What knife has the best ergos? (Folder)

I was thinking about this last night, before I saw this thread this morning.

I had three of my Emersons (Super Commander, 15 and an 8) out, comparing their ergonomics, and the 8 won, followed by the Commander and then the 15.

But if you want to choke up on it, I agree with the PM2, Native 5, Spyderco suggestions. The additional choil allows one to do that, which is not on the Emersons I mentioned.

But simply holding it, the 8 wins for my hands bar none. It's like squeezing mud.
 
JDX said:
I was wondering if anyone can recommend a knife for it's ergonomics. The steel isn't as important since I don't plan on using it for heavy duty tasks. It can be 8cr13mov or aus8 for all I care. I would like a knife with superior grip, g10, micarta, canvas or similar. Finger grooves, choil, jimping, thumb ramps, would be great. I want to be able to comfortably choke up on the blade. Unfortunately, it seems to me I can only find fixed blades with the ergos I'm looking for
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Based on your specs here, esp. being able to choke up on the blade, I'd say a Spyderco is going to be your best bet. A Para 2 or Military will give you everything you've listed and a good steel to boot... as long as they fit your hand. The Sages and Native 5s also have finger choils in a smaller size with a bit different feel. If the ergonomics are that important to you, you're going to have to handle whatever we recommend to see how it fits you. But that's where I'd start.

Emersons are outstanding for their ergonomics, but I don't remember a model with a finger choil if you really want to choke up on the blade. If there is one I'm not familiar with, that would be one to try as well.
 
The CRKT Foresight has the best ergonomics (for me, that is) of any knife. The scales meet perfectly with the hand, and though they are aluminum they have a tacky coating for an excellent grip. The clip does not interfere with the grip, either, which is something that other makers could learn from. Its a joy to clamp down on the scales without getting gouged by the clip.

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Spyderco knives have great ergonomics, especially those with the 50/50 choil. It varies from model to model. I also like the ergonomics of ZT knives but they are heavier, beefier knives that are great to work with but not as easy to carry.
 
I have really big hands. I find that forced fingers grooves aren't very comfortable at all. I had a sebenza 25 and I found that I wanted my fingers everyplace but there. I like forward choils. My favorite is my military. I don't have any Emerson's because of the blade shapes and grinds but they are comfy.
 
Over $100: PM2
Under $100: Rat 1

Its crazy but I have yet to find a folder as comfortable at the Rat 1. I do however like the forward choil on the PM2 to choke up. But from a straight comfort perspective in a non choked up position, the Rat 1 is like a glove for me. And for $30 its an insane value.
 
JDX said:
I ended up buying a becker bk7 and a D'Eskabar for a neck knife.
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Great! Got any pics? Where'd you find the D'Eskabar?

For great ergonomics on a folder I'd highly recommend an Emerson Commander. Maybe a mini commander if you have small hands.

Also, I've found that most spydercos have great ergonomics. It's kinda hard to go wrong. Just pick one you like the looks of.

If you like benchmades, try out a 710. Damn near perfect. It's a classic now, but I remember when it wasn't. It gained that status for a reason.

About 10 years ago the top 3 folders that were compared were the original Spyderco Military, Benchmade 710, and the Al Mar Sere 2K. I had all of them and many, many, many more. The only one I still have is the Al Mar. They are hella expensive now for some reason, but I would highly recommend them as well. Great ergonomics!



 
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emersons feel great. you can get an emerson mini commander or horseman for 150 and they feel pretty good. if you are willing to spend a bit more, the emerson mini cqc 15 also feels amazing.

the crkt forsight is great, i have one of those too and it feels amazing in the hand.
 
Manix 2 is the best feeling handle I have ever used. Feels good choked up on the choil and just as good using the handle only. Everyone's hand size and taste is different so you may have to try several types before you find what you desire.
 
I agree with ATwistedStaple. I have large hands and I find the Native 5 to be the best fitting folder I've ever held. I tend to like larger knives, so the Native 5 shouldn't be my first choice of most ergonomic, but the choil, jimping, and handle size make the knife hard to put down. The Manix 2 and Manix2 xl are pretty close, with somewhat some similar characteristics, but the Native 5 takes the cake for me.
 
dalefuller said:
Based on your specs here, esp. being able to choke up on the blade, I'd say a Spyderco is going to be your best bet. A Para 2 or Military will give you everything you've listed and a good steel to boot... as long as they fit your hand. The Sages and Native 5s also have finger choils in a smaller size with a bit different feel. If the ergonomics are that important to you, you're going to have to handle whatever we recommend to see how it fits you. But that's where I'd start.

Emersons are outstanding for their ergonomics, but I don't remember a model with a finger choil if you really want to choke up on the blade. If there is one I'm not familiar with, that would be one to try as well.
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There's the Zealot.

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If you have small hands like i do a spyderco dragonfly 2 may be worth giving it a look at, nice small and has a choil so you can choke up. I have small hands (size small in gloves) and i feel if you have small hands that its deffinately worth a look. See if you can hold it in person so you wont waste your time and money if its not for you. Can also come in g10.
 
I don't find most Spydercos or Emersons to excel when it comes to an ergonomic grip. Most of their designs are thin and flat and in a way one dimensional. That means they carry well in a pocket, but it also means that the scales are not sculpted to fit the palm of a human hand.

For great ergos I suggest looking at sculpted scales, like the ones on Pohl Force Mike One or the Fox Anso Flipper. Mike One for me is perfect.
 
myowngod said:
Manix 2 is the best feeling handle I have ever used. Feels good choked up on the choil and just as good using the handle only. Everyone's hand size and taste is different so you may have to try several types before you find what you desire.
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AntDog mentioned the SERE2000 and I agree regarding comfort -- mine has excellent ergos. And it has the feel of a custom.

I have larger hands and really like the feel of Emerson handles, especially my Super Commander. Emersons have excellent ergonomic handles.

But you mentioned you want to be able to choke up on the blade. For that, I'd recommend a Spyderco Manix 2. Mine is an outstanding edc knife that is sharp, stout, smooth, comfortable, and sheople-friendly. And you can really choke up in order to get a precision cut.
 
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