A range of knives are commercially available with alternative grips and handles which can enlarge the gripping surface, allow the wrist to be used from a neutral position, minimise wrist movement and/or allow the knife to be operated using the actions of the forearm and upper arm rather than just the wrist and hand. Grip styles available include:
- knives with a straight handle set at right angles to the blade which neutralizes wrist position
- knives with wide grip handles to assist those with reduced manual dexterity
- knives with circular loop style grips set at right angles or various other angles to the blade to cater for varying degrees of wrist and hand function
- knives with handles set at right angles to the blade which loop over the top of the hand for extra stability
- rocker knives allowing the knife blade to be rocked over food to cut
- a range of shaped knife blades with a choice of detachable handle shapes and sizes
- rocker style knives with wide blades and a handle both central and vertical to the blade
- folding rocker style knives
- knives with pistol grip handles
- knives specifically for left or right handed use.
Ergonomic or alternative handled knives are available in models such as boning, bread, serrated, chefs, cleaver, standard cutlery or knives for general purpose.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Ergonomic or alternative handled knives may be beneficial for people with arthritis or other conditions that cause fatigue, weakness or restricted movement of the hand and wrist. These knives can assist with independent meal preparation for work or if working within a kitchen or catering environment.
Ergonomic knives can be used in conjunction with other kitchen aids such as specialized chopping boards or cutting aids which enable items to be held in place allowing them to be cut with the use of just one hand and mesh gloves to avoid cutting hands. For more information see the links below:
References
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc 2010, Eating & Drinking: Knives, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc, Sydney, viewed 2 April 2011, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=NSW&page=1&MC=31&MinC=9
Novis Healthcare (no date specified), Aids for Daily Living, Novis Healthcare, Lane Cove, viewed 2 April 2011, http://www.novis.com.au/aids-for-daily-living.
WorkSafe Victoria 2009, Safe use of knives in the meat and food industry, WorkSafe Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 2 April 2011, http://newcastle.amieu.net/files/pdf/knives_vs4.pdf.