BIG Folders

Steve Ryan model 1: 5 inch blade

I also have a Steve Ryan one of a kind with a 4 1/2 inch blade.


Both of these knives are in my EDC rotation, they aren't safe queens.
 
Not many outfits, aside from a Rukus, Cold Steel, Extrema Ratio some Spydercos [I think?] and the out of production Ontario Retribution 1 or Lone Wolf T3 you need to go the custom route, of which Crusader Forge is, well, semi-custom/custom anway, Dwaine Carrillo made some monsters [which are next to impossible to get].... I didn't know about the SOG 5 inchers, are they something new?

I'd say an overall length of 10"+ gets a folder into the big category as the Extrema Ratio MPC, LW T3, and Ontario Ret 1 all have less than 5" blades and are most definitely big knives.
 
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I can't believe no one mentioned....
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what I reach for when I want to go BIG.
 
yup, 4" is normal for my EDC.
 
Here's a review on one of my favorite large folders, it's a shame they discontinued it, the Cold Steel Twist-Lock.

Nearly a foot long when open, an 1/8" thick Carbon V blade and weighin' in at almost 4 oz, this is one light weight chopper slicer.

With a rolled/Moran edge this hunk of steel was a slicer and a heavy chopper outta the box.

The knife is a dark tactical styled version of an Opinel on steroids, the ring lock leaves no doubt about it's security and strength. The handle fills the biggest hand while still feelin' comfortable with the average mans paws wrapped around it.

I've had and used mine for the last 10 years or so with no regrets and I do still see them on ebay ocassionally sellin' for $25-$40

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picture courtesy of cutleryscience.com

Please read the linked review with a grain of salt:o I didn't realize that it came from Cliff Stamp's web page:foot: so take it for what it's worth but I do stand by my short review, it's a great knife for the money.

Here's a link with a review comparin' an Opinel to the Twist-Lock, hope it's helpful and imformative:Cold Steel TwisMaster Review
 
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I think 4inches is almost too big. I never carry anything over 3 1/2 inches and i've never needed anything bigger. Not bashing, but who needs a 5inch blade for cut boxes or peel an apple
 
A right not exercised is a right lost?
 
Benchmade LFK. Not a USA made benchmade, but i'll tell ya... I like it a lot better than my old Voyager as far as a folder. I use it hard, scrape, pry, cut down small branches. Even dug a hole for a bathroom with it.

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The biggest knife I carry is my Shane Sibert Diablo Pocket Rocket. Here are the specs. from Shane's site:
Titanium handle slab
thickness: .162
Frame Finish: Blue/gray anodized frame
Blade thickness: .160
4"cutting edge
9"opened length
5" closed length
Average weight 8oz
Dual thumb stud
Tip down carry

Here is MY PR:
ShaneSibertPR5copy.jpg

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mynameisgeorgel said:
I think 4inches is almost too big. I never carry anything over 3 1/2 inches and i've never needed anything bigger. Not bashing, but who needs a 5inch blade for cut boxes or peel an apple
Click to expand...

I agree. I carried a 3.9 inch Benchmade 710 for a long time, but realized I don't need or want a blade that size. My new Spyderco Paramilitary is absolutely perfect with a cutting edge just under three inches.

That's not to say I wouldn't carry a bigger knife if I liked it, but I'm happy with a smaller knife.
 
A Military or a ZT 0200/30x/500 qualifies as big for a carry folder, IMO. 4" is much larger than what most people will regularly carry. Of course, members here aren't average. :)

BIG? How about an Emerson Super Comander? I handled one of those the other day and it dwarfed my CQC-8. That is on hell of a monster to be pulling out of your jeans pocket.
 
Looking at the original post, I think of what we used to call megafolders, 5" blade or over. There is some leeway on that blade length but not much. A big handle or a .25" thick blade may excuse a 4.5" blade. I don't think he was asking what you were comfortable carrying. :)
 
Thanks.... Yes I was referring to what we used to call mega-folders 5+ inches. I consider a "normal" knife to be 3" - 4" and anything smaller to be a small knife. So from what I have seen poking around there are still some big folders out there. :D
 
I've used both of the Hossom Retribution's a ton but I take the bigger of the two (the 1) camping with me all the time and it's just one big sweet folder. Both of the knives are so over-built that I look for them to one day be passed down to one of my boys. I'm also a big fan of the BM Skirmish 630 and it's thin enough to carry in the front of your jeans with no problems.
 
i used to really like the big folders, & have had several, my all time favs are 2 customs, the pat crawford perfigo w/a 4.5" blade and a darrel ralph maxx stilletto w/a 5.5" blade, either of those knives carry in the pocket as well as any 4" blade folder ya would care to mention, they are both fairly thin and not too heavy, the cammilus maxx is also a good one and pretty darned similar to the ralph version in every respect, nowadays they arent a lot cheaper than the ralph version though, i would just choke up another $150 or so and get the ralph, but the cammilus is good too.

i used to carry a rekat sifu quite a bit but had too many lock issues and got rid of the 3 i had, they also carried pretty well for a big knife but ya just cant depend on the rolling locks with the longer blade of the siufu, the long blades seem to have more inertia and it just kills the locks on them even with no inertia opening, if ya want to ruin the lock on a sifu inertia open it 3 or 4 times, the little pin starts not engaging right and off to rekat they would go but nowadays there is no rekat so i wouldnt really use or carry one imho they are now more a collectors item than anything ya could actually use or edc.

about 6 yrs ago i stopped edc'ing the really big folders and now rarely go with anything over 4" or so, still big to some fols i would wager lol.
 
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