Spyderco ergonomics for heavy cutting vs light duty

retzius

retzius

Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Messages
1,102
Hello everyone.

I have a Dragonfly, Delica, and Endure. I carry one of them almost daily depending on where I am going or what I am doing. One thing they all have in common is the Spyderco ergonomic design that kind of forces you to pinch grip the front of the handle with you thumb on the spine of the handle. I find that this modified saber grip is very good for light duty or detail cutting chores but quickly fatigues my hand and thumb if I am doing any type of heavy cutting. If I try to hold on of these knives in a hammer grip to apply more cutting pressure the rather thin handle and handle design causes quite a bit of discomfort in the webbing of my hand.

Are Spydercos designed more for light duty or detail cutting chores?

Is there a Spyderco design that can be comfortably used in the hammer grip for heavy cutting task?

Thanks
 
Spydercos have a wide range of designs. I would say the models you have are designed for light/EDC use.

Depending on what your heavy cutting tasks are, you might need to employ something more suitable.
 
Yeah what you mention is why I love/hate the Delica. Just fine until I gotta use a hammer grip but I wouldn't say they aren't designed for the heavier cutting. The Natives, Sages, Paras, and even the Positron works good in a hammer grip for me.
 
Most folders cause hotspots during prolonged heavy cutting (thin square handles, pocket clip, sharp corners). For Spyderco the Military works better than most IMO because of its longer handle, but if you really want comfort get a FB like the South Fork, Bushcraft, or a Mora!
 
Last edited:
Chris "Anagarika";15457870 said:
The original Gayle Bradley is hand filling for hammer grip.
At least for my Asian medium hand.
Click to expand...

+1 Works well for my medium Caucasian hands also. :)
 
remnar said:
+1 Works well for my medium Caucasian hands also. :)
Click to expand...

+1 more. Works for my large Slavic hands, as well. :)

I've found that the rounder the handle, the more comfortable the hammer grip is. Which is why the Vallotton, despite its bulk, wins this category for me. The GB is a very close second.
 
I agree the PM2 is very comfortable for harder use, although I've only been using it a little while yet. My Persistence is also comfortable in hammer grip, which leads me to speculate the Tenacious is too for the budget mined, in fact for the price I'm very impressed with this knife.
 
Brock O Lee said:
Most folders cause hotspots during prolonged heavy cutting (thin square handles, pocket clip, sharp corners). For Spyderco the Military works better than most IMO because of its longer handle, but if you really want comfort get a FB like the South Fork, Bushcraft, or a Mora!
Click to expand...

Cant say it better myself.

You compromise on handle ergonomics when you want a folder that is light weight and easy pocketable with limited footprint in the pocket.
 
retzius said:
Hello everyone.

I have a Dragonfly, Delica, and Endure. I carry one of them almost daily depending on where I am going or what I am doing. One thing they all have in common is the Spyderco ergonomic design that kind of forces you to pinch grip the front of the handle with you thumb on the spine of the handle. I find that this modified saber grip is very good for light duty or detail cutting chores but quickly fatigues my hand and thumb if I am doing any type of heavy cutting. If I try to hold on of these knives in a hammer grip to apply more cutting pressure the rather thin handle and handle design causes quite a bit of discomfort in the webbing of my hand.

Are Spydercos designed more for light duty or detail cutting chores?

Is there a Spyderco design that can be comfortably used in the hammer grip for heavy cutting task?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The Military is by far the most comfortable in heavier use that I have seen.
 
I didn't really consider the Military but I will now. My only reservation is that it is a large blade and whenever I carry the Endura people look at it like it is a pocket sword... well at least here in California :p
 
retzius said:
I didn't really consider the Military but I will now. My only reservation is that it is a large blade and whenever I carry the Endura people look at it like it is a pocket sword... well at least here in California :p
Click to expand...


I hear you, but it's so nice with that big handle. :D
 
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