Knife critique please

[Stew]

I'm undecided on this handle shape and size so before I do anymore finishing to it, I though I would ask for some thoughts from the BCUK massive.

A shot that may help show why I'm undecided:

Thoughts please!

 

[Ogri the trog]

I thought it looked pretty good in the first photo, but in the subsequent ones it is perhaps too much handle for that size blade. I like the shape, it looks almost fish-like to me - so perhaps keep the width and height but loose a little of the length. This in turn will play with the proportions making the front end appear larger, but in recompense the swell near your little finger will move forward too.

It ain't a bad looking piece though!

Ogri the trog

 

[andy r]

I admit to liking a long handle, due to shovels for hands ! maybe some curvature in the back of the handle

 

[robevs73]

It looks really nice, just a bit big.

 

[Hugo]

Looks good, big handle for big hands.

 

[Tjurved]

Long handle? Nooo...


Long handles are cool!

 

[BorderReiver]

What's it feel like when you grip it in the different using positions?

If it feels good, you've done enough.

 

[Ratbag]

Stew
For my money, the slope at the end of the handle goes the wrong way - I mean that the "bottom" side of the handle as per the last picture (the side the blade edge is on) is longer and the "top" is shorter. I would curve it the other way - make the bottom the short side. Doing this will also shorten the handle overall. Stick with the convex curve though, that looks good.

Have a look at Scruff's handles on BCL/BB - those are my ideal scandi handle shapes.

HTH

Rat

 

[Everything Mac]

as said looks like a bit too much handle for the knife. - looks a wee bit too fat.

But if it feels ok then keep it - if you aren't happy with it the alter it as you see fit.

Andy

 

[Hoodoo]

Tough decision eh. I guess I'd recommend that if you are making it for your self, then just grind it to fit your hand. If you are planning on selling it, sometimes appearance means more than comfort and also, there is a wide range of hand sizes out there and comfort is relative. The fact is that large handles with small blades are not uncommon and give you a lot of comfort and control. These are carving knives from Paul Beebe:

However, I've held knives that I felt my hand wanted to move around too much due to a long handle coupled with a central palm swell that forces you to hold the knife in the middle with too much slop on each side.

I'm not sure there is a right answer. I do like the style of that handle though. Very nice.