Knives that are very different in person…

On one of the gun forums there was a guy doing a directory for handguns sizes. Basically trace drawings of handguns (collected in PDf format) using a common scale so a potential buyer could have an idea of whether a listed handgun would fit the dimensions of their hand. Also by listing a large number of common guns one could compare sizes to determine comfort. So for example if you own a 1911 and find it comfortable and then you know other guns with similar dimensions will likely be comfortable too.

I'm sure this could be done with knives too.

I know with computer tech today 3-d modeling is possible but really it doesn't have to be hi-tech.Manufacturers could do simple shots with a ruler scale in frame or just do group photos of their various knives. So for example maybe you are interested in a Spyderco Manix but have only handled a Delica, voila heres a pic with Manix and endura both!
This is not perfect i know, nothing replaces actually handling the item but still it would usuable and give some info to go on,it certainly would be better than nothing.
:)
 
Rukus, you cant really appreciate it's size in pictures, fits perfectly in my hand, the sebenza too, pleasure just to hold.
 
Knives I have had that were smaller in person than I expected:

BRKT Blackwater boot knife, stupid small. It is like a miniture or a 4/5th size version of a real knife.

William Henry T12 CF. Too small. Doesn't look this small in pics.

Spyderco Capitan, I didn't own this one but it was smaller than I expected.
 
Ontario RAT-3, I've got to agree with one of the above posts.

Great blade shape and size, but the handle was surprisingly thin.
Liked the knife a lot, and for the money I really wanted to keep it, but the handle was just too small for me.
 
I agree, sometimes I'm pleasently surprised by a knife's fit and finish, other times I'm not jazzed in the least. I've handled lots of knives I thought I wanted to buy, only to find out the handle style was'nt comfortable before I even had a chance to put the blade to work. Handles dictate about 60% of my desire to own the knife, because if it's not comfortable to hold, it won't be to work, and I work all the knives I own. The biggest turn off is thin handles that I can't get a decent purchase on, no matter how much I like the blade style.

The Ontario Rat's are a good example, the Rat3 starts off with a handle that I found acceptable when I handled one, but I'm waiting to buy a used one. The Rat 5/7's handles have a down bulge in the center of the handle that I don't care for having handled them for about an hour. The TAKs are different yet, slimmer handle with slight down bulge in center of handle, which I passed on so far.

The F1 has a handle and material, that I really like, gives a confident purchase whether you're using it hard or lightly.

So my knife purchases are mainly dictated by comfort of the handle 60%, fit and finish of the knife 30%, and blade style 10%. If it does'nt look like it says 'work' it's not for me.

Recently I started to notice how comfortable some of my cheap kitchen knife handles are; and wondered why some of these nice handle patterns are'nt incorporated in some nice steel designs:confused: Almost feel like cutting the handles off some and super gluing them onto poor handled knives that are otherwise good blades:eek:
 
Lenny_Goofoff said:
from what you saw on pictures.
Last Saturday I visited local "Blade Show" and handled some knives i've seen before only as pics.

Spyderco Perrin: i didnt realize its THAT small… The former Perrin was big - more like camping knife than city EDC. Newer one is tiny - good in hand but still too small.

Sebenza: feels just right. It was classic one and i thought its not so pointy. It has look of working knife…*not expensive super-whooper custom but some lab or medical equipment.
Click to expand...

Wow, the Spyderco Perrin IS small! I had also assumed it was similar to the original Perrin with a shorter blade. Here is a pic that shows how small it is in the hand - (scroll down)http://cgi.ebay.com/Spyderco-Street...Blade-NIB_W0QQitemZ290102990673QQcmdZViewItem
 
.Spyderco ParaMilitary: I bought it via internet with a UK knife... When I received them I realized they are almost the same size. I wish I had ordered a Military instead.
.Benchmade Squirmish: someone trade one with me. Beautiful, but too big for me. I gave it back.
.Benchmade 707 Limited Edition: I thought it will be the one for EDC... too small! Returned to seller.
.Spyderco Mini Manix: great ergonomics, too small for me (I miss my BIG Manix!)
 
Bad handle ergonomics can ruin an otherwise good design.
One of my favorite knives is my old Blackjack Anaconda II. I carried it often on camping trips. However i always found the grip to be too flat and not thick enough. I'd consider getting it rehandled if it wasn't so collectible. However they are back in production so i might have to buy a new one to mod!
Why is it the grip on a 10$ Mora clipper is often more comfortable than knives that cost many many times that?
 
Strange twice in the past 10 minutes while attempting to post i've gotten "error in post" messages and then the thread locks up on me. i've never seen that happen before. weird.
 
Spyderco Paramilitary.
When I get it, it was as thin and light as I expected, but surprised me how solid it feels. Very nice! :thumbup:


BETO
====================
Sorry for my english :o
 
The Spyderco Paramilitary for me too, except when it arrived, I found I did not like it.
I gave it to someone for a B-day present.
 
"Size of the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter also surprised me. It's massively thick"

Really sounds great


"and totally unsuitable for carry"

Wow sounds like somthing I would love to carry

"imo. Affordable, tough and the nuttiest lockback I have ever handled, though. Very sharp considering the beefiness too."

That is so true

" Goes great in a backpack, but not your pocket"


Goes great in my pocket after reading this I immediatly ordered one. Thanks for the great advice
 
I ordered a Hoffman Design 88L lockback brass and alabaster ? from AG Russell I knew it was small but man that thing is tiny, action was not smooth but lockup seems solid and there is no play at all in it.
 
A.G. Russell Sting----wicked sharp on both sides but no choil on either side...The handle just turns into the blade..If you slipped pulling it out of the sheath you'd be picking up your fingers off the floor...but it does look like you could cut a car door off at the hinges with it....super tough.

Ken Onion Echo---Under $40.00--greatest handle going...fits like a glove in my big hands no matter which side is up...great blade shape and 57-59 AUS8 steel , Made in China but don't let that fool you..It's a great knife, The sheath sucks but get a custom one with the money you save.
 
Busse knives. More specifically my Badger TAC. I was expecting a lot but I couldnt believe the mass or size of these babies. Much more than I expected.
 
I wanted to try Bark River Knife & Tool brand so I ordered a Fox River. It was WAY WAY smaller than I counted on. I am wondering about thier Boone and Teddy. I think they may be more up my alley. The Fox river handle works,but its not generous sized, so its not what I am used to.
Oh yeah and the fit and finish weren't as great as I was imagining they would be. For a worker knife this is no big deal and they are still worth the money. But it makes me pause. I like the Boone so much , but if I bought one and it sucked F & F on top of having an aluminum guard I would be totally dissapointed. Now I would ordinarily just get it and if all was good then take the handle off and put a nickle silver guard and then I am good to go , but are the pommels removable? I doubt it as that would lead to durablitity issues. Could I get the knife in parts not assembled..doubt that too. If I could I would spend time putting more polish on the blade and get a custom made sheath for it. Then I would definetly be "having things" !
 
I picked up a CS urban pal on the bay for like $3.00. I should have looked at the specs. It looked big then when I got it I realized how small it was.
 
The BRKT knives are alot smaller than pictured. Even though I've compared specs, they still surprise me when they arrive. However, the Bravo-1 was an exception. I was expecting a smaller knife but it's big and beefy.

Another thing about BRKT is: you expect some texture to the scales. Not so. Every one I have is smooth and, depending on use, slippery. I'm going to try the Highland in Impala Horn...it looks textured.
 
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