What is the most ergonomic handle for knives?

golok

golok

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Oct 20, 2000
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This issue, I figure, may depend on two factors. One, the size of the owner's hands and the kind of knife that he uses.

Apart from that, I would like to know how does a knifemaker determine what's the best shaped-handle for his own knives.

Does the maker base his decision on the size of his own hands, or just going by experience?

Perhaps the third factor could be the kind of work the knife is built for.

I leave it to the experts to answer this one.
 
I think the Emerson SOCFK is the most ergonomically correct handle design. That is my opinion.

All in all, I think Emerson ergonomics are the best.
 
I'll second that, EK have the best ergonomics (by far) over any other production company. There are other aspects that I am less impressed with, but as handles go the fit and finish is awsome.
 
Theoretically a Bagwell bowie should have the best fitting handle considering that he asks for your height, weight, shoe size, and an outline of your hand when he takes an order! (of course all of those parameters may change in the 2-3 years it takes to get your knife ;) )

IMHO, the intended use should be the most important factor...clearly a filet knife cannot have the same handle as a knife intended for heavy chopping...

Since I am into tacticals, I prefer a handle that allow for multiple grips (e.g. reverse grip, saber grip, filipino grip etc.) and easy transition from one grip to another (so no sub-hilts)...I also prefer a rounded butt so that I can "cap" the knife in reverse grip...I also like "symmetrical" grips such as the Mad Maxx and my MOD CQD.

RL
 
If you can get to a knife show, it's the best way - try 'em all.

Just got a Lightfoot C4 fixed blade that just feels so right - lucky that I got it from an internet seller on a chance. Just so happened I had an old paring knife that always was my favorite knife for feel. The C4 matched the handle and blade length, plus with the addition of shape characteristics inherent in the Lightfoot design.

I really lucked out on this one! Great feel, as though is were a much larger knife, yet it's only 7.25" overall, 3" blade, which is very street legal in most areas.
 
That´s a very tough question.
Ask 100 people what the best song ever made is and you are highly likely to get 100 different answers.

It depends so much on very subjective personal preferences.

My personal favorites are simple concepts: not too many or too deep finger grooves, relatively straight, not too curvy. IMO good ergonomics mean simplicity, in especially if you want to be able to comfortably use several different grip styles with one knife.
 
I wouldn't say it's the best, but I think the CRKT KFF has the most surprisingly good forward grip. I didn't like how the blade shaped at first, but after holding it, I gotta have it. Mine is the 3" version.
 
For field use on game, Kraton handles such as those on Cold Steel's superb Master Hunter, are tough to beat. When you're deep into really messy stuff like blood, fat, in inclement conditions (rain, snow, etc. -- I'm writing from Canada, OK?) Kraton provides a great grip. That being said, I prefer natural materials like stacked leather or wood. Roselli's erupukko (hunting knife) has a wonderfully shaped grip out of gorgeous Arctic birch. Thermorun, which is similar to but harder than Kraton, which Fallkniven uses, is also very good.
 
Mad Dog(Kevin McClung) makes the most ergonomic handles on his knives.
 
i think the best handle is on the crawford ti kasper fighter, most of kaspers dersigns work well for me, we must have the same size hands- the perfigo looks good also, but havent handled one yet, but plan to buy one soon

a CLOSE second would be the EKI SOCFK/or the spec war(identical handles), but the SOCFK is waved, so no contest between the 2 imho

a CLOSE 3 is the BM 800 series imho, my fav is the 800S, but the 806SD2 is a good one too for sure, and has the axis lock, still like my old, $67.50 AFCK liner though, a lot of knife for the $$

fixed blades, i like polkawskis companion/bulldog/etc, w/a grip designed by, bob kasper, the CRKT version is VERY close, also, a great deal for $35 or so, but of course the q' aint like the polkawski, of course

those are my favs, i personally carry a SOCFK all the time, for the $$ they are, IMHO, impossible to beat

greg
 
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