A Question of Size ?

C

Clay Kesting

Joined
Oct 10, 1998
Messages
648
My normal carry for work is my Wegner Jr. but today, for a change, I slipped the Viele into my jeans pocket. After sharpening a few pencils in drawing clases, opening a parcel and peeling my lunchtime orange it dawned on me that this was really the ideal sized knife for my me. The Wegner always feels a little small but the handle of the Viele fills my hand comfortably and the blade is big enough to be useful without scaring my students (I have had the odd junior kid let out a gasp the first time I flick my knife open
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).

My question is, why aren't there more knives in this size range? Most large knives seem to have blades in the 31/2" to 4" range, while their smaller versions are sub 3", but there are few knives in between with, say, a 31/4" blade and a 41/4" handle. Am I the only one or are there others who would like a greater choice of mid-sized knives?

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Take care,
Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.

 
I agree with Clay, for me the perfect size would be a 3 - 3 1/4 in. blade, 4 - 4 1/4 in. handle. It just seems one size or the other is either too large or too small.

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Johnny
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Try any one of the Native incarnations. 3 & 1/8 inch blade, 3 & 7/8 inch handle, or 4 & 1/4 inch handle if you include the finger "choil" <?> on the blade. About 2 & 1/2 inch of cutting edge.

Available now as the BladeForums Native, from the BladeForums Store. But, I don't think you should order one. ;-) Need to leave some around for me to order when I get enough money saved.
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Work hard, play hard, live long.
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
Woo-hoo! Me too OD. I'm trying to put enough away to get another BladeForums Native.

It's funny that my hand really likes the BladeForums Native, but most folders with handles this small are too small for my hand. I generally prefer folders with 5 inch or better handles.
 
OD, I'm looking forward to trying the BF Native when I finally get it. I ordered a sheath as well and even when they ship I'll have the extra wait (and worry) while the package finds its way "downunder"
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.

One thing that got me thinking about this was my already well documented obsession with the Lum Chinese folder. I had thought the largest of the prototypes would be most useful, but I'm swinging towards the middle one, especially if it has the same dimensions as the custom version, a 3 1/8" blade and a 4 3/8" handle. What do others think?

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Take care,
Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.

 
Bob, I know that for me it is the finger choil that does the trick (as far as handle size). And, it makes choking up on the blade for fine tasks a real breeze. The Native is the one knife design I have seen that I would like to get every incarnation of it, eventually. A true collection. Plus, several of the BF Natives. Alas, I don't have enough money for that, though. Yet!
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Work hard, play hard, live long.
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
Clay - It is more than likely a matter of local knife law, silly as it sounds. Another reason is getting too much negative attention when opening the knife where others can see it.

Most legal length requirements are satisfied by a 3" blade. If 3" is the limit, over 3" becomes a legal problem.

Most people are not intimidated by a knife with a blade length of 3" or less.

At least that is the reason that most Spyderco folders are under 3" in "total" blade length.

My personal preference is 3.5 - 4" (cutting edge), but I must pay attention to where I'm going and what I will be doing when selecting the "Knife of the day".
sal
 
Clay,
If you think there aren't enough folders with 3 1/4" blades, trying finding something satisfying with a 2 1/2" blade (the limit set by the US Code for carry in a federal facility).

Dave
 
I am never without my Victorinox Adventurer SAK. It has a locking 3.25" blade and all of my most frequently needed tools. I've never had trouble with airport security. It doesn't claim to be tactical, but the size is just perfect for my utility purposes.
 
Sal is correct.The ideal length for a folder is 3.5 to 4".More is uncomfortable to wear.Less is too little.

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dsvirsky

Where is this 2 1/2" limit in a federal facility written? How did you learn this?

I am not doubting this but I work at a NASA site and many of us carry knives including my supervisors. All I would think may be over that limit. Once I asked my supervisor if he knew of a limit and did not.
 
I agree Clay the Viele is about perfect carry size.It also offers alot of blade in relation to handle length.The only problem with mine is I bought the fully serrated version.Does anyone want to trade their plain blade for a serrated?
 
Beam,
It's in 18 USC Sec. 930. I learned about it browsing someone's web page discussion of knife laws. Being the sort who likes to know for sure, I then looked it up using the House of Representatives Internet Law Library (http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm).

Dave
 
Sal,

Thanks for your reply (by the look of all your posts, you have been very busy today). Your answer is much as I expected. The <3" law makes no difference to me as I'm not supposed to carry any knife (without a lawful excuse
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) but I think a 3.5" or 4" blade might be stretching the friendship (of my head teacher). OTOH the Viele does not attract anymore attention than the Wegner Jr but is a more useful size.

BTW have you decided on the size of the Chinese Folder (and scale material).

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Take care,
Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.

 
Clay - Yes, it was a busy day. Gail and I had to drive out to the east coast and back. long trip, left me way behind. I guess if I'm gonna do it, I ought to try to do it right.

We've decided on the middle size Chinese folder for the first model (3-1/8" / 80mm blade).
sal

 
dsvirsky

Thanks for the info. I went to the site did a search on "knife" and found it. The only knife I have that meets that is the BM 330. I guess I'll be carry that for a while. Its been my airplane knife. The only knife that Spyderco makes that I can think of is the Michael Walker. Not counting their small knives like Dragonflys, Crickets and such which are sub 2". It seems like 2 1/2" would be a good in between size. How about it Sal?
 
Sal,

I know I'm not the only one here who thinks you've been "doing it right" all along, not only on the forum, but also with those funny looking knives with the hole
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.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing the Chinese Folder reach production. I like the idea of a 3 1/8" blade, it will be most suitable for my daily carry. Could you keep us informed as the project progresses? Little titbits of information like lock type, scale material etc. will keep me in a constant state of anticipation
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.

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Take care,
Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.

 
Beam

Michael Walker or Q. Currently I carry a Q, and I just ordered an Almite [aluminum] Michael Walker from Ironstone.

Dave
 
Well guys I work in a Federal building in D.C. and as I posted a couple of months ago, my Dragonfly was confiscated for the day by one of our over zealous rent-a-cops. It gets worse. Last week they nabbed my SAK minichamp which is the same size as a Classic! I'm going to get a copy of the statute and be ready for the next Barney Fife with an attitude!

phantom4

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who dares, wins


 
Just read 18 USC Sec. 930. The way I read it, unless a knife has a blade of less than 2 1/2 inches, it is considered a dangerous weapon in this statute. Hope the security guards know how to measure blade length.
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