Best size knife for EDC. Your opinion

[Greykilt]

Specifically, what EDC task can a 4" blade do that a 2" blade can't?

Yeah, I figure it'd be food related. Anything else? Gut a deer?

There are hunting and skinning knives for that. Why use your EDC? Do you hunt deer in the course of a day? If you don't hunt deer everyday, why EVERYDAY carry a hunting knife?

Seriously?
This thread is a wonderful example of how passionate the responses to "What's the best...?" questions can get. One man's EDC which he swears by could appear ridiculous to another. The OP posted a pretty broad querie with little parameter. It appears that the thread focused on single blade folders in the 3" - 4" range. But there is so much more out there that many members consider the ideal EDC.
Did you notice Codgers 30 year Uncle Henry?
To some members the ideal length is well over 5" and a fixed is superior to a folder. Then again some would much rather carry an Espanada over a Trapper while others prefer a Stockman rather than a Griptilian.
For me it's a fixed blade 6 3/4" in a Spec Op under my left arm. I use this knife for all my daily chores, from sharpening pencils to peeling apples to fleshing elk hides. After 25 years I don't leave home without it.
But that doesn't detract anything from the fellow who's happiest with a Victorinox Champion in his pocket. It's the same question as Chocalate or Vannilla, Brunette or Redhead, Beagle or Setter? This is what I carry. Yours may be quite different.

 

[singularity35]

I would agree with this. The best size for EDC is the one that fits your uses.

blah blah blah....

There you are.

 

[Greykilt]

I thought that the length of your ideal EDC is inversely proportional to the length of your junk...:foot:

Indeed

 

[singularity35]

Indeed

Gem, isn't it?

 

[Greykilt]

I think so, Sir. Always liked these 'best of' type of threads. Guys get very serious (crazy) about thier choice of knives.

 

[singularity35]

I think so, Sir. Always liked these 'best of' type of threads. Guys get very serious (crazy) about thier choice of knives.

Agree. And people always come out of the woodwork to say "I know better than you what you need".

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

2 to 3 inch for me is plenty.

 

[A-Ro]

I approach this the same I do in choosing a certain caliber of gun for hunting...no need to use more than is necessary. So, for EDC...2-3" is optimal for me. Any more than that would just be overkill.

 

[Eero]

Best sized for my intended use is a 3-4" blade. 3.5 is max legal so I compromise with that.

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

I thought that the length of your ideal EDC is inversely proportional to the length of your junk...:foot:

Well I do sometimes find myself getting by with a sub 2" slipjoint.

 

[jmclfrsh]

I usually go 3.5-4 inches and two knives, like a Benchmade HK Nitrous Blitz and a Benchmade 710. First rides thin enough that you can still use the pocket it is in, and the 710 is big enough for heavier-duty chores.

Another combo is my Emerson CQC8 and a Spyderco Native5 or PM2, a third is a waved Matriarch2 and a Benchmade 470 Emissary. Always something small and something bigger.

 

[basetta70]

For me, as far as every knife is forbidden to carry here, I own a small 2,75/3 inches folder as Buck vantage pro or Strider PT or old vintage puma back lock.
I use them light for ECD in office and canteen.

 

[JDunn709]

Blade around 3.5-4.25 for me, but equally important is weight. Knives over ~6oz rarely make it into my pocket.

 

[Motivated]

For me the best sized edc is a around 8.5-9 inch over all knife just due to being comfortable to hold and use.