In previous articles on this site, we’ve discussed the importance of knife handles and how they essentially make or break a blade, whether it’s an OTF, kitchen knife, survival knife, or … well, pretty much *anything* with an edge. Does that sound like a drastic statement? Well, for the sake of argument, let’s assume that you have a top-tier luxury knife, the crème de la crème of bladed implements. The section designed for cutting is constructed from Damascus steel, its patterns ornate and beguiling. A boutique manufacturer has put his stamp on the design. The knife contains rosewood and titanium burnished to a bright sheen. The only problem is that it isn’t very comfortable to hold. Now think about this: How long would you want to use this hypothetical knife?

For most of us, the answer probably would be, “Not very long!” This piece will discuss just why ergonomics and comfort are important aspects of using a knife, how you can identify a knife that’s been make with both in mind, and why TAKCOM’s premium OTFs are wonderful ergonomic alternatives to other automatic blades.

Why Ergonomics and Comfort Matter in a Knife

Occupational ergonomics guru Etienne Grandjean once wrote, “Ergonomics is essentially fitting the workplace to the worker. The better the fit, the higher the level of safety and worker efficiency.” Given that he penned roughly 900 articles and manuscripts on the subject, it’s safe to say that Grandjean knew what he was talking about. And while whittling a block of wood, pruning in your garden, or creating a travois during a wilderness emergency situation isn’t at all the same as sitting in an office, the same principle still applies. A knife ought to be fitted to the hand that wields it, and failing to do so will lead to negative outcomes.

 So what are those negative outcomes exactly? Well, some of the effects will be immediate. A knife with an inadequately ergonomic handle can lead to blisters, bruising, muscle strain, joint pain, chafed skin, and (perhaps most importantly) increased fatigue. As Iowa-based plastic surgeon Kyle Ver Steeg explained to Knife News, “You’re going to be able to do less work with it, and at the end of that work you’re going to be more tired. If you do that day after day for years, you’re going to have problems.” In the long term, those problems may include permanent nerve or joint damage. In the short term, increased fatigue increases the chance of injury.

Ver Steeg noted that the human hand isn’t created out of straight edges, which means that radical anglehs don’t make for good grips. “The problem [with a sharp-angled handle] is your hand is going to have to compensate for that angle if you’re using it all day every day. You’re limiting how long you’re going to be able to use the knife under prolonged use.” Stubby handles limit grip strength, because half or more of the hand’s force owes to one’s ring and little fingers. And though finger grooves might seem like a smart design choice, they actually limit the stability of your grip. How? Ver Steeg stated that “your fingers are getting locked together” in a more traditional knife handle, a natural movement that finger grooves inhibit.

How to Spot an OTF Knife with Good Ergonomics

So, if good ergonomics are an essential element of a good knife, increasing stability and preventing injury, how can you tell if one possesses a proper shape? While some of the answers will depend on what you’re hoping to use the knife for (a knife intended for filleting fish will have a different handle from one intended for survival), there are a few general guidelines that you can look for. Some of these include …

Handle length. As Ver Steeg has noted, short handles that don’t fully incorporate the ring and pinky finger lead to inferior gripping action and place extra strain on the other digits that come in contact with the hilt. While not an infallible metric, try comparing the length of a handle with the width of your palm. If your palm is four inches wide, the handle should be at least that long at a minimum.

How the handle facilitates the mutual contact of your fingers while gripping. Take a moment and contract your hand into a fist. Notice how the spaces between your fingers disappear, and each digit squeezes harder against those next to it the more force you exert? This is the natural way in which gripping works, and an ergonomic handle ought to facilitate this motion rather than work against it.

How the handle meets your palm. When you hold it, a knife handle ought to be unobtrusive, meeting every part of your hand without pressing, poking, or pulling away into an unexpected gap. As we mentioned earlier, though, the human hand isn’t built out of flat planes, and an ergonomic handle ought to let its curves inform its design. Look for a handle that bends outward slightly in the middle, the front, and back, which nests the knife in the palm and keeps the handle from slipping up or down.

Spots of added pressure. This point is easy to understand, but requires you to actually hold a knife prior to purchase. Does any part of the handle place added pressure on any part of your hand? If so, know that these problem spots will likely limit your ability to use the knife for long periods and may even cause damage over time.

Handle material and texture. Smooth handles often lead to problems maintaining one’s grip over time or in extreme circumstances. Palms grow sweaty, rain falls while you’re in the field, and hands aren’t at their steadiest when a would-be mugger demands one’s wallet. Textured surfaces help mediate the pressures of such situations, as do certain kinds of materials. Some old standbys such as bone prove slippery, while newer materials like Micarta, G-10, and SureTouch (a combination of G-10 and rubber) are particularly “grippy.” Another natural alternative would be a stacked leather handle.

Aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium also make for good, non-slippery handles, and all of these materials are what we craft our luxury OTFs out of. Browse our selection here.