How’s it in the hand?

mitchnola

mitchnola

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One of the most important factors considered when purchasing a knife for me has always been the handle. I’ve bought ugly knives because the handle fit my hand like a glove, I’ve not bought beautiful knives cause the handle was terrible in the hand. One of my pleasures of a good knife is when it just locks in perfectly.

I’ve noticed that two things are probably the most important in handle design for me personally. I really like a finger choil for my pointer and some kind of thumb ramp. Over the years I’ve gotten a pretty good idea of what I will like by the shape of the handle.

My favorite is the Emerson horseman or cqc 8. Next would be the xm 18 which has a very similar shape as the horseman. My next 5 would also probably be emersons.

My favorite material on handles is G 10. I feel like they provide the best grip and perform the best when wet.

so BF, what knives have your favorite handles and what have you found to be your favorite handle shapes. How important is the handle when making purchases and what materials do you prefer. Pics are awesome as always!

Here’s a pic of some of my favorite handle shapes.
 

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Handle ergonomics on the Emersons are great. Mini Commander is my favorite of his designs.

MiniCommander_20150202_3018x975.jpg


Horseman is also really great.

Emersons_20150302_2_2610x1122.jpg
 
I would say there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to handles. Some are better than others, but also there are different areas of comfort you can prioritize. For instance, a wider butt on the handle doesn't fit the hand as naturally but it does give your little finger more leverage to control the knife. Also some handles really lock your hand in but only work well in one grip, whereas others can accommodate a variety of positions and hand sizes but don't fit any of them as precisely. Then there's the issue of balancing comfort in the hand with comfort in the pocket. Contoured handles are very secure and comfortable but they take up noticeably more space in your pants.

Andrew Demko seems to do a good job of designing ergos for the hand but not the pocket, and Chris Reeve is a master at making pocketable rectangles comfortable through micro refinements. Emerson and Spyderco are good at splitting the difference.
 
Tsujigiri said:
I would say there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to handles. Some are better than others, but also there are different areas of comfort you can prioritize. For instance, a wider butt on the handle doesn't fit the hand as naturally but it does give your little finger more leverage to control the knife. Also some handles really lock your hand in but only work well in one grip, whereas others can accommodate a variety of positions and hand sizes but don't fit any of them as precisely. Then there's the issue of balancing comfort in the hand with comfort in the pocket. Contoured handles are very secure and comfortable but they take up noticeably more space in your pants.

Andrew Demko seems to do a good job of designing ergos for the hand but not the pocket, and Chris Reeve is a master at making pocketable rectangles comfortable through micro refinements. Emerson and Spyderco are good at splitting the difference.
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Your right, it’s not about right or wrong. It’s about preference. Good point about handles being designed for different purposes though, never considered that.
 
mitchnola said:
What’s that bottom one, I can’t tell?
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CQC-7 w/ spearpoint blade. I've had a few CQC-7's (tanto w/ wave and w/o wave), and the spearpoint one is the one I like best. If I'm reaching for an Emerson, though, 90% of the time, it's the Mini Commander. I really like the design on that one.
 
Every knife I have handled made by Andy Roy of Fiddleback Forge has felt like shaking hands with an old friend.

If I'm really honest with myself, if I could only keep one knife to use out in the woods, it would be one of Andy's. The three I have had made by him are probably 3 of my most treasured knives, and that has to do with equal measures of me considering him a friend and the amazing way he turns a handle.
 
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