Speed holes - good or evil?

Locutus D'Borg

Locutus D'Borg

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What is their function, design or weight saving?

I remember like 15 yrs ago when Tom Mayo started putting holes in his scales. Not sure he was the first, but we called them Mayo holes. Now they are common. But why? They can lighten a knife but so can milling out the inside of scales. And they are often placed on CF scales these days.

I've never owned one because I don't care for the look. And, to me, it seems like it's another way for lint to enter.

Am I way off base? Thoughts?
 
They can make the blade a little vulnerable to things like keys in the pocket, they can get clogged with all sorts of crap as well. I assume it’s one of those love it or hate it things.. I guess they do lighten the piece if that’s of value. I personally don’t care for “speed holes”.
 
Not my cup of tea at all. But I suppose some people dig them. There was a member on here who used to make custom scales with a bunch of holes. They were pretty popular. I used to find them kind of cool but I have since outgrown that phase. No holes for me.
 
I would argue they're neutral. I think some look really clean and enhance the look of a knife, others I find superfluous and busy. So, honestly, they're like a lot of design elements. I thought I didn't like Damascus at all until I saw it used well, same for mokuti.
 
They do lighten the handle, but also they can improve grip by adding edges and contours to the handle. Personally, I think they usually clash with the aesthetics of the knives I see them on, but there are exceptions.

One area where these holes are really advantageous is with butterfly knives. They give you enough features to hold on to without being too abrasive for tricks like fanning. Also, since many balisong collectors prefer channel construction (basically integral handles), internal milling isn't always an option to reduce the weight.
 
I wouldn't want them on all or most of my knives, but I kind of like to have a couple Brad Zinker style handled blades for the aesthetics. It lightens the overall weight of knives, can improve the grip, and gives you the opportunity to attach 3-5 lanyards at a time. :)

Having a couple holes in the handle of a fixed blade makes more sense. One to give you the option of a lanyard and one to attach a front sight so you never miss what you're aiming at. Some fixed blade handles include three holes so you can attach a rear and foresight for improved knife accuracy, as well as put on a lanyard.
 
The Grendels said:
I wouldn't want them on all or most of my knives, but I kind of like to have a couple Brad Zinker style handled blades for the aesthetics. It lightens the overall weight of knives, can improve the grip, and gives you the opportunity to attach 3-5 lanyards at a time. :)

Having a couple holes in the handle of a fixed blade makes more sense. One to give you the option of a lanyard and one to attach a front sight so you never miss what you're aiming at. Some fixed blade handles include three holes so you can attach a rear and foresight for improved knife accuracy, as well as put on a lanyard.
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Hmmmm, that's an ok start, but I can count to eleven without taking off my shoes...
 
I've always been a big fan Mayo's style, and now Kevin Foster's as well being that Mayo was the guru he learned under. But well placed, and well chamfered holes on titanium scales look good to me, and if they're in the right places, some of your finger pads can fall into them nicely when you're holding the knife. It also just makes more room for creativity if you're a maker or modder.
 
I like the holes on my Hold Out because they improve my grip and I also like the way they look.
IMG_6600.JPG
This Silver Falcon is the second one that I bought. It was purchased this year. When I bought my first one in 1980 or 1981 it stood out among the other knives in the display case because of the holes. The holes had a lot to do with the reason that I bought it. I like the aesthetics for some reason.
IMG_6675.JPG
 
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