The other half - Handles.

[Pattree]

I’ve read a lot on this site about blades, steel and sharpening.

Handles seem to be described in terms of decorative features and materials or sometimes as “ergonomic”. I don’t know what that means in terms of a knife handle. I have used knives continuously for full working days in my former work.

If you use a multi-tool knife then you are more or less stuck with the handle you buy- aren’t you? Has anyone modified a Swiss army knife handle? I mean operationally rather than decorating it.

We users of Opinel knives frequently modify or play with the handle shape even though it’s perfectly effective for most domestic purposes. Indeed Opinel encourage it with their “Rough” version:



I have made several different handles, using my own wood, for different purposes, usually using the #9 oyster knife blade and lock which is sold un-bevelled and un-sharpened.

So:

- What do you look for in the handle of your knife?
- How important is it when you are purchasing?
- Do you modify knife handles?
- Pic?

 

[Decacraft]

If I had the choice I would choose a micarta over wood for less maintenance and a bit more weather resistance, but I do like a wood with some grain.
After a few uses I may sand down flatspots buts that's very minor and apply some sort of finishing oil

 

[Kadushu]

By and large I prefer something pretty simple in terms of shape. One of my favourites is the handle on the Brisa Kephart which I have never felt the desire to change. Other favourites are the Camillus Bushcrafter and also the classic puuko style. Funny you should mention the SAK because I've always found it fine. Generally speaking undesirable features are sharp/angular edges and handles that are too thin.

How important is it? Probably more important than the blade.

 

[Pattree]

I can agree that the handle is at least as important as the blade.
I have large hands and a smashed finger on my predominant (right) hand.

Funny you should mention the SAK because I've always found it fine.

Now that is a very variable commodity depending on the number of tools attached to your Swiss Army knife. I only own two - a tiny one with scissors and a nail file as a promotion for Monsanto and a smallish two blade version promoting a fork lift firm I did business with. It’s OK but I can’t imagine that the big multitools are comfortable. I’m very willing to be wrong.
Could they be modified if you chose?

 

[Foogs]

I've never seen the carve-your-own Opinel before. It would make a fabulous gift, but it seems to only be available from Opinel with €17 delivery.

For my money, I do like micarta for durability.
My next-to-be-tested knife is a Joker Bushlord with unstabilised walnut scales. It's very grippy, but durability is TBC.

 

[Pattree]

I've never seen the carve-your-own Opinel before. It would make a fabulous gift, but it seems to only be available from Opinel with €17 delivery.

Do you have a local wood turner who could turn the bolster for you?
Could you order a “Rough” from a local supplier who could import it for you.

NB don’t make the mistake that I made. The bolster needs to be on a line about 12 degrees forward of the centre line of the handle in order to present the blade to its work properly.
That’s what I failed to do for my first one. After that I got a lathe attachment for my Black & Decker drill and did my own.
They don’t always go right! I tried to use marine plywood for this one.
It was intended for a #12 but it’s down to a #9 so far.
Of course you end up with a supply of wooden handles that no one wants.

The OP is about more than Opinels.
I’d be interested in any handle opinions and modifications. My illustrations are just what I’ve got.

 

[forrestdweller]

i once modified the handle of an opinel #10 by rounding the end a bit with sandpaper and slightly "notched" it where the thumbnail groove (or whatever the correct name is) is located for easier opening, otherwise i haven't seen a need for handle modification in tools yet...
machetes (despite using them frequently i'm not sure if they classify as tools as they're imho a collection of poor compromises) on the other hand get the upper end of the handle rear end cut of and rounded as soon as i get them in my possession as i find that more comfortable for use (machetes here come with moulded plastic handles)

 

[Pattree]

@Foogs
Duh! So sorry!!!!!!
I’ve known about this for years!
You can carve ANY Opinel. Most of these are #8.

Edited to add:
I have two spare #9 handles if anyone would like to practice. Just the wood, no blade or lock.

 

[Kadushu]

I've carved my Opinel out of necessity because back when I was a reckless teen I broke the tip off so the blade rests further in and conceals the nail nick.

Modifying SAKs? There's not much meat on the scales to play with but people certainly fit their own custom scales.

 

[Pattree]

Not on topic but I don’t know how many people know about the Coup des Savoyards (The tap or knock of the people of Haut Savoi, where the knives are made.)

Before the year 2000 Opinels didn’t lock closed but the blade was held firm right inside the handle.
Stainless steel, the closed Virobloc and access to the nail nick all appeared in 2000.
I got my first one in 1986 and tapped it on the heel of my boot to open it. Some Americans advertised a cutaway version but I managed fine. I only started modifying handles ten or twelve years ago.

It looks to me that even folk who happily modify the blades and edges of their knives don’t do much with their handles. That surprises me. We all have such different grips. I’m sure some of us would benefit from wider, longer or different handles than those provided. I’m “restoring” a Tina budding knife (folding, sprung, no lock; is that a slip joint?) and thinking about extending the scales by up to 50mm.
I’m just now thinking of maybe making a wooden sleeve handle for that promotional Swiss Army knife so that my busted hand can grip it. I have no idea why I’d do that, I have never used it . I just like challenges.

My current projects are in pottery but when I get back from my holiday in a couple of weeks I shall make a new handle for an Opinel #12 out of a natural piece of a Rowan pruning complete with bark. It may not work! Rowan star cracks.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Before the year 2000 Opinels didn’t lock closed but the blade was held firm right inside the handle.
Stainless steel, the closed Virobloc and access to the nail nick all appeared in 2000.

I modified the Virobloc mechanism on one of my first Opinel knives, a n°6, in about 1993, after the pivot started getting a bit loose and it came open in my pocket.

The Opinel factory invented it independently a few years later.

There used to be a big scene over here in France, carving the rough handles or even making handles from scratch from more exotic woods, antlers, horns and ivory.

 

[Pattree]

Indeed the Americans go in for it big time too. The link above shows a lot of carved Opinels. Many of them are carved original handles.

I make my own handles from stuff that I have. I’m working on a two bladed version - a #12 blade and pull saw. If I ever complete it; it will need to be old style with the two blades folding deep into the handle. There isn’t much bolster left when it’s slotted for blade saw and shim.

Edited to repeat link.

 

[Billy-o]

I like those 'self-oiling' kind of woods, particularly partridge wood. I have a Serrata with a sneezewood handle, which is greatly loved. Otherwise I tend to stick to ebonies and boxwood. I also have a lot of stag slippies which I like a lot. Got to be the right bit though.

I'll see if I can get a pic of a DI handled Delica that's knocking around the place

 

[Nice65]

I’d like to see a Desert Ironwood Delica. I know what you mean about those dense woods that feel silky, Lignum Vitae is another, one of its uses was bearing blocks for ships propshafts. I spent a bit of time as a contractor on the Newcastle dockyards and we’d come across huge grease soaked worn lumps of the stuff. Way before my interest in knife handle woods, I never thought to lug one back to Bognor.

 

[Pattree]

Hmmmm.

“Less maintenance”
“More durable”

What are you people doing with your knives? I’ve never maintained a knife handle in my life, neither my professional tools nor my camping equipment.

I’ve made handles from scratch but once made they don’t need anything else.
I’m not sure that I understand the “maintenance” aspect of knife handles.

I can completely understand the pleasure of owning a knife with a beautifully grained wood or decorative plastic/resin for its handle. For me shape is more important than appearance.

Oh! I think I lied. I use my (unmodified) plastic handled Explore when I’m making and using a fire and it can get sooty. I DO wash that knife when I get home.

One of the reasons that I will probably never own an expensive knife is that in all probability I would want to reshape the handle to suit me.

Edited to correct.

 

[spader]

Now I prefer some sort of non-wooden handles for my knives and tools. Because, the wooden handled knives and tools I stored in the garden shed for 10+ years have gone bad due to the dampness. Some wooden handles fallen apart or detached from the blades. I must now look into rehandling them.

Now I go for micarta, plastic, rubber or aluminium handles on the knives and tools, because they don't get affected by the elements.

Wooden handled tools and knives are nice. But I would imagine that some sort of regular maintenance for them would be needed such as oiling and cleaning, and keeping them in dry place for longevity.

 

[Pattree]

Wooden handled tools and knives are nice. But I would imagine that some sort of regular maintenance for them would be needed such as oiling and cleaning, and keeping them in dry place for longevity.

Nope.
At least not since 1966. The drawer isn’t damp but then I find the idea of using resin because the knife is badly stored a bit odd.

Edited to add:
Weren’t the blades rusty as hell in an environment that rotted wood?

 

[spader]

Nope.
At least not since 1966. The drawer isn’t damp but then I find the idea of using resin because the knife is badly stored a bit odd.

Edited to add:
Weren’t the blades rusty as hell in an environment that rotted wood?

My garden shed is very damp, and all the stored woods in it go bad in 10+ years of time.

 

[demographic]

Plain, unadorned and even though I have large hands I like the grip to be quite slim.
Some have a grip that looks like a four year old drew a knife and someone else used that fridge art as a scale drawing and faithfully replicated it.
Bit like British digging picks in that respect. Numb things.
Oh, and I can't stand finger placement grooves.

I'm fine with plastic and Fallkniven are particularly good at the unadorned and quite slim bit.

Well, apart from the ones with what looks like a coin stuck on the side with the three crowns guff. I bought a TK4 and disliked that daft three crowns thing so much I gave it away and kept my little plain U2.

I'm onto a Manly Wasp nowadays and after removing the pocket clip I really like that also.

F1s take some beating on the grip shape also, nice and slim but so plain as to be almost boring.

Could do with being orange though.

 

[Pattree]

But do you adapt or change the shape of a handle that didn’t suit you?