re-handling critique needed

fishface5

fishface5

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I put a new handle on a CS Recon Tanto - materials are stabilized walnut, nickle silver & black G10 spacers. I kept modifying the handle by how it felt in the hand rather than based om a preconceived design (except for the subhilt which I knew I wanted since the wood was going to have a polished finish). Here's the problem - it feels great in the hand, but I feel like it looks weird somehow. Not right. The back/spine of the handle needs to remain as it is because that fits my hand perfectly, but looking for suggestions on other changes which might make it look more . . . harmonious? Anyone have any ideas?
 

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Personally, I'd round the butt of the pommel a bit more for a sort of "Jambiya" look, and I'd soften up the point where the two edges meet to form the tanto shape. That will lean it even further into a Persian look, which is really awesome and elegant. Right now it looks kinda like a Becker BK5 in a way. Looks good so far though.
 
Honestly? I'd take how a knife feels over how it looks any day, but that's just me. I mean, what you're saying is that you essentially took a handle and customized it to fit you perfectly. So, who cares what it looks like? That in itself is awesome, if you ask me.
 
It looks pretty good to me, but I see what you mean.

If it were mine, I'd make the subhilt sharper for sure. I'd make it almost come to a point. Right now it curves out and the piece of brass is more or less flat. If you pointed it, that would take care of the "off" appearance of that part of the handle. Next thing I would do is plane down the palm swell slightly. Then reduce the butt a little. I'd just make it a little slimmer (edge to spine). If you did all of that I think it would definitely "flow" better.

Nice job so far. I dig it!
 
I would recommend to make a few sketches first and then select the one that you like the most for the execution.
Human hand is a very sophisticated tool and can adapt to a great variety of shapes and positions: otherwise all the knife handles would look pretty much the same. So "feels great in hand" is more like a pre-requisite than the driver for a handle design. Regarding your re-handling: I feel that this handle belongs with a narrow fillet-knife shaped and slightly curved blade, rather than with a tanto.
 
Like Quiet, I feel that how it works/feels in hand is more important the looks.

If it works for you, then just use it; you could always tweak it later if you decide.


Personally, I think it looks pretty cool. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:




Big Mike
 
Big Mike said:
Like Quiet, I feel that how it works/feels in hand is more important the looks.

If it works for you, then just use it; you could always tweak it later if you decide.


Personally, I think it looks pretty cool. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:


Big Mike
Click to expand...

Quiet & Big Mike are on track here. Knife handles on production knives are designed for looks first, Economy second and actual comfort for use, third.
Lousy handle designs was one of the main reasons I got into knife making. They are better now, but still many companies look for the cheapest & fastest was to slap on a couple of pieces of plastic, wood, rubber to get it out the door.

One of the many things I do to test a new handle/knife, of mine is with the blade taped up, I fondle the knife with my eyes closed in every grip stance so I get a real feel for how hand friendly it is.

You are doing fine. Let those old ideas of what a handle must look and feel like go away and find what works for you for a given knife handle and the tasks you want it for.
 
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Thanks for the input guys! I think I will leave it as is - don't fix what ain't broke, know when to stop, etc.
 
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