I am curious, how do you get around designing a small bladed knife for everyday carry with a comfortable handle length? For instance if you have a blade of about 2.5-3'' then what length handle would it have? To me a 3-3.5 inch looks about right but most people complain that the handle is too short but a longer handle looks out of place.
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Knife design questions
- Thread starter aarolar
- Start date
when you get into the range of short blades, blade to handle ratios take a back seat to ergonomy, unless there is a pressing reason to keep the overall length to a minimum.
i don't care if the blade is only 1" long, for general use i want a handle that fits my hand well and allows reasonable leverage.
for a user, form should always follow function.
i don't care if the blade is only 1" long, for general use i want a handle that fits my hand well and allows reasonable leverage.
for a user, form should always follow function.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2010
- Messages
- 49
Well, it really depends on the type of handle, rather than the length. An example of this would be the CRKT minimalist. Small blade, small handle. However, the handle works because it allows you to still get enough room on the blade to hold on tight.
Pic:
Same thing with other knives, like the CS minitac series. Small handles, but still ergonomic because of their features.
Also, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some may find small knives with long handles ugly, but if the shape of the blade balances with the shape of the handle, it can look quite good.
LONG STORY SHORT: A large handle can work on a small blade, a small handle can work on a small blade. You just have to do it right.
Pic:
Same thing with other knives, like the CS minitac series. Small handles, but still ergonomic because of their features.
Also, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some may find small knives with long handles ugly, but if the shape of the blade balances with the shape of the handle, it can look quite good.
LONG STORY SHORT: A large handle can work on a small blade, a small handle can work on a small blade. You just have to do it right.
I have designed a few knives that I am happy with, the way I see it is a small bladed EDC style knife deserves a small handle to make it easier to carry. Comfort is a secondary issue because of the minimal time you will use such a blade throughout the day (ie to open a box, cut a string, ect) if I am planning on using a knife for a long period of time to clean a deer then a longer more comfortable handle would be desirable and not such an issue to carry.
it's your knife; it's your set of priorities. just entertain our advice and ultimately build what you think you would like using. there's no wrong answer if it works.
with that said, i've never had an enormous logistical problem carrying the extra inch or two of handle in a small knife.
Happy: a loop lanyard of appropriate length can be a huge asset in shorter handles knives as well.
with that said, i've never had an enormous logistical problem carrying the extra inch or two of handle in a small knife.
Happy: a loop lanyard of appropriate length can be a huge asset in shorter handles knives as well.
I don't want it to seem like I am arguing with you because you disagree with me input and discussion is what I want. I am just starting out and am trying to get a feel for what works and what does not. I just recently finished my first knife and it has a smaller handle. It does not bother me but everyone except my wife and mother (smaller hands) has claimed they wished it had a longer handle. Myself I have somewhat large hands and it is smaller but for the reasons I mentioned earlier it does not bother me. I am just trying not to like it just because I made it and actually find its fault and improve upon them.
i just take a different philosophy to EDC knives.
because i have one on me most of the time, that knife becomes the one i'm most likely to use for whatever need asks (within it's limits), without always the benefit of knowing what that need might be. that's the reason ergonomy is important to me. i want the knife i have on me to be both as versatile as forgiving to use as i can manage.
i think we both know what the other is getting at.
because i have one on me most of the time, that knife becomes the one i'm most likely to use for whatever need asks (within it's limits), without always the benefit of knowing what that need might be. that's the reason ergonomy is important to me. i want the knife i have on me to be both as versatile as forgiving to use as i can manage.
i think we both know what the other is getting at.
Your question crossed my mind also. What my pea sized brain came up with is that MAYBE if I want to shorten the handle I can compensate in some other area. Specifically make it wider, more bulbous and round so that you are grabbing something like a golf ball. See the photo below.
I know you can't see how wide the handle is. It's are about as wide as a normal knife, but when it is on such a short handle it looks sorta funny. But you can compensate only so far. You can't get as firm of grasp as you can with a longer handle. Surface area and friction are less with a smaller handle.
Good luck. I hope we can see what you come up with.
LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
I know you can't see how wide the handle is. It's are about as wide as a normal knife, but when it is on such a short handle it looks sorta funny. But you can compensate only so far. You can't get as firm of grasp as you can with a longer handle. Surface area and friction are less with a smaller handle.
Good luck. I hope we can see what you come up with.
LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
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