Where should the balance point be on a Bowie knife? Or other types of knives?

[Big Ugly Gringo]

Someone asked me about the balance point on my new knives so I've been checking them.

On the Laredo Bowie and the MGC Bowie, it's about an inch in front of the crossguard.

On that big un, it's about an inch and a half in front of the crossguard.

Where should it be?

By the way, when I take that Cold Steel Laredo Bowie out and look at it, I get tears in my eys. That is one beautiful piece of workmanship. At the same time, just the PHOTOS of some of the custom knives you guys make get me wet eyed.

I guess I have the disease BAD, BAD, BAD.

[movingarrow]

IMHO, it is about right. For knifes, it is not as important as it is for big swords. Besides, it really depends on how you want the knife to be used.

[whv]

Originally Posted by movingarrow

it really depends on how you want the knife to be used.

good point
if you are looking to do a lot of chopping or other heavy work, weight forward can be a benefit. otoh, i would prefer a fighter to balance behind the guard, putting the weight in my hand for a faster action.

[TikTock]

I usually try to move chopping blades so that the balance is at least 2 inches in front of the ricasso. For fighters, like the above said, i take less off and try to get the blade to feel weightless