5" vs. 4"

A 4" blade like the Bravo-1 or Fox River with sharpened edge all the way to the grip is what I prefer or a 5" if it has a choil like my Randall 25-5". When heading to the field I try to match the tool to the jobs I expect to be doing. Game prep and small wood under wrist size usually handled by the knives, 4" seems to give me the best control, anything wrist size and larger i'll bring a saw or hand axe. The tools get changed out depending on what I'am doing hunting, hiking or camping and how long I am staying out.
 
IMO, the ultimate size for utilty and EDC is 8 1/2" overall with a 4" blade. I like a 5 incher also but that is more confined to woods/field carry.
Scott
 
this summer i'll use a 4in MORA (7xx) and a bigger one like the kabar or my glock 78
for small things i prefer 4 or less, then bigger ones for chopping or haevier work

Maxx
 
Before my 'enlightenment', that time at which I discovered Bark River, etc knives and how to quickly empty my bank account, I thought the Buck 192 Vanguard was the ultimate woods knife, replacing my Buck 110. That had replaced my Dad's old WWII KaBar and my original Vic SAK, which had been my camping buddies for eons. I loved the 4" size - and that handle - quite safe when the mitts are damp.

Post 'enlightenment', I have gone down in size for most of my needs - a 3"-4" knife is all I need for my day hikes. Sure, gathering firewood, etc, may be easier at times with a blade over 4"... maybe that 119 is good for that afterall. Or... maybe - just maybe - I had it right to begin with for true camping... a decent pocketable knife and a KaBar... not that oldie, but a replacement. But then, what to do with all of the 'enlightenment'-era goodies? Why, keep them, of course - and succumb to the perceived need for a 5" blade - a new trek!

Stainz
 
sicily02 said:
Hi 3 woves, and everyone else I like the 5" blade over the four
inch for several reasons ONE I just like the longer lenght for
kitchen duties cutting up veggies I like my 5" blade over
my 4" blades for doing the same work big potatos,big onions,
and tomatos that 1" longer difference is just something I find
works for me.

TWO snap cuts are easyer to do that with a 5" blade on trail clearing.
I cut trees for my living and even though I carry a chainsaw there
are still times that I will cut smaller branchs out of my way with my
knife IF I do not have my saw going.

THREE splitting wood or battoning even if you are only going to split a 3"
round of wood I still like to have that extra inch of steel to hit with
the baton yes it can be done with a 4" knife and I have for years
done so but when it comes to personal prefernce I like the 5" over the 4" blade.

FOUR one more inch just gives you that little extra reach.
Now here is the kicker WHAT IF you for some reason had to
use one knife the to do it all from kitchen to camp to what ever
may come your way I think the 5" inch works better :p

Every bodies life experinces will dic tate what works for them.
I am now making my own knives and my personal every day
carry do it all in case I were to lose all my other sharp tools is
a 5" Blade orange handle knife that gets used from kitchen to
camp and every thing in between. Here is a few pics

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This is what I use to carry until I made up my dream knife because I did not
find a 5" blade that I like well enough to buy and I have tried a few as you will see.

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This is what I mean buy a few.

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Try both and see which on fits the bill as Nessmuk would say.

Hope this helps

Bryan
Click to expand...

Bryan, did'nt i tell you to stay out of my knife chest?:D Looks like my collection:eek: have to agree, trying is the best way to find what you're looking for in a knife size. Everyone is different due to hand size and shape, and matching up to a handle/blade balance is more important than what everyone else is carrying IMO

Now, about that little doggie in the window.....nice work, how much:thumbup:
 
1Tracker are you refering to the orange knife I call a pathfinder? They will be selling for around a $140.00 for knife and leather sheath. If you just want the knife $110.00 I just made another one today and am planning on
using 3 nickle silver tubing for the pins instead of just brass 1/8th pins they look a lot better that way I think. But I could make one up to your specs if you want. I just placed and order for some more steel and handle making stuff. In the next couple of days I am planning on making up some in 5160 steel just to try that out and compare the two steels.
Take care
Bryan

I can be reached a tacklebreeden@yahoo.com
or by phone at 402-300-0058

PS Sorry for getting into your knife chest. Really I am. LOL
 
Split the difference. For some strange, inexplicable reason, whenever I forge a smaller hunter from 1 x 1/4 stock, the hammer and anvil always seem to make it come out at around 4 1/2 inches with a finished thickness of around 3/16 at the ricasso. Maybe my tools know something....lol. The other alternative is both......add 4 and 5 together and come up with a 9 inch blade:D
 
ROCK6: That is one outstanding collection! I would very much like to hear your opinion of the Mad Dog, Fehrman and Crusader Forge pieces. :thumbup:
 
I EDC an RC3 and love it but camping I take a 5" & 7.5-10" as well . I usually have 2-3 fixed blades for different chores....
 
I like a 4" blade. Heck I even like the F1 and I think it's blade is 3 something right??

5" and over and for some reason it feels clumsy to me.

I think the specs Scott Gossman said is about my fave.
 
Buffalohump said:
ROCK6: That is one outstanding collection! I would very much like to hear your opinion of the Mad Dog, Fehrman and Crusader Forge pieces. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks Buffalohump;

I've had my Mad Dog PATAK for close to 10 years...I've sent it back once for a new sheath (cracked it on a bad landing from a jump when I was on Airborne status). This has been my duty EDC for the whole time to include several deployments and exercises. Kevin get has earned a love/hate reputation with many, but I can vouch for a great product that has served me well. It carries perfectly (on a rigger's belt under my ACU shirt) and is very comfortable with a really straight forward and function sheath design that isn't bulky. Stout blade, excellent edge retention and the hard-chrome has worked at keeping excessive rust away...even when I was in South America.

I really love the Fehrman Last Chance...it has a large handle to blade ratio, but feels great with really good balance. The wide blade and flat grind really lead to a keen edge. I've used it on a couple hunting trips, but lady-luck wasn't with me and I didn't get to try it out on skinning. It's a larger knife than it looks and is about maximium in that blade-size range that I would carry on the belt. It does very well at chopping for that blade-size and IMHO makes a great all-round outdoors knife. I usually pair it with a smaller neck-sized fixed blade such as Fallkniven's WM1 or Mora.

The Crusader (Oberland 02) was one I picked up at a discount. I like it, but don't care for the hollow grind on this one. The handle is unique and works well and the sheath is similar to Mad-Dogs in that it makes it a good "system".

Hope that helps,

ROCK6
 
It certainly does - thanks!

The sheath really makes a big difference when it comes to fixed blades.

I've heard good things about Mad Dog and Crusader sheaths. Not so much about the kydex that Fehrman offers. Looks functional enough.

Can I ask who made the knife on the extreme left of the top row?
 
I like 4" blades mostly. Just because of the ease of carry and controlability thing. 5" isn't too big IMO. Get bigger than that and its a big knife to me.
 
4" is about right for me. My Fox River does pretty much anything I want it to. But, just got Nick Allen's forum knife, it's 5" and handles just about as well as my Fox River. Very nimble, with a great handle, and good balance. Nice work, Nick!
 
I EDC a 3" blade folder so a 5" fixed blade would make more sense for me... With that said I've two 4" blade knives and they did well on my last camping trip.


I also had an axe and a machete however.


Overall I think the 5" blade looks better then a 4" blade.
 
I agree that you should try out a bunch to see what you like...

SwampRatHunters.jpg


SchradeHunters.jpg


Hunters.jpg


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AllArounders.jpg
 
As long as you have a good skill set, it isn't the size, it's how you use it that's important!! :D
 
I like both. However if I could only have one blade, I would opt for a five inch. I do most of my cutting with a SAY so the longer blade in most cases is not needed. I can do it all with the SAK and a good hatchet however for cutting meat and such, a 5-6 inch knife is a must. A thin slicer or boning knife works best for me.
 
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