- Joined
- Jun 5, 2006
- Messages
- 2,718
No matter how well crafted, or designed or big a knife blade is, the most important thing to me is how well the handle sits in my hand.
I own probably over 100 fixed blades and folders (not counting axes and swords and spears), but I'll cite two right now that fit well for me as field/survival knives, and I've talked about them before.
The first is my Master Hunter and the second is a newly acquired Mora Clipper. I'm not pimping for either manufacturer or distributer or retailer of these products. Both are vastly different in quality and price range; but I would want both in the field with me. And I can't and won't say anything about the other models these companies make, because I just don't know about them, and that is not the point; I want to talk about the function of handle design.
I prefer materials like stag, bone, wood, horn and leather. Traditionalist.
What is important to me is how a handle sits in my hand. For years I lusted after a M2 Kabar, finally got one, I don't like it because the handle is too fat. I've never carried it, it's a mint Camillus repro, I've thought about grinding the handle down but won't now because as we know it might be interesting in a couple of years.
Back to topic, the blade is an extension of my arm, and the handle in my hand controls that extension. I really have to say it, the handle is more important to me than the blade.
Start with my first two examples: The CS Master Hunter, there is nothing particularly exciting about the blade shape except that it is extremely functional, a length I like with a drop point, wide flat grind blade, thick spine, very sturdy.
The handle is made of Kraton, it is long for a full and varied grip, it is ergonomically simple and slightly rectangular in shape for easy blade alignment. The material is rubberized, very non-slip. It's very reassuring to hold, even when wet.
If I had my druthers, I'd rather be holding a stag, or bone or wood or stacked-leather handle of much more graceful designs. But I don't think I'd have the same confidence with them.
The second knife is a Mora Clipper which I have shown pictures of elsewhere. The blade isn't much longer or thicker than a decent steel paring knife, but it's Frosts, made in Sweden. It's a solid straight-simple blade.
But again, it is the well-designed handle, Kraton covered, that makes it for me. It's arched and well-contoured.
So for me, it is the handle that makes a knife handy for cutting, carving, skinning or whatever, not necessarily a fancy blade design. I mention these two knives just because I happen to own them and favor them right now; I'm not comparing them to other knives.
Would any of you like to talk about your knives that fit like this, where the handle really becomes more important than the shape of the blade?
I own probably over 100 fixed blades and folders (not counting axes and swords and spears), but I'll cite two right now that fit well for me as field/survival knives, and I've talked about them before.
The first is my Master Hunter and the second is a newly acquired Mora Clipper. I'm not pimping for either manufacturer or distributer or retailer of these products. Both are vastly different in quality and price range; but I would want both in the field with me. And I can't and won't say anything about the other models these companies make, because I just don't know about them, and that is not the point; I want to talk about the function of handle design.
I prefer materials like stag, bone, wood, horn and leather. Traditionalist.
What is important to me is how a handle sits in my hand. For years I lusted after a M2 Kabar, finally got one, I don't like it because the handle is too fat. I've never carried it, it's a mint Camillus repro, I've thought about grinding the handle down but won't now because as we know it might be interesting in a couple of years.
Back to topic, the blade is an extension of my arm, and the handle in my hand controls that extension. I really have to say it, the handle is more important to me than the blade.
Start with my first two examples: The CS Master Hunter, there is nothing particularly exciting about the blade shape except that it is extremely functional, a length I like with a drop point, wide flat grind blade, thick spine, very sturdy.
The handle is made of Kraton, it is long for a full and varied grip, it is ergonomically simple and slightly rectangular in shape for easy blade alignment. The material is rubberized, very non-slip. It's very reassuring to hold, even when wet.
If I had my druthers, I'd rather be holding a stag, or bone or wood or stacked-leather handle of much more graceful designs. But I don't think I'd have the same confidence with them.
The second knife is a Mora Clipper which I have shown pictures of elsewhere. The blade isn't much longer or thicker than a decent steel paring knife, but it's Frosts, made in Sweden. It's a solid straight-simple blade.
But again, it is the well-designed handle, Kraton covered, that makes it for me. It's arched and well-contoured.
So for me, it is the handle that makes a knife handy for cutting, carving, skinning or whatever, not necessarily a fancy blade design. I mention these two knives just because I happen to own them and favor them right now; I'm not comparing them to other knives.
Would any of you like to talk about your knives that fit like this, where the handle really becomes more important than the shape of the blade?
)
! So, at least for me the looks and the feel of the handle is only part of what makes a knife user friendly. The puukko which cut me looks like the one pictured in post # 2 by mewolf1 and it feels great in the hand but a missing finger guard I think is a very dangerous deficiency, mostly if right in front of the handle ends a razor sharp edge.
