Knife handle length - What's a good standard?

[Digital Coffee]

I'm putting together my first design for a knife but I'm stuck on how long the handle should be for a 4-1/2in. blade. The size of any given user's hand can vary greatly from a large man's hand to a petite woman's hand. It got me wondering how many solutions to this problem could there be? So, my question to all the knife makers is what is your solution to your knife handle length(s) when it comes to designing a knife, big or small?

 

[i4Marc]

This would be a better question for the "Shop Talk" section. As you suggest, it depends. It depends on the style of knife and what kind of work it will be doing, the handle shape, the user's hand size, even how it will be worn on the body or gear. I would say without knowing any of the variables, a 4" handle would be minimum. I have big hands but I can get 4 fingers on a 4" handle.

 

[Kevin Jones]

As i4Marc writes, the BF has a Shop Talk sub-forum specifically for this type question.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/741-Shop-Talk-BladeSmith-Questions-and-Answers

However, even though the particular knife/knife design has to be of course considered, a 4">5" handle is a good rule. There's hardly anything that turns me off to a knife any faster than a poorly proportioned (handle to blade ratio) knife.

 

[Don Hanson III]

4" for small knives.

4.5 for med size knives, most hunters.

5" for most bowies & fighters.

 

[Dawkind]

I'd always opt for a 'long' handle rather than a 'short' handle....ascetics be damned for a knife that's going to be used, unless it's a necker or something.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Don, that very specific and good information.
I would only add that for the smaller fixed-blade EDC and/or the smaller pocket carry fixed-blades that seem to becoming so popular these days that 3.5" >3.75" (3-finger) seems to be popular.

4" for small knives.

4.5 for med size knives, most hunters.

5" for most bowies & fighters.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Don, that very specific and good information.
I would only add that for the smaller fixed-blade EDC and/or the smaller pocket carry fixed-blades that seem to becoming so popular these days that 3.5" >3.75" (3-finger) seems to be popular.

You're right Kevin & I thought of that after I posted. I've done plenty of small knives with 3.25 to 3.75" handles.

 

[Digital Coffee]

Thank you everyone for all the great suggestions. This has differently helped me with my design concept and I'm sure will help with future designs. I do appreciate how courteous everyone was in responding. This seems to be a great community, thanks guys.

 

[bccustomknives]

here's my 2c worth (don't spend it all at once lol) ...4 1/2" is pretty universal ,any less it gets tight ,any more it can become a big boys hand only...it's a fine line,and a LOT depends on the overall design ,intended use and PROPORTIONS ...if you have a big mama blade with tiny handle, it's gonna look wrong...just as tiny blade with full sized handle will(unless it's a special purpose designed knife,for a specific task,but those generally tend to look not pretty as a rule,being specific task tools etc)

 

[RogerP]

I'd always opt for a 'long' handle rather than a 'short' handle....ascetics be damned for a knife that's going to be used, unless it's a necker or something.

Agree completely. For bowies and fighters a handle less than 5" is a deal-breaker for me. I'm quite happy at 5 1/4" actually.

It also bears mentioning that length is but one of three dimensions to consider when designing and executing a handle. If it is so thick that it feels like you have gripped the wrong end of a baseball bat, or so thin that the blade is barely controllable, or so awkwardly contoured that it feels like it's trying to fight its way out of your hand (see overly exaggerated palm swell under this heading) getting the length right won't matter much.

 

[JParanee]

I would rather have a handle be to long vs to short

 

[Kevin Jones]

Personally, a handle needs to be just right.
I have passed on quite a few knives where handles were too long and too short.

 

[Doug C]

I'd always opt for a 'long' handle rather than a 'short' handle....ascetics be damned for a knife that's going to be used, unless it's a necker or something.

Agree completely. For bowies and fighters a handle less than 5" is a deal-breaker for me. I'm quite happy at 5 1/4" actually.

It also bears mentioning that length is but one of three dimensions to consider when designing and executing a handle. If it is so thick that it feels like you have gripped the wrong end of a baseball bat, or so thin that the blade is barely controllable, or so awkwardly contoured that it feels like it's trying to fight its way out of your hand (see overly exaggerated palm swell under this heading) getting the length right won't matter much.

Unless we're also discussing Competition Cutters and I believe 5" handles are mandatory.

I would rather have a handle be to long vs to short

We all agree. :thumbup:

Doug