Introduction to Knife Grips

Different knife grips provide practical advantages for various cutting tasks, reducing fatigue and preventing blisters. Understanding basic grip variations enables efficient completion of carving and chopping work in outdoor and occupational settings.

Hammer Grip

The hammer grip, the most common knife grip, involves placing the knife handle in the palm with the forefingers and thumb enclosing it. While effective for most general knife tasks, specialized grips better suit specific cutting applications.

Finger Choil Grip for Control

The finger choil grip utilizes the notch positioned in front of the blade's handle, allowing the user to choke up on the blade for maximum control. The index finger is placed in the choil while the thumb rests on the spine, enabling detailed carving with controlled pressure applied by the non-dominant hand's thumb.

Palm Grip for Detail Work

For detailed cutting tasks requiring minimal force, the knife spine rests along the full length of the pointer finger in an open palm, with the middle finger and thumb meeting at the choil. This grip provides optimal control for tasks such as cutting fabric, leather, meat processing, and skinning game animals.

Knife Safety Principles

Critical safety practices include maintaining awareness of nearby individuals and avoiding carving in the triangular area between the knees and crotch due to potential fatal injuries. Users should never cut toward their own body and should adjust their grip technique if the direction of cut becomes unsafe.

Chest Lever Technique

The chest lever grip positions the knife handle's bottom in the open palm with a reversed grip, then braces the blade at chest level to process material pulled across it. This technique efficiently removes large amounts of material for tasks such as sharpening spear points or making tent stakes while maintaining group safety.

Kneeling Grip for Feather Sticks

The kneeling position involves holding the knife with a hammer grip while bracing the wrist against the shin, creating a stationary blade. The material is pulled toward the user to remove large chips, with blade angle adjusted for producing long, thin feathers on softwood.

Chopping Grip and Technique

Chopping tasks require gripping the knife at the back of the handle scales with a tight grip while maintaining a supple wrist for maximum impact and forward blade weight. A lanyard attachment allows gripping beyond the scales, and this grip is effective for removing tree limbs, cutting vines, and creating sharp points for traps or stakes.

Fixed Blade as Wood Planer

A durable fixed blade knife can be thrust or batoned into a log or stump at a slight angle to function as a makeshift wood planer. Material is pulled into the sharp edge for trimming fat from meat, sharpening spears, or producing wood shavings for fire starter.

How To Choose the Right Knife Grip

Schrade Knives

Knife Grip

3 min read·9 key moments·PT6M29S video

Key Takeaways

•Introduction to Knife Grips
•Hammer Grip
•Finger Choil Grip for Control
•Palm Grip for Detail Work

In this Schrade Quick Tip video we’re going to take a look at a few different knife grips that can be used to save time and energy when performing knife related tasks. We’ll discuss when these grips are the most practical and collect a few tips from our experts along the way. For MORE Schrade QUICK TIPS… Subscribe to this YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SchradeK... Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchradeKnives Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SchradeKnives Visit http://schrade.com/ for Gear News, Tips, and New Releases. ______ Check out these other videos from our HOW-TO Series: 5 Axe Safety Tips for Outdoor Enthusiasts http://youtu.be/tBFsBTnupys How to care for Your Leather Knife Sheath http://youtu.be/VZVTtgswhMs How to Baton with a Knife or Machete http://youtu.be/nMp-xcyuaHw How to field sharpen an axe or hatchet with a puck sharpening stone http://youtu.be/7U0nNdVN4Zs How to safely clean any pocket knife for survival or tactical use http://youtu.be/ZjtKvs3zg54 14 knife safety tips for kids, scouts and the rest of us http://youtu.be/Ks8pVWR_-Zg The best blade for survival, hunting, and bushcraft - Drop Point Blades http://youtu.be/Ja1K4rrAR48 Survival Fire Building - How to Start a Fire with a Ferro / Firesteel Rod - http://youtu.be/bqKukf4s33U 7 Vital Every Day Carry EDC tools that could save your life http://youtu.be/nizpr1KMzWI Knife Blades 101 – Spear, Tonto, Clip, or Drop Point Blade http://youtu.be/HfR54reEsjk How-To Select and use a strap cutter http://youtu.be/VOpXvtlS1lk 7 Tips to Conceal Carry your EDC knife http://youtu.be/pyiH80GrOa0 How to choose and use a tactical pen http://youtu.be/6P4uTl_lWuo 7 Legendary EDC Knives that You Should Own http://youtu.be/TcER8lmEhFQ 10 Knife Terms You Need To Know http://youtu.be/yBsRrAK-g24 7 Keys to Choosing the BEST Survival Knife http://youtu.be/54YS3lrsiiU 3 Minute Paracord Knife Handle Wrap http://youtu.be/IWirpsWMpoE How to Start a Blaze With a Feather Stick and Ferro Rod http://youtu.be/7s9NURjXnI4 How to Make a Survival Spear http://youtu.be/K5-Nj3Jll04 DIY Mini Survival Kit For Your Sheath, pocket, or pouch http://youtu.be/J6YKppHbAmY How to use a honesteel http://youtu.be/j1bcq1mgxcg How to create a leather Strop http://youtu.be/B6_FMYdsjmw How to Sharpen a Fine Edged Knife With a Stone Sharpener http://youtu.be/cytmI-th2-c How to field sharpen a knife using a belt http://youtu.be/IEqU-1PVU9o How-to sharpen a serrated-edged blade http://youtu.be/9_61LLTtqAw How to sharpen a recurve blade http://youtu.be/HYWb3wLEz10 How to remove rust from a knife blade http://youtu.be/eAD35AzGj7U How to make a pot hanger in the wild http://youtu.be/Ldj-Ze9k-n0 How to Make a Primitive Fishing Gorge http://youtu.be/UOMXkkaSbA8 How-To perform popular KNIFE GRIPS http://youtu.be/7GSUpPHADBo HOW TO THROW A THROWING KNIFE http://youtu.be/fmlxGQpSBZI HOW TO OBTAIN SURVIVAL WATER USING YOUR KNIFE http://youtu.be/rsUGO0X9G84 How to Safely Chop and Drop a Tree with a Hatchet http://youtu.be/-EuA-_4lM9g _____ Video Disclaimer: Disclaimer and Warnings: Use survival techniques and equipment at your own risk. Even with great preparation, survival, disaster and crisis situations are dangerous and may result in injury, maiming and death. Our informational content cannot address all survival situations and cannot guarantee your survival or prevent injuries when the unexpected happens. It is your responsibility to have proper training, preparation, information, experience and equipment. Because any situation, be it survival or otherwise, can expose you to unpredictable hazards and risks. Taylor Brands LLC is not responsible for any injury, death, or consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided in this video, and Taylor Brands LLC does not suggest or guarantee that the use of the information in this video, or any equipment shown, will ensure survival or prevent risks. Taylor Brands LLC is not responsible for the views, options, commentary, advice or suggestions of guests. The viewer or reader assumes all risks for any use or misuse of the information and/or products shown in this video. _______ Thanks for stopping by… The Schrade Team: http://youtu.be/7GSUpPHADBo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about knife grip?

This video covers introduction to knife grips, hammer grip, finger choil grip for control. It provides detailed instruction from Schrade Knives.

How long does it take to learn knife grip?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 9-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.