Knife Ergos . . . What Matters Most to You?

[The Government]

For a knife that I am going to do serious work with, handle comfort is the most important characteristic. I can deal with varying weight and balance in that situation, but not handle comfort. The handle has to be simple with nothing to leave hot spots -that lead to blisters and sores and eventually open wounds (and loss of stamina).

For an EDC knife that will only get occasional use, weight is the most important characteristic. I simply wont carry a really heavy knife [consistently] everyday. Sometimes I will carry heavy knives for EDC, but thats only because I am enthused to do so.

Balance is trickier. A knife with a specific purpose is probably going to need a particular balance point. I would like to see what other have to say about this.

Overall, my most important characteristic for knife ergonomics is handle comfort. I see the best handle designs coming from traditional scandinavian fixed blades. The classic "elongated-barrel shape" is my favorite for comfort:thumbup:.

 

[bld522]

It appears that handle comfort is the most important ergo listed. If that's the case, why do manufacturers make knives with handles that are too short for comfort? Even a knife with, say, a 2.5" blade should have a handle that's long enough to control it comfortably. And yet I see maker after maker produce and successfully sell knives with handle lengths of 4" or less. Am I the only one who would never carry a knife with a handle length of 4" or less?

 

[Bob W]

One important factor for me that no one else has mentioned yet, comfortable for pocket carry. Slender, lightweight, capable of dropping to the bottom of the pocket without being noticeable.

 

[bld522]

I agree. As you mentioned, weight plays a huge role in a knife's ability to drop to the bottom of the pocket without being noticeable. My EDC is an A.G. Russell Folding Hunter lockback in 154CM. It's 4.25" closed (perfect), has a thin, linerless Micarta handle, and weighs in at just 1.7 oz. As a result, it practically disappears in the bottom of my pocket. I couldn't be happier with it.

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[banana-clip]

Its really important to have a large and comfortable handle on a knife that I use. Those small handle and too skinny handle knives are really uncomfortable when using them.

 

[Reeper22]

I guess materials. It is kind of hard to say because all factors play an important role. But with quality G-10, micarta, carbon fiber, or titanium I know I'll probably like the general feel of it. Most modern knives these days are big on ergos so most shapes used by quality companies feel fine to me. As far as handle size, as long as it's big enough for my whole hand to comfortably fit without being cramped I'm good. I don't mind some extra handle like on the Military.

 

[NothingCoherent]

I tend to like knives with small handles that allow your hand to really fill em up. Being able to feel both the top and the bottom of the handle while I grip a knife, and not just the middle portion, makes me feel very secure in using the blade.

I like plain, rounded grips, with stacked leather being my favorite material. I dislike any kind of finger grooves or redundant choils. A simple, oval shaped grip works best for me. If a knife doesn't feel comfortable in my hand, it doesn't get used, regardless of how awesome the blade itself is.

The ESEE knives come to mind as an example. The blade shape on those knives is damn near perfect for me, and I love the steel used. But those handles, man... it's like gripping a 2x4, and I can't get passed that. Handle ergo's are key in having a good knife, with blade style next on the list of importance.