knife for small hands

[climbclimb]

My wife mentioned that finds a lot of handles on our knives awkward because they protrude too far past the back of her hand, esp in a pinch grip. I think part of the issue is the ~1" choil space between the handle and blade in many japanese knives.

In looking for some options for her, seems Shigeki Tanaka makes knives where the handle goes right up to the heel of the blade (his cheaper stuff, not ideal). Any other makers you'd suggest? Maybe have to go western integral to address this? Could also got the custom handle route, but there's limits on how close you can get to the heel with most japanese blades.

 

[McMan]

Gesshin ginga western handles are nicely finished. There're a great many japanese good japanese knives available with western handles, so it shouldn't be too difficult of a search. Are there other factors besides the handle (i.e. price, steel, grind, etc.?) that you're looking for?

 

[climbclimb]

Thanks! R2 or other hard stainless is desirable.

 

[blokey]

Matsutani?

 

[RRLOVER]

Score some points and have a custom handle made for her.

 

[gentiscid]

Takamura

 

[blokey]

Just remembered Kobayashi Kei’s red handles are really slim.

 

[gentiscid]

Just remembered Kobayashi Kei’s red handles are really slim.

Not really, had a 150 mm petty. Red lacquered Heptagonal D shape. Beautiful handle but pretty bulky if compared to the size of the blade. Didn’t bother me at all using it, but I did notice it.

 

[blokey]

Not really, had a 150 mm petty. Red lacquered Heptagonal D shape. Beautiful handle but pretty bulky if compared to the size of the blade. Didn’t bother me at all using it, but I did notice it.

Mine was 240mm gyuto, definitely smaller than other 240 wa. Maybe he use the same thickness for every handle

 

[gentiscid]

Maybe he use the same thickness for every handle

Maybe!

 

[climbclimb]

These are great suggestions - thanks! I actually have a couple Kobayashi's and while I love them for the fit and finish, they still have that sort of (nicely polished) gap between where the handle ends and the heel/edge begins. Handle thickness isn't really the issue either, just trying to minimize the length from heel to end of handle.

 

[Delat]

Pick a blade-only knife from Sugi and ask @JoBone (the owner) to make a short handle for it. He can probably just take one of his in-stock handles and crop the end.

https://sugicutlery.com/collections/knives-no-handle

 

[Benuser]

A shorter handle will move the balance point forward. Not necessarily a problem, but you should be aware of it.

 

[knifeq2121]

A shorter handle will move the balance point forward. Not necessarily a problem, but you should be aware of it.

is it possible to use a heavier wood
to address this?

 

[daddy yo yo]

is it possible to use a heavier wood
to address this?

Or you can insert a butt plug. Into the handle, that is!

 

[Benuser]

is it possible to use a heavier wood
to address this?

Sure. Some are very sensitive about balance. Others unconsciously move their grip.

 

[Chefu]

My wife mentioned that finds a lot of handles on our knives awkward because they protrude too far past the back of her hand, esp in a pinch grip. I think part of the issue is the ~1" choil space between the handle and blade in many japanese knives.

In looking for some options for her, seems Shigeki Tanaka makes knives where the handle goes right up to the heel of the blade (his cheaper stuff, not ideal). Any other makers you'd suggest? Maybe have to go western integral to address this? Could also got the custom handle route, but there's limits on how close you can get to the heel with most japanese blades.

Butch Harner makes a great knife with his signature handle. I got a mini gyuto years ago from him and wasn’t sure how I would like the handle. It’s exceptional. It’s my go to at home knife

 

[JoBone]

without trying to self promote, I agree with the idea of picking a blade and having a custom handle installed a little closer.

When the installing the handle, it’s best to have the tang spaced to about 70-80% of the width of the end of your forefinger. Too far back and you don’t have quite the control and too far forward is cramped. By picking a blade and handle, you can have it installed as you wish.

 

[M1k3]

Takamura

+1

 

[Jovidah]

Takamura definitly runs on the smaller / thinner side when it comes to western handles. But in general IMO all the wa handles I've handled feel like they're on the small side to me. I guess average Japanese hands are small?