"Big" Folders- what do you use them for?

Shorttime

Shorttime

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Oct 16, 2011
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Like any kid who doesn't know better, I started out buying big shiny knives.

But, as my experience and tastes grew and changed, I started buying smaller knives, until I discovered that 2.5" to 3" was all I really needed.

I know that lots of people carry folders with longer blades.

So I'm curious what you use them for.

Thanks!
 
Larger folders = longer blades = more cutting surface. That can mean a longer time between sharpening, a longer handle for a better grip, and often thicker blade stock for additional sturdiness. I've found I'm much more likely to hard use my 0550 and Gayle Bradley than I ever wanted to with my 110v Native. It's a confidence in materials and comfort thing for me. I like to have a secure grip and complete confidence in the knife.
 
I just bought a Spyderco TUFF for a son-in-law deer hunter. This should handle some of his needs in the woods. Of course, it's not much of a skinner/caper. Love that CPM-3V steel. This is basically a "folding" FIXED Blade, by design.
sonnydaze
 
I've never wanted a big folder. Now I am considering one for a traveling kitchen knife. That extra length makes a big difference in food prep.
 
dogstar said:
I've never wanted a big folder. Now I am considering one for a traveling kitchen knife. That extra length makes a big difference in food prep.
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Manix 2 XL. Large, secure, comfy flat-ground folder with good steel. Looks like a kitchen knife, works like a kitchen knife.
 
I have used an Endura for gutting and skinning a deer before when I forgot my fixed blade at camp. When I hunt I keep a larger folder as my backup blade. Granted the Endura isn't a large folder by most people's standards but I almost never carry a folder much larger than 3" for EDC.
 
It depends on how you define "big". If big means something like a Benchmade 710 or Spyderco Gayle Bradley, then that's about the right size to get a good grip. But I don't really consider those knives "big". To me, big means goofy big, like a Cold Steel Voyager XL or Recon 1 XL. Most guys buy those just because they are fun. They have their own flavor of utility too, like if you are chopping vegetation or defending yourself from a mastodon attack, but mostly I think we like those goofy big knives because they are fun to play with and to collect.

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Cold Steel large Espada. Most guys don't "need" a folder that's over a foot long, but they sure are fun.
 
It depends in what you think of as big. 4 in is onto me as a larger tactical folder but figure it as normal. I do not mind customs that go up to 5 inch but then that is getting fairly big and weighty. There is a cool factor and a bigger knife can always do what a smaller knife can except for a few precise tasks. They are better for defense and have more cutting surface. I find small knives to be cool too.
 
Comeuppance said:
Manix 2 XL. Large, secure, comfy flat-ground folder with good steel. Looks like a kitchen knife, works like a kitchen knife.
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What have u used it for in the kitchen? I tried slicing onions with mine one time and it wasn't good.

But I do like longer blades for kitchen use, or BBQs at friends houses who either don't have knives or don't sharpen them.

And finally, if I ever need to use it to defend myself or someone against any wild animal attacking (humans included) I rather have more than less.
 
I'm in construction so I use my bigger knives at work. I rotate a Kershaw Tremor, a Rat 1, a Junkyard Dog Combo, and a couple of others that I keep clipped to my pocket.

They are great for a ton of cutting chores that I don't want to use my small folder on for fear of overmatching the tool to the task. I can use my large knives for bigger jobs more comfortably and more safely than my saller knives for certain tasks. They are easier to hold onto when wet with sweat and I can deploy and use them easily with gloves on.

Robert
 
I always just thought carrying larger knives would get me chicks. Women always say "size matters" so I get the bigest knives I can. They are taking about knives right?
 
simioh said:
What have u used it for in the kitchen? I tried slicing onions with mine one time and it wasn't good.
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Vegetables, meat prep, etc. It's not a kitchen knife by design, nor is it made for chopping, but it serves well in a pinch. I used mine pretty frequently at restaurants that had dull knives.

jstn said:
I always just thought carrying larger knives would get me chicks. Women always say "size matters" so I get the bigest knives I can. They are taking about knives right?
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Well, whip either out unexpectedly on a date and they're either going to scream or you'll have a very interesting night.
 
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