Volvi,
I've been thinking about these handles lately in much the same way. At first blush they seem wild and cool and great choppers but with some gains you also lose. I would not want a bent handled knife, for instance for gutting an animal or doing delicate work that requires control and positioning of the edge uppermost. In a large knife, wouldn't you want as much control as possible since larger knifes are more awkward in the first place for doing delicate work. I suppose after awhile you would adapt to the handle, choke up on the blade, etc. but still, it seems optimized for chopping sub suboptimal for other tasks. The issues you raise about prying and use as a spear are excellent.
These knives seem better suited for a two knife survival scenario than a 1 knife scenario. If I only had one knife, give me a straight handle on it (oh no, I can see legions of khuk owners flaming me already).
------------------
Hoodoo
The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stonethe light-pressd blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.
Walt Whitman
I've been thinking about these handles lately in much the same way. At first blush they seem wild and cool and great choppers but with some gains you also lose. I would not want a bent handled knife, for instance for gutting an animal or doing delicate work that requires control and positioning of the edge uppermost. In a large knife, wouldn't you want as much control as possible since larger knifes are more awkward in the first place for doing delicate work. I suppose after awhile you would adapt to the handle, choke up on the blade, etc. but still, it seems optimized for chopping sub suboptimal for other tasks. The issues you raise about prying and use as a spear are excellent.
These knives seem better suited for a two knife survival scenario than a 1 knife scenario. If I only had one knife, give me a straight handle on it (oh no, I can see legions of khuk owners flaming me already).
------------------
Hoodoo
The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stonethe light-pressd blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.
Walt Whitman