As close as the edge comes to the handle, there's still an exposed portion of unsharpened steel there, that will catch on things.vivi wrote: ↑Wed Oct 07, 2020 3:07 pmI can understand feeling a little down when you realize certain things just aren't going to work for your preferences.
The ATR was a personal favorite, but by the time the ATR 2 came out, which fixed the two things I disliked about the original, I had decided I'd stop buying compression lock knives. They don't keep the knife closed as well as my lifestyle requires.
I am 100% with you on wanting my hand as close to the edge as possible. But I am 0% with you on requiring a choil to get that grip.
Look at a Resilience or Caribbean or Rockjumper. Those essentially get your hand as close to the edge as any choil does. I don't see a downside to those designs.
What makes a knife like that feel like it won't work for you compared to choils?
With a good choil, the meat of my finger is very close to the blade, and I can use that to guide cuts, prevent catching on material, and get that extra ounce of control over the blade. Looking at how my finger is in relation to the edge on my Shaman, it's in line with the start of the sharpened edge. With the choil being lower than the edge by a few mm, and the little tab at the front of the choil, my finger is still quite safe. I hope that makes sense?
Also, the comfort factor is high on my list. My favorite grip on the P4 is a choked up pinch grip, utilizing the choil. My thumb rests on the shoulder of the G10 in this grip, with my forefinger wrapped around the choil and applying pressure on the other shoulder of the G10. Massive control, excellent ergonomically, and the balance is perfect. Doing this on knives without a choil still works, but the comfort and control are less.