[carving farmer]

My wife wants to buy me something for christmas and I would like a new general purpose carving knife. I think I want one with a handle that is a little on the large or fat size as I think I have some arthritis in my right hand that bothers me some when gripping a handle tightly for a period of time. I am looking at a Helvie knife. Does anyone have any suggestions on handle size or if a larger handle would help the grip or what brands have fatter handles? Is the Helvie a good one to get? Thanks Jared

[BobT]

Helvie is an excellent knife and they even have a jumbo model. I use Denny knives, I have large hands, I hear folks complain about Denny knife handles being too big all the time. They suit me just fine. You really should hold a few before buying, if you can. Then too, if you get a large one and it is too big, you can always make it smaller.
Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Have to agree with Helvie knives, very comfortable handle!

[Just Carving]

Just an idea in the meantime until you get your new knife, take one of your knives and wrap it with a piece of an adhesive ace bandage or 3M Vetrap until the grip feels better. Also, want to point out that if you keep any joint in the same position for 20-30 minutes or more, you might get stiff and ache--take short breaks here and there to alleviate the ache. I had the same problem with my left elbow when holding something for too long--thought it was tendonitis. Once I learned to move the arm a bit here and there, and take breaks more often, the aches went away.

Merry Christmas!
Bob L

[AlArchie]

The "Whittlin' Jack" knife by Stanley has a nice big handle and you can still get the wooden one, I think, but I really like their newer contoured rubber handle. There is a problem with this knife, though...it's a stainless steel blade and is NOT properly honed when you get it. I worked all of mine over with a diamond stone, aluminum oxide powder on a strop and finished up with jewelers rouge on the strop. Once sharp, it stays sharp.

I also like fairly large handles on Flexcuts.

Al

[cotton]

I have big hands and prefer a larger handle -- and my Ron Wells knife fits the bill nicely. I have the 2-1/4" model and its thin blade works especially well for flat plane style carving, too. That and my Rick Ferry knife are the two I use the most.

[Capt. Bandaid]

when I make a carving knife, I prefer to use something like cocobolo, ebony, rosewood, etc. and oil finish them. Glossy lacquer is a bit slippery. I make my handles 1" in diameter and 5.5"-6" long. I can use them for a long time without pain or fatigue. I do like my Helvie and Cape Forge knives, though!

[Canopener]

Jared,
While I do not own any Helvie knives, I do have a bit of arthuritis coming on.
I have a Cape Forge knife and do find it very comfortable, I love the steel and I am thinking of buying another. I should tell you I have small hands.
Denny handles are good also.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Jim