Looking for ergonomics!

[JJ_Colt45]

I don't know if you're looking for feedback on folders or fixed? But if it's just knives in general without specifying, fixed blades always win over folders for comfort in use for me.

And for fixed blades CPK (Carothers Performance Knives) are the most comfortable I've used overall. In the CPK lineup the DEK model is near perfection in my humble opinion. And every CPK model I've handked (most of them) all of their knives have exceptional ergonomics.

Becker fixed blades are very comfortable for me too. For folders Spyderco may not appear too, but most models have very good ergos also. For me Chris Reeves Knives feel good, but I know some don't agree.

 

[hhmoore]

Just to note, I didn't call you bitter, just mentioned it was quite the diatribe with a pretty intense line of questioning and soft accusations from a simple post.

You didn't call him bitter; but, by definition, a diatribe is "a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism", which his post was not. I could see it being taken as a misguided criticism; but I suspect his intent was good.

I prefer neautral "blocky" handles without much contouring myself. I like my pocket knives with straight rectangular handles and my fixies the same way, but I also like a nice simple puukko handle provided the radii aren't too sharp.

I'm the opposite. The handle makes or breaks the knife, for me. While I still own and appreciate a few with the handle style you describe, they've long since been accepted as non-users. My favorite knives have well contoured handles.
Neither answer is wrong, per se, it's just a matter of what appeals to the individual.

 

[os_tempore]

You didn't call him bitter; but, by definition, a diatribe is "a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism"

I think an argument could be made for bitterness, but it wasn't of overarching prevalence. Harangue may have been a better word, though. Regardless, I'm not trying to detract from the flow of suggestions, which have been great so far.

I'm getting ready to purchase a few of these suggestions in the fixed catagory. I still need to look at the folders though.

 

[Henry Beige]

The best handles I have encountered:
1. Carothers. Don’t need to say much. It’s been said.
2. Sykco’s Reseprine C. This rubber-like material is grippy and comfy at the same time. The best handles, on the bigger knives, have an integral guard at one end and a pinky stop at the other. In between is a well shaped grip with a palm swell and a finger swell. This general configuration tends to give comfortable handles.
The War Dog handles I need to modify. The the butt end flares slightly into two sharpish corners. The one on the right side digs uncomfortably into the heel of my hand in a saber grip unless I round it off.
3. Becker. The hard, slick handles can be off-putting at first. I thought the BK9 was going to need micarta for sure. But the shape retains the knife. The smooth, slick surface allows you to chop with a snap cut, letting the handle move in the hand without chafing or raising blisters. I will probably get micarta for the BK16, though.
4. Busse and Swamp Rat. The micarta handles have all been comfortable.
5. Mora. They are all comfortable, even the barrel- shaped wood handles. The Companion and the Kansbøl stand out.
6. Anza. These vary, even in different examples of the same model. The best ones have a smooth depression for a thumb ramp that places the thumb very close to the forefinger, either in a finger groove or in a smooth depression. This arrangement creates the feeling that you are rubbing the thumb and forefinger together yet rolling the knife between them, which gives a feeling of pinpoint control.