utility/comfort of Fusion handle vs Straight in mid/large blades, and why?

DowntownDM · Mar 13, 2009

I admit to really preferring the look of the Straight handled mid/large blades (BAs, SHs, BMs), though I've only used/owned Fusions (ASH).

for those who are lucky enough to have experience using both, please discuss, from a utility/comfort perspective, what you prefer and why. thanks.

on_the_edge · Mar 13, 2009

When I got my SHBM, I initially found the handles to be too narrow for my paws. As a result, in use, I suffered both from hotspots/blisters and the dreaded SHBM pinky. I was not too happy. Still, a little athletic wrap around the handle to add just a hair of width and a whole lot more gripiness and she is now perfect.

The only FBM I have used is my LE. I have found no issues whatsoever with that handle, and have not added any grip tape to it. I guess that means that it is more comfy for me than a stock SHBM handle, but I still prefer the SHBM overall.

Also, there are differences in feel between the G10 FBMs and the micarta ones. The G10 scales have more bite than the micarta ones, almost too much IMO. Of course, YMMV.

hotrodKelley · Mar 13, 2009

I would have to say the straight handles, because they are just very comfortable in the hand, in the various ways to hold a knife.
The fusion handle is good feeling in the hand, but its limited in comfortability to certain positions as opposed to the SH, which fits your hand like a glove in all positions.
This is a good thread, and if this were a poll question, based on the hogs who have held both..... the straight handle will win hands down.

dobywon · Mar 13, 2009

Well I do like my fusion handled knives but I have a feeling when my 1/300 gets here Monday it might just be "The One".:foot:

I will report back here when she lands.

hotrodKelley · Mar 13, 2009

dobywon said:
Well I do like my fusion handled knives but I have a feeling when my 1/300 gets here Monday it might just be "The One".:foot:

I will report back here when she lands.

You got a 1/300 coming? Show us the pics when you get it:thumbup:

dbltap45acp · Mar 14, 2009

I want a SHBM so bad, but not bad enough to sell four of my Busse knives to get one. I would love to hold a SHBM one day. The next time one of you HOGs are in my neck of the woods, please bring one by for me to fondle a little, I will buy you a beer for it.

c4man · Mar 14, 2009

dbltap45acp said:
I want a SHBM so bad, but not bad enough to sell four of my Busse knives to get one. I would love to hold a SHBM one day. The next time one of you HOGs are in my neck of the woods, please bring one by for me to fondle a little, I will buy you a beer for it.

I'm in Ohio, it might take more than one beer

:foot:

on_the_edge · Mar 14, 2009

dbltap45acp said:
I want a SHBM so bad, but not bad enough to sell four of my Busse knives to get one. I would love to hold a SHBM one day. The next time one of you HOGs are in my neck of the woods, please bring one by for me to fondle a little, I will buy you a beer for it.

If you want to come to Tucson, you can do more than hold it. You can go out, swing it around, chop up some stuff, and then use it to make a PB&J if you want. It's all good.

WalterDavis · Mar 14, 2009

DowntownDM said:
I admit to really preferring the look of the Straight handled mid/large blades (BAs, SHs, BMs), though I've only used/owned Fusions (ASH).

for those who are lucky enough to have experience using both, please discuss, from a utility/comfort perspective, what you prefer and why. thanks.

Really, the only difference between your ASH and those Straight handle models is the grippiness of the scales (and the availability of Mags). The older SH models are usually much smoother, which has its good and bad points. The handle shape is almost identical on the ASH and the larger and older SH models. When you get into the Fusion line, there's a world of difference. Me, I like 'em all:thumbup:.. Though, after I got my first FSH, I thought, 'Man, this would be perfect with a SF handle on it', yet I still haven't picked up a NMSFNO

dbltap45acp · Mar 14, 2009

C4man, you bring it out for some fun, I will buy a keg of your favorite brew brother. Sounds like a good investment to me.

1Tracker · Mar 14, 2009

on_the_edge said:
If you want to come to Tucson, you can do more than hold it. You can go out, swing it around, chop up some stuff, and then use it to make a PB&J if you want. It's all good.

See, now THIS is what being a Hog is all about:thumbup: Offer the invite and the use of his knives

Ok, make room at the front of the trough for On The Edge....

dbltap45acp · Mar 14, 2009

I agree, On The Edge is good to go in my book.

ThunderUnderKilt · Mar 14, 2009

dbltap45acp said:
I agree, On The Edge is good to go in my book.

+1 on OTE. I live in his neck of the woods, and he took about an hour one morning to show me (a complete stranger) his collection. Great guy in my book:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: