I finally figured out what "Ergonomics" are

[wrdwrght]

According to Merriam Webster:

ergonomics
noun
er·​go·​nom·​ics ˌər-gə-ˈnä-miks
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely
called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors

2
: the design characteristics of an object resulting especially from the application of the science of ergonomics

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

But as this pertains to knives, I think I've come to the conclusion that ergonomics are what you don't feel.

Think about it, if you hold a square stick of wood in your hand, you feel that it does not match the shape of your hand. You feel the sharp edges, you feel the squareness of it. When you hold your favorite knife handle that fits your hand the best, the pleasant feeling comes from what you don't feel, because the handle shape is reducing as many sharp edges and corners and hot spots and irregularities as possible and conforming to the shape of your hand.

This ties into my disliking of most finger grooves and choils, because it's unlikely that they fit my fingers perfectly, so when I grip the handle I feel them. But then there's the Autonomy that does fit my finger size and spacing and I feel those a lot less when I squeeze the handle.

This is why I'm drawn to handles like the Bodacious, because it feels better to feel less.

I like the thinking here.

But I hasten to add that I can prefer some Spydies that are “dis-ergonomic”. For example, the Shaman impresses me as ergonomic, but I prefer the Bodacious because its slabs counter the tendency to roll that I sense when the Shaman is in my hand.

I never have figured out why that's an issue for some but not others. I have no issues using opinels and it doesn't get much rounder than that.

My hands have always been “moist”. When my palms are not actually sweating, they’re slightly oily. Add to that, I’m pushing 78yo and uncalloused hands don’t make my grip better. Can I make do? Of course. I talking preferences here.

[wrdwrght]

According to Merriam Webster:

ergonomics
noun
er·​go·​nom·​ics ˌər-gə-ˈnä-miks
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely
called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors

2
: the design characteristics of an object resulting especially from the application of the science of ergonomics

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

But as this pertains to knives, I think I've come to the conclusion that ergonomics are what you don't feel.

Think about it, if you hold a square stick of wood in your hand, you feel that it does not match the shape of your hand. You feel the sharp edges, you feel the squareness of it. When you hold your favorite knife handle that fits your hand the best, the pleasant feeling comes from what you don't feel, because the handle shape is reducing as many sharp edges and corners and hot spots and irregularities as possible and conforming to the shape of your hand.

This ties into my disliking of most finger grooves and choils, because it's unlikely that they fit my fingers perfectly, so when I grip the handle I feel them. But then there's the Autonomy that does fit my finger size and spacing and I feel those a lot less when I squeeze the handle.

This is why I'm drawn to handles like the Bodacious, because it feels better to feel less.

I like the thinking here.

But I hasten to add that I can prefer some Spydies that are “dis-ergonomic”. For example, the Shaman impresses me as ergonomic, but I prefer the Bodacious because its slabs counter the tendency to roll that I sense when the Shaman is in my hand.

A similar squared shape situation exists with Glock pistols. They don’t necessarily “melt in your hand,” but many shooters find that the squared-off grip helps them to index reliably and to be accurate.

I prefer my gen4 Glocks (over more comfortable pistols in my collection) for the very reasons you mention, Bill.

[Evil D]

According to Merriam Webster:

ergonomics
noun
er·​go·​nom·​ics ˌər-gə-ˈnä-miks
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely
called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors

2
: the design characteristics of an object resulting especially from the application of the science of ergonomics

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

But as this pertains to knives, I think I've come to the conclusion that ergonomics are what you don't feel.

Think about it, if you hold a square stick of wood in your hand, you feel that it does not match the shape of your hand. You feel the sharp edges, you feel the squareness of it. When you hold your favorite knife handle that fits your hand the best, the pleasant feeling comes from what you don't feel, because the handle shape is reducing as many sharp edges and corners and hot spots and irregularities as possible and conforming to the shape of your hand.

This ties into my disliking of most finger grooves and choils, because it's unlikely that they fit my fingers perfectly, so when I grip the handle I feel them. But then there's the Autonomy that does fit my finger size and spacing and I feel those a lot less when I squeeze the handle.

This is why I'm drawn to handles like the Bodacious, because it feels better to feel less.

I like the thinking here.

But I hasten to add that I can prefer some Spydies that are “dis-ergonomic”. For example, the Shaman impresses me as ergonomic, but I prefer the Bodacious because its slabs counter the tendency to roll that I sense when the Shaman is in my hand.

A similar squared shape situation exists with Glock pistols. They don’t necessarily “melt in your hand,” but many shooters find that the squared-off grip helps them to index reliably and to be accurate.

I can never remember the name of the handgun but there's one in a Forgotten Weapons video that intentionally has smooth grips, the idea being that in a real emergency gunfight you don't want to get your hand stuck into a bad grip.

That may just be "old thinking" but I've always found it interesting. For me it's rare that finger grooves for my fingers, so my Gen 3 G19 doesn't get much attention. My Sig and M&P's never give me grip issues.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

David what do you think of anodized aluminum knife handles that are countoured for ergonomics?

[kobold]

I always thought good ergos = no hotspots

[sv4]

Though I see where you are coming from, I personally don´t think that "ergonomics are what you don´t feel... rather "... what you don´t feel in a negative way"

I mean I can feel things like that a handle is beefy and fills my hand perfectly well, I can feel that a "beak" at the handle end prevents my hand from sliding backwards, I can feel that a for my hand well placed "peak" between two fingers grooves might make a handle less likely to roll - but all of that in a good and not bothering way.

So imo part of "ergonomics" can absolutely be what one feels...though it is probably true that feeling things that bother or hurt one are often more present than things that are like they should be.

It is a bit like when you are lying at the beach in the sand and everything just feels comfortable and nice, as opposed to if there is a hard stone under your back that makes lying there uncomfortable... two different kinds of "feeling something"

I agree with this. And this thread need pics

[SRT392HEMI]

I think I figured out what good ergonomics were the first time I held a Manix 2.

[sal]

Hi Wrdwrght,

78 huh? Young guy about my age.

Shadow Systems Cr920 - that, and a G48 are current carries.

sal

[sal]

So;

"The most important part about ergonomics, is what you don't fee"

Evil D

[Evil D]

So;

"The most important part about ergonomics, is what you don't fee"

Evil D

When the Pope asked Michaelangelo how he carved the statue of David, he reportedly told him something along the lines of "It's simple, I just removed everything that is not David". Of course that was 524 years ago so who knows if he really said it but that's my take on ergonomics, remove everything that's not necessary, everything that feels bad, everything that can cause hot spots and all you're left with is the perfect grip.

[Bolster]

Shadow Systems Cr920 - that, and a G48 are current carries.

Those must be pretty spicy to shoot?! They are only 18- 20 oz?
The ergos make up for light weight?

[sal]

Hi Bolster,

No Problemo.

Different strokes for different folks. Like knives, All good.

sal

[Deadboxhero]

Hi Wrdwrght,

78 huh? Young guy about my age.

Shadow Systems Cr920 - that, and a G48 are current carries.

sal

Good Choices.

G48 is my favorite carry

[Deadboxhero]

Shadow Systems Cr920 - that, and a G48 are current carries.

Those must be pretty spicy to shoot?! They are only 18- 20 oz?
The ergos make up for light weight?

9mm is nice for recoil.

[Evil D]

I carry either an original G43, first gen Shield or SIG P365, all 9mm and all pretty snappy but definitely manageable. They're super easy to conceal. I have a G19 Gen3 and a M&PC 2.0 for colder weather when I'm wearing more clothes.

[standy99]

The most ergonomic knife handle I have made is a Mule I made for the actual shape of my hand.
When showing mates a group of 5-6 mules I have made… I usually get “Nah don’t like the handle”
Which is fine by me.

Funny as I like the Spyderco Junction for a knife for travelling and always throw in my check in bag. It’s probably not the most ergonomic knife handle but the blade shape, size, steel and lightness make it a pick as a favourite.

[Doc Dan]

Ergonomics for me, are the ability to make my work less difficult plus a comfortable feel in the hand.

[wrdwrght]

Hi Wrdwrght,

78 huh? Young guy about my age.

Shadow Systems Cr920 - that, and a G48 are current carries.

sal

Sal, I think you’re a younger 78 than me. I check in here for your energy, and you never disappoint.

I’m happy with my G19, G26, and G43 (which all shoot well for me) as they let me accommodate the physical and social temperature of my surroundings.

I think the reasons I also have a P365 (which has much greater capacity than the G43, yet is even smaller and shoots even better) must parallel yours for the CR920.

But, you’ve got a round on me, and you probably don’t need to check your manufacturer for flaws (the ongoing SIG malaise forces me to make sure my model is still OK).

[cjk]

The Native/Caly/UKPK/Stretch (among many others) all have that "locked in" Spyderco ergonomics which I really appreciate.
However, the rock/leaf jumper handle might actually be better? I bought a Rock Jumper some time ago. In use, I just don't notice the handle. I had a similar reaction to the Bodacious. I was initially not all that excited about it, but have really grown to like it a lot. The Bodacious is a better Shaman is every way I care about.

[ykspydiefan]

So;

"The most important part about ergonomics, is what you don't fee"

Evil D

When the Pope asked Michaelangelo how he carved the statue of David, he reportedly told him something along the lines of "It's simple, I just removed everything that is not David". Of course that was 524 years ago so who knows if he really said it but that's my take on ergonomics, remove everything that's not necessary, everything that feels bad, everything that can cause hot spots and all you're left with is the perfect grip.

This is my understanding of ergonomics too. I very much like handling the Mule Teams, starting with a rough Halpern copy in wood. Then I remove everything that does not fit my hand, remove the parts that do not feel good when cutting, and then I have a nearly perfectly ergonomic knife, for me.

I have come to learn I like a different handle grip for carving, fillet, edc, etc...