Handle dimension question

blgoode

blgoode

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
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Well, I have completed 5 knives total. My delima is the handle. What are the most comon handle dimensions for a 6 to 9 inch hunter? I have learned sketching on paper "feels" different in steel. What are your most common width, height and length for you handles? Just a basic dimension to help solve the frustration of...humm.. I wish I could measure 20 knives I love...then sketch.
Hope this isn't too wide open of a question.
 
This is too hard to explain but here goes. The theory you are asking about is "ergonomics". I use a standard of 110mm for knives with blades 4 to 8", which seems to accomodate about 90% of the people that handle my knives. Giants and the few women that buy knives are the exception.

The overall length of the handle may be longer. For example the rear sholders of a cofin handle are not included, neither is the bulge that creates a birds beak handle. Another example would be the slanted butt on a Lovless hunter or fighter, also not included.

A very easy method to check handle proportion is to cut a cardboard mockup of your knife's profile ( works best with full tangs ) and test it on a few friends, instant product research. The worst thing you can do is make a knife with a handle that is too short for the blade. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :)
 
Thanks so much!!!
I'll try 110mm as a basis.
 
what about the hadle height? I am using 3/8" scales but cant decide on a good go by height.........
 
I generally don't make a handle anything less than 4" long (the area you grip)on a fixed blade of any kind. As to width and thickness, that all varies too much for me to give a good explanation. It comes down to feel and style I guess. On my hunters and other mid sized fixed blades I've been using 1/4" stock for the scales and the handle generally is between 3/4" and 1" wide at its widest and narrowest dimensions. There is a alot of contouring to make it swell in the right spots and skinny in other spots though.
Basically I try and make it shaped so that my hand naturally wraps around it gripping mostly with my fingers so you have a lot of control. That makes it much too big for some of the women who have handled them, but they seem to like to grip the knife more in their palm and that makes the size work out pretty good.

Everybody's hand is a different size and they all use knives differently. For the most part, if you make the handle comfortable for yourself there will be folks out there who like it though.
 
Pete is right on the money. I have an old Indian trick I use, too. I use my hand as a guage. What is comfortable for me for a standard hunter is minimum 4-1/2 inches. I then hold my hand out and measure their hand with mine, for size. Then, add or subtract. This works well with big hands, especially. For hunter handles, I am not very willing to go less than 4-1/2 inches for a smaller hands than mine, either.You have to have a working size handle for a tool, period. If you are measuring a pretty gal's hand, you are OK to extend the measuring time. You want to be sure, don't ya?
 
you crack me up, John...


Try a palm swell on your next one. Adds a lot to the "grippiness" of the handle.

Look up Jay Hendrickson, if you want to see a fancy, well made palm swell. (or Bill Moran for that matter)
 
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