For me handle shape is quite important. On the whole I prefer a thin handle, typically I find that the handles that one gets from most makers is too thick, even when a thin handle is requested. Further I like the handle to be pinched at the ears of the blade. As a result I tend take the bindings off, use a rasp to thin the handle at the ears, to make it more oval and pinched, then I use a firm medical tape to replace the bindings and support the glue within the handle. In terms of which I find best off the rack, definitely Gray Nicolls, and the Aussie ones tend to be thinner than the others as they use a much thinner binding.