How’s it in the hand?

My favorite is the Coke bottle shape. There are slight variations between the models, but the handles on the Barkies all have that in common.
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Certain folders just fit my hand perfect, even though they are largish.

Spyderco Manix 2
Spyderco Domino
Spyderco Yojimbo 2
Spyderco Gayle Bradley 1
Demko AD20.5
Biryukov #7, 12
Cheburkov Strizh
ZT 0095BLKS90
Matt Bailey model 2 geek edition
A Purvis Progeny V2 (if not for the terrible clip I would carry this more)

These give me absolutely confidence and feel born in my hand.

These are good but just slightly off enough to not make the list, but still comfortable enough.

Spyderco PM2
Spyderco Southard
ZT 0470

Most of the rest are good enough, though a few of those are not really going to see heavy usage, like my Alan Davis.mail, packages, food, that's about it.

I only own two fixed blades, and the (currently MIA) Becker BK-5 is a little awkward. However, this is very nice. Not a great pic of the handle, but it is well contoured. I've never used it, but I hope to next summer

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mitchnola said:
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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My tastes are quite different than yours, but I agree that the handle can make or break the knife for me.
Oddly enough, I've found that Cold Steel makes some of the most comfortable folding knife handles for my tastes.
Howsoever, my favorite handle is a Mora Companion.
 
knarfeng said:
Oddly enough,
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Totally agree with the outstanding comfort and ergonomics of Cold Steel folders (and for me many of their fixed blades also) .

But I don't find it odd , I just feel that it was very important to LCT that his knives handled and felt right . :cool: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I think his main concern was originally for martial aspects (secure firm grip ) but it carries over to utility use as well . IMO .
 
DocJD said:
Totally agree with the outstanding comfort and ergonomics of Cold Steel folders (and for me many of their fixed blades also) .

But I don't find it odd , I just feel that it was very important to LCT that his knives handled and felt right . :cool: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I think his main concern was originally for martial aspects (secure firm grip ) but it carries over to utility use as well . IMO .
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I only owned one Cold Steel, over ten years ago, and I remember it being ergonomic. The truth is, most people like their fingers. Well as far as I know. There could be large anti-finger movement that I just don't know about, especially in this crazy world. Sometimes I seriously feel like they let me out of the psych ward too soon.
 
Took this for granted in my early knife collecting days. The mind is more easily allured and distracted by blade steel, the knife company stamped on the blade, blade shape, a tacticool design, etc. Embarrassing how long it took me to ask, “Is it comfortable to handle though?”

The handle part is arguably just as important as the cutty pointy part. The best slicer in the world is useless if you can’t hold it properly.
 
K.O.D. said:
I only owned one Cold Steel, over ten years ago, and I remember it being ergonomic. The truth is, most people like their fingers. Well as far as I know. There could be large anti-finger movement that I just don't know about, especially in this crazy world. Sometimes I seriously feel like they let me out of the psych ward too soon.
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I hate their edge dulling plastic sheaths, but CS makes some excellent rubber handles. Zero complaints with my SRK.
 
K.O.D. said:
The truth is, most people like their fingers. Well as far as I know. There could be large anti-finger movement that I just don't know about, especially in this crazy world. Sometimes I seriously feel like they let me out of the psych ward too soon.
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???? If you are implying that Cold Steel folders are somehow unsafe to handle , totally not true if you use them correctly .

The Tri-ad lock is the least likely lock to close on fingers either accidentally or thru lock failure .

Most are also designed to to stop with the unsharpened base of the blade against you lead finger as long as your grip is forward .


IMO , safest folders available !
 
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DocJD said:
???? If you are implying that Cold Steel folders are somehow unsafe to handle , totally not true if you use them correctly .

The Tri-ad lock is the least likely lock to close on fingers either accidentally or thru lock failure .

Most are also designed to to stop with the unsharpened base of the blade against you lead finger as long as your grip is forward .


IMO , safest folders available !
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Oh no, read I said I found them ergonomic. Most knives are ergonomic, because most people (I assume) like their fingers. As in not sliding onto the blade.
 
K.O.D. said:
Oh no, read I said I found them ergonomic. Most knives are ergonomic, because most people (I assume) like their fingers. As in not sliding onto the blade.
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Great...so then, absolutely no charge for the sermon ! :oops:
 
I was at the NYCKS about 15 years ago, and wanted to get my first Emerson there. I handled all the models at their table and picked the CQC-10.
For me, the ergos fit my hand the best out of all their models. However, I didn't like the linerlock or chisel edge, so I had to make some changes.
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Honorable mention goes to Varga Knives Varga Knives Vesper.
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Good point on the choils, OP. Have you ever tried a Spyderco Native or Manix 2? They are pure magic to the hand. Good thing too, because they're UGLY. ;)

I feel like A.G. Russell had a very good understanding of ergonomics. Have you seen his FeatherLite One-Hand Knife design? It's about the same overall size as a Delica, but with a lighter, better-designed (one-piece!) handle. It's narrower in the pocket than a Spydie too, thanks to the oval thumb hole instead of giant circle. Half the cost, too. I think the only thing keeping it from storming the market is its lack of a clip. It is a bit long for pocket carry for many, and although they offer an excellent Kydex neck sheath, that's not for everyone either.

Thumb ramps are in the way for me, half the time. They tend to catch on the pocket when inserting the knife, and I only use that grip rarely. I most often use the sideways grip; light in the hand, and hammer grip when cutting hard on something.

One super-popular knife, the Spyderco Delica, didn't quite get the choils right, to me. the index and middle fingers are crammed together in that first choil and there's too much room in the rear two choils. Still, it's pretty good in the hand because the choils aren't too aggressive and it achieved classic status so long before its competition that it isn't even thought of any more.
 
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