Handle opinion wanted

[weo]

Hello all. I hope the week is treating y'all well.

I found this damascus blade I forged/ground a heat treated last year lying around and thought it was time to finish it. I can't decide on the handle shape to use, however, so I thought I'd ask for opinions.

Which shape/which line just behind the ricasso? Or if you've got a cokmpletely different idea, let me know. Thanks.

as always
peace and love
billyO

 

[joedhiggins]

I think I prefer the look of continuing the ricasso into the handle. It seems like it would be more comfortable choking up on the knife/gripping the spine that way. And I think it gives cleaner lines. Alternatively, with that sized blade (it looks like it is about 3 1/2"?), I may go with a 3 finger handle. I really like the 3 finger handles and I find them really great for choking up, holding the spine and doing finer work.

 

[weo]

Thanks Joe. Good eye, the cutting edge is almost exactly 3 1/2"

 

[Natlek]

 

[lanternnate]

Pretty pattern, but that’s a lot of ricasso. I’d consider softening that ricasso area and cutting in a new shoulder much closer to the plunge. As is I feel like you’re either going have your index and thumb fully in front of the handle making it uncomfortable, or your grip will be so far away from the cutting edge it’s awkward to use. Another possibility if you don’t want to cut a new shoulder is to add basically full tang style bolsters in front of the handle and blend it all together.

 

[ten-six]

I agree with Natlek and lanternnate.

 

[weo]

Thanks all.

I may go with a 3 finger handle. I really like the 3 finger handles and I find them really great for choking up, holding the spine and doing finer work.

I'm pretty sure I'm not familiar with what a 3-finger handle looks like. Care to point me to an example of 2?

 

[tim37a]

I think ten-six has got it.
Tim

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Thanks all.


I'm pretty sure I'm not familiar with what a 3-finger handle looks like. Care to point me to an example of 2?

Don’t have a pic cause I haven’t made one in years but they are a handle for a 3 1/2 , usually less like 2-3” that has a 3 Finger Handle for Game Processing or just an about town worker knife.. The best way is to make a few, Test & repeat!!

 

[joedhiggins]

Not mine, my photobucket app isn't working right now for some reason, so I can't post the photo I wanted to, but that gives you an idea. I essentially stop just after the halfway point of the palm swell/handle belly of a more traditional full hand handle. I like them for the smaller blades, and done properly, they are great for use with a pinch grip.

 

[weo]

Ok, thanks. Just a shorter handle so the butt fits in the palm between the thenar and hypothenar eminences (bulges of the palm).

 

[joedhiggins]

Ok, thanks. Just a shorter handle so the butt fits in the palm between the thenar and hypothenar eminences (bulges of the palm).

Yeah, but you can really play with the shape a lot and still get a comfortable grip.