Carter with a Notch

[mhenry]

I was thinking of mounting this handle so there is an exposed machi notch like Konosuke does. I really like the look what do you guys think

[Mike Davis]

I think it looks cool. Nice handle!

[sachem allison]

I like it. +1 on the handle

[stevenStefano]

Wasn't there a thread about why this part is exposed on some knives and not others? I guess it makes the knife look a little different since I doubt anyone else has thought of doing this on a Carter

[apicius9]

Excellent work! I did the same thing with my Carter funayuki, left a small machi. I wasn't sure about it at the time and today I wish I hadn't, so it's worth making up your mind before the epoxy comes out...

Stefan

[Pensacola Tiger]

Great looking handle, Mike!

It is a different look, but I have to admit I like it better without the gap, though.

[SpikeC]

I love the handle, but the gap makes it look unfinished to me.

[Burl Source]

Beautiful handle
but...... I like it better without the gap.

[Lefty]

Great handle, Mike!
I'm gonna go against the grain and say, go with the machi, but only if you're 100% sure you want it that way.
Very cool thinking. I love how you don't always "follow the rules". In my opinion, the greats rarely do.

[Marko Tsourkan]

Great looking handle.
I find the notch hard to ignore when using a knife and your thumb running over it. As a rule, I have machi flush against the handle. I corrected a couple of Konosuke that I rehandled.

To go a little further, I would say that sometimes it appears as a skipped step in a knife-making process (squaring machi) than a style or a regional feature. You can tell it from how evenly the machi has been shaped or squared.

M