Handlemakers Any ideas for Kato handless?

[Cutuu]

I'll be getting a handless Kato, and basically my only plan is it needs a handle. I usually just rock the stock, so I don't really have any grand ideas or a vision yet. Any ideas?

[Jeff B]

Is the knife new?

[nevrknow]

Which blade?

[Omega]

Am I right in guessing a Kiyoshi Kato ?

If JNS arill has then in stock, I LOVE their ebony handles on a Kato. And I think those are closer to ready for the obscenely thick Kato tang.

If you prefer lighter though.. would look for a standard ho wood. A slightly thicker octagonal feels nice.

Could try an add in classifieds for a stock handle too- see if anyone who got theirs rehandled hung out to the old one.

[mauichef]

I had Mark put a Khii Studio Ebony on my 210mm Yoshiaki Fujiwara and it works really well. Love the balance and look.

[Kit Craft]

I had Mark put a Khii Studio Ebony on my 210mm Yoshiaki Fujiwara and it works really well. Love the balance and look.

Ray, that sounds like a great match. I like my Khii ebony but it is a bit heavy for my HD2.

[Carter]

Kato's generally require a dense handle wood and a suitable length to get the balance to a more neutral point, since they are such a thick grind and generally blade heavy. Some of the ebonies work, desert ironwood, snakewood, and cocobolo are some examples of dense woods...some pieces of bog oak are dense enough.

[Cutuu]

Is the knife new?

Yes, it never had a handle. Honestly, I wish it just came with the basic ho wood d handle, so I could put it to work. But I'm going to try and make the best of the situation.

[Cutuu]

Which blade?

Kiyoshi Kato standard 240, so yeah your correct Omega. My bad I guess I could of been more specific.

[pd7077]

Is the knife new?

Yes, it never had a handle. Honestly, I wish it just came with the basic ho wood d handle, so I could put it to work. But I'm going to try and make the best of the situation.

I have a burnt chestnut and a ho d-shaped handle from my latest knives that got customs. Youre welcome to have one (or both). Just PM me if interested.

[Chefspence]

Ask Nmiller. I tried his and it was a great fit. Heavy handle that makes for a heavy knife, but well balanced.

[Nmiller21k]

Mine was by Carter.

But depending on where you want the balance point

[Cutuu]

Mine was by Carter.

But depending on where you want the balance point

I'd actually like a nuetral balance point at my pinch grip. For me, I'm preferring heavier knives to have a more nuetral balance point.

[Nmiller21k]

I like them a little blade forward... my WH has the perfect placement.

[Cutuu]

I like them a little blade forward... my WH has the perfect placement.

I've usually liked them sort of blade heavy. But I have some that aren't. The one that's challenged that idea for me the most. Is my recent tansu. That is a heavy gyuto at approximately 9.75 oz. Its balance point is at the heel. Because the way the choil and handle are done, I'm able to alter pinch grip further back to the heel to give a nuetral balance. When I go to do horizontal cuts like onions it's extremely accurate and feels lighter. Since it's still heavy, it still does vertical cuts very well and authoritative. I think this is also why I like western lasers. But I also like a mix of knives, even including balance points, but I think I would like this basically right at the pinch grip or just a hair in front/blade heavy.

[bladesaffair]

Look for Duy @dphamblades. He did all my kato handles and they not only look amazing but feels amazing on hand as well.