index finger groove--what's it for?

J

jley

Joined
Mar 20, 2008
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10
I'm not too fond of large index finger grooves on knives. they make my index finger feel like it's unnaturally pulled away from the rest of my fingers.

Does this "finger placement" serve any specific purpose? does it make a particular knife grip more stable or something? I'd appreciate some education on this knife design method. And why some people might prefer it.


thanks.
 
It is supposed to help keep the knife from slipping in your hand when working in slippery conditions, as when skinning and the handle is covered in blood or in other slippery conditions.

Don't like it, don't buy it. There's plenty of styles to choose from. (I shy away from finger cutouts myself. I don't do any skinning these days and I do not usually find them comfortable either.)
 
There are blades made for PP (Protective Purposes) in mind. The larger than normal finger groove provides a good rest area for the forefinger- to keep it cradled and to help it from sliding forward towards the blades edge! For those who carry these type knives on a daly basis, it is important that the knife be indexed as quickly as possible. That includes on the draw, resheathing, and the potential need to regain a dropped knife and to index it quickly. The single large finger groove will help to orient the knife into the correct position in the hand, even while in low light or darkness. Additionally, the rear curve of the finger groove will aid to extract the blade from its target medium. The martial balde practictioners will know what this means.

N.

www.dozierknives.com/forum
 
As wwell as helping to grip, it also allows for better control on precise cuts. I personally am a fan!
 
For clarity are you talking about a finger groove on the handle or on the blade (choil). I do not like choils but don't mind well placed finger grooves, as evidenced by my new Bark River mini and micro Canadians.
 
CUTS LIKE A KRIS said:
For clarity are you talking about a finger groove on the handle or on the blade (choil). I do not like choils but don't mind well placed finger grooves, as evidenced by my new Bark River mini and micro Canadians.
Click to expand...

I'm referring to when there's an index finger bulge on the handle itself.

Do most people who use a self-defense knife or do skinning prefer to have an index finger groove?
 
I find it useful, even on small knives. To do precision cuts I rest my middle finger on it as a trigger - the thumb lateraly(sp? on the side of the blade) and the index on the spine - if it makes sense.
 
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