We all know the best handle ever... do I even need to say it? So, using BK&T handles as the best for a comparison, what handle features do you guys like/dislike, or even hate? Answer from all aspects including acthetics, ergonomics, single position, multi-position, pommel type, no pommel, hefty, skinny, whole hand, partial hand, hardware (pins, tubes, or bolts). Do you like choils, both on the blade and/or on the handle (like a trigger style index finger cut out on the handle--lots of TOPS knives have them like the steal eagle)? Do you like features for stowing tinder away, or a bow-drill divot? Only thing I don't want to know is material, and color preference. Let's here it.
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What Type of Handle Do You Prefer?
- Thread starter CM_Rick
- Start date
- Joined
- May 11, 2013
- Messages
- 268
I. personally, feel that the big becker grivory/zytel is perfect for my uses.
The way it locks into the hand just gives a really secure grip without need for handguards and other digeridoos.
It has to have a lanyard though, for rear grip chopping (two fingers on the swell near the rear end of the handle). With this grip my BK2 chopped seasoned oak damn near as well as my fiskars x7 hatchet... (I know, i was surprised to :O)
The way it locks into the hand just gives a really secure grip without need for handguards and other digeridoos.
It has to have a lanyard though, for rear grip chopping (two fingers on the swell near the rear end of the handle). With this grip my BK2 chopped seasoned oak damn near as well as my fiskars x7 hatchet... (I know, i was surprised to :O)
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2013
- Messages
- 119
As far as the Becker line goes, I like the full size handles the best, with micarta of course.
In general though, I prefer a simple handle that has gentle curves that allows for a variety of holds. Thick scales to reduce hand fatigue, and a pommel is nice but not necessary.
Here's my current idea of a near perfect (for me) handle:
A knife of my own making.
As far as materials go, I have a strong preference toward linen and canvas micarta, but not texturizing like most folks prefer. I like mine sanded down to 600 grit and polished.
I have recently been playing around with a lot of G10 and am really starting to like how it feels, not to mention the excess of color options out there.
I seem to gravitate toward Corby bolts normally but brass pins do just fine and loveless bolts look great as well with the added strength of being bolts and they also give a knife a 'high-end' look.
Hmmm... I've been thinking about doing some upgrade work on the old BK4, maybe its time that happened...
Green linen micarta with 1/16" black g10 liners and all brass loveless bolts.... Hmm, now I have a winter project to fall back on haha.
In general though, I prefer a simple handle that has gentle curves that allows for a variety of holds. Thick scales to reduce hand fatigue, and a pommel is nice but not necessary.
Here's my current idea of a near perfect (for me) handle:
A knife of my own making.
As far as materials go, I have a strong preference toward linen and canvas micarta, but not texturizing like most folks prefer. I like mine sanded down to 600 grit and polished.
I have recently been playing around with a lot of G10 and am really starting to like how it feels, not to mention the excess of color options out there.
I seem to gravitate toward Corby bolts normally but brass pins do just fine and loveless bolts look great as well with the added strength of being bolts and they also give a knife a 'high-end' look.
Hmmm... I've been thinking about doing some upgrade work on the old BK4, maybe its time that happened...
Green linen micarta with 1/16" black g10 liners and all brass loveless bolts.... Hmm, now I have a winter project to fall back on haha.
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I think lots of things work. One thing I don't really get is a finger cut out choils. Why not just have no choil at all and put the normal index finger position close to the edge so you don't have to change position of fine work?
I'm also really, really in favor of having at least some contour/bump/guard to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade. That might be okay for a woodworking, but not for when you're nowhere near a doctor.
I'm also really, really in favor of having at least some contour/bump/guard to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade. That might be okay for a woodworking, but not for when you're nowhere near a doctor.
I LOVE the micarta tweener handles. They're absolutely perfect. I really dig the full size micarta handles too.
Come to think of it, I just plain like micarta. I must be a micartard or something.
I don't like choils but I can ignore them. I don't like any wacky divots or anything like that either. I like simplicity.
And I hate hate hate partial serrations on a fixed blade.
Come to think of it, I just plain like micarta. I must be a micartard or something.
I don't like choils but I can ignore them. I don't like any wacky divots or anything like that either. I like simplicity.
And I hate hate hate partial serrations on a fixed blade.
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2014
- Messages
- 270
