Finger choil- thoughts

[Gary W. Graley]

The French also seem to avoid that as well such as this one that I foolishly parted with

Chambriard_compagnon1 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

stag_chambriards by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2

 

[bikerector]

I was outside yesterday actually using my EDC! I was cutting bags of soil and mulch open. The problem I kept having was the bag getting stuck on the finger choil. I know it’s probably operator error, but it was getting annoying as hell. Now, maybe it was the wrong knife for the job, I can admit that, but it’s the one I had.
Now I am not a fan of the finger choil! Talk me off the ledge.

This is the knife in question (my favorite edc)....

View attachment 1908435

I don't like sharpening choils for that reason. Finger choils depend as some are behind the ricasso, like the native 5, which I like. I like the blade to run all the way to the ricasso, in most instances. Smaller choils are okay though.

In fixed blades, stronger preference towards no choil for me.

 

[Bob Denman]

If you've got a finger choil: just don't get so "deep into the blade" when cutting stuff

 

[MSchott]

I don’t mind a choil on the handle or a finger groove or guard but I don’t like a finger choil on the blade at all.

I think if you were catching a bag on that finger choil you were gripping from the sides and leaving the choil exposed and using a low angle of cut. Try gripping with your fingers around the handle with your index finger in the choil and use a steeper angle cut to allow more room for your handle.

Agree. Finger choils on blades are almost always very uncomfortable. Particularly the point where the choil meets the cutting edge.

 

[Bastler]

I prefer my blades sharp and my handles blunt. I don't even like ricassos. No finger choil on the blade for me.

 

[Blade Lab]

I like the way Spyderco does them, but that's about it. My problem with non-Spyderco choils is that they're usually cut right into the primary grind of the knife, so not something you want to bear down on ... and there's no separation between your finger and the sharpened heel of the blade.

As others pointed out, though, the OP's knife doesn't have a finger choil, it has a sharpening choil, which is a must and a whole 'nuther subject.

 

[Henry Beige]

When I bought A couple of big SYKCOs I didn’t have any knives with a big choil, and I didn’t think about it much in deciding to purchase. I was really after the Reseprine C handles. The choils just come with the territory. I was, and still am, agnostic on the matter. They are quite large and not at all uncomfortable. These are blades that go 8” or more, so blade space is not at a premium. The choils allow me to choke up enough to affect the balance for close work. I have not used them for close work, so I can’t say if it is a good thing or not.The difference is not as dramatic as doing the same thing on the Skrama 240, but it is there.

 

[dogstar]

Finger choils suck.

 

[allenC]

I'm not a fan of choils.

 

[slyraven]

I'm going to be honest. Choils always looked dangerous to me like if I attempt to use it I'll slice my finger off. I kind of know why they are there, but I'd prefer them not be there.

 

[Neener Neener]

The French also seem to avoid that as well such as this one that I foolishly parted with

https://flic.kr/p/WCPvmz

G2

I'd slice my finger off on a design like that. I have to have a front quillion or definitive finger grooves, at a minimum. My luck is too bad to take a chance without one!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

The handle swells up towards the blade which helps keep your hand from sliding forward

G2

 

[shane45-1911]

OK, someone's gotta take one for the team.....I like and actually prefer finger choils on my larger fixed blades.

If they aren't there, I add them.

I do like the benefit and comfort of (the over-used term) "choking-up" on the handle for (the even more over-used term) "fine detail work".