A few words about ergonomics

Ergonomics (from the Greek ergo, work and nomo, law) is actually the study of how the work environment and work tools affect people.

I have noticed that there is some confusion regarding what good ergonomics, especially when talking about folding knives, are*. This confusion is mainly fueled by a number of big YouTube channels that are literally flooding with knife presentations at a never-ending pace. Sometimes they seem to make one a day what it seems. When do they have time to carry and use the knives they are talking about?

But there is a problem hiding in that production pace. There is no chance in hell to talk about how "ergonomic" a knife is if you don't use it! It lays in the nature of things. To grip the knife in the hand, usually in "saber grip" with a thumb on the intended "jimping" and state "this feels good" is not to examine the ergonomics of a knife but something else. ALL knives feel good in such a "test".

This one feels perfect! Brilliant ergonomics or ...

A shining example of this is how Paramilitary 2 from Spyderco has gained a reputation for being extremely comfortable in the hand and ergonomic. Then it may come as a surprise when I claim that

IT'S NOT ERGONOMIC AT ALL!

Or rather, it is comfortable in the hand and that even after I cut a piece of paper. But no matter how much I like Spyderco as a brand and that model, even if it is not my favorite, it is definitely not ergonomic! However, it has many other good features.

The human hand is extremely adaptable.

In fact, this piece of wood feels comfortable when I just hold it

There is an easy way to test the real ergonomics of a knife even without working with it for several hours **.

• Take a piece of wood of any kind. Then grab your favorite knife and press the edge into the wood with full force a few times or cut a couple of solid chunks from the piece of wood.

• Feel how your hand has been affected.

• Then look at your hand to see what it looks like. Are there red lines or dots?

If you are now a big fan of the mentioned PM2 and claim that it is exemplary in this area, then you perform this test. The result speaks for itself. There is nothing I like to do again, I can tell you. It is not far from drawing blood and then we are not talking about the edge.

My poor thumb fold. After a few minutes, it hurts!

The same goes for the little finger that gets to take the rest of

the force when the knife pivots in the hand

In defense of this knife, it must be said that it goes for many many folding knives. This one just happens to be very famous.

What is most often tested in this context is how knives feel at very light cuts, preferably in paper and cardboard because it is something that is easily accessible to most people. Especially those who live in cities. This is also what makes people insist on holding knives with their thumbs on the blade. Try to do that and put some weight behind the cut! The lever becomes too large and the wrist bends upwards if you are not extremely strong. The same goes for all the damn "choils" that move the edge further away from the hand where the power is. If they are used, the grip is usually even less ergonomic because you get the blade spine pushed into the thumb web.

There is no right or wrong in the context or perhaps there are, insofar as one should call things by their proper names.

I do NOT claim that all knives need to be made to for heavy duties or to cut in hard materials such as rubber and wood etc. Rather the opposite as very many tasks need a sharp edge or delicate tip rather than brute force.

But please stop claim that a knife is suitable for heavier tasks or is ergonomic when it is not.

/ J - puts his hand in the hive


* It is almost as misused as claiming that various folding knives are "good in the kitchen". That statement only proves that those who say it don't know a thing about cooking either as home cooks or chefs.

** yes, I have worked as a butcher in my younger years so I have that kind of experience.