Don't be afraid to modify handles!

[cgm]

I had some knives that I didn't use much because they felt big and clumsy in my hand. I put up with them for quite awhile but they didn't get used much. I like a knife that feels the same in my hand whether I'm pushing or pulling. I had a Helvie that was about the right shape , but was to big for my taste. So I tapped the cutting edge up with a few lawyers of masking tape. Then I went to my belt sander with a course belt. Dust mask would be a good thing to use as this dust can't be good for you.
I took off aprox. 1/3 of the wood off, it is more of a round shape now. I watched that I didn't weaken handle to much at front so blade would not break out. Now it feels great when I hold it. I also modified my flexcut handles to suit my taste. I also modified my Denny knife. It just needed the corners rounded.
Only you know what is comfortable in your hand, so go for it and make it the way that feels good for you! I didn't try for a real smooth finish that way they don't slide around in my hand. I also don't put a finish back on handles. What purpose does it serve? This is all just my opinion, you do what is right for you. Thank you,
Carl

[Kenny_S]

I have done the same thing to a couple of knives Carl. You are totally correct in what feel right or good in a person's hand. I have even used tape on a knife that did not have a handle and taped layers to where it was comfortable to me.

Great tips sir.

[carver33]

Carl,

I think that is very good advice - thanks for sharing.

While I don't have to modify knife handles, (I make my own) I have modified several tools over the years to make them fit my specific needs.

btw: I also use the belt sander to rough shape my knife handles - it's a very versatile tool.

[cgm]

Thank you, Kenny and Bill
I'm adding the knife pics showing how I modified the handle. On the flexcut I modified the blade shape also.
Also pics of one of several flexcut tools that I bought without handles. I made the handles out of hard wood, as in probly maple. the over all sizes before rounding on belt sander were 7/8 x 1 1/4 x 2 Drilled hole to fit a dowel that was aprox. the dia. of the steel shank. Then split the dowel on band saw and belt sanded the flats on dowel so it would fit into the hole nicely with shank. I also cut in aprox. 1/8 inch with band saw for where the shank gets a lot wider, that will help to hold everything in place. I glued it all in place with epoxy.

[Donna_T]

Carl,
I've modified several handles and even made some from scratch. I do put a finish on the new handles because otherwise the oil and dirt from my hands gunk up the wood.

One quick way to experiment with a handle that's too small is to wrap it in wimp wrap or vet wrap (3M colban or something comparable). It's not only a cushioned handle, but you can build it up and shape it before you make something comparable out of wood. The ones I made were started with a turning of walnut, then further modified with a knife and sander. I replaced the knobby little handles that came on my Harman/Ramelson palm tools and the new ones extended the reach I could have with the tool, and made them more user friendly and kind to my knarly, senior citizen, hands.

I've even seen things like a corncob coated in epoxy used for a carving tool handle.

Have fun with it but make them fit your hands.

Donna T