Why is a good grip a low end feature and not a high end feature?

[abbazaba]

Good ergonomics can account for much more "grip" than handle material alone.

Lots of slippery handle popular cheap knives, and lots of grippy expensive knives... Molded plastics like FRN are also cheaper than 3D machining, making for a better value.

 

[Bob6794]

Having lost 3 knives in 2 months on the job I consider that a plus as long as it's not pocket shedding like textured G-10

Try a Kabar Dozier, best pocket clip I've had on a knife. It's my primary work knife for the past several years despite how many attempts I made at replacing it.

 

[Richard S.]

Fallkniven has grippy handles and their knives are not cheap.

 

[Night Rider]

Try a Kabar Dozier, best pocket clip I've had on a knife. It's my primary work knife for the past several years despite how many attempts I made at replacing it.

Thanks for that Bob6794. That is a sweet looking knife for $20 bucks and the Foliage green modle peaks my interest. I hope the op finds all this as useful as I am. Kabar Dozier review from here on the BF. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/my-thoughts-on-the-kabar-dozier.928565/

 

[Sonnydaze]

Why is a good grip a low end feature?
It's not. How can one cut securely without a secure grip?
I just ordered my 3rd set of grips for a new fixed blade...the first two were too "slippery."

However, BEWARE of the Benchmade model 755 MPR. The grip is SO aggressive that it rips my Levis in two days... to be fair, BM will send you a replacement grip that is not as grippy. So, it CAN be overdone.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

I like budget knives for two reasons. First, I'm not rich and I can't justify spending "gun money" on a knife. Second, I see knives as everyday tools that could get lost or damaged. I think most people could find a good or even great knife for under a hundred bucks. Some people just want more and the reasoning can be a little more esoteric.

This thread is based on a generalization and let's face it, there is crap at all levels of the market. Just look at the "Mall Ninja" category of cheap knives to see lots of stuff that's hard to hold or just plain hurts your hand. I generally look between $40 and $100 when knife shopping where it does seem like more knives are made for actual use. It could be selective attention though. When I see reviews for expensive knives that look more like art than tools, they tend to stand out too.

 

[Pteronarcyd]

My small collection of knives range in price from $10 to $200. I see no correlation between price and grip. My second least expensive knife, a black-washed CRKT Squid, is annoyingly slick. I like the little thing, so may get one with a G-10 scale some day. Another annoyingly slick knife is, price wise, in the middle of my collection, my Civivi Shard. The G-10 has almost no texture, and the carbon fiber overlays are almost frictionless. I must admit, however, that neither the Squid or the Shard feel insecure when gripped. Their slickness is a concern when handling them when not in use.

My two most expensive knives have great grips despite having handles of higher grade materials. My Bestech Engine, with a titanium frame and carbon fiber scale, has more than enough grip for its designed purpose, and is not slick while handling between use. While both materials seem slick at first glance, there is some degree of microtexture (a surface feel that I cannot visually detect) that works during handling. Also, each has a macrotexture (design morphology) that works very well during use. My Bark River Mini Fox River has canvas micarta scales, which have always provided adequate grip.

 

[CdnMitch]

I think so much of it has to do with the profile of the knife and the shape of your hand as well as the materials used which isn't necessarily a cost to performance issue.

I find my PM2 to have very sharp edges and be awful in my hand however it is grippy...when I apply pressure to cut it feels like the knife is pushing back, however my Shiro 95 with micarta inlays feels like I am holding on to something that was custom fit to my hand and has more than sufficient grip. On the other side I find a Benchmade 940 to be more comfortable in hand than my Olamic Wayfarer, however I find a Sebenza to be in the middle of those two for comfort...but the texture on the wayfarer I have (cratered sky titanium) is very grippy.

Once you start getting into anything with ascus at the end (Timascus/Damascus) forget the above lol

 

[Banter 247]

$365, “slick” ti handle slabs. 0 issues with slipping, and it gets used a lot. The curves of a handle, when squeezed during use, provide stops. It feels slick when loosely holding it in fondling, but it’s not going anywhere in use.