knifeopedia
Handle Grip
With a wide variety of handle shapes available, you might wonder: Which one is the best? The truth is, there’s no definitive answer. The ideal handle shape varies from person to person and largely depends on your cutting techniqueand how you prefer to grip the handle.
Hammer or handle grip
The hammer grip (also known as the handle grip) is a very common grip used by casual knife users. In this grip, the entire hand wraps around the handle, with none of the fingers touching the blade.
For this type of grip, handles with a slight curve on the top and an arched design tend to provide better ergonomics. The bulge in the middle of the handle extends both upward and downward, filling the palm and providing a comfortable, secure hold.
The hammer grip is often used for push-cutting and offers a safe and comfortable way to use a knife, but has limitations when it comes to precision work. This grip offers less control for fine, detailed cutting but is great when strength and stability are needed.
Pinch or blade grip
The pinch grip (also known as the blade grip) is the preferred method for professionals. In this grip, the knife is pinchedjust in front of the handle or bolster using the thumb and index finger, while the remaining three fingers grip the handle behind the bolster or choil. The inner side of the index finger rests lightly on the spine of the blade.
The pinch grip is typically used for chopping in a rocking motion. TWhile it can be slightly uncomfortable when using cheaper knives or those without a bolster, the grip offers superior handling and accuracy.
Unlike the hammer grip, the pinch grip is softer and doesn't require as much force, which is ideal for tasks like rock chopping where the blade does most of the work and not much power has to be used.
In the pinch grip, most of the hand’s force is directed onto the blade, which makes the handle shape less critical compared to other grips. What truly matters is the shape and design of the bolster area, including the finishing of the spine and choil. The comfort of the knife during extended use is heavily influenced by how well these areas are finished. If the corners of the spine and choil are not properly rounded, long cutting sessions can become uncomfortable or even painful.
Grip with index finger on spine
This grip is particularly common in Japan, where push-cutting is a standard technique. Although not very common in other parts of the world, putting the index finger on the spine in a pinch or hammer grip is useful when blade control and cutting precision is needed, such as working with the tip or slicing.
