Big vs Small

JK Knives

JK Knives

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In the last year I have noticed a distinct trend. I have been venturing into larger knives with 6" or longer blades, such as the Hudson Bay, Lobo, Camp Knife, Nexus, and Bowie. Meanwhile, most of my sales (80% or more), have been knives in the 4" blade length or shorter. Am I going in the wrong direction? Are smaller knives more popular because they are cheaper, or because they are more practical? Let`s hear your opinions.
 
I think it is really just the expense John. I know that I've liked your HB and camp knife andthe RUSK and the Knatchet, it's just that they cost alot more than the smaller blades I bought this year.

Also with alot of our woods time being limited, your small blades are something we can use every day, I don't think I could get away with taking an 8" AK to work with me. My neckmuk on the other hand.

I think that you should definitely keep innovating with the big blades, but also keep in mind that it's easier for us to budget/pay for the smaller blade.
 
I think that most consumers, especially in this down economy, have a mental line of what they will and won't pay for a knife.

For me it is $200 or less for a large knife. For an EDC it is $150 or less.

Additionally, I believe that people want the joy of a handmade knife with the lowest price point possible due to the down economy.

So how was one achieve that handmade knife joy in a down economy? They buy small fixed blade designs that they can afford.

IMHO this is why your smaller blades are selling so well.

As the economy picks up, and the weather warms up, and more people get outside, I bet you will see orders for larger blades pick up.

I don't think you're wasting your time designing large fixed blades as this simply adds to the already impressive menu of what is available. For those who want and can afford large blades they will buy what they want when they want and that's that. Having more blades on the menu is bound to increase your sales either way.
 
More practical for me. The only blades I own that ive never used are in the over 6" range.
 
For me it is not a question of what I like. It is what I am allowed to use. Any knife with a edged portion of the blade at or above 4" can only be used while hunting,fishing,or trapping.

So all these large knives are not what I am used to using while hiking,camping,and general woodsbumming. I make due quite well with sub 4" blades,and have no use for the larger models.
 
I think cmdionne hit the nail on the head. People are attracted to the idea of investing in a well-made custom knife, and they can purchase a smaller custom at a lower price point. On top of that, EDC fixed blades with everyday and wilderness applications are becoming more popular, and you offer some excellent models in this category.

Personally, I'm a big fan of your larger work, too. I keep recommending your HB and camp models to anyone who asks about choppers!

All the best,

- Mike
 
I just use the smaller knives more. I think that is the case for other people as well. I like both equally, heck maybe even big knives more. I try to be more of a "user" than a collector and that is why I buy smaller knives.

Price doesn't really come into play concerning big vs small knife(at least to me). John, you would be disappointed in how little I use my AK and Scout Jr. compared to my LDK and EWOK.
 
Mr. Sogetsu said:
I just use the smaller knives more. I think that is the case for other people as well. I like both equally, heck maybe even big knives more. I try to be more of a "user" than a collector and that is why I buy smaller knives.

Price doesn't really come into play concerning big vs small knife(at least to me). John, you would be disappointed in how little I use my AK and Scout Jr. compared to my LDK and EWOK.
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I second the above sentiments. Use is my primary factor when I purchase a knife. I will almost always buy a smaller knife before a larger knife regardless of the price. I love the Scout Jr. that I just received, but I know the EWOK will get used and carried at least ten times more. Something that I can slide in my front pocket for on or off duty is perfect for me.
 
'09 seemed like the year of larger knives for me too John.... and I'm typically not a big knife kind of guy. This past year a I got a couple big ones, larger than I have ever owned before. Very handy camp tool, not the easiest or sheeple friendly to carry everywhere on a hike, but great to have.

I tend to mostly use and carry the smaller blades just because they are easier to carry, don't get as many people looking at you like you are a serial killer if the see it, and I can carry a few small ones at one time.

On that note... I should have some scandi pics today!!!! Played with it last night.... :thumbup:

All in all I think it is a bit of both practicality and price with the larger blades. For me personally it is more on the practicality side.
 
I'd have to agree w/ most here- you tend to buy what your going to use most and for me that's a knife in the 2.5-4" range

of course a lower price on those smaller knives I'm sure doesn't hurt sales either :)
 
I guess when I look at it honestly, I love to look at large knives but I rarely use them. I use my EWOK and my Tin Knife as well as my Case CV trapper every day. I might use a large knife two or three times a year.
 
To me, I just don't use the large blades that much. I have plenty of big knives but there are justot much to do withthem. The weight makes them unpleasant for me to carry except in the truck or boat. My cooking knives are the same way, a head of cabbage is the largest thing that I ever cut so I don't need a 10 inch chefs knife.

I will buy a few more big knives just because now and then they catch my eye but I have all tne big knives that I really need. And then some.:confused:
 
The reason i went with a smaller knife was for legal reasons. 4" or less is law around here. My next knife will be 6 or 7" for a little more heft. I also find 4" a good all around size for EDC, woods work and carryability. My most used pocket knife has a 4" blade. But that's now put away for this knife!
 
These knife length laws are silly, all the knife fighters Ive picked up were slashed, never stabbed.

I just went through all my fixed blades, only one Ive never actually carried into the woods is a becker bowie, maybe I should change that today to see why so many guys like elephant stickers.
 
When I was in my teens, twenties and thirties, I liked big. Big was good. It had a great show off factor with the boys, big knives have good utility factor, and they seem to give a great sense of confidence to tackle any chore. However, as we have all gotten much older together and can speak in confidence (:thumbup:) we got to talking one day about how much we actually needed our larger knives. YES, we could find a lot of "chores" for them when no other tool would do (well, maybe no other tool...), but over a period of years, how much did we actually depend on them, and would something smaller and lighter do as well?

As I have gotten older, my knives get smaller and smaller. I got tired of "being prepared" for he great unknown that a really large knife was designed for. In all kinds of camping and hunting problems, emergencies, etc., over the years my large knives were never a deciding factor in my well being. A knife, yes. A big knife, no. A sharp knife... you bet.

My camp knife blades don't go above 5 inches, but my go-to knives are smaller than that. My regular hiking/camping knife is either my Tyrade, or my JYD II comp blade to give an idea of size. Both slip in the pocket, are easy to get a hold of for use, and hold a nasty sharp edge for a long time.

I don't hunt deer or pigs anymore, but those friends of mine that do still carry the 3 1/2" to 5" blades they have carried for 30 years. One of my acquintances that goes to Colorado to for his yearly hunts takes a large skinner for bigger deer and sheep. No knives with blades more than 6" though, even for them.

I place a lot more value on the physical design and the steel of knives now, as well as proper heat treat. And I appreciate a mean slicer a lot more than I do a big, heavy use knife. I haven't sold my bigger knives, though. I just don't buy them anymore.

I have seen how the big knife v. smaller knife threads go, so

DISCLAIMER for those that don't understand an opinion:

These are my opinions and observations based on my personal use. I encourage everyone to carry any knife they want, any size they want, any time they want.

Robert
 
Like most have said...with the economy like it is, most people are lookig for the most they can get for the least amount of money. As for me I have the LOBO & to me it's about the right size, not to big to carry & a very usable size :thumbup: I like my 4" blades to, I usually wear one for EDC when I'm just around the house or when I'm out in public or Fishing.
 
Hi Stomper -

I just don't have many fixed blades that are shorter than 4" or so.

I like a little larger knife in a fixed blade, and the smaller ones, unless it will be a kitchen knife, I prefer a folder.

I will likely order a lobo later in the year after I pay for the three I have on order now from you and a couple of folders that I have ordered just to see CPM M4 steel.

best regards-

mqqn
 
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