Who Makes the Best Handles for Folders?

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
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In my opinion, Spyderco consistently designs the most comfortable handles on mass produced factory knives. In terms of Midtech or custom knives, I think Rick Hinderer is incredible. I have never owned a Hinderer, but the ones I have handled are remarkably comfortable.

What are you folks opinions about who makes great ergonomic handles for folders?
 
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Judging by your avatar photo, I'm not sure you are gripping the knife to maximize handle comfort. ;)
 
Cold Steel, IMO. Every CS I've held has just melted into your hands. Large Voyager, Counter Point II, Tuff Lite, Talwar XL, and American Lawman. All super comfy right away with no hot spots and perfect grip.
 
I think that some Emersons are that most comfortable folders that I own.
 
Some ZT's. Benchmade has ergos down very very well across most of their product line. Spyderco also. Al Mar knives almost always have near perfect ergos. Have yet to handle any custom knives other than a few flipper Hinderers that the guy who runs my local knife shop owns and quite honestly they sucked. None of his Hinderers would actually flip without a lot of wrist to it. Just using the flipper tab without any wrist and the heavy thick blades would only make it 3/4 of the way at most. That and the ergos also sucked. Hot spots in any grip I think they are atrocious for the price they go for. He is now going from Hinderers to Striders so Ill get to check out and handle some Striders soon.
 
Honestly gets down to production quality and the ability to make designs that can fit a variety of hands. Everyone's hands are different sizes, shapes and have varying levels of dexterity. Some people automatically go to flippers and can open it easily, when some people find the index finger action quite awkward. If you're looking for a EDC that can fit almost anyone's hands, stick with major production companies and knives that are 3-4 inches in length. That's probably about 90% of the market there, law of large numbers will be on your side there.
 
Gonna have to also say Spyderco. Every handle that is 4" in length is symmetrically contoured to your hand no matter what position you have the knife in. Manix, Para, vallotton ect . Sypderco does jimping the best hands down also. The manix xl is in my top5 favorite folders at the moment because of all the excellent jimping, in all the right places and fits my hand like a glove. Incredibly comfortable secure grip on any of their larger handles and most smaller ones as well.

Would also argee with cold steel but the jimping on sydercos just makes them perfection in the hand.
 
The definition of a comfortable knife in hand, for me, is a Spyderco Military. That said, CRK Large 21's are pretty phenomenal, also, as they seem to be simply neutral and, thus, quite maneuverable.
 
Emerson & Spyderco for full-size (3.25-4.5inch blade) folders. I don't like the ergos on the smaller size Spyderco folders. Kershaw does small folder ergonomics the best.

That said I will always have a soft spot for the Microtech Hawk. Reese Weiland designed that handle perfectly.
 
Assuming you're talking about folders, I've always been fond of Microtechs. Outside of the first run DOC pocketclip, they're fantastic
 
CB radios and frying pans have handles, Knives have scales, lol. I get corrected all the time. Just as Guns Do not have magazines, they have clips. Katz and Al Mar IMO are the best out the box, Steve Ketchen is the best custom guy alive IMO. I have many of his and they are like butter. And why not order a custom Scale set if that is an EDC we are talking about. You will have in your pocket and touch it many times . Great question and answers
 
I like the FRN handles on the Spydercos...especially the Endura, Delica, Stretch and Native; while admittedly not exotic, they're functional, secure, rugged and above all, to my hand, ergonomic. For a useable "cutter" I'd take an Endura any day over just about everything else.
 
Lionsteel nailed ergonomics with the SR2 imho

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I'm a big Spyderco (esp. the Military) fan but a curved handle wins over a flat one regarding ergomics imho.
 
I used to think EKI, now hands down no competition is the CS Ultimate Hunter. Sufrigginpurb. Melts into your mitts and just feels good. keepem sharp
 
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