Index finger cut out.

[Quy4n8]

On a number of knives, there is a cut out in front of the guard (I believe it is commonly called the choil) for your index finger when you want to choke up on the knife. Two that come to mind are Randalls and Swamprats. On smaller knives, say blades under 4 ½”, do you find this feature useful or just unnecessary? I would rather have a knife that has almost all 4 ½” of edge, than to have a 5” blade, but only 4” of edge. What do you guys think.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I have seen some smaler knives which used the index finger cutout to give more handle versatility, not necessarily to allow a choked up grip for more control as this is not really necessary on a smaller blade, but to allow for a greater effective grip size. Some of the Spyderco folders for example make this an integral part of the handle which allows for a fairly large grip while keeping the blade/handle ratio decently big. I have seen it used well on some knives like the Safari Skinner, but in general prefer knives like the Boye drop point hunters mainly as gives greater power in heavy cutting.

-Cliff

 

[Quy4n8]

I agree, on a folding knife it makes sense, but on a small straight blade, just seems unnecessary.

 

[DGG]

On a number of knives, there is a cut out in front of the guard (I believe it is commonly called the choil) for your index finger when you want to choke up on the knife. Two that come to mind are Randalls and Swamprats. On smaller knives, say blades under 4 ½”, do you find this feature useful or just unnecessary? I would rather have a knife that has almost all 4 ½” of edge, than to have a 5” blade, but only 4” of edge. What do you guys think.

For skinning game it is handy. Many hunters just pinch the choil between the thumb and fore finger for delicate cutting.

 

[Jeff Clark]

The index finger cutouts that I don't understand are the ones in the handle right behind the guard. The Spyderco Perrin is a classic example.

 

[STR]

I like the finger choil on the Sypderco Calypso Jr. Without it I don't think the knife would be as well liked as it is. I copied it on my upgrade for my Salt 1 because after having a CJ I had trouble going back to a standard Delica/Salt handle.

I feel the finger rest gives the user more control of the blade but it also helps by making it look much better when the blade is closed. I have always hated the look of the back of the blade sticking up out there in the open on folding knives. I especially hate this on tip down carry knives where they gouge your hand or knuckles when reaching into your pocket for something other than your knife..

Here is the Salt 1 before and after. Not only does this new choil look better by covering the back of the blade neatly but it just feels better in the hand. I think the way I brought the body of the handle up to cover the grind line helps in the looks department too though. It didn't make it feel any better or worse in the hand to do this either. To me this just looks more finished and 'thought out' as opposed to the before. It almost looks like someone stuck a blade in a body that wasn't made for that one. Some worse than others.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

This :

http://www.downrangesports.com/ProductImages/downrangesports_1783_5549812.gif

They enhance the existing guard, or provide one if it isn't there, so it is a security aspect.

I like them on some blades, but not as sharp as TOP's and Ferhman run them which limits grip versatility.

-Cliff

 

[Gossman Knives]

I like them on large fixed blades, 7" to 9" blades knives with or without guards. As far as guards, I absolutely dislike them. I think they basically get in the way. On small fixed blades that you are reffering to, a choil is good if the knife has a guard and not really a necessity if the knife is without a guard.
Scott

 

[HoB]

Without it, the Dragonfly would not nearly be as good to handle as it is, especially not for large hands.