Knife Handles

Barney · 10-28-2012, 07:17 AM

Every particular use requires a different knife handle. For example, bushcrafting handle needs to be bulky to fill the hand entirely. Thin handles even after short use can create hot spots and blisters.

Gondor · 10-28-2012, 07:30 AM

I agree with that. People usually talk about one knife for all tasks but that requires so many compromises that whoever tells me that has a knife that can handle everything I know he knows nothing about knives.

Barney · 10-28-2012, 07:34 AM

Exactly! What I did is try to find the knife that will be the best possible compromise for hunting/wood preparation/bushcrafting/food preparation which I keep in my survival kit. But regularly, I use a different knife for each of those tasks.

Bojib · 10-28-2012, 08:42 AM

Probably depends a lot on the person as well. I have big hands, so I need something I can actually hold on to. So I usually look for knives with good bulky handles. Smaller knives are just tough for me to grip.

oldsarge · 10-28-2012, 09:18 AM

Think most folks try to find something to fit most circumstances. It would be great to have the right tool for the job every time, but depending on your situation, you may be limited. I have yet to find the ideal knife but many have come close. I guess it comes down to what you want to carry. Car camping allows you to have pretty much all the tools you want. Light weight backpacking limits you to how much you want to carry. What I ask myself is, "If I could have one knife, which knife would I want with me in a pinch"? Then make it work.

Barney · 10-29-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsarge

Think most folks try to find something to fit most circumstances. It would be great to have the right tool for the job every time, but depending on your situation, you may be limited. I have yet to find the ideal knife but many have come close. I guess it comes down to what you want to carry. Car camping allows you to have pretty much all the tools you want. Light weight backpacking limits you to how much you want to carry. What I ask myself is, "If I could have one knife, which knife would I want with me in a pinch"? Then make it work.

That is true. For me, finding a compromise between the following two uses is the hardest job: Survival and Utility. Most of the time you will need a blade that will be used for smaller tasks, which means light and short. Survival is exactly the opposite, heavy and long. Bushcraft falls somewhere in between.

Gondor · 10-29-2012, 09:58 AM

I see most of the people picking blades that could fall into the bushcrafting category, which are medium length comfortable knives. Now, will they be closer to lighter performance of EDC/Utility or to heavier of Survival? Also what about hunting purposes?

Barney · 10-29-2012, 10:15 AM

Hunters like to chose up on the blade while skinning game. Shallower handle near the blade, deep finger choil and safe finger guard are needed in this case.

oldsarge · 10-29-2012, 10:21 AM

We debated knife size issue while teaching survival in Panama. Panamanians use machetes exclusively for any work in the jungle. I don't remember seeing any of them carrying a smaller knife. I got on the Rambo style survival knife kick for a while and decided it wasn't for me. Until of course I learned optional techniques on how to make that particular knife work for me. Now I would possibly consider carrying one again. Jim Lyle and Chris Reeves make high quality hollow handle knifes that hold up well. But when it all comes down to it, I would have my Swiss Champ, a larger field knife (6" blade) and a small machete. If I could only have one, I think I'd be going back to my Jim Lyle.

ghostdog · 10-29-2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsarge

We debated knife size issue while teaching survival in Panama. Panamanians use machetes exclusively for any work in the jungle. I don't remember seeing any of them carrying a smaller knife...

I was surf fishing down in the Sea of Cortez years ago and a Mexican fellow filleted them for me with his machete just to show off his skills with the tool. He was slick with that big knife.

For me, I never carry a big knife when afoot. There is a machete in my vehicle along with a folding saw, shovel and small axe, the normal backcountry tool list for travel. The Mora knives have good comfortable handles and a few choices in handles that should make about anyone happy. The blades are thin and anywhere from 3" to 4" which I find perfect for an all-arounder.