Is it just me or are some of you baffled by the existence of choils as well? I have been a knife knut since I was 10 years old and I have never found a need for them or wished I had one on a knife. In fact, I consider them a major drawback to a knife since it reduces the cutting edge of the blade.

Most of the time they are not really large enough to use anyway. If they are large enough, they take up too much of the blade. I think I understand the idea behind them but I never use them.

On large knives, say 6-7" or more, I like them for the possibility to choke up for detail work. On smaller stuff, I'm generally not a fan. Especially when they are the useless cosmetic elf choils like on the boss street, yard keeper, etc...

I never seen them on knives before I got into Scrapyard/Busse knives.

Choil-less is best! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think almost every Scrapyard and Busse knife has one.

On smaller 3-4" blades no choil is needed since your hand is close to the blade and balanced well. For me...choils on large blades gets the blade much better balanced in hand when doing fine work (since your hand is further forward). A small blade is better for fine work but a large blade for fine work feels better with a choil.

+1

Yeah I'm not a fan of choils, I think the Busse-Kin family should take a look at what a fine job they did with the SRKW Vex and Busse SAR5 and apply that to their other blades !

Jerry HATES the SAR5, and he craps all over it anytime he talks about it.


Choils are here to stay. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

I wouldn't be too sure, one thing that can be said about the Busse-kin family is that they do seem to listen to the customers ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Maybe my technique needs work, but I've found that the most power and control comes from leaning into the cut (when making feather sticks, for example) with the wood as close to my fist as possible. Letting my body weight do the work. Choils take the piece of wood away from the hand and requires more effort.

I like to use less effort. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I should pick up a Vex. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />