Santoku Front Bolster Angle

Varga Knives

Varga Knives

Joined
Aug 12, 2006
Messages
1,302
Hello,

I finished up some Santoku blanks ages ago and I'm taking a break from folders to get to back to their completion. The handle style is simple and straight and I guess more akin to the Japanese. I'm not a chef but understand the pinch grip and assume most professionals would primarily use the knife in such a manner so my question relates to pinch grip comfort.

The front bolsters on the one I'm working are angled slightly to the rear (when looking down at the spine) and this is great for the index finger on a pinch grip but not so much for the thumb. I'm thinking of doing an asymmetrical bolster front on my next knife (I know the user will be right handed) with the thumb side of the handle front more flat to the blade.

It may look a little odd but that's secondary to usability. Does anybody do this or I am over thinking the whole thing? Does anybody need pictures to show what I'm talking about?

Thanks!
 
Pictures never hurt but I get the jist.

Probably the only way to know if there is benefit or not would be to try it.
 
Pictures? I was afraid of that because I'm still not done but...



And here is where I'm talking about. In this picture, on the left side where the tip of my index finger is, having it much more raked down towards the butt.
 
i move the scales back a biy so that the thumb is way out front and the index finger wraps the front of the handlel nicely i also sand the faces to 45 degrees and taper the handles thinner rin the front then the back
jsut keep morphing the handle till it feels good in hand and know even then not evryone has the same grip ;)
 
They look pretty good. I would taper the front of the scales so that its thinner when you use a pinch grip. I do mine at 60 degrees and take the front down to 1/16" or so. As far as the angle of the front I do mine at 20 degrees where yours looks around 15. I don't have a picture from the spine but maybe you can understand what I'm saying.
 
Thanks guys! With the suggestions you mentioned I should be alright on the next one. The scales aren't attached yet so I'll go back and angle the front much more steeply and taper the scales (thinner at the front) more so than I did on this one.
 
Varga Knives said:
Thanks guys! With the suggestions you mentioned I should be alright on the next one. The scales aren't attached yet so I'll go back and angle the front much more steeply and taper the scales (thinner at the front) more so than I did on this one.
Click to expand...

If you're careful you can angle the front while on the knife. It's easier if you have a variable speed grinder but I have done it without also. Just go slow and take your time.
 
Thanks Matt but I'll just leave this one as is and make the changes in future builds. This one is staying in my kitchen and is fine for the wife.
 
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