Thin handles on belt/field knives?

RemyKaze

RemyKaze

Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,177
Have you ever checked out a knife and loved the blade, but hated the handle?

I've noticed a trend with a lot of smaller knives, in that they tend to lean toward handles that swell comfortably in the hand, right up to the portion where thumb and forefinger would sit. At that point, they slim down so much that I have a hard time believing it wouldn't hurt to use them for prolonged periods.

A few examples would be the Becker "tweeners" like the BK16, the new JG3 coming out from ESEE, the Condor Tavian and Kephart. In particular I really have an interest in the JG3, but it just looks like it would be uncomfortable after a while. In contrast, most knives from Mora, Helle, Svord and other European makers all seem to have a rather fat grip meant for prolonged use, as do a lot of the custom fixed blades that pop up on this forum.

I guess what I'm getting at here is...what's the point of the tiny upper handles?
 
comfort for short term use maybe ????
or even just to do the opposite... as in my locality we have a saying there is always one !!! which means there is always some one different ( duh )
different angle, different sales group, maybe the it feels good so I will buy it but never use it group will love it, who know for sure but the one certainty is the user mileage will vary
 
Remy, I usually agree with you damned near all the time. I am trying to wrap my head around your problem with this. What makes you think it would be uncomfortable? Have you tried any of the knives like this?

I can tell you this much: I have used the BK17 for quite extended periods and didn't get any complaints from my hands. The only thing I wished was that it had a usable choil (or none at all), and that was only sometimes. The handle shape does not fatigue my hand at all really.

The scrapyard 311 I have been using lately is even better. Very, very comfy handle! No hot spots at all! No fatigue, just smooth working, and natural feeling.

One knife I have used a lot lately that has a pretty fat handle is the condor rodan. It is fine for me, but my brother says it feels a little fat to him. He says it's like gripping a baseball bat.
 
The shape you describe would seem to be designed for a pinch grip as is used with kitchen knives. The index finger and thumb pinch the handle/blade right at the tang.
 
AntDog said:
Remy, I usually agree with you damned near all the time. I am trying to wrap my head around your problem with this. What makes you think it would be uncomfortable? Have you tried any of the knives like this?

I can tell you this much: I have used the BK17 for quite extended periods and didn't get any complaints from my hands. The only thing I wished was that it had a usable choil (or none at all), and that was only sometimes. The handle shape does not fatigue my hand at all really.

The scrapyard 311 I have been using lately is even better. Very, very comfy handle! No hot spots at all! No fatigue, just smooth working, and natural feeling.

One knife I have used a lot lately that has a pretty fat handle is the condor rodan. It is fine for me, but my brother says it feels a little fat to him. He says it's like gripping a baseball bat.
Click to expand...

Granted, the BK tweeners are not the best example. They fit my hand well enough. However, they too have that dip for some reason, so I included them. If you flip the knife around, the reverse grip seems like it would be more comfortable for a long period of time.

I should also clarify that I'm talking >4" blades for the most part. Like neckers, EDC stuff, small knives you're more likely to choke up on for fine work. Just seems like there'd be an awful lot of pushing cuts through by pressing the thumb against the spine of the blade, as oppose to a Mora or other puuko styled knife where the wide handle would let you put your full hand into it.

I also think that the Condor handles are ridiculously large and are not a good example of a comfortable large handle.

The Condor Tavian at the top is my steak knife. It can't really be used as a belt knife because it is so thin at the top of the handle. Doesn't lend itself to power cuts. Hate to say it, but that also applies to the Izula II in the pic. I still use it often, but trying to power through thick material or dense wood leaves the blade dragging behind the handle.
 
GronK said:
The shape you describe would seem to be designed for a pinch grip as is used with kitchen knives. The index finger and thumb pinch the handle/blade right at the tang.
Click to expand...

I can agree with that. Just not sure why it is found on knives marketed towards woodsy folk.
 
RemyKaze said:
I don't handle many Striders. I'm talking about fixed blades, especially those meant to be used in the woods.
Click to expand...

Yeah, was just wondering if this was the type of design you were describing.

strider-sng-ranger-green-and-stone-washed-tactical-folding-knife-sold-26.jpg
 
jac_solar said:
Yeah, was just wondering if this was the type of design you were describing.

strider-sng-ranger-green-and-stone-washed-tactical-folding-knife-sold-26.jpg
Click to expand...

Naw, that actually looks comfortable for every day cutting. Actually the only folder I've ever felt weird holding was the Kershaw CQC-6K because of that very deep finger groove.

I meant more like this:
jg3-2.jpg
 
I see what you mean from that last pic you posted. It looks way too thin between where your thumb and index finger would grip the handle. That doesn't look too comfortable to me... Almost like you'd be pinching the handle trying to cut with it.
 
I agree, I don't like it either. Something that works for someone else might not work for you. everyone's hand and technique are different. your body and technique don't work well with this design, its that simple. move on and find a knife that works for you.
 
Seems like people are more concerned with low profile carry and less concerned with comfort. Just look at all the slab-sided folders out there. Fixed blade a few generations ago seemed to have more rounded handles as well. Maybe it's just the tactical craze?
 
RemyKaze said:
Have you ever checked out a knife and loved the blade, but hated the handle?

I've noticed a trend with a lot of smaller knives, in that they tend to lean toward handles that swell comfortably in the hand, right up to the portion where thumb and forefinger would sit. At that point, they slim down so much that I have a hard time believing it wouldn't hurt to use them for prolonged periods.

A few examples would be the Becker "tweeners" like the BK16, the new JG3 coming out from ESEE, the Condor Tavian and Kephart. In particular I really have an interest in the JG3, but it just looks like it would be uncomfortable after a while. In contrast, most knives from Mora, Helle, Svord and other European makers all seem to have a rather fat grip meant for prolonged use, as do a lot of the custom fixed blades that pop up on this forum.

I guess what I'm getting at here is...what's the point of the tiny upper handles?
Click to expand...

Well, I'd get the JG3 a try. Not to sound like a fanboy (which I am) but ESEE puts their blades through the paces with a number of survival teachers before they throw it out. If it was a big problem I'm sure they would change it.
 
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