THis could prove a fairly interesting read - good idea for a thread.
Below are some of my sharps with some pro's and cons (in my humble opinion)
Numbered from left to right:
1: AW Woodlore, Bird's Eye Maple Scales
A recent aquisition of mine that I have not yet had the opportunity to put full through its paces. I have dabbled with a few feather sticks and shaving down some bits of faily solid wood for shelves at home. The contour you see when looking down the spine is extremely comfortable, particularly in the classic strong fist type grip - probably a lot to do with the large "swollen" mid section. This helps it feel quite substantial/full in the hand despite it not being at all bulky. Detailing of the handle is outstanding down to the 1/3 of the spine towards the but protruting beyond the scales but in a perfect curve that makes it completely flush at the same time. The 1/3 towards the butt also has very slight recess in the side on profile which fits the hypothenar eminence very nicely aiding in comfort in many of the grips I've tried. Its an extermely well balanced knife, the balance point being just in front of the forward rivet.
No cons I've noticed as yet.
2: Ben Orford 3.5" Classic woodlander with tapered tang, Reindeer Antler Scales
Pro's - Similar spine on profile but much less exagerated than the Woodlore. Much more of a "swooping" side on profile which has similar effect for comfort as the woodlore, but leaves you with a less positive feel of the butt of the knife - you get it on the finger side due to the "swoop" but not where the heel of your hand site (if that makes sense). All in all this design is only minorly inferior to that of the woodlore in my opinion - and still a firm favourite of mine.
Con's - At times I feel the handlee of this knife is slightly short, and those with large hands may find the but of you knife interferes with some grips. Not quite as well balanced, but that is more to do with having a shorter blade moveing the balance point back (and possibly handle material?)
3: A. Wright & Son, Woody clone, Ebony Scales
Its been a main user for a few years now and seen a fair amount of use. THis is a simple tubular type handle, side on it has a slight choil, belly and butt giving it a moderately positive feel in the hand. PLain and simple, hard to fault.
4: Mora Blank, handles by me in cherry wood scales.
Pro's - Pretty "rectangular" scales, with some very subtle contouring around about where the rivets are. As I shaped it to my hand these are perfect for your strong fist type grip as my index and little finger slop in perfectly. The handle itself feels smaller that the others (despite the fact it is only a few mm shorter) - probably because in a chest lever grip my hypothenar emminence sit on the butt (compared to the others where the butt is pressing into that muscle), which proves pretty comortable with a good degree of control.
Con's - I havent given it much prolonged use, but think the more rectnagular shape might be more uncomfortable with time.
5: Falkniven F1 with Masur Birch Handle (Made by Dougster of BCUK)
Had this a while and not used it a great deal.
Pro's - Again, its similar in spine on profile to the woodlore/ben orford, but this one flair out again towards the choil. It is chunky, and fills up your hand really well. Extremely comfortable in your strong fist type grip.
Con's - THe finger guard interfere when choking up on the blade, althuigh this is a fault of the blade design, not the handle.
6: Roger HArrington prototype - Walnut scales, nickel silver bolster
Despite this being an extremely well made and beutiful knife I'm not such a fan of the handle. Very rectangular which I think will be uncomfortable with prolobged use. The side on profile tapers off to the end, giving you less of a positive feel for the but in a strong fist grip, it just doesnt feel quite right. Althoug, I want save my pennies for one of Rogers Bison Bushcraft knives - have had my eye on them forever and they dont seem to come up second hand on the forum (which I dare say means people aren't keen to part with them!)
7: Classic Mora Rubber/plastic handle.
Grippy, even when wet. Generally very comfortable except when you choke up on that nice plastic finger guard. As we all know, hard to beat for the price, although for comfort, i think its probably woth the extra pennies to go for the wooden handles version (I find my carver of the same simple barrel design - extremely comfortable, but a bit short in length).
I meant to add my off the shelf Enzo in there but forgot. I find the scales to small and the handle doesnt fill out you hand, making it generally uncomfortable in most grips. Something I may rehandle down the line.
All in all - Faily thick scales that fill out and conform to your hand in the main grips types are ideal. How much you want to shape them to your grip type depends of how much time (or patience) you have in shaping the scales, but I think the time would pay off in the end.
I bet after all that you were more interested in stick tang handles...........