I'm trying to figure out the best handle length for a knife that I want to use for chip carving as well as some general whittling. My blade stock is 150mm long, and I'm planning to make the blade around 45 to 50mm. Does that sound okay? I've noticed that the handles on knives sold online range from 90mm to 150mm. If I go for a handle length of 100mm, I can make it a full tang knife with two separate pieces for the handle scales. Is a 100mm handle sufficient for someone with larger hands, or should I go for something longer?
2 Answers
I think a 100mm handle is decent, but it really comes down to how it feels in your hand. If you can, try to test out knives in that range before committing. You'll want something that feels balanced and comfortable when you're carving. And you're correct that online handle lengths can vary a lot, so it’s good to do your research!
There's really no one-size-fits-all answer here, since handle preferences can vary quite a bit depending on personal comfort and hand size. As for the blade length, chip carving knives usually have shorter blades, typically around 20-50mm. A 100mm handle could work, but if you have larger hands, you might want to consider making it a bit longer to ensure a comfortable grip.