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Post by kalkikrosah on Oct 15, 2017 0:52:43 GMT
Quick definition on what jimping is:
Jimping - Notches down the spine of a blade created to provide grip on a knife beyond the bolster
Jimping is typically (and almost exclusively) done on knives. But not all knives have them. Which begs the questions "is jimping necessary?" and "does jimping even work?" What is your opinion on the presence or absence of jimping? Should all knives have them, just specific ones or do you think it is a marketing sham directed at the uninformed?
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 15, 2017 1:44:20 GMT
Personally, not a fan. I know several people who do appreciate it, though, and I won't say it's a marketing sham or anything of the sort, just a personal preference type subject.
Jimping is supposed to act as a sort of thumb hold when "choking up" on a knife, for whatever task may require this. Only specific task in my mind right now is whittling, but other forms of shaving or trimming apply. I don't know enough about skinning to say if they'd be useful.
I seldom use a knife in such a fashion, but when I do I manage without just fine. For me, jimping clashes with the aesthetic I prefer in knives. That is, a straight spine, level with the grip. Knives with jimping tend to have a sort of humpback that I find interferes more often than the jimping assists.
Then again, I'm old-fashioned.
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Post by pellius on Oct 15, 2017 2:53:53 GMT
I like it if it is integrated nicely into the design, like on this sweet Wes Beem tac tanto. Dunno if it's all that useful, though - maybe with a choil?
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Post by MOK on Oct 15, 2017 14:32:20 GMT
Depends!
If the knife and its intended use are such that they regularly call for choking up on your grip and extending the thumb along the spine of the blade, well done jimping can provide more traction there. And even if there's no such call, it can serve as another decorative element.
But if it's poorly done, and/or doesn't fit the functional and aesthetic design of the knife, then you'd obviously be better off without it.
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Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Oct 23, 2017 8:57:41 GMT
I wouldn't mind giving it a try if I knew someone close enough to do it for me
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Post by RickDastardly on Oct 23, 2017 11:57:39 GMT
I've had a few knives with jimping. All have been non-stainless and the jimping quite fine, which immediately brought to light a practical issue. If used in the field, the jimping gathers dirt in the fine grooves. That can (and did) encourage rust. One also liked to file away the edge of its leather sheath.
Wider jimping might not have that issue, especially if done nicely with a rounded profile. I've not had one like that though.
When using, I've found the jimping to be a little helpful in some grips. Not massively so though, and on occasion I've found it irritating in use. Only one of my favourite knives has jimping and it would still be a favourite without it.
So, for me, jimping might give a little advantage, but not enough that I consider it in any way essential. On a non-stainless blade, I would probably prefer not to have it overall.
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