4 Inches an Adequate Woods Knife?

S

Space Plumber

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Apr 30, 2010
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Some people say for general outdoors/survival use, a 4 inch knife is all you need and anything larger is just extra weight. Does anyone think a 4 inch knife can generally do everything a larger knife could do reasonably well?
 
For a belt knife 4 inches is plenty big. Any longer and you start to drastically lose finesse in detailed tip work. The only thing a larger blade would have is chopping and battoning power. I'd highly recommend carrying at least two knives, a beater and a slicer companion. A 4 inch long .125 inch thick scandi ground belt knife is pretty ideal when paired with a good high carbon 5-10 inch beater or a short machete. Unless you're skinning big game like buffalo or moose a long slicer really isn't necessary.
 
No, I don't think people say or compare a 4 inch knife to a big say 9 inch chopper knife and say they're equal. They say a 4 inch knife is adequate for the needs that they may encounter in a wilderness or survival setting.
 
I favor a five inch for all around use but a four is plenty of knife, I sometimes like a longer knife for food prep.
 
Space Plumber said:
Some people say for general outdoors/survival use, a 4 inch knife is all you need and anything larger is just extra weight. Does anyone think a 4 inch knife can generally do everything a larger knife could do reasonably well?
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Listen long enough and "some people" will eventually say just about everything. :)

A 4" knife can't do everything a larger knife can do, but it can do pretty much everything that needs to be done. The one thing big knives excel at over small knives is chopping. If you find yourself needing to chop often, big is the better choice, otherwise it isn't. Simple. Your needs and no one else's will determine what's best for you, there is no right or wrong either way.

Welcome to BF. :thumbup:
 
It all depends on what you want the knife to do, and where you live.

Let me say this right now, at the risk of getting lynched:
THERE IS NO ONE TOOL THAT CAN DO IT ALL WITH EASE

If you are going to pick one tool, pick a big one, because a big tool can do what a small one can't, the reverse is not true. However, there are things that the big tool is a big pain to do. Which is why, throughout history, people carried at least two.

Provided you carry a large tool (axe/hatchet, machete, kukri, tomahawk, etc), then a 4 inch knife can do all the rest.

Now analyze what you are really doing. Are you just going for a hike? You probably don't need any knife.

Are you going to build some natural shelters? A knife is great to have, and you may want a big tool.

Going in the bush to camp for long periods? The big tool is a real asset, along with the knife.
 
I made it for about two decades, most spent in the field, before I knew that I was supposed to carry some big honkin knife. 3-4 inches works fine for me. I carry a hatchet, ax, or machete for chopping dependent on the environ.

I don't think it's smart to pay hundreds (or even a thousand) dollars to try to get a knife to do what a $8 hatchet from Walmart can do.
 
nemoaz said:
I made it for about two decades, most spent in the field, before I knew that I was supposed to carry some big honkin knife. 3-4 inches works fine for me. I carry a hatchet, ax, or machete for chopping dependent on the environ.

I don't think it's smart to pay hundreds (or even a thousand) dollars to try to get a knife to do what a $8 hatchet from Walmart can do.
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I try not to make all encompassing, and insulting statements; but that is just me. We all have our own tastes and we satisfy them in our own way. I'll refrain from making any comments about your $8 hatchet but will say that I love my $900 knife more than any other in my collection.
 
I agree with the guys above: a 4" knife can do a lot, and almost everything I need. Pair it up with an axe or folding saw and you've got a great combination. When hiking camping, I usually have a 3.5-5.5" knife, but will frequently be happy with an even smaller knife.

Dig into some of the old posts and you'll find that many guys carry a classic "trio" of blades: small folder, medium belt knife, and axe or saw. Great way to go if you plan on using edge tools for fuel, fire, food, & shelter.
 
wyattT said:
thats only insulting if you have the skin of a 6th grade girl, buck up, jeeze...
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First, your analogy really makes very little sense. Second, your grammar and punctuation is that of a 3rd grader. Third, I don't recall addressing you, if you'd like to continue your line of thought, we can do it in PM. This isn't the place for name calling and belittling.

To the O.P. Sorry for the derail.

4 inch knives are great. So are big ones. Buy a bunch of knives and use them. It's the only way to really find your preference.
 
A 4 inch knife is great for an all around knife. It does depend on what you intend to do, though. If you are going to be staying for a while, or doing any shelter work, I would rather have a large blade. But that is just me.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Are you just going for a hike? You probably don't need any knife.
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:eek:

Dude....now really...have you ever gone for a hike without a knife? (Cpl Punishment, is someone else using your login to post here??? :D)

Every once in a while I find myself without a knife, and once I'm aware of my nakedness, it feels weird. Never that I can remember has one of those times been on a hike. You may not need a knife, but when stepping off the asphalt, I always seems to have one. :thumbup:
 
I can get away with a knife as small as 2.5-3" when I pair it with a big chopper. I'm partial to an axe, for that. I've used big knives for chopping before, and while they excel at wood splitting and batoning, they just don't distribute their weight the same way a similarly sized axe does when it comes to serious chopping. So large knives aren't my thing, they just don't work in the environment I live in. Although, that new ESEE 10" sure is cool... I wish I could justify purchasing one!

Anyway, with all that said, I'll echo what everyone else is saying: 4" is more than enough blade in the wilderness for everything other than chopping. If you suspect some chopping will be done, pack an axe (or a machete if you're down south!).
 
I normally carry a 4 to 5 inch fixed blade with me on my outdoor trips so for me, it's adequate. Of course I normally also have a 3 to 3.6 inch folder and sometimes a larger chopper. Sometimes it's a hatchet, hawk, Khukri or Bowie knife. Depends on my mood and the enviroment I'm going to be in. I use more 4 to 5 inch blades then any other size. The thing is, find what works for you and stick with it.

Heber
 
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