The handles of the DMCG and the YKCG are both 4 3/8” long. Their shape is similar, looking at them side by side, and when looking down at the spines of the blades. Both handles are both too small for my hands. There should be no meaningful difference. But there is. It’s a subtle difference, but my fingers recognize it. The Mutt crowds my fingers in use, in a way that the Keeper does not. Or rather, the Mutt handle crowds my fingers more than the keeper handle does. Holding each knife in a saber grip, my little finger rides on the rear flair. It rides easier holding the Keeper. For all their similarities, I’m more comfortable handling the Keeper than the Mutt.

I don’t understand it. If I could figure out what the difference is, I might explain it better. The best I can say is that though they look similar to my eyes, they feel different to my hands.