Capt. Chris and others,

From this discussion, it sounds like finger grips are personal and subjective.

There are two aspects to think about when it comes to finger grips—What is pleasing to the eye, and what is practical for the user.

And, of course, sometimes these don’t line up together.

The contoured handles--Model 14 FG, SFG, BP--were designed to improve the user’s ability to hold onto the exposed tang knives like the Model 14, 15, 16, and 16-1 Special Fighter, under conditions where it could be difficult to keep their grip on a straight handle.

The Model 14 FGs came along when Bo was trying to design a knife for the Marine Corps that would be used under trying combat conditions, and with the Model 16 Diver’s Knife which is important to be able to hang onto and control under water.

The deep Model 14 FGs also make it easier for someone wearing gloves to be able to hang onto the knife.

I think that previously a buyer could ask the shop to do “Model 14 light” FGs on the exposed tang knives, with the grooves made shallower according to personal preference. I don’t know if this is still available.

Also, I don’t remember ever seeing one, but wonder whether a buyer might ask to have a straight “No FG” on the 14, 15, 16, or 16-1 Special Fighter? That is a question I never asked, but maybe Capt. Chris can clarify it.

The SFG tends to “force” a user to hold onto the knife just one way, in my opinion, with the contour of the lower handle making it awkward to turn the knife upside down in the hand in order to use saw teeth or a sharpened top bevel.

The BP handle gives the user a bit more control than a straight handle, and is more comfortable if the user wants to turn it upside down to use saw teeth or a sharpened top bevel. Still, the “feel” of doing this might not be liked by everyone.

Finally, if we look at the RMK’s that come standard with straight handles of leather, wood, or Micarta, the FG options that I recall are Right Hand, Left Hand, and “14 Light” which makes a knife more ambidextrous while giving the user somewhat more control. The amount of material available in some handle choices such as stag means that FGs cannot be as deep as on the Model 14 family of Micarta handles.

Lots of tradeoffs to be made. And we have all seen some beautifully executed examples of all these options on various knives.

For me, it doesn’t matter so much what some knives look like if they were designed and made to meet a demanding need. But for others, function and aesthetics can be more easily combined—they are capable of doing their intended chores, but can also be “pretty.”

Larry