IMHO, the MPLE is too much handle for such a small blade. The only reason I still have mine is because I hate selling knives.
I have to give you that.
I actually still like the MPLE and really wouldn't want to sell.
But, I have to concede the mudder handle is quite large for it's cutting edge.
To me, the mudders are a bit of an anomaly. Typically, even on a knife sized like the SS4, I would prefer NO choil. But, to me, the mudder grip's shape sort of intices the urge to choke up. The mudders are comfortable in normal grip. But, I do tend to want to choke up.
The MPLE is even more unique. Because I really wouldn't normally want a choil on such a small knife. But, again, with the mudders, it just seems to need a choil. I think the very small angled choil that was given to the MPLE was actually brilliant. But, in the end, I can appreciate where other handles might be better suited for the MPLE's AD like blade - like an AD without a choil!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
My collection of knives that carry comparably or smaller than the MPLE, but offer WAY more blade with smaller yet very comfortable handles is quite extensive.
Worth noting: The SS4 has a larger choil compared to the MPLE's. So, in reality, the SS4's cutting edge is really only 1/2" longer than the MPLE's.
IMO, the most notable Busse and kin offering great handle with a great blade and best functional balance yet compact ratio of blade to handle would be the new Vex.
I like the mudder handles. They do feel comfortable in hand. But, they are long and thick for many smaller knife designs.
But, more importantly, choils eat up way too much blade edge on smaller knives.
The SS4 offers more reach than the Vex. But, notice the similarities between the SS4 from the choil/choked up position compared to the Vex:
The Vex is very much like an SS4 in the choked up position. Very similar blade edge and length with reasonably similar blade shape. But, the Vex is in 154CM, micarta and with much less handle - thinner and shorter, but still VERY comfortable and functional. The Vex doesn't have the reach the SS4 offers if you hold the SS4 in standard grip, but it is a VERY good contol task knife that carries VERY well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
I have just a VERY slight preference for the SS4's blade shape over the Vex's. But, they really function very similarly. The Vex should a slight advantage in slicing (which I prefer) because of slimmer thickness and full height grind. But, I like the over-all shape of the SS4's blade steel.
However, I like the naturally choked up position on the VEX. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> - And the slimmer, shorter, easier to carry over-all knife that still offers very comparable performance and still very comfortable to me in the hand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Now if I could have just gotten the Vex in INFI at that price. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
The HCLE 3.5" actually has a thinner handle compared to the MPLE, but over-all length and cutting edge length are VERY close. Choils do this on small knives. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
The following picture looks deceptive to me because in reality the MPLE is only about 0.125" (1/8") longer oal than the 3.5" HCLE at the bottom. Somehow in the picture, the MPLE looks about 1/2" longer in the picture to me. But, it isn't.
Here are a few of a bunch of others to compare handle/blade sizes of the MPLE:
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