Hand/Handle Size, Does it Matter?

Sulaco

Sulaco

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Nov 15, 2003
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I have fairly large hands. My palm measures 3.75" across which is 9.5 centimeters. I find that smaller handles are a real problem for me. I use my knives - a lot, and smaller handles cause my hands to ache (I probably have some mild Arthritis) and create hot spots and are just generally not comfortable.

An example of a knife handle which fits my hand well is the Bark River Bravo-1. It fits my hand very, very well. I can go a little smaller, like say, to the Bark River Gunny, but dropping down to anything much smaller gives me trouble.

Another one which fits my hand well is the BK&T mid-size (tweeners) models. I have a BK-16 and the handle on it, while a little on the small size for sure, is a good design and I find it comfortable with use.

As far as folders go, the slim, straight-grip styles like the CRK's and others similar to it just don't give me enough purchase to feel comfortable. Too bad because I like the knives. The BM 551 Grip is a really good fit for my hand - for a folder. I think it works well w/o being too thick, like the Bone Collector. I also like how the spine of the handle flows in to the spine of the blade and doesn't flare up like some of the Osborne and McHenry & Williams designs do. I also like the 950, but have the same issue with it, as well as the little pinky flare which seems out of place.

So how about you, what can you tolerate - or not, and what size is your hand? I just used a ruler and measured the width of my palm with my hand and thumb relaxed. I dunno if it's an official measurement, but it works!
 
The vast majority of knives that I've bought were purchased in a knife store so I had the chance to handle them in person first. Naturally I want a handle that feels right in my hand. Too small or too large is unacceptable to me.

One of my knife-buying mistakes was a short Kabar. They're basically scaled-down versions of the regular full-sized Kabars. As a result the short versions are like toys with TINY handles. I hate it when the handle of a fixed-blade is too small. And I have small hands so if I think a handle is too small then it's REALLY small.
 
A full four-finger grip is best but I don't mind a smaller knife if I can get a solid and comfortable three-finger grip on the handle. I also find that if a folder is too clunky & chunky in the pocket, I won't carry it. No thanks to pocket tanks!
 
If it's a larger fixed or folder then I prefer a larger handle for mre leverage in the cut.But,for a small pocket knife,like my Case Peanut,I don't mind the smaller handle.I don't use a small pocket knife for endurance type cutting jobs.Oh,my palms measure 4" across;).-Jim
 
killgar said:
The vast majority of knives that I've bought were purchased in a knife store so I had the chance to handle them in person first. Naturally I want a handle that feels right in my hand. Too small or too large is unacceptable to me.
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We never had any knife shops so it was mostly the local hardware store or mail order if we wanted something.

GRIM 62 said:
If it's a larger fixed or folder then I prefer a larger handle for mre leverage in the cut.But,for a small pocket knife,like my Case Peanut,I don't mind the smaller handle.I don't use a small pocket knife for endurance type cutting jobs.Oh,my palms measure 4" across;).-Jim
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I own a Peanut also. It's my church knife. I don't mind using it, but I wouldn't want to depend on it for anything serious, which was kind of the idea I had behind my question. I meant for serious use.
 
I'm with the OP- I think the size of the handle is important. I've said before that I don't really need a large blade on my EDC knife, but I need a big enough handle to be able to hold it well and it usually requires a knife with a big blade to get a big handle (except sometimes with Spyderco). I have carried 3" folders in the past and get by with them but I prefer something larger. Now my favorites are the Para 2 and Benchmade Barrage.

I don't consider that I have big hands but with my hand open my palm measures almost 3.75".
 
My hand is 4" at the knuckles when relaxed and slightly more at the palm when gripping something tightly. Almost every knife that has "ergonomic" handle features (i.e. humps and valleys) sucks for me. Even the spyderco military binds slightly if I dont use the choil. The para2 and superleaf are both too small for comfortable use.

Even though I like spyderco, I often find myself choosing benchmade when picking a full size weekend knife because more of them have straight handles that dont squish my fingers together if I grip the handle tightly. The griptilian and barrage are both ok to use even though the grip is close - my hand is about flush with the end of the knife so my little finger isnt gripping much but at least its not binding or hanging off the end of the knife. Other knives that fit my hand are the Hogue EX01 (4") and the spyderco gayle bradley. Big knives that are slightly off or down right uncomfortable besides the military are the zt 0560 and the benchmade rift.

On a related subject, I tried for a while to find a good general use fixed blade in the knifemakers for sale area here and and almost every blade shape/style I liked was on a knife with a handle right at 4". Even though I realize that makers and manufacturers must build for the majority, its still frustrating to see a knife you really want but having to pass because the handle is too small.
 
A handle is the counter balance to the blade.

Too small a handle to blade ratio- the blade feels heavy and awkward. When you go to use it, it is hard to hang onto.

for small work, like caping when dressing out game, a small blade to bigger handle ratio is needed. The handle will stay in your relaxed hand even when slippery, and plenty of leverage with the small blade and large handle. A lot of force can be exerted as well.

For a work knife there is an even ratio of handle to blade.

If you have ever seen a gladius or viking sword...broadsword you will notice a large round ball/disc on the butt of the handle. This is the counterbalance weight which is needed to balance out the blade and short handle for ease of control of the blade point.

A lot of commercial makers go too far one way or another in this and that is where custom makers excel. They have no requirements for handle size and can make them to fit the buyer.
 
My palms are right at 4" across. Anything less than the length of my index finger (3 1/8") is too short for me to use comfortably. I have a few peanuts, I get one out and drop it in my pocket from time to time. No matter how hard I try, I just can't like it. I have a ZDP Ladybug III on my keyring, and the only reason I can open it with one hand is because I can stick my pinkie through the split ring.
 
I've made some thicker scales for my Tenacious. The G 10 scales were pretty thin. The new scales are ~1/4" thick, well rounded and contoured. Makes the knife feel very comfortable in my hand. The only down side is that it makes the knife a bit bulkier in my pocket, but the comfort factor is more important to me.

By your described method, my hand is 3.75"

Ric
 
Yes, it certainly matters. If a knife isn't comfortable and well-balanced, it's just not going to be much fun to use, no matter what super-duper steel the blade is, or how expertly it's ground and sharpened.

I'm right at 4" across the palm, "cold". Try measuring your hand first thing in the morning, then again after a days' work. Depending on what you do all day, it may make a difference. It sure makes a difference in how my wedding ring fits.
 
I have XXL sized hands and it frustrates the hell out of me. One time I held a Kershaw Leek and just laughed at it.
 
Good question.
I too prefer a knifehandle that fills my hand. There are some "tiny" knives that feel good, i.e. neckers.
If i get a firm grip by putting the end of the handle in my palm, than thats fine.
Often I find handles that are too large for my hands.
red mag
 
James I measured fairly early on before I did much that day so it should be good.

One thing that I am finding though, is this measurement doesn't take in to account for things like how thick (or thin) fingers might be, or how long or short fingers might be. My hands are pretty good sized, but my fingers are a little longer than normal (genetics) for the size. So for me, a thicker grip is a must. I can deal with a little shortness in the grip, but if it's short and thin, I can't really use it for long.

Another thing I thought about is the overall design. Something like an ESEE Izula (or Izula-II) is super thin without scales, but the design makes it more usable than say, if the bottom of the grip were flatter without the pronounced choil-type area for my first finger. Add scales and I can use it much longer. But that takes away from it's ultra concealable design.

James I have looked at some of your work and I can tell you put some thought in to the handle designs. I like that.
 
Thank you for the kind words!

Sulaco said:
One thing that I am finding though, is this measurement doesn't take in to account for things like how thick (or thin) fingers might be, or how long or short fingers might be.
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You're right, there's a lot of variance in human hands... but hands are also very versatile. From a maker/designer perspective, one thing I like to do is have my wife and daughter check them out, as well as my father/mother-in-law and anyone else who might be around. If a couple of fairly large men and some relatively small females all agree that it's comfortable, there's a pretty good chance most people will be able to work with it.

From time to time I'll test a knife by cutting/chopping/whittling through a 2x4. Not as a speed test, just to see if that much work will cause undue fatigue, hot spots, blisters, etc.

Folks have mentioned neckers and "3-finger" knives, too. I agree that they can be very comfortable when designed to fit within the hand, although it might be unfair to try the 2x4 test with them (you just don't have the same leverage).
 
I have lg/xl sized hands and have returned a couple of knives that were small bladed but also had handles that were too short. Very uncomfortable in most daily uses.
 
As long as I can get a good three finger grip on it, I can do with a small pocket knife. My hand is just a tad under 3 1/2 inches, but I carry a little Case peanut as my daily knife. It does for opening FEDEX or UPS boxes, plastic blister packages, cutting a piece of twine or rope, cutting open a large bag of dog kibble. I tend to carry a smaller knife than a lot of folks as I carry a lot of items in my pockets and don't wnat a bulky knife. I'll take one small enough that I can forget it's there until I need it, and just big enough to do the job. I like two blade jacks because they tend to have a more boxy handle that makes for a nice grip in spite of the small size.

Most the time I use a pocket knife, I can get by with a SAK classic.
 
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