To Have and To Hold: Getting a Grip on Small Trads

[Will Power]

R.R. do a very tidy Mini Copperhead with Clip. Not too small for my tastes.

 

[AFAustin]

Will, that RR model is nice looking.

The Case Half Whittler, at 3 1/4", is another favorite that hits the small knife sweet spot for me. When I was studying up on them a bit, I believe it was actually a post of Will's which pointed out that the older ones were single spring and the newer ones two-spring. I now have a couple of each and like both styles, which look and feel like different knives. The single spring are a good bit thinner, as you'd expect, and also the blades slant down, while the blades on the thicker 2-spring models extend straight out from the frame .

Andrew

 

[Will Power]

Interesting Andrew, I do like the single-spring version but must admit the krinking leads to some blade cant (droop) which is I find, unsightly.

Think I need to look into another one of those 'newer' Half Whittlers.....could you show a spine shot at all? Thanks.

Regards, Will

 

[greentrout]

The Swayback Jack has become that knife for me. Wearing dress pants 6 days a week makes me really appreciate an easy-to-pocket knife. The SBJ is very comfortable in my hands. I find that by placing my index finger along the spine of the blade works very well for draw cuts. Holding the whole handle in my hand with my thumb down the spine works for push cuts with the handle contouring around the bottom of my thumb.
I tried a Peanut, as that is a knife my dad always like to carry and all the attention that little knife gets from this message board. While I think that knife is absolutely capable of 98% of what my cutting duties are, it just didn't feel comfortable in my hand. I think I would really enjoy the Peanut's bigger brother, the Medium Jack. At 3 3/8" I believe it would be at the upper end of your "small" range.

 

[AFAustin]

g.t., your SBJ is a beauty and does indeed fit in the size category I mentioned.

Will, you remind me that the blade krinking, or lack thereof, is another difference between the two Half Whit models.

Here are a couple of very quick & dirty pics, showing the blade slants and the spines. The two-spring is on the top and in the middle (my other two-spring is visiting W.R. Case for a small repair).

Andrew

 

[Champthekid]

This Shadley is a neat little knife.

 

[AFAustin]

That Shadley has nice lines. What's the length closed, and the blade steel?

Andrew

 

[Champthekid]

That Shadley has nice lines. What's the length closed, and the blade steel?

Andrew

Thanks. It's 2 and about 13/16th inches closed.

 

[AFAustin]

Thanks. That's a little guy then, and a very nice one.

Andrew

 

[jc57]

I carry and use a Case Peanut quite often. I have never really thought about how I grip it, I just use it. I just took a look at my usual methods, and identified these:

• Thumb on backspring or extended along spine, handle cradled in first 2 or 2.5 fingers. This is the only grip where I get three fingers on it depending on thumb placement. I believe this is called the "saber grip."
• Front bolster pinched between thumb and curved first knuckle, middle finger pressing rear bolster into palm.
• "Sharp index finger" - where the index finger is along the entire spine of the blade, thumb extended straight beside the handle, pressing the knife against the side of my middle finger. I find I use this more often with the small pen blade.

These all seem natural to me. I have a sharp thing in my hand that has a handle, and I am trying to use the blade on something or another. Your hand usually figures out how to hold it so that you can exert whatever pressure you need at the angle needed. I sort of re-tested with a full-sized Case Trapper and a middle-sized Case Med Stockman and all of my grips are variants of those listed above, with the handle adjusted to fit into the hand.

One that I rarely use, the stylus or scribe grip, like you would hold a pencil, is one that having a longer grip makes the most sense. The Peanut is kind of hard to hold that way since there is not enough handle to rest it on top of the web of your thumb.

As always, right (size) tool for the job is the best way to go. I usually have another, larger knife at least nearby if not in a different pocket when I am carrying a small knife.

 

[Will Power]

Andrew Thanks for the picture, but it has led me to buying another knife! Had to get one of these 2 spring Half Whittlers Decided to try a new CASE bone option, Burned Salmon I think it's called. Now the wait begins, hope it doesn't stay in Chicago airport for a month like the last CASE I got...

Regards, Will

 

[Jolipapa]

Andrew Thanks for the picture, but it has led me to buying another knife! Had to get one of these 2 spring Half Whittlers Decided to try a new CASE bone option, Burned Salmon I think it's called. Now the wait begins, hope it doesn't stay in Chicago airport for a month like the last CASE I got...

Regards, Will

That's a a real nice knife, much like the Winchester half whittler I'd like to get someday. I love the bow shaped pattern.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've found that much of the issue for me, with smaller knives, is getting a secure 3rd- & 4th-finger grip while sharpening them. In simply using the knives, I'm usually OK in handling the smaller ones without the pinky finger, at least. But in sharpening, much of the control over the held angle and pressure, and just steadiness in general, comes from being able to firmly bed the butt of the handle into my palm with my ring & pinky finger. This is very much similar to what's taught in the 'proper' grip of a golf club; most of the leading-hand grip is controlled by the 3rd & 4th finger, with the butt of the club firmly tucked into the heel-pad of the palm by those two fingers.

So, in order to ensure that firm 3rd/4th-finger hold, I've just naturally gravitated toward larger traditional knives; the 'sweet spot' for me, in size, is usually somewhere between 3-3/4" - 4-1/4" in handle length. My default favorite is a large stockman, usually somewhere in the 3-7/8" to 4-1/4" range, ala a Schrade 8OT, Case '75-pattern or a Case Sowbelly stockman (of which the latter's fatter handle also feels quite secure in-hand). And lately, I've been pocketing a Queen Cattle King Stockman, essentially the same size as the Case '75 pattern.

I have a couple of much smaller knives that I wished I carried and used more often; namely, a Peanut and a Schrade 108OT. It really is nice to drop either of these in the pocket and feel them seemingly disappear in there, virtually weightless and without bulk. But, I just don't drop them in the pocket as often as I'd otherwise like to, just because I've become so accustomed to the control afforded by gripping a larger-handled knife.


David

 

[AFAustin]

David, this has been my experience as well. I often have a harder time getting an A+ edge on a very small knife, and it's frustrating given my love of the size. While it's possible with some small knives, with others I confess I may end up settling for a "good" or "OK" edge instead of what I'd really like to achieve. Case Peanuts, cool little knives that they are, can be a challenge for me when trying for a "great" edge.

Andrew

 

[Case C.]

I'm carrying a MOP Case 8201 and they don't get much smaller than this and I'm fine with it. 2 5/8 inch knife. The same as a Case 33 pattern that's the smallest knife they make. The smaller pen blade is the best finger nail cleaner I have ever found in a pen blade. Would love a Case 8261 with the curved cuticle blade they haven't made since the mid 70's. A very cool knife made in MOP only I think

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

David, this has been my experience as well. I often have a harder time getting an A+ edge on a very small knife, and it's frustrating given my love of the size. While it's possible with some small knives, with others I confess I may end up settling for a "good" or "OK" edge instead of what I'd really like to achieve. Case Peanuts, cool little knives that they are, can be a challenge for me when trying for a "great" edge.

Andrew

Most of the hold/grip issues I noticed in sharpening were in the thinning/rebevelling tasks, which I've since completed with the Peanut. Exerting a little more pressure for heavier grinding, and for a longer time, is more challenging when the small handle is difficult to hold securely. Thankfully, the Schrade 108OT didn't need too much of that (almost none on the clip blade, and relatively minor thinning on the pen & sheepfoot). Touching up the edges afterward hasn't been a big deal, done with a lighter touch, which isn't really as difficult when held with only a couple of fingers.

I might revisit carrying these two more often, in the spirit of keeping an open mind. Almost all of the sharpening challenges I've initially formed negative opinions about have usually looked a little less daunting the 2nd or 3rd time around, or sometimes completely different. Just a matter of getting used to dealing with them, most of the time. I need to keep reminding myself of that.


David


David

 

[deltaboy]

I spent a month carrying peanut sized under 3 inch knifes and my biggest thing is they are so small you forget they are down there. They do 98% of your cutting for sure.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I have never noticed that my pinkie finger does not grip the Peanut. The blades being thin and sharp don't require enough effort when cutting for me to notice.

Thing is, carry two knives daily as my clothing allows it.... And it's fun. More and more, the other knife gets less and less use while the Peanut does the work.

 

[JB in SC]

A lot depends on the knife pattern. The Case SBJ single blade pattern in thin cover materials is a great carry knife. Don Hanson III had a Tony Bose SBJ in ivory in his pocket at Blade this year, a gorgeous knife, smooth as butter.

 

[jerok8]

I find that the deciding factor on whether I carry a knife or not is how thick it is. I pretty much carry single blade knives now, unless there's a good reason for a multi-blade.

That said, here's a few small ones that find their way into my pocket now and then. For the most part they serve my daily needs around home or in town. If I'm travelling by plane one of this size will be in my checked bag for use on the trip.

Peregrin, life is too short to have two beautiful Ohtas while others can't get one. Earn some karma and let me know how much I can send you for that swayback....

I have had a love/hate relationship with knives in the 3" category. Equal ends and sleeve boards are nice as long as they are not chunky, think vintage here. Peanuts and I have never really bonded as they feel to slim at the pivot. I much prefer a serpentine pattern to have the main blade on the fat end ala' this Catt whittler. Hasn't left my watchpocket since I got it a couple months ago.
View attachment 724869

Blademan, I haven't seen that whittler before. Do you know the model number? That bone looks great!

I am also trending toward smaller traditionals. I like peanuts and similar sub-3" serpentines (e.g. OT 72). Contratry to what was said by some above, I prefer having more than one blade - the main reason the Coyote I bought doesn't get carried (I too was dissappointed Will Power).

I'm seriously considering getting a wharncliffe/pen Mini Trapper to see if I like the little extra length. Got any in-hand pics Fog2?

I think I'm primarily drawn to these smaller blades because of carrying comfort.

Regards,

Jerok