Jimping?

knives_in_nature

knives_in_nature

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Jul 7, 2014
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What is your stance on jimping and on what type on knife? I personally don't care for all the tactical looks these company's are going for..
Knives like the Sebenza and the 940 are on the top of my list because they don't look like they were made for combat.
 
I like jimping to an extent but not when they overload with it. Generally I do like it on spines/upper handles.

The strangest jimp I've seen is on the ZT 560 series---on mine anyway they seem to have jimped the wrong side of the flipper. Never figured that out....
 
EChoil said:
I like jimping to an extent but not when they overload with it. Generally I do like it on spines/upper handles.

The strangest jimp I've seen is on the ZT 560 series---on mine anyway they seem to have jimped the wrong side of the flipper. Never figured that out....
Click to expand...

I know!!! That's one of the first thing's I noticed when I got mine.
 
I think a well designed handle can do without jimping (especially those with textured G-10 or FRN scales). I'm OK with a bit of traction on thumb ramps and stuff like that, but I'm definitely not a fan of knife handles covered in serrations.
 
EChoil said:
I like jimping to an extent but not when they overload with it. Generally I do like it on spines/upper handles.

The strangest jimp I've seen is on the ZT 560 series---on mine anyway they seem to have jimped the wrong side of the flipper. Never figured that out....
Click to expand...

That's because of the "hinderer" method of flipping a flipper. Pushing forward on the jimped part to preload the flipper (since Hinderer does the relatively weak detents) then rolling downwards to open the blade.
 
kniferbro said:
That's because of the "hinderer" method of flipping a flipper. Pushing forward on the jimped part to preload the flipper (since Hinderer does the relatively weak detents) then rolling downwards to open the blade.
Click to expand...

I see.. Just for aesthetics then considering it opens great.
 
Skip to about 2:05. You can see how the guy presses his finger into the flipper before flipping.

[video=youtube;rWyMApgNcW8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWyMApgNcW8[/video]

Edit: knifebro beat me to it. :thumbup:
 
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kniferbro said:
Ok.

It's a very well documented thing...

Even YouTube videos on the subject...

[video=youtube_share;L6DQcv7KpmA]http://youtu.be/L6DQcv7KpmA[/video]
Click to expand...

Well documented or not, that technique is strange to me. Almost like trying to plug in an extension cord into an outlet by holding cable and not the plug. Using the top side of the flipper and using the "light switch" style makes much more sense. I think this is a case of sometimes jimping being misunderstood. Oh well.
 
Al Mar sere 2000 not jimp in site and its comfy as hell, buttery smooth outside and in. As long as a handle is well done I don't think u need em.
 
knives_in_nature said:
What is your stance on jimping and on what type on knife? I personally don't care for all the tactical looks these company's are going for..
Knives like the Sebenza and the 940 are on the top of my list because they don't look like they were made for combat.
Click to expand...

I don't understand your correlation between 'tactical' and 'jimping' ?

Well placed jimping adds to the overall grip of a knife, and when poorly done it does nothing but hurt like hell.
Not sure it's any more complicated then that....
 
to me there is a difference between Tacticlassy and tacticool. I dont mind tactical looking knives as long as a healthy dose of organic lines and flow is incorporated in the design. Jimping to me is not just an aesthetic cue. To me it serves a functional purpose and anyone who has been out in 100+ degree weather doing more sweating than cutting knows it can come in handy if done properly. And properly here is the key word. Too many times is Jimping done in such a fashion that it actuall IS purely aesthetic and gives no increase in traction. In some cases it is too aggressive and makes for an uncomfortable knife. So for me it as long as its well done and well placed (like why put jimping anywhere and everywhere you WONT be gripping the knife?) and actually enhances a design rather than disrupting it I am all for it. And I truly do think tactical and jimping can be done in a tasteful manner. Its just too bad that these days it would seem makers arent even thinking tacticlassy, passing right by tacticool and firmly planting roots in tacticrap. But like all trends the bubble can get only so big before it pops and the herd moves on to the latest and greatest trend. I for one am hoping makers and collectors start taking a cue from the Justin Timberlake play book and decide to bring sexy back.
 
I like good functional jimping, but not the mega jimps on some big TAC knives. I'd say as long as the jimping is those nice little jimps then they add function without detracting from looks. The manix 2 sports extra gratuitous if not cosmetic jimps on the liners/scales, but I actually think they pulled it off.
 
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I like some jimping, especially on knives that are designed to "choke up" on, like say the Spyderco Manix 2, or on those with short handles where the thumb tends to naturally ride past the handle onto the blade spine. Some knives go overboard with it.

Everyone probably likes slightly different jimping aggressiveness, but what I don't like is all these tacticool knives we see with jimping that has zero function and is only there for looks. The list is long of knives with jimping that provides no additional grip, (ZT 0562, CRK (my 25 is okay, the Umnumzan is poor), Les George VCEP, Southard AVO.....) Some like the ZT 0560 and Strider SMF go overboard IMO with the jimping back on the handle creates a knife that's uncomfortable to grip tightly in extended use, but probably works great with gloves on.

If I had to pick I'd say Spyderco does the best jimping, the teeth are small and closely spaced so it does not really chew your hand up, but it's enough that it provides great grip, especially if you bear down on it.
 
Jimping is as Jimping does! It works great for thumb purchase on a working knife and as far as a fashion statement? That's up to you and what ever you want to call it is fine by me.
 
knives_in_nature said:
What is your stance on jimping and on what type on knife? I personally don't care for all the tactical looks these company's are going for..
Knives like the Sebenza and the 940 are on the top of my list because they don't look like they were made for combat.
Click to expand...

Probably the most effective jimping I've ever used is Winklers. It locks your thumb in and you don't even feel it, looks unique to boot.
IMO, jimping seems to be more cosmetic since all too often its doesn't provide any more traction than a mora's jimpless blade.
 
I find most jimping to do little more than cause discomfort. Even when it is done very well, such as on a Sebenza, it is seldom useful. Don't get me wrong. It certainly can look really cool, as you would see on a Strider... But again, in this circumstance, causes more discomfort than it offers usefulness. I would take an SnG with no jimping over one as is current in a heartbeat.
 
The more I use my knives, the more I find a good handle is enough to have a firm grip no matter how you're holding it.

What's the most common grip with jimping in mind? Something like this I suppose.
boker-nopal-review-more-than-just-surviving.jpg


I use this grip all the time but neither my Leek, Dozier Folder, Or Esee4 ever feel like my thumb needs more traction because the rest of my hand has a good purchase already. More often than not my thumb is there to push further into the cut while maintaining fine control.(instead of using my arm muscles i'm using the finer muscles in the hand so I don't overshoot cuts) So really I prefer if the jimping is very light and comfortable to press on for extended peroids or not there at all.
 
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