Samples of Much Blade to Handle Ratio in Folders?

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Bolstermanic

Joined
Mar 13, 2007
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I am looking to purchase a midmarket folding knife that has a proportionately large blade given its handle size--or is that a proportionately small handle, for its blade size? Either way, looking for an efficient package...the opposite of "little blade in big handle."

Preferences: Blade range 3-4", leaf or clip shape preferably FFG or close to it, locking (but not linerlock), with a balanced PM steel appreciated. Price range $150-250.
 
Benchmade Bugout and Protech Malibu are both excellent options wih good blade:handle ratio,
 
Bolstermanic said:
I am looking to purchase a midmarket folding knife that has a proportionately large blade given its handle size--or is that a proportionately small handle, for its blade size? Either way, looking for an efficient package...the opposite of "little blade in big handle."

Preferences: Blade range 3-4", leaf or clip shape preferably FFG or close to it, locking (but not linerlock), with a balanced PM steel appreciated. Price range $150-250.
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It's discontinued, but the Kizer Corto is the winner here. Their VK-1 is pretty sweet too
 
If you like larger blades, the Spyderco Military with Aramis scales (1/4" shorter OAL than stock). Should be right around $250 and lots of steels to choose from. If you don't want to mess around with scales, the Native Chief or Endura.

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The Native Chief is a contender for sure. With a handle that long, I wish the 'finger choil' was mostly into the hande rather than into the ricasso. That would yield maximum edge to handle ratio. But still a contender as is. Was not aware of the Aramis scales, thanks for that!
 
Full or high flat grind + maximized blade-to-handle ratio is an interesting ask!

The first ones that come to mind for me, the Benchmade 940 (0.43) and ZT 0450 (0.44) have relatively high grinds, but IMO are notably not great slicers (if slicing is what you're after).
 
The Kershaw Barenuckle has an excellent blade to handle ratio. 3.5” thin slicey blade, sub-frame lock, lightweight…great little knife. ~$80. KC and SMKW made some versions with 20CV steel (for about $40 more). The regular versions that you can buy anywhere come with 14c28n. I’m not sure how to describe the blade shape…modified sheep’s foot I guess?
 
I find you can usually spot a good blade:handle ratio by looking at the placement of the pivot. However, I imagine pivot too far forward reduces strength...

That Kershaw's pivot looks about as far forward as it gets...

I think Spyderco goes a bit more conservative (for more strength) by setting their pivots back a bit more. Also, S-co is enamored of edge-eating choils in some of their offerings. That Kapara has the choil done right IMO...more into the handle, less into the blade.
 
Bolstermanic said:
I find you can usually spot a good blade:handle ratio by looking at the placement of the pivot. However, I imagine pivot too far forward reduces strength...

That Kershaw's pivot looks about as far forward as it gets...

I think Spyderco goes a bit more conservative (for more strength) by setting their pivots back a bit more. Also, S-co is enamored of edge-eating choils in some of their offerings. That Kapara has the choil done right IMO...more into the handle, less into the blade.
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I think people in general tend to assume weakness in knife designs where it isn't necessarily warranted. Until I see a knife with a handle that broke around the pivot bolt I'm not gonna worry about it.

Medford does a great job of placing pivots very close to the edge, although that can cause an exposed lock face when closed which some don't like.

On the opposite end of the spectrum we have strider, with full size finger choils followed by fairly large sharpening choils. I was looking at a picture of a PerT recently and I swear it was 1/2 handle, 1/4 blade, and 1/4 choils lol.
 
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