Surprised at how many comments there are in the Caly 3 thread about the lack of jimping on the Caly Jr. There was even someone who recently modded jimping into his ZDP Caly Jr. Turned out great, but those posts made me think back to my time with the model. I don't recall ever being bothered by the lack of jimping. In fact I've even thought about removing it from my Street Beat, Izula 2 etc.
Anyways, poll. Where do you stand on thumb ramp jimping?
I voted for preferring none, but I can live with it.
I've never had any grip issues with my Szabo, and having tried two versions of the Street Beat, I can say for certain I prefer no jimping on that design.
Depends on the blade configuration. If there is a hole/hump configuration, then a small amount of jimping on the ramp behind the hump is fine. If the spine is straight and in line with the handle, then I have a definite preference for no jimping.
Last edited by skeeg11 on Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If there is actually a thumb ramp then I prefer it. (Under the assumption that it will be spydercos jimping, so jimping that actually works.)
I also prefer it on a finger choil.
If the knife is a straight back design then it just depends on the model. I certainly dont miss it or even want it on my spydiechef. But I think it works well on the native/chief/shaman.
I voted the 100% option but once again thats excluding straight back designs.
Every time I handle a spydie with a thumb ramp without jimping I dont really like it.
"Rome's greatest contribution to mathematics was the killing of Archimedes."
I feel like I'm indifferent towards jimping on the thumb ramp but I have definitely noticed that I love the models without jimping on the thumb ramp. Not sure if I'd fit into "prefer no thumb ramp jimping but can live with it" or "other." The Rockjumper is the most recent model that comes to mind. I love the smooth thumb ramp.
The Kahr Arms Delica was the first model that I experienced a direct difference between a model with and without jimping. It was a night and day difference compared to a Delica with jimping but I much preferred the smooth thumb ramp. I've found that jimping causes a hot spot much easier in use.
The Lil Native doesn't have a thumb ramp but gets honorable mention for not having jimping on the choil. I love it without jimping and I would be devastated if that were to ever change.
This is a great question Vivi. It seems like a small thing but makes such a difference to the feel of a knife.
My preference is for a bit of jimping on the thumb ramp but nowhere else. The Gayle Bradley 1 has the perfect set-up for me with smooth choil and frame and jimping restricted to about 12mm on the ramp.
I like the Manix 2 but find all the jimping tedious.
I love the Pattada but sometimes wish it had a little jimping on the ramp. It is an excellent knife for processing small game and roosters but is a bit slippery when wet.
I dislike jimping on a fixed blade because of the hot spots it usually creates in extended use. Your satisfaction with the Street Beat has really had me looking at it but I'm not sure if the jimping would annoy me. I'm one of those people who would immediately buy a Micarta handled version in an uncoated tool steel if that comes off but I hope it won't have jimping.
i don't have to have jimping, but i like it and prefer it. i'm fine with it not being on the yojimbo, for example, but i love it on most of the knives that have it. the jimping on the caribbean is one of the things i like least about it though. it's like spyderco stopped early and there's not enough to really grab my thumb. that combined with the low rise hump and it feels less locked in to my hand than the pacific salt. i still like it, but i wish there was just a little more jimping on it.
For me, the presence or absence of jimping isn't as important as how the knife locks into my hand based on its design and handle shape.
Perhaps the only jimping that I dislike is the big blocky type with wide spacing that other companies use. It can be a real thumb shredder during extended use.
When done well (neither too aggressive, nor slippery), then it is an added value. Not only it can improve the grip, it is also a tactile feedback (especially when the knife does not have a pronounced ramp) so one has a better 'feel' about the position of the thumb of the spine of the knife. As a matter of an example - I like the jimping on the Brouwer.
As a general rule, I like it, but how much will depend on both the knife and the jimping style. For example, of these three jimping styles, I have a strong preference for the one on the right, can live with the one in the middle, but would prefer no jimping to the one on the left.
Other. I don't think I could be more indifferent here. The right ergonomics don't require any jimping but it doesn't bother me when it's there. On a model like the Rock Jumper where everything else is nearly exactly what I want, jimping or no jimping isn't going to ruin my otherwise positive experience with the knife.
But, I do understand how it does for some people because I have my own very specific deal breakers that are showing up on a lot of new models and I've refused to buy those knives so I get it.
I voted other. I would never want jimping on my spyderhawk. I feel it would be useless because I use the knife to pull cut. Jimping wouldn't facilitate any advantage. Also knives used around water. If your hands are wet skin is not as tough as usual. I find the Volcano and bi directional frn to provide good grip along with ergonomics. If a knife is designed well it should lock in the hand without jimping. I don't mind jimping on the P4 or Ulize. I like the old style Dino jimping but it's very sharp and aggressive. It looks good though. On the N5 I don't mind the jimping. Honestly I think my issue is jimping on a raised spine. On designs with a flat spine (no spyder hump) I don't mind jimping. Also designs where I can fully extend my thumb. (p4 and Ulize).
The Kris has no jimping but because of the design locks in really well. Never tears up my pocket either. Forgot to mention that jimping does eat up my pockets because I carry tip up and when putting the knife back sometimes it rubs the jumping against the fabric.
Other.
For me, the absence of the thumb ramp itself is a big ergonomical win. Once it's gone, I don't care about jimping as long as it is not too sharp and aggressive, because there is no ramp stopping my thumb extending past the jimped section.
But with a ramp I am stuck with the 'someone decided for you, that your thumb must go here' design.
Granted, I can extend my thumb past the jimping even on a blade with a ramp, but it feels less secure and controlled that way, elevated above the spine of the blade too much and with a big airgap.
Same reason I only buy rampless Bark Rivers.
Last edited by kobold on Wed Mar 10, 2021 8:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
I figured that would offend a bunch of people. If the handle is designed well, jimping (as a traction aid) is unnecessary in my opinion. It is more likely to cause a hot spot in prolonged use than to prevent a slip. I'm more likely to be annoyed by its presence than its absence.
I figured that would offend a bunch of people. If the handle is designed well, jimping (as a traction aid) is unnecessary in my opinion. It is more likely to cause a hot spot in prolonged use than to prevent a slip. I'm more likely to be annoyed by its presence than its absence.
I get it, it is just like with textured scales. Ideally, if the ergos are right, there is no need for textured scales either.
CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! 
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