[cadesertrain]

I have a question for everyone that makes their own knives.
How do you fit the handle so it is comfortable in your hand? Rick use to have a section on littleshavers when ordering a knife where you chose your handle. I think you traced your hand and then, Rick made the handle to fit. I was wondering what the exact process was considered here. How do you fit a detail blade vs. something like a rough out blade? Also of the different knife manufactures what handles does everyone find to be the most comfortable.
Thank you for your time.

[rick-in-seattle]

Actually,
fitting a knife to a persons hand is not rocket science. (that's my day job)

I only need two measurements; one is the length of the middle finger and the other is the glove size. Those two measurements allow me to use my own hand in comparison to the measurements provided.
So, if the measurements are a little smaller than mine, I can make the handle a little small for my hand.

If you are really interested in making knives for sale, you should first make a few and have some carvers try them; see if they are still using them a month later.
If they won't give the knives back, you may have a good chance as a knifemaker.

The roughout handle is larger because of how it is held; it also must be stronger, and the blade grind is slightly convex.
(achieved in what is called "slack belt" grinding)

The detail knife requires a thin flat grind and a smaller handle because you are carving with a shorter, finer blade, you don't want a large handle in the way.
It still needs good grip in several cutting positions; which may require a shape that is slightly square to maintain excellent control.

As far as which knife handle is most popular, it is the simple shapes that are most used; such as Denny knives. The reason (besides the low price) is that the plain rectangular handle fits more hands than any custom shape.

A custom knife is designed for one person, bringing together all the aspects of knife design and personal preference; to fit a single carvers hand and carving style.

Of the dozens of custom knives I have made, there have been three that I hated to part with. Those knives not only fit the customer, they fit my hand and carving style also.
They were not just a knife, they were like part of my hand while I was carving. They cut exactly as I wanted them to; which allowed me to concentrate on the carving instead of the knife.

I could share everything I know of knifemaking with you, but I cannot give you the insight to know when a knife is what it should be.