Making the most of what you’ve got

[JoviAl]

I was processing an 18ft cacao tree down into chipper shaped pieces yesterday when I discovered if I held my JM2 with just my middle and forefinger it hacked with vastly greater force. I avoid putting lanyards on knives as it’s another thing to get hooked on a branch as I move through and up trees at work (this happens enough just with sheathes and pocket clips to be inconvenient), but just by shifting my grip my humble JM2 began behaving very similarly in cut depth and quality to my 18 inch machete, and the protrusion at the end of the handle really locked into my hand.

This got me to wondering, what other clever little tricks can we do with our knives to make them perform a task with greater aplomb that they otherwise might struggle with? I’d love to hear yours

[Wartstein]

...
This got me to wondering, what other clever little tricks can we do with our knives to make them perform a task with greater aplomb that they otherwise might struggle with? I’d love to hear yours

Don´t think that counts as a "clever little trick" and it would not actually be a "struggle" if I did not do this, but for me it is choking up on the ricasso of Endura family knives (my main carries and users) or - and for a change I dare to say it once more - even choking up on the actual cutting edge.

It somehow makes for a great feel of "balance" in many tasks, obviously puts the hand right to the cutting edge, and the forefinger in a "high" position with compared to the other fingers a lot of "meat" behind it which helps imo to transfer a lot of power - something some choils or handle designs don´t do for me, they can tend to give me a bit of a "floating feeling" beneath the forefinger if recessed to deeply.

(As for choking up on the actual cutting edge: Talking about this did not went too well in the past, but it is really no problem if one knows how to do it (!), even on really sharp or serrated edges. Better to not discuss it any further though I guess).

[JoviAl]

...
This got me to wondering, what other clever little tricks can we do with our knives to make them perform a task with greater aplomb that they otherwise might struggle with? I’d love to hear yours

Don´t think that counts as a "clever little trick" and it would not actually be a "struggle" if I did not do this, but for me it is choking up on the ricasso of Endura family knives (my main carries and users) or - and for a change I dare to say it once more - even choking up on the actual cutting edge.

It somehow makes for a great feel of "balance" in many tasks, obviously puts the hand right to the cutting edge, and the forefinger in a "high" position with compared to the other fingers a lot of "meat" behind it which helps imo to transfer a lot of power - something some choils or handle designs don´t do for me, they can tend to give me a bit of a "floating feeling" beneath the forefinger if recessed to deeply.

(As for choking up on the actual cutting edge: Talking about this did not went too well in the past, but it is really no problem if one knows how to do it (!), even on really sharp or serrated edges. Better to not discuss it any further though I guess).

You’re not making anyone else do it, so I don’t see why it would be an issue I do something similar when using long blades like machetes if I need to carefully scrape or cut something (usually when grafting fruit trees) and have never cut myself doing it. An old master arborist taught me how to do it years ago and he also had never cut himself doing it, but each to their own.

[JoviAl]

...
This got me to wondering, what other clever little tricks can we do with our knives to make them perform a task with greater aplomb that they otherwise might struggle with? I’d love to hear yours

Don´t think that counts as a "clever little trick" and it would not actually be a "struggle" if I did not do this, but for me it is choking up on the ricasso of Endura family knives (my main carries and users) or - and for a change I dare to say it once more - even choking up on the actual cutting edge.

It somehow makes for a great feel of "balance" in many tasks, obviously puts the hand right to the cutting edge, and the forefinger in a "high" position with compared to the other fingers a lot of "meat" behind it which helps imo to transfer a lot of power - something some choils or handle designs don´t do for me, they can tend to give me a bit of a "floating feeling" beneath the forefinger if recessed to deeply.

(As for choking up on the actual cutting edge: Talking about this did not went too well in the past, but it is really no problem if one knows how to do it (!), even on really sharp or serrated edges. Better to not discuss it any further though I guess).

Like this yeah?

[zhyla]

So, we just listing off inadvisable things to do with sharp objects?

No, swinging a small fixed blade by 3 fingers will not perform like an 18” machete. That’s just physics. And you will eventually lose that grip, probably not in the way you think either. It may come flying back at your face. Try a loser grip on the machete so it can do a similar pivot motion.

Any grip where the blade edge is contacting your hand is automatically a bad idea. Maybe you need a shorter knife? Worse case you’ll get a nasty cut so I think it’s a bad idea but not life threatening.

[Wartstein]

..
Like this yeah?

No, I mean actually choking up on the edge just like one would on a choil (so the finger is contacting the very edge).
This works well even when doing harder tasks. An edge cuts through a drawing motion / moving, not by just contacting matter.
People have used this grip for hundreds of years, both on knives and swords, if one grips the blade tightly so that it does not move: No problem.

I did a poll once on this matter: Result: 8% of those who replied (seven votes) do choke up on the very cutting edge.

But please let´s not discuss this any further. Does not end well here, despite this is a knife forum, and I do not recommend trying this to anyone - despite it works super well for me.
I better won´t share the link to that poll and thread either.

...
Any grip where the blade edge is contacting your hand is automatically a bad idea. Maybe you need a shorter knife? Worse case you’ll get a nasty cut so I think it’s a bad idea

No, it´s not "automatically" a bad idea. I have been doing this for many years, in all kinds of tasks (especially carving wood) without any problems or cuts whatsoever and for me it is a great way to carry a long blade with all its benefits, but truly make it "short" if I want that.

Just cause something is unusual these days and not widespread does not mean it does not work or is necessarily a bad idea for any given person.
One could for example as well say "closing a knife one handed is a bad idea", cause it CAN be if one does not know what they are doing.

But again, and with all due respect: Let´s not discuss this any further.

[JoviAl]

..
Like this yeah?

No, I mean actually choking up on the edge just like one would on a choil (so the finger is contacting the very edge).
This works well even when doing harder tasks. An edge cuts through a drawing motion / moving, not by just contacting matter.
People have used this grip for hundreds of years, both on knives and swords, if one grips the blade tightly so that it does not move: No problem.

I did a poll once on this matter: Result: 8% of those who replied (seven votes) do choke up on the very cutting edge.

But please let´s not discuss this any further. Does not end well here, despite this is a knife forum, and I do not recommend trying this to anyone - despite it works super well for me.
I better won´t share the link to that poll and thread either.

...
Any grip where the blade edge is contacting your hand is automatically a bad idea. Maybe you need a shorter knife? Worse case you’ll get a nasty cut so I think it’s a bad idea

No, it´s not "automatically" a bad idea. I have been doing this for many years, in all kinds of tasks (especially carving wood) without any problems or cuts whatsoever and for me it is a great way to carry a long blade with all its benefits, but truly make it "short" if I want that.

Just cause something is unusual these days and not widespread does not mean it does not work or is necessarily a bad idea for any given person.
One could for example as well say "closing a knife one handed is a bad idea", cause it CAN be if one does not know what they are doing.

But again, and with all due respect: Let´s not discuss this any further.

I’m in the same boat - been using the blade grip technique I described for over 22 years, 184 days a year, at least 2 hours a day pretty much every day at work and have never cut myself doing it, but to each their own I’m not interested in stirring the pot and I’m certainly not telling anyone to do it, just that it can be done safely and consistently.

[JoviAl]

So, we just listing off inadvisable things to do with sharp objects?

No, swinging a small fixed blade by 3 fingers will not perform like an 18” machete. That’s just physics. And you will eventually lose that grip, probably not in the way you think either. It may come flying back at your face. Try a loser grip on the machete so it can do a similar pivot motion.

Any grip where the blade edge is contacting your hand is automatically a bad idea. Maybe you need a shorter knife? Worse case you’ll get a nasty cut so I think it’s a bad idea but not life threatening.

I have a thumb loop installed on all of my machetes so I can allow them to whip prior to impact. I’m not new to using machetes, billhooks, axes and parangs - they have been my full time work tools since I was 17. I’m turning 40 this year and I’ve yet to have a mishap with them (although I’ve had a few close calls when tired). The two finger grip on the JM2 allows it to behave similarly to a parang or Kukri, presumably as it essentially makes it blade heavy and introduces a bit of wrist snap. I’ve iterated and installed a thick lanyard on it today and it is even more of a jack of all trades now, which is great as it means I can get by with it for more tasks if I forget or blunt a larger blade.

[Mushroom]

Zhyla is correct.

You may feel confident holding the sharpened edge as if it’s the handle but it is still bad advice. All it takes is one small slip or lapse of judgement and it results in dangerous consequences.

Possible and advisable are different things. “Just because you can - doesn’t mean you should.”

[TkoK83Spy]

This is ridiculous. At the very least, I hope you're wearing cut protective gloves when being so reckless.

[SchoonerBum]

I've often used a short machete (12-16ish inches) as an improvised drawknife, by holding the back of the blade with my off hand. For big jobs a bit of leather over the back of the blade is more comfortable, or one could wear a glove. As with the techniques described above, I wouldn't recommend that anyone try it since you are cutting toward yourself, but I'll add it here in the spirit of the thread. It is really important when doing this to cut smoothly and not yank the blade. I've seen people yank drawknives quite a bit without any issues but it would be a terrible idea to do that with a machete.

I've also seen people improvise drawknives by sticking the point of a small fixed blade or folder into the end of a chunk of wood to use as a second handle, but that feels less secure to me than just holding the back of the blade.

[Red Leader]

I don’t see anyone making recommendations for any techniques in this thread, so why such heated reactions? We are all adults and we have personal liberty, thankfully.

To me, if the skill level is there to match the technique, that is far more important. Plenty of people get hurt using far more acceptable practices because the skill level isn’t quite there.

To the OP and others, thanks for sharing. Be safe and carry on.

[vivi]

I use three finger grips all the time for light chopping. I've done it with folders and fixed blades. Police, Pacific Salt, Manix XL, SRK, Recon Tanto etc. Let's you get more leverage for more efficient chopping compared to the regular grip. Been doing it for three decades without any issues.

[Mushroom]

I don't think there have been any heated reactions. More so concerned about making sure others aren’t misled into thinking a risky technique is generally advisable.

[vivi]

Here we go, I even talk about this technique in this really old Manix XL video.



Not something I do often with folders,but it can be done safely both in regards to the user and the integrity of the knife. I've done this hundreds of times with Manix XL's, Police folders, Pacific Salts etc.

It's quicker than carving to point thicker sticks for woods stuff.

I do a lot of exploring outside - old hiking trails, out of the way disc golf courses, forgotten camp sites etc. There's been so many times I've had to do some light trail maintenance with whatever folder I have on me that I've learned to make the most of it.

Three finger grip, quick snappy wrist and elbow swings, angling the arc of my swing towards the stalk of the plant I'm cutting, etc. Something like a Police can be surprisingly effective used this way.

Mind you I'm talking about trimming back some light vegetation, not blazing a fresh trail. For the latter I'm bringing bigger more appropriate tools, like full sized machetes and large saws.

https://streamff.link/v/8b5392cd

There's me doing what I'm talking about with my Temp.

This is one of the reasons I don't mind a little extra handle on folders. In addition to being more ergonomic than having the back end digging into my palm, it gives me a wider range of grip options.

Look how much extra reach and leverage the Police in particular offers me for this sort of thing:





I expect my EDC to be used as a pocket machete from time to time. I try to avoid chopping woody growth generally but sometimes they do that as well. No issues with my thin edges holding up to the use.

I really appreciate knives like the Police, Voyager XL and Recon XL that offer a grip further back for extra reach.

[Wartstein]

Zhyla is correct.

You may feel confident holding the sharpened edge as if it’s the handle but it is still bad advice. All it takes is one small slip or lapse of judgement and it results in dangerous consequences.

Possible and advisable are different things. “Just because you can - doesn’t mean you should.”

This is ridiculous. At the very least, I hope you're wearing cut protective gloves when being so reckless.

Folks, this is a thread about what WE personally do with OUR knives.
I did not advise anyone at all to use my technique, but actually wrote in bold letters that (quote) "I do not recommend doing this to anyone".

Of course though Zhyla is not correct that this is "automatically" (like in "in any case") a bad idea since my own experience proves the opposite, as well as it is only a risky technique if one does not know what they are doing.

As said:
I do this all the time and have been literally hundreds and hundreds of times over the years in various, also "harder" tasks without any problems and of course without "protective gloves". So I just know that it works perfectly and safely for me
And I know for a fact that there are others who feel the same.

And while (again) I DO NOT recommend trying this yourself, it still is a bit weird that people who obviously have not tried feel in a position to judge if something is "reckless" or "risky" for me - especially when I definitely never, ever have been talking confidently about anything knife-use-related if I did not have real experience in the particular matter myself.

So, please: Not for you, and that´s perfectly fine, but a very useful way of using and holding knives for me.

[Mushroom]

Okay but why do you not recommend trying that technique?

Does the inherent risk that comes with holding the dangerous part of the knife have anything to do with why you do not recommend trying it?

[TkoK83Spy]

That's the exact mentality that will get you hurt Gernot " I've done this hundreds and hundreds of times and not got hurt"

That's called being complacent, look it up. Using a knife in that manner, if gloves are available or you know you'll be using in that manner, is much better idea.

[Bolster]

...I discovered if I held my JM2 with just my middle and forefinger it hacked with vastly greater force....

Interesting! I was trying to understand this grip before I saw the photos and was trying to figure out how to grip a knife with just middle and index finger, then saw you were cheating by also using your thumb. LOL, J/K. I can imagine how your hold would fulcrum the blade faster into material. I'll try it next time I get a chance. Thanks!

Wish I had a decent trick to share. Probably everyone does this already, but when I need to keep penetration to a minimum on a long cut, I eschew the handle and hold the forward end of the blade, on the flats, pinched between thumb and index finger. Running my thumb along the item to be cut as a depth guide, it sort of works the same way as a router that's adjusted for the correct depth. Just the very tip is allowed to cut. As I say, probably everybody does this already. It sure beats trying to manage a small, precise depth over a long cut, using the handle.

[JoviAl]

...I discovered if I held my JM2 with just my middle and forefinger it hacked with vastly greater force....

Interesting! I was trying to understand this grip before I saw the photos and was trying to figure out how to grip a knife with just middle and index finger, then saw you were cheating by also using your thumb. LOL, J/K. I can imagine how your hold would fulcrum the blade faster into material. I'll try it next time I get a chance. Thanks!

Wish I had a decent trick to share. Probably everyone does this already, but when I need to keep penetration to a minimum on a long cut, I eschew the handle and hold the forward end of the blade, on the flats, pinched between thumb and index finger. Running my thumb along the item to be cut as a depth guide, it sort of works the same way as a router that's adjusted for the correct depth. Just the very tip is allowed to cut. As I say, probably everybody does this already. It sure beats trying to manage a small, precise depth over a long cut, using the handle.

That’s new to me, cheers buddy