A handle for a kitchen utensil or the like includes a hand gripping section having a rearward push/pull valley with a varying, substantially elliptical cross-section that forms a floor, a push slope tapering up and forward from the floor, and a pull slope tapering up and back from the floor. The radial cross-sectional area of an end of the pull slope and a radial cross-sectional area of an end of the push slope each are substantially larger than a radial cross-sectional area of the floor. The handle section further includes a ring stop section disposed forward of the push/pull valley with one or more concentric rings extending above a surface of the handle member. The kitchen utensil includes a blade mating section disposed forward of the handle section and configured to receive a blade.