4 Inches an Adequate Woods Knife?

[tknife]

I've been on these forums for 10 years and the chopper vs small knife debate was going on back then too. I used to be a chopper kind of guy, but in recent years I finally admitted to myself that a smaller knife saw more use. I still like big knives, and they are fun to use. I just don't need one that often.

 

[knifaholic]

Interesting thread; there are no right or wrong answers only opinions. I do agree with those that find a 4" blade sufficient for most woodsy tasks especially hunting but I did find myself needing additional tools to make ground blinds and clearing brush. I searched for a while for a one that does all tool for what I needed and settled on a Spivey Sabertooth. It's plenty large enough for chopping but also sports a killer saw that is just perfect for small limbs. It may not be the perfect tool for every task but will do everything in one tool that I needed.

 

[CSG]

Please, don't take this wrong because I don't want you to feel the need to get defensive, but your bias is pretty obvious and it certainly doesn't seem (to me) to be rational. Are you just not familiar with anything other than small knives, or is it one of those Ford vs. Chevy positional type of attitudes.

I don't take it wrong and I won't get defensive. My opinions are based on over 40 years of outdoor experience, mostly in the western states. But I absolutely do have a bias against large blades because I don't think they're very useful for most purposes in most environments, especially in the lower 48.

Don't you think I've tried a variety of tools in those years? I've found that a big knife is the most useless one of all. A pruning saw, a small camp axe (for which I have rare need) a fixed blade of around 3.5-4". and a pocket knife like a Vic Farmer or OHT are more purposeful than a big chopper.

And I'm sorry, but in the time I've been here, I've seen numerous threads from people showing off how they chopped this up or that down mostly, it seems, for the sake of a photo to post.

I try to be light on the land. Backwoods skills are fun to learn and something most of us have lost but I've been to too many overused sites where the damage done by ignorant or inconsiderate campers has been depressing. SoCal is a prime example of lots of heavily impacted land.

Anyway, I think my reasoning is completely rational and is based on long experience. I think you'll find that most outdoor survival experts in the military, SAR, and those of long experience support my views.

I'm sure there are parts of the world where what is practical here would not be so there. You're not going to hack a trail through dense jungle with a 4" fixed blade knife. But when it comes to most camp chores, the 4" knife will serve you better IMO and that's what I understood the nature of this topic to be about.

 

[JCavSD]

I understand what you're saying, but the questions is this:

Does anyone think a 4 inch knife can generally do everything a larger knife could do reasonably well?

The answer is no, a 4" knife can generally not do everything a larger knife could do reasonably well. There are some things a smaller blade just can't do as well...or at all. I'm not making that up, or throwing in any personal bias, it's just a matter of physics.

If someone asks if a Miata will do everthing a Ford F-150 will do reasonably well, the answer would have to be no. Sure, there is some overlap, but there are areas where they stand alone. Try hauling a trailer or strapping a sheet of plywood to the top of a Miata, or take the F-150 out on some twisty roads and get sporty. Not so good.

So maybe the best bet is to carry both. mmmm...more is better.