Favorite blade size?

[AA Forge]

I've been working on making some new knives and thought I would start a discussion on preferd sizes for a woods knife to help me get an idea of what would be best; I have my preferences but they don't always match up with everyone else's.

I've always been a big fan of the "jack of all trades but a master of none" type of knife, which for me comes in at about a 7" long, 3/16" thick blade. A knife that can chop and split wood when needed but isn't a dedicated chopper, and at the same time can still perform the small mundane tasks that need to be done.

What are everyone else's thoughts?

 

[cbach8tw]

While I love a 7 inch blade best, I am finding for MY needs around the campsite that a 4 - 6 inch blade works best. It depends on what you want to do with it and what your needs are, some of us are not going to be building shelters and such and needing to baton too much firewood, which I have done too, but my needs are basic. This is not to say that a big blade does not have its place or to to criticize anyone with different needs, it depends on your experience level and the type of camping/outdoor activities or job requirements you have. I keep a big knife in the truck, but I seem to go for the smaller one for food prep and chores, and if I go hiking on a few trails, again I am only a pop up camper type of guy, I know I will grab the lighter one to carry in a 5-6 inch blade range, not too heavy to take along. If I do get into more primitive camping where I carry more stuff in on a pack, I then may consider strapping a bigger blade on the outside of my stuff. I have not tried it yet camping, but I really love the trade knife AA forge made for me awhile back with an almost 7 inch blade in 5/32 steel, that would be a great overall knife like you mentioned, a jack of all trades deal. Just my 2 cents and thanks for an interesting survey thread.

 

[goobie]

I've been happiest with a blade around 5", give or take 1/2" or so. Works well for me, much bigger seems to be too much of a good thing! Every time I hike these days I also carry a neck knife, 2-3" blade. Very handy for normal chores, easier/quicker to get at than a belt knife.Most of my woods time, until recently, has been hunting so that affects my choices somewhat.

I think I would be happiest with a necker, 4-5" sheath knife, and a 7-8" chopper or hatchet

 

[Morkte]

I voted wrong, take 1 vote off 2-3" and put it on 4-6"

 

[Mr. Night]

I'll take a large blade please. I think its easier to do a small job with a big knife than a big job with a small knife. thats if'n I'm to have only one knife, tho. and that would be rare at the campsite

 

[BBW]

I actually think that the most common category is the 3-4 inch which is OUT of the poll!!!!!
Well, after reading again are we talking about closed length, blade length, open length... I'm confused

 

[eternal10]

yes 3 or 3.5 needs to be added

 

[AA Forge]

You guys are right, I should have started a more complete poll. I'm going to go ahead and close this one and start up a new one.

Thanks to everyone for the comments.