3 Inch or 4. Does Size Really Matter? If so, How?

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precisionshootist

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Mar 1, 2010
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So what can you do with a 4 inch folder that can't be done with a 3 inch folder? I've been carrying Spyderco clipit knives for over 18 years now. I started with a Delica (sub 3 inch blade) then moved to an Endura a year or two later and have carried the Endura size knives ever since. Lately due to some different social settings and such I've been carrying a Delica again and for the life of me I can't really figure out anything that can be done with the Endura that can't be done with the Delica. So what I'm looking for is specific tasks where you really need the larger folders over the more subtle EDC size knives. You always see in ad copy the manufacturers suggest the larger knives for larger jobs, etc. etc. Just what are these "larger" jobs that specifically require a larger 4 inch or so folder?

I'm not trying to knock the larger knives as I love them myself. I'm just having trouble seeing anything outside of defensive weapon type uses where the larger knives are actually better. In fact in many if not most cases a smaller 3 inch folder is more controllable and can do more precise efficient work with better leverage than the longer 4 inch blades.

So let me hear your thoughts.


Precision
 
My attitude is that the smallest knife that can do the job is the largest knife that's appropriate. I know, I know, a big knife can do a small job but a small knife can't do a big job. That's fine, when in the kitchen, use a chef's knife, but when in the street, carry a utility knife.

More often than not, I find a blade 4" or 5" long is clumsy for fine tasks -- as a splinter-picker, a whittler, a fruit knife. Having a 3" blade, your control of the tip is automatically more effective. I have even come to like slipjoints again and Spydercos like the UKPK and I have a friction folder on order with JK Knives here. Fiddling with a lock is less necessary when the task is small and quick.

I don't worry so much about social settings because I don't often use my knives around other people, unless they are knife knuts themselves. I still like to have a compact, convenient knife, and getting to be older and less active, I don't wander around with a chopper! :)
 
There's a lot, which I'm sure many will chime in with, but here's some: a longer blade can cut through larger fruits and vegetables cleaner and with less sawing or scoring. Depending on how deeply you need to cut into a given material, a shorter blade may not reach all the way through. Longer blades help when you need added reach, especially when cutting at an arms length, or over/under an obstacle. When using the edge fully and all other aspects being equal, the longer your blade is, the further you will go between sharpenings, as any given point along the edge will see material less often than with a shorter blade length.

For me, a big one is handle length: Generally speaking, smaller blades have smaller handles; depending on your hand size and preference, you might like to use a larger handle -- in those cases, the larger blade is just a bonus. I find I have more control and usually more grip options with a longer handle.
 
allyourblood said:
There's a lot, which I'm sure many will chime in with, but here's some: a longer blade can cut through larger fruits and vegetables cleaner and with less sawing or scoring. Depending on how deeply you need to cut into a given material, a shorter blade may not reach all the way through. Longer blades help when you need added reach, especially when cutting at an arms length, or over/under an obstacle. When using the edge fully and all other aspects being equal, the longer your blade is, the further you will go between sharpenings, as any given point along the edge will see material less often than with a shorter blade length.

For me, a big one is handle length: Generally speaking, smaller blades have smaller handles; depending on your hand size and preference, you might like to use a larger handle -- in those cases, the larger blade is just a bonus. I find I have more control and usually more grip options with a longer handle.
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Yeah, this.

You need a long blade to cut wide things, mainly fruits and vegetables. A longer blade allows you to bisect an apple or onion without have to rotate the blade all the way around. More blade also equals more edge, so what could be accomplished with one forward slice cut, would take a back-and-forth saw action with a small blade.

The handle length is a good point too. A few weeks ago I had to cut through a thick, reinforced garden hose with a case medium jack knife. I was able to cut through it, however, it required quiet a bit of effort and repositioning because the small handle was slipping out of my hand.

So make mine long :thumbup:
 
You need a long blade to cut wide things, mainly fruits and vegetables.
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I need to be able to cut completely through the apple that I have with my lunch. It's not a big deal, but for some reason I find it irriating when I have to make extra cuts. So that's how I judge a pocket knife, if its long enough to cut through an apple.
 
I cut a lot of vegetation with my user knives and you just get a lot more leverage with a longer blade. You also get a lot more power in snap cuts. Small lighter weight blades just don't have the same effect, when you snap cut. Plus the handles tend to be smaller, on a 3" blade, giving you a less secure grip, when using a folder with speed of hand.
 
I've not found a use for folders over Para 1 size (3-1/4" blade). The folders I carry nowadays are either a small micarta Sebenza or a Native 5. My Military just sits... and sits... and sits. And I've traded or sold off my large Sebenzas, ZTs, and other bigger folders. I figure if I haven't had any use for a folder blade over 3" in the last 58 years, nothing's gonna change now. I don't cut fruits or veggies with anything other than kitchen knives. The folders I carry and use are for cutting work, garden, and woods stuff and those are mostly narrower natural materials or packing/strapping stuff.

I do carry a FB witha longer blade when I'm doing something that might require it, I just don't have a use for a larger folder.
 
Good question and you gave me pause for thought. Considering some of my folders, a 4 incher IS a small blade, and what I consider an every day use size. Rationaly I can see how a 3 incher would be easier to use, control etc. But I just can't go there.
 
I can get a comfortable grip on a 4" folder, something I can rarely do on one with a blade under 3.5". I don't think there are many tasks you simply can't accomplish with smaller folder, but the larger blade also gives you an opportunity for increased leverage, making some tasks much easier with a larger blade. I actually like to carry a smaller, slim folder with a fine point and a larger one for tasks where I want the leverage.
 
More belly. :D

DSC_1163.JPG
 
With a 4" blade, I can be arrested for weapons possession just by carrying it. Admittedly, that ability may be of limited use.
 
Some good responses guys. I understand the fruits and vegtible use, but myself I rarely use my folders for food. If I anticipate the need for a knife for food I will carry a kitchen knife with lunch or whatever.

My feeling so far from the responses is that outside of single cuts on fruits and vegies large folders are rarely needed in day to day tasks.

My main reason for carrying an Endura or Pacific Salt (4 inch class) is as an emergency tool. I'm a very active and fairly adventurous person so I like to have an emergency/survival backup to whatever else I may be carrying or whatever unknown situation that could arise. That being said for mundane day to day knife chores I don't find the larger folders as useful. I also carry a Victorinox classic that sees more use and is usually more appropriate but is sometimes to small. It's these latter uses where the folder in the 2.5 to 3 inch range really shines but I'm not going to carry a 3 incher and a 4 incher so that's why I threw this out for discussion.


Thanks guys!
I'm still listening so we can continue the discussion if anyone else wants to chime in.
 
I used to carry a 3.4" blade and that was all. Too often it was a bit too big. For my suburban/office EDC I find my 2" Dragonfly 2 is awesome. I carry a larger folder with me as well... in case of Zombies or large fruit :)
 
I find pretty much the same as the original poster, namely that a 3" blade gives better control at the tip. However, the handle size argument has merit and there are a few other uses where a 3.5" to 4" blade works better. Shaving down a flat surface requires both more length and more belly. Just last week I repaired some rot on a casing by insetting a redwood Dutchman and filling the rest of the void with bondo. I needed to shave the bondo while it was still leathery and also lower the redwood at one end. My 3.5" PM2 did a great job while a Delica would not have been nearly as effective at that low angle. A Military with its 4" blade would have been a little better for that task, but 3.5" got the job done very well and the longer blade would be a hindrance for many other tasks due to loss of tip control.
 
I like a 5.5" or 7" bladed folder (think CUDA MAXX or MADD MAXX). Watermelons and wedding cakes fear me (as does tall grass).
 
Kitchen uses aside, I very rarely run into any task that can't be accomplished by a <3.5" blade (except things like batonning or limbing which are best suited to hatchets or axes in the first place). I usually like a knife that's about 8" overall with about a 3.5" blade for a work knife, as I find those tend to be a good comfortable size for my hands, with a blade length perfectly adequate for anything I should need to do with them. For every day stuff, I usually carry something with a 3" blade or less.

I've owned a few 4"+ bladed folders, but always end up getting rid of them, usually immediately after purchasing. It's just unnecessary for my uses.
 
Most often it is because I have gigantic hands and I want to be able to grip with my entire hand comfortably in the handle. Blades that are near the 4' length point tend to have enough real estate to accommodate my hands. I like the PM2 because it has more handle than is normal for slightly smaller blade length. I can get a full grip on something a little smaller, but I have to scrunch. Need just a hair over 3.5' of handle for a full grip with nothing left to either side.
 
I carry both daily. The 3" is great for for many task, but a 3.5" to 4" will cut much better on many things. I walk my trails a good bit, and have to keep them cut back often, and my Military is perfect for that. I also like a 4" for fishing, as one cut takes the head off. I don't lose any control with a 4" vs a 3". I was a butcher and mostly used a 10" or 12" blade, so a 4" blade feels small to me.
I also have a large hand, and like the larger handle's you get with a 3.5" or 4" bladed knife.
 
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