I also like the smaller choil, but would not hold my breath that it will be changed. Either way, I am in...

The square choil and thumb ramp are alive and well with the DF, SoD and S5. I expect that we will be seeing this in all the near-term SY knives. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the square choil, as round is more comfortable, but its not a deal breaker and does add some distinctive SY-centric visual interest.

I don't mind the square choil, but I do think it should be smaller and with no guard (or little guard) like KG clearly showed. When I choke up on my SOD, my index finger does feel far from my middle finger, manageable, but not as comfortable and natural as I like.

I love your rounded mod of the choil as well knifeguy. It is so much more ergonomically designed. The knife is still very nice, and I'll buy one. But with a rounded slightly smaller choil, it would be a top notch classic!

I like the idea of the rounded choil.

Well, at least I know I have back up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm thinking I may have to also get a CG S5 for my Dad. I'm fearing the worst if the LE model is made of INFI. I may have to dip into the "undisclosed funds" to make the purchase <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I'd also like a smaller, rounded choil, giving are "truer" blade length. I love my SOD but would have also liked to have had a longer cutting area, more of a "true" 7 inch blade.

I also like KnifeGuy's rounded choil, and reduced guard. Of less import to me (personally) is the handle style so long as it stays res-c (I'll never understand the desire for anything else over res-c). That being said, I agree that the handles of my SS4s (mudders) are significantly less grippy and harder than those of my Battle Rat , and Howler...so if I was able to chose, I would prefer the "old" res-c handle, but again, this is less important to me on this size of a knife than rounding and shorting the choil (although I definitely would still like the choil to be of "full finger" useable size).

Much has been rightly said concerning the anticipated S5 choil, but I'm thinking that with the length/weight of the blade combined with the dimensions/weight of the mudder handle it is conceivably a very well balanced knife because of the choil.

No matter what anyone says, I like the idea of choils.
Don't have a reasonable explanation for my choice, just
like the way the knife feels with a choil.
Like it on big knives and also like it on my SS4.
Just feels right for some reason.

Cheers

I think your statement is "Generally" fair and close to what I might "generally" state as well Bruce.

However, personally, I feel it to be a toss up between the Mudders and Larger standard Res-C handles. But, I think it is VERY relevant to point out knife application/use appropriateness for certain handles.

For smaller utility function knives (that can still do fairly light chopping <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ), I think the Mudders are EASILY the best choice. The Mudders offer much more versatility in grip and grip positions while always feeling comfortable and secure in my hands. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> For utility purposes, that grip versatility and freedom of hand movement (while still offering very secure grip) is a HUGE factor in why I feel Mudders are so great for certain smaller designed knives. IMO, the S5 design is a VERY utility oriented design and again, I feel the Mudders are perfect for the S5. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Whereas for fairly heavy duty 6" or larger chopper style blades, I would say the larger standard Res-C handles are EASILY the best choice. For chopping, the standard Res-C shape and more locked in grip position with the dropped pommel offer VERY good "hammer grip" security and feel. This is EXCELLENT for chopping, but not as good as mudders for smaller utility styled knives (IMO).

So, IMO, for the S5, the Mudders "ARE" the best choice for the S5. Are they "hard"? Yes, I guess they are a "tad" firmer than the standard Res-C handles. But, still not as hard as micarta or G-10 and Mudders still offer VERY good grippiness IMO. So, I don't really understand why Mudders would be a problem for the S5. I think they are the perfect choice for the S5. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


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I agree that the smaller standard Res-C and smaller Basic Res-C handles are too small for my hands as well, but I have mentioned before: The Res-C handles can be modded a bit with some light sanding. I reshaped the Basic Res-C handles by reducing the width of the guard and slightly lengthening the grip area. This made the smaller Basic Res-C handles fit MUCH better and feel MUCH better in my hands. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Modifying & Reshaping Res-C

.