Thoughts on jimping?

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Gideons

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I was looking at the new Benchmade 928 Proxy and looks like a great knife... but one thing... No jimping on the spine of the blade/handle. For a knife that is suppose to be outdoor/tactical knife (benchmade's classification of the knife) doesn't it make sense to have jimping for extra grip? I also noticed the barrage doesn't have any jimping, how does that affect the traction/grip on the knife?

-Gideons
 
Gideons said:
I was looking at the new Benchmade 928 Proxy and looks like a great knife... but one thing... No jimping on the spine of the blade/handle. For a knife that is suppose to be outdoor/tactical knife (benchmade's classification of the knife) doesn't it make sense to have jimping for extra grip? I also noticed the barrage doesn't have any jimping, how does that affect the traction/grip on the knife?

-Gideons
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Do all tactical and or outdoor knives have jimping? Is it always required?
 
I don't really understand the obsession with jimping. I don't mind it as long as it's not excessive but it has also never stopped me from buying a knife either.

Different strokes...
 
This is one of (many) reasons I don't like framelocks and/or metal handled knives. I would much rather have too much jimping and/or too abrasive scales than not enough grip. Abrasive G-10 or FRN/FRCP can be sanded down to your liking, too rough jimping can be filed down.

I've owned NUMEROUS Ti framelocks, and most of them didn't have enough grip. The only ones that I have/had with good grip was the ZT 0561 (too beastly for me to carry so I sold it), Kizer Ki423 (no jimping, but very sculpted and form fitting handle), and the Three Sisters Forge Beast.

The frame of the proxy is well sculpted, and will provide a secure handhold, and the G-10 scale will add to grip strength, so you should be fine.

I don't buy into the whole tactical bull, but that's just my opinion. And, because it is MY opinion, it must be vastly superior to anyone else's.
 
Gideons said:
I was looking at the new Benchmade 928 Proxy and looks like a great knife... but one thing... No jimping on the spine of the blade/handle. For a knife that is suppose to be outdoor/tactical knife (benchmade's classification of the knife) doesn't it make sense to have jimping for extra grip? I also noticed the barrage doesn't have any jimping, how does that affect the traction/grip on the knife?

-Gideons
Click to expand...
IMO jimping on SOME knives can be nice, but most certainly NOT a prerequisite. Dont get hung up on the Benchmade not having jimping.

Further more some types of jimping can be a nuissance if not done right.

I bought a Survive GSO with neither jimping, bow drill or fire notch.

Most Survives Ive seen have been ordered with at least jimping but I actually find it liberating to have the very nice knife that 'clean.'

Last but not least (to my pleasent surprise) I dont miss jimping on the GSA at ALL.

In fact the GSO lacking jimping has made me reconsider my preference for jimping on some types of knives.
 
It was probably an aesthetic choice, but seems unnecessary with a handle that molded and a finger guard that big IMO. Generally, I appreciate it more on smaller knives than big knives... It aids in letting me know where my hand is positioned without looking, and helps with the "fingertip grip" that some small pocket knives get used with.
 
I can live with or without, but I wonder: if one's grip around the handle isn't strong enough to keep the knife from slipping/moving around, is the small contact area between thumb flesh and the spine jimping going to make it all better?
 
I hate jimping on all knives, I even find the jimping on the sebenza annoying and useless. Jimping is relatively new if you look at knifemaking history and imo it's a solution to a problem that never was there in the first place.
 
To reiterate what I said above in a concise, non-rambling way:

If the ergonomics are good and the scales aren't too smooth/slick, you will be fine. For example, My Kizer Ki 423 has no jimping but incredible ergos, and I have no problem with it (its my carry today actually). For me at least, a knife like the Lionsteel SR1/2 was too smooth, and was in need of more sculpting or some jimping.
 
Michael Janich on jimping being removed from delica on kahr delica:

After giving it some thought, I bought a Delica, fired up the belt grinder, and made my student a "snubby" Delica. Since the grinder was running, I also removed the jimping, which tempts people to brave their thumbs on the rear portion of the hump in a Saber grip. This not only weakens your grip, but is a recipe for pain if you make hard contact on a thrust. For casual utility work, jimping is fine. For defensive use, it's like sharp corners and edges on a handgun--it doesn't belong.
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As far as I can tell, the absolute "need" for jimping Is a TNP thing. NOT an EDC thing.
I'll take a knife with great ergos without jimping every time.

Now, jimping on a flipper tab? That's something different altogether. Some flippers definitely need it.
 
353 said:
I hate jimping on all knives, I even find the jimping on the sebenza annoying and useless. Jimping is relatively new if you look at knifemaking history and imo it's a solution to a problem that never was there in the first place.
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Disagree. When combined with a good finger groove, it gives you a lot more control on your blade as your thumb has more an active role:

l9jFrovh.jpg




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For me, it depends on the knife. On blades where the spine ramps up where your thumb goes, I strongly prefer good jimping. On blades where the spine and handle flow together, I find it unnecessary.

Thumb Ramp
644DB12A-65C8-48E5-8CAA-D38455A4F2C0_zpsxclma6ti.jpg


No Thumb Ramp
EB1EE47A-92D5-42D6-A03B-F405F5E55D34_zpskz13emsx.jpg
 
I feel like its on a knife by knife basis. Much like has been said before I think its really a personal preference thing for a given knife. Some knives can use it, like ones with a thumb ramp. Some knives are grippy enough and ergonomic enough that it's unnecessary and frivalous.

Based on the ergos of the 928 proxy and the G10 scales, I really think it doesn't need any extra jimping. But that's just my personal opinion.
 
Hudakjoe said:
I feel like its on a knife by knife basis. Much like has been said before I think its really a personal preference thing for a given knife. Some knives can use it, like ones with a thumb ramp. Some knives are grippy enough and ergonomic enough that it's unnecessary and frivalous.

Based on the ergos of the 928 proxy and the G10 scales, I really think it doesn't need any extra jimping. But that's just my personal opinion.
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The Ergo's of the knife do look great, which is one of the reason I am interested in the knife. However, I heard the G10 was super slick. Which is one of the reason I felt the jimping may be needed.
 
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