Where would you say the ideal balance point for a knife is?

Carl_First_Timer

Carl_First_Timer

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Dec 6, 2010
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I have seen guys try and lighten the tang, by adding holes, and tapering. What ideal center of mass are you going for?

I am trying for balance at the index finger. How about all of you?
 
Will depend on the knife.

A chopper can benefit from being blade heavy. Smaller detail work knives, it would be better back to the index finger.

A smaller skinner, still might work well a bit blade heavy due to how it is held in use and if the weight centers on the main contact area of the blade, it would be good.

Depends on what the task is that the knife is suited for.
 
I'm currently making:

Two chef knives 8" (these are blade heavy about 1.4" into the blade).
Two knifes that fit into the leftover of those knifes 3" Blade 7" over all (Almost perfect index finger balance).
In the planning stages for 6 linerlocks with 3 1/2" Blade. (Still planning and wondering where to balance them at.
 
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I like the balance point to rest at the index finger for most knives. On a chopper kind of knife like a cleaver or machete the balance needs to sfift to much further up the blade.
 
On a chef's knife the balance can be around the widest part of the blade. That kind of balance works well for chopping veggies with a rocking action.
 
A small knife for detail and technical work I like to balance in the grip so that if you hold the knife horizontal and open your fingers, it stays on the palm instead of the blade tipping down and falling. Anything large enough for chopping duty, the more weight on the blade, the better.
There is another factor to consider, though. How the knife balances when in the sheath can be important too, especially if the sheath has a flexible belt loop. A handle heavy knife can be a nuisance in this regard.
 
Justin, I prefer the exact same thing. For choppers, balance can be forward of the index and be just fine. For a small EDC which is most of what I make, I prefer slightly handle heavy...maybe just a bit behind the center of the index finger.

--nathan
 
I think a good balance is halfway between the asking price and the first offer.

Other than that , within 1" of the handle/blade transition.
 
bladsmth said:
I think a good balance is halfway between the asking price and the first offer.

Other than that , within 1" of the handle/blade transition.
Click to expand...

Truer words were never spoken.:D
Stan
 
Good points by all. In any case I don't like a knife that feels like a brick OR a baseball bat in my hand. Even big powerful knives can feel lively and quick if balanced carefully.
 
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