i just can't understand . . .

silverdragon33

silverdragon33

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2007
Messages
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why people like mag handles so much. i can understand them liking the hand shaped handles (although i know i wouldn't). here's my problem with mags (which i'll attempt to illustrate with pics): they're only comfortable for me holding it as far up as i can in a ham fisted chopping grip so the middle swell is at about the center of my palm. this is the point of mags right - to make the knife more secure? but held as far up as possible absolutely does not make for good chopping as i want the balance further forward from my hand.

the only comfortable position:
HPIM0723.jpg


fits my palm nicely
HPIM0724.jpg


so, moving it back to an ideal position where my hand is still fully on the handle but further back puts the trough of the curve exactly where i want the crest to be. i could hold it even further back so the rear swell is at the center of my palm, but that isn't quite as comfortable for heavier or extended chopping.

next is the looser handshake/combat grip where the blade is tilted forward. the forward trough is nice for index finger, but again, i find that rear one is exactly where i want the crest to be.

HPIM0728.jpg


one solution i've seen to this whole conundrum is to wrap some paracord around the rear trough, which for me kind of works, but any added comfort is tempered by it making the handle even bigger at the top and bottom, making it uncomfortable for my small hands.
the other solution of course would be to get some micarta and shape it with only one swell right at where the rear trough would be on regular mags, and that would solve all my problems.

what are your thoughts on this? i know most of you like mags, but i'm curious to see how you find the positioning of the swells comfortable.
 
You've got some short fingers! :eek:

and STOP biting your fingernails young man! :p
 
I suppose we should all feel lucky that the grips on Busse knives are not the same shape as a bottle of JWB.:eek: Although...:cool:
 
I was lucky enough to visit a local knife maker to get a few blades touched up..

His first impression on the SARq handles was WTF ?? Why is there a big ugly hump in the middle?? The handles are OK but The center hump needs to be sanded straight then all will be well.. After hearing these words from a professional I am convinced I am not the only one that feels a lot of the Busse mags well **** you guys get the idea.. It's ok though, The blade makes up for the goofy designed handles and there is nothing a belt sander can't fix...
As for TACs well there is no saving those no matter how nice the blade is...

If you like mags design/fit though its all good b/c that means there is something for everyone... :)
 
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foxyrick said:
I love mags on a big knife. Take a look at the 12th post down on my thread here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=469362
Click to expand...

i actually didn't mind the mags too much on a fusion handle, aside from them being just a little too big for me to really like. although that was only for big knives so i didn't mind holding it way up on the handle. still had the problem of the trough being right at the hollow of my palm if i wanted to hold it further back though. this is the biggest problem i have with the mag handles
 
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my experience is limited to the competition grades. The handle on the jackhammer is so slim that it forces me into an old-style grip, Where thumb and forefinger take most of the weight. It makes for very fast blade movemebnt. The handles on the others give me a proper handful for chopping. I feel like I have much more control with the mags. That swell in the middle works for my mitts.

But the difference between jackhammer and sarsquatch seems to reflect the purpose of the blade. I'd choose the jackhammer in a fight, the sarsquatch for camping.
 
I like mags on all larger knives, but have kinda long fingers. I palm a basketball with one finger(ring) and thumb.
 
Ive never felt regular handles before, my only Bussse has mags...But i do think they are a bit to big. The swell in the middle feels jut a little too big. other than that they fit great, i may have to use someones belt sander and thin them out a bit. Either way you can always take some off but you cant put more on.
 
As for TACs well there is no saving those no matter how nice the blade is...

what do you mean by this?
 
I've had to trim the Mag handle on my FBM because the mid swell was a bit too sharp, unlike the mag handle on my ASH-1 which is perfect.
 
i just got this today so i should also add that i almost like the ones on the skinny ash - maybe because they're more rounded than the others. still wish the middle swell was further back though but i almost don't mind with this knife being so awesome
 
Uncle_Jarvis said:
I was lucky enough to visit a local knife maker to get a few blades touched up..

His first impression on the SARq handles was WTF ?? Why is there a big ugly hump in the middle?? The handles are OK but The center hump needs to be sanded straight then all will be well.. After hearing these words from a professional I am convinced I am not the only one that feels a lot of the Busse mags well **** you guys get the idea.. It's ok though, The blade makes up for the goofy designed handles and there is nothing a belt sander can't fix...
As for TACs well there is no saving those no matter how nice the blade is...

If you like mags design/fit though its all good b/c that means there is something for everyone... :)
Click to expand...

I agree all around. Now what I'd like to know is: who can explain the TAC handles? They are ridiculously uncomfortable, so maybe I just don't understand the special TAC holding technique or something.
 
silverdragon33 said:
[I just can't understand] why people like mag handles so much. i can understand them liking the hand shaped handles (although i know i wouldn't). here's my problem with mags (which i'll attempt to illustrate with pics): they're only comfortable for me holding it as far up as i can in a ham fisted chopping grip so the middle swell is at about the center of my palm. this is the point of mags right - to make the knife more secure? but held as far up as possible absolutely does not make for good chopping as i want the balance further forward from my hand.

what are your thoughts on this? i know most of you like mags, but i'm curious to see how you find the positioning of the swells comfortable.
Click to expand...
You make some excellent points, and I do not like the mag handles either (especially on a thicker knife). Holding a knife with the middle swell in my palm is just not comfortable, because the swell is too big for me, and then I feel moving my hand forward or back results in a compromised grip.

While non-mag handles are generally available, not so like on the FBM LE or ASH-1 LE for example.

I still much prefer the old straight handles on a SHBM or SHSHII. The handles on the Basic series are my favorite though, and feel very comfortable. My initial impression of the TAC handle is favorable also; I just have not used one yet.

Gene
 
Moloko Plus said:
I agree all around. Now what I'd like to know is: who can explain the TAC handles? They are ridiculously uncomfortable, so maybe I just don't understand the special TAC holding technique or something.
Click to expand...

i don't mind them for a combat grip. i don't really like the swell on the top of the blade though, and the lower one seems a little too big.
 
I happen to love the TAC handle. Maybe its because I always have used the sabre style grip (aka handshake grip).

I don't care for the center swell on the mags on my HR.
 
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