Handle Width (Finished w/Pics Added)

J

jawilder

Joined
Jun 27, 2006
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What is the ideal handle width for a chopper? I usually start with 3/8 scales on most knives and start shaping from there, but what should I start with and end up with on a chopper?

If it matters, this one has deep finger choils

This one ended up being:
3/16 thick 6" ATS-34 blade with full convex grind
Handles are 3/16 Paper Micarta on top of 1/8 yellow G10

BEWChopper6.jpg


BEWChopper5.jpg


I'm not crazy about the finger choils but the "customer" (read brother) insisted on them.
 
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Wouldn't that depend upon the end user? Also, how wide (top to bottom) is the handle? A handle with more height (?) probably doesn't need to be as wide across.

Like you I typically use 3/8" scales. They have enough meat on them that I can afford to shape them if I choose, but I tend to make smaller knives than choppers.

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
I ask because I have large hands and usually build my knives to fit my hands, but they might be too big for most other people
 
You'll never be able to please everyone; just make what you want how you want. That after all is why you are making it and not someone else.
 
well if its ¼ inch thick blade wouldn't you use thinner scales than you would on thinner blades? Try to hold as many custom knives as you can find and either take notes or pictures of what felt good or that you liked. Don't focus on trying to meet a certain dimension rather try to make it feel good.


-Xander
 
I agree, go with what feels good in the hand, you can also hand a knife to people with "normal" hands and ask for their input on how it feels. I'm lucky in that my brother has normal hands and I have big hands, so we're able to make knives with a good balance for both, or specific to either. I say go with what feels right.

Dan
 
Go to Cabellas or Gander Mountain and try out the machetes. That might give you some idea of appropriate size and/or shape.

I re-handled a garden machete and I made four finger notches to help hold onto it when chopping. After attacking some brush for an hour I had blisters on all my fingers. I don't recommend such a handle for a chopper that will be used for extensive chopping such as brush removal.

What sort of chopper are you considering?

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
 
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