I've owned that felt like a fixed blade in hand, if you're allowed autos. The CS recon 1 is probably 2nd, its ergos were really surprising.

Hinderer xm18 isn't bad. I think it was a kizer excort that I liked quite a bit too.

The cs lawman was too thin, IMO, but the contouring of the golden eye makes me think it was just not shaped as well for my hand since the goldeneye is slim but very comfortable for me.

I'll try to think of others I've tried too.
 
A few recommendations from my collection:
  • Benchmade Adamas
  • Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter
  • Emerson Super Commander
  • ZT 0550
 
marcus52AR said:
I'm on the lookout for folders with hand filling ergonomic handles. Most folding knives are skinny and flat for pocketability, however I'm basically looking for fixed blade ergos on a folder.

Knives that come close are the XM-18, ZT 0392, Shaman and Shirogorov F-95. On a side note, I'm not looking for a pocket sword. Blade length between 3 and 4" is ideal. 3mm blade stock with a ffg is a double bonus too.

I don't think it exists, but interested what you guys could suggest. (No fixed blades)

Edit to add this folder that caught my eye. This Cheb is close to what I'm looking for if it was a little larger in length and chubbier 3D wise.

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Shiro 111 is big, fills the hand and has an amazing FFG
 
Sunyata said:
Shiro 111 is big, fills the hand and has an amazing FFG
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I'd have one already if they were a bit cheaper and more readily available up in Canada.

I like the 95s blade length, and I think the 111 might be a little long for my preferences. Still would like to try one out one day.
 
I have more than 100 folders and, like you, I prefer thick rounded hand filling handles.

The best are the Cold Steel AD-10 and (a bit smaller) the Hogue Ritter. The Jarosz Pulsar is also superb but it's difficult to find one.

The Adamas is thick but not rounded.
The 4Max is too big.
The AD-15 is thick but not rounded.
The Cold Steel SR1 is too blocky (but can be improved by hand sanding it).
The Koster Bushcraft folder is thick and rounded (like a fixed blade) but I advise you to never order a knife from Daniel. And with a scandi grind it's a specialized knife.

I really think your best option is the AD-10 or the Ritter.
 
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Well, you're not over in the Traditionals sub but I'll throw this out: Boker stag lockback hunter. Out of all my folders, Traditionals and modern flippers, this is both the most ergonomic and robust of all. The thickness, rounded handles, and shaped frame grips feel so good in hand. The mid grade N690 steel (1.07%C, 17%Cr) holds a decent edge yet can be field sharpened. It fills many roles competently: hunting, camping & hiking, EDC in its belt sheath. And while it's happy in its own cargo pants pocket, forget about it in 4-5 pocket pants.
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