The dilemma with Scandinavian knives.

K

kidwholaughs

Joined
Jan 17, 2004
Messages
1,189
Hey Guys,

Here is question for all you . I really enjoy my Scandinavian knives. From a lot of working with wood, I realized that the first inch and half of the blade from the handle provides the most power when cutting heavier things. In addition, it is best if the forefinger is close to the edge as possible. This is made possible by the wooden Moras, some puukkos. Even knives with choils allows this type of grip ie RAT knives. Now, the new Scandinavian knives with ergonomic handles does not have this issue. However, the finger is set back on the blade, thus compromising heavier cutting abilities.

Here is the dilemma, I am sure every one has though of accidentally losing the grip slipping the hand forward. This results in opening the forefinger up, which can be problematic and slightly painful.

How you guys reconcile this issue? Thanks.

God Bless
 
In using a few moras a Helle and a homemade Scandi I honestly have not felt in danger of my hand slipping up on the blade. This may be due to me either using a different grip then you or just me not using my knives as hard as you.
 
I don't like a few blades for that reason, my finger being slit. However, over time, I have realized that if you don't abuse the blade, the blade won't abuse the finger, for the most part.

To some extent, I wish they had a small finger guard, but that wouldn't always look so great, imo.
 
While I do find a small cut on my fingertip now and then, I have way more trouble remembering where my thumbs are. My thumbs are going to be nice and scarred by the time I give up this hobby. :o
 
I've always had this concern as well.
It's about the only thing that's stopped me from getting any of the higher end
Scandinavian knives.
I suppose, that it might be my lack of experience and skill with that style of knife,
but whenever I've used Mora type knives without guards, I've had visions of my
fingers getting sliced up pretty good. Make it a point to not use them if I have
anything better.
The same goes for some of the bushcrafter types of knives out there as well.
No guard makes me nervous.
 
Certain knives have a lot of thought put into their design. The Helle Fjellkniven comes to mind. It has a small guard but provides excellent flexibility if grip options with no loss of power. In fact most "bushcrafty" knives have some kind of semblance of a guard. The best are the ones that you hardle notice. I like a small integral guard but I think the benefit is mostly psychological
 
I dont ever really worry about it with my Koster. It's got a small guard.

DSCN0019.jpg


On a seperate note, I hear this question a lot. I've got to ask... what do you guys do (aside from stabbing knives into various objects for pictures-sake) that you worry about your hand slipping up onto the blade?
 
Not a problem I've had. In general I've found scandinavian knives to have handles you can get the meat of your hand into- the grip is very secure. i've sometimes added a bit of 'guard' shape to the front of my handles, but rarely enough to get in the way.

If you have a big fat handle you cna hang onto, there's just no problem :)
 
I've never had a problem with my hand sliding on the blade. And I use scandies and guardless/lockless pocket knives exclusively. You shouldn't need to push cut, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I never hear people worry about this problem when it comes to swiss army knives, which are probably the most popular knife in the world, but somehow when it comes to using a fixed blade, having your hand slip on to the blade becomes a huge unavoidable hazard.
 
You will always cut yourself in time. Pocket knives don't have guards either. You learn to use your tools. It comes with experience. Not having a guards can allow you to choke up on the knife better to do close work.
 
As others have stated, I don’t use this style of knife for anything that resembles thrusting, so not having a guard is not an issue.

There was a time when I felt better having some kind of guard, and I do like single finger grove to aid indexing, but I no longer feel that this style of knife is inherently dangerous.
 
I think finger guards are highly over rated. While I've cut myself plenty of times (far less frequently with age and experience), it never happened for lack of a finger guard.
 
I do a bit of carving with non-guarded knives, and if I need to use a lot of power I slightly tilt the handle towards the direction of the cut (tip away) that way any slipping will be off the end of the handle. Doing this, I have never cut myself while carving or whittling and only one of my knives has a guard.
Chris
 
I have bought & made a bunch of scandi knives. I am not worried about the lack of a traditional guard, which actually get in the way at times. I am sure that design would not have survived the test of time if it were flawed. I personally like the lack of a guard, just make sure you have a secure grip and you should be fine.
 
I don't think I've ever had my hand slide up the blade, causing a cut. I have been frustrated by a guard in the way, though.

I think traditional style with no guard is by far the best for utility.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I prefer my woods knives to have a small integrated guard in the way of the shape of the handle. One of the reasons I'm getting the Koster Bushcrafter that EMT Lee posted above.

I want a Skookum Bush Tool, but the handle scares me a little. I can see my hand slipping up onto that one, although I haven't heard a single complaint about it.

I have had my hand slip onto the blade during non-woods use. I prefer my military blades to have very positive guards.
 
EMT_Lee said:
I dont ever really worry about it with my Koster. It's got a small guard.

DSCN0019.jpg


On a seperate note, I hear this question a lot. I've got to ask... what do you guys do (aside from stabbing knives into various objects for pictures-sake) that you worry about your hand slipping up onto the blade?
Click to expand...

One thing I can think of rite off the top of my head is working on a deer, when you are cutting blind inside the deers neck with fingers that are wet with blood and going numb from the November cold, a small guard helps me orient my hand and the edge and also keeps my fingers off the business end of the knife.
 
I pretty much only use scandis with no kind of finger gaurd. I have never had an issue. The contours of the handle really lock your hand into place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top