Biggest knife... What's your personal limit?

EDC for folder and fixed: 5.5". State law in Texas, wish there wasn't a limit.

Currently EDC a large Espada
 
This is a timely topic for me, and I am grateful for the discussion. A combination of retiring from LEO-ing, aging eyes, and dealing with assorted injuries and ailments in my hands, arms, and shoulders, has me exploring stout fixed blades, as handguns become become less of a priority. Part of this adjustment is that I am probably going to gravitate to lefty carry for the handgun. My primary weapon had been carried at 0300 for 34 years, on and off the clock, but that spot has now been occupied, for three weeks, by an RMJ Tactical Raider Dagger, with a blade just under 5.5”. The standard RMJ Tactical sheath rides a bit low, which makes access, and the draw stroke, easier for my gimpy right shoulder and wrist. A longer blade would require a longer scabbard, which would complicate sitting while wearing the rig.

A nice plus of this RMJ Raider’s blade being just under 5.5” is that it is just short of being a “location-restricted” knife, in Texas. (There is a list of places, specified in Chapter 46 of the Penal Code, where blade lengths over 5.5” are restricted. The number of sharpened edges is no longer a factor; daggers are now legal for carry in Texas.)

I continue to explore other fixed-blade options, including some full-sized Bowies, but it remains to be seen whether they become daily carry, or remain situational-carry.
 
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This. As a camp knife.
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Im in a big knife phase right now, Im digging around a 4 inch blade for folders. Dont carry fixed blades ironically even though I make them, unless Im carrying a customers knife for a little testing.
Anything over 4 inches just seems unwieldy to me. I used to carry only a case peanut, and never felt I needed a bigger blade. But lately I have been needing a larger stronger knife.
 
buffalo01 said:
Im in a big knife phase right now, Im digging around a 4 inch blade for folders. Don't carry fixed blades ironically even though I make them, unless I'm carrying a customers knife for a little testing.
Anything over 4 inches just seems unwieldy to me. I used to carry only a case peanut, and never felt I needed a bigger blade. But lately I have been needing a larger stronger knife.
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That is the thing with hobbies and knives in particular. Our interests change over time; one knife, two knives, slippie, AO, flipper... bigger, smaller, heavier, lighter, folding, fixed... Knives are a hobby of mine which is how I justify buying "big" fixed blades as I have few uses for one that a 4" > 5" can't handle. I really don't need justification, only "want" for the most part.
 
My preferred size limit for modern folders is 4 3/4" closed, with a blade length of somewhere around 3 1/2"
For traditional folders, the medium stockman or regular Barlow size seems ideal.
I like my fixed blade edc knives to be about 7" overall. For woodcraft/outdoor use, it's anywhere from 9" overall length to a machete, or whatever it takes.
 
6" blade, unless I have some business that requires longer. Also I've become a huge fan of stud button or leather Gaucho style sheaths.
 
I carry a cross-draw belt-knife fixed, ~3.0-3.5" blade (I have three) and a folder. Wasn't using my clipped folder much at all, Wilson/CRK Starbenza, so I sold it. Figured it's time to just enjoy a couple out of "my box" so I'm now carrying a clipped Spyderco 2015 Forum Knife, in S90V and I love it. I'm getting a bit older, and these beauties in my safe aren't worth a damn sitting in there. BTW, I have a five-ounce limit so I don't strain myself..., contrasted with CM and his fifty-pound limit...
 
Alsharif said:
EDC for folder and fixed: 5.5". State law in Texas, wish there wasn't a limit.

Currently EDC a large Espada
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You must have been asleep. :D As of 01 September 2017, Texas became a no limits state for general every day knife carry.

EXCEPT for people under 18 years old. A minor, i.e., under 18, is NOT allowed to carry a knife with a blade greater than 5-1/2" long except on property owned by or under the control of their parent/guardian. See Sec. 46.02. (a-4) UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS.

There is still a 5-1/2" limit with respect to "restricted location carry". That just means you can't carry a knife with a blade longer than 5-1/2" the same places that you can't carry a concealed handgun. See Texas Penal Code Sec. 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED for a list of the restricted locations.
 
Less than 9 for folders and maybe 13 or so for a fixed blade. Even that might be pushing it, as i carry a Bark River Bravo 1 right now and it seems to be a pretty good size.
 
BTGuy said:
I figure you mean carrying around with you day to day. Normally no larger than 3.5" - 4" blade for folders and 5" - 6" blade for fixed blades. Don't have much need to carry fixed blades during a regular day though. Sometimes use a 12"+ machete when out in the bush, but that's not that often.

Nice Gemini!
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That's close to what I do. Three inch, maybe 3.5 for EDC folder and the rare times I carry fixed, it's 4.5 to 5 inches.
 
South of the Rio Grande a Mexican charro almost always has a machete/sword looking blade attached with leather sheath to his saddle.I normally carry a fixed that's seven inches or less.
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If I have on loose work pants, which I do 95% of the time, I think nothing of carrying a 6.5" folder. But if I'm wearing dressier jeans, then a 4" folder seems to be the limit for comfort. Also note that a more slender folder is easier to carry than something overbuilt like a Medford - leaves more room in the hotel ballroom.

Fixed blade: I'm currently enamored with the Lum Darn Dao from Spyderco, and carry that around my property - 11". The rare times I go into town or the cancer center I don't carry fixed, and pretty much limit myself to one smaller folder.
 
Higgs Particle steel said:
I dig the new sheaths Bark River put out for their Cub which fits the Bravo 1.25. Id love to get one like that for the Bravo 1 which is one of my top favorite knives Ive played around with the idea of getting a custom made scout sheath.
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I really dig it so far. Its my first higher end fixed blade and its just super cool.
 
I have a benchmade 610 on the way and that's about as big a folder as I would carry.. right around 4 inches maybe a shade over is my max blade preference..
 
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