3-4inch fixed blade

golok · Oct 10, 2003

I have been told on numerous occasions that a man doesn't need a 7-inch blade in most circumstances. A 3-4inch knife is considered most useful in many instances.

Out in the field, they say, a man doesn't need a big knife or a thick knife, he just needs a knife that works and one that doesn't let you down. And the length of the blade is one that has been specified above.

Is that true?

BadBamaUmp · Oct 10, 2003

Golok,
I clean whitetail deer with a 1 3/4" blade and I know guys that have had to clean a deer with a pair of finger nail clippers. I've gone camping for extended periods with only a 3" blade, but I believe the axiom "you can make a small cut with a big knife, but you can't make big cut with a small knife." When I'm out and think my life is on the line, I always have a 7-9" field knife with me. I can chop and I can make fine cuts with it, I can't chop with a 3" knife.

Bongus33 · Oct 10, 2003

I'd say it depends on what you want the knive for, especially for in the bush. I usually have at least two. A 5" or larger fixed blade(used to be my Old Timer Hunting knife but is now going to be my Seal Pup) and a smaller 3-4" folder. The fixed blade was for brute force stuff, like taking out branches and other heavy cutting items. While the folder was for more precise cutting, like for rope, or whittling etc...

Buzzbait · Oct 10, 2003

95% of the time, for me at least, a 3 to 4 inch fixed blade is just right. I have a hatchet for the other 5%.

wlifter123 · Oct 10, 2003

It depends on what you mean by, "Out in the field." If by "out in the field" you mean while camping, hiking, hunting I'd say a 4 inch blade goes pretty far here in Virginia, however if it's raining it's nice to be able to use a large knife to split medium sized logs to get to the dry wood. That is the only reason I have ever needed a large blade. However I'm sure others here have faced more adverse conditions and terrian than I and have actually needed a chopper. If your "out in the field" is the mountains of Virginia and you stay out of the rain, a 4-inch blade will do just fine.

blastjv · Oct 10, 2003

I subscribe to Buzzbait's philosophy here. Why 'make do' with a knife which is really a bit too big and awkward for small work and a bit to small and light for big work, when a nice smaller knife and a good hatchet will do better, easier jobs at each.

The only real reason I see where this might be completely invalidated is maybe where you are doing extremely lightweight backpacking or weight is otherwise a HUGE concern and you need to make compromises in order to keep weight down.

Just some thoughts,

-John

knifedaddy84 · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by Buzzbait
95% of the time, for me at least, a 3 to 4 inch fixed blade is just right. I have a hatchet for the other 5%.

Part of the reason for getting outdoors is being able to carry big blades (this may not be a concern to someone who is in the outdoors every day who laughs at part-time Grizzly Adams types, but who cares). A three inch blade might be all I ever need hiking, but that's boring. Give me rigs and sheaths, or else let me take up golf.

BadBamaUmp · Oct 10, 2003

Blaster,
I can't carry a hatchet on my LBV, I do carry a cut down machete on my ruck, but I can carry a large knife on my LBV. I'm just working within my limitations.

numberthree · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by blastjv
The only real reason I see where this might be completely invalidated is maybe where you are doing extremely lightweight backpacking or weight is otherwise a HUGE concern and you need to make compromises in order to keep weight down.

I can have a small knife and a hatchet for LESS weight than some of my big fixed blades...

My favorite combo for lightweight, full function hiking/camping has to be my Allen Blade Pack Pal and Gransfors Bruks Mini Hatchet...

Jeff Clark · Oct 10, 2003

I live in mountain country. If I do not go out with any particular cutting task in mind I don't carry anything but my 3.25 inch blade Adventurer model SAK. If I think there is a chance that I will get detoured in the forest I switch to a bigger SAK, the Locksmith model that includes a really good saw and file as well as a slightly longer blade.

If I actually plan on cutting something I take a blade for the specific purpose. If I am hunting I will take knives appropriate for the task. For deer-sized game it would be a 3" to 4" fixed blade. For elk it would be a 3.5" to 4.5" fixed blade on my belt and some longer butcher knives in my pack in case I need to take the carcass out in chunks. I could do the job with my SAK if I had to.

For setting up camp I use a hatchet with a hammer surface on the back side. I also have a folding Sven Saw for cutting wood. If I thought I need to split a lot of logs I would bring an axe. If I thought that I had to clear brush I might conceivably bring a machete, but a folding shovel comes along more often. Generally chopping down the forest is bad manners so I don't equip for clearing land. At home I have axes, machetes, matocks, and even a brush hook for clearing land. Big knives are big toys as far as I am concerned.

Steve Hayden · Oct 10, 2003

As far as hunting goes, hardly anyone I know uses more than about a 4" blade. I have field dressed and skinned an elk with an old 2 blade Tree Brand trapper (Solingen) after I thew away the POS Buck knife I was trying to use. I had to sharpen the trapper a couple of times, but it did the trick. Large knives tend to be hard to manipulate inside carcasses.

I have never had to use a knife for firewood yet. If I have to walk to far to have an axe, I just break the wood for the fire or burn it in half if it's too big. For backpacking, I just use my old Whisper Lite International stove and don't usually worry about a fire.