Blade Length for EDC

[91bravo]

For folders, I want close to a 4” blade.

 

[justjed]

I'm a fan of Jerry Fisk, tho I can't afford his work, and I don't work in an office, so a 4-1/2" White River Sendero Classic rides my belt every day. Always a folder in the pocket, usually a $35, 3.5 inch blade, but make and model vary, depending on anticipated usage, and mood. And most don't get used much, in comparison....

 

[Bob Denman]

Carrying a 3" blade is easier; but a 3.5" blade is more impressive.

 

[cbach8tw]

I am drawn to smaller fixed blades, so a 3 inch to 3.5 is the sweet spot range, folders l like 2.5 to 3, must be a capable blade.

 

[knarfeng]

For me optimal length is going to at least partly depend on the other factors of the design.
I'm interested in the shape of the blade, and the ergonomics of the handle. Blade steel comes later. There are lots of alloys which are quite suitable for my needs.
>> I want a blade which fits into tight spaces, so I can get the edge exactly on the spot where I want to cut.
>> I want a comfortable four finger grip and good ergonomics with no or minimal hot spots.
My normal sweet spot is just shy of 3", because I can find knives with a blade that length which still give me a full four finger grip. And normally that length blade will fit into tight spaces.

But there are exceptions.
Got an Endura with a 3.7" blade; and because it is a narrow blade, it doesn't get in the way of itself.
Got a Spyderco Cat with a 2.5" blade which gives me a four finger grip because of the choil.

So, USUALLY, I'm looking at a 3" blade for every day carry. But...

 

[The Grendels]

Being somewhat rural, but with nearby access to a city, my range of EDC blade size varies widely from 3-5" depending on where I'm going and what I'm doing.

 

[Railsplitter]

I chose 3” mainly because it works well for all of the cutting tasks that I generally encounter.

We also have a 3” carry limit here which I abide by but honestly, I doubt if law enforcement would bust a 61 year old man for carrying a longer blade. Fortunately, I don’t need to find out.

 

[elde66]

3 1/2 inch blades are about the largest I feel comfortable using in an office environment, so naturally, I chose that option. I also have many knives with smaller blades that also fill that particular role. On weekends however, there's not really a limit and I carry whatever I feel like that day.

This. My philosophy exactly.

 

[colin.p]

In my own little sheltered world, I find that I categorize blade lengths as per the following: small <3", medium 3-3.5", large >3.5". Because I'm retired, I usually carry a small or medium knife (especially in summer) and a larger one when the weather gets cooler.

My largest knife (not counting the 110) is a Barrage, but I rarely carry that as I find it too big and bulky. However, when I bought my full size Grip I thought it was too big also but now it has miraculously settled down to just about the perfect size.

 

[BuckShack]

The Buck 501 Squire and 301 Stockman (main blade) are 2 3/4. I carry one or the other every day so that's how I voted. They are great for work or cleaning fish. I wanted to vote 3 3/4 because I carry the Buck 110 Hunter when I'm not at work and actually use that more frequently especially in the kitchen. It's a good onion slicer!

 

[braillediver]

7 inches total= 3 inch blade + 4 inch handle.

 

[Bob Denman]

Or a 6" blade, and 1" handle?

 

[Corton93]

I voted for 3 inch. 5 years ago I was a large folder guy, usually carrying something with around a 4" blade. As I've gotten older I have found that, as a whole, ease and comfort of carry are becoming more important to me. I've also found that outside of abusive/improper tasks, a 3" folder will do 99% of the tasks that a 4" folder will, for me.

Most of the knives that get the most pocket time now a days are between 2.75 to 3.25. My TRM Neutron 2 and BM Mini freek usually get carried the most. Slimness in the pocket is a huge factor for me..

 

[DangerZone98]

Realistically, for EDC purposes, 2.5 to 3” will probably do, but I usually don’t like how they fit my medium sized mitts. Not a huge fan of the Spyderco Dragonfly.

This is why I usually carry 3.5 to 4” blades. Blade length isn’t the only consideration here. Ergonomics and handle length will also affect cutting performance. I would tell new knife guys (completely unsolicited advice) to always check the handle, not just the blade profile.

 

[gooeytek]

Right around 3.3" - 3.5", but I carry and use my Military quite often.

 

[Bob Denman]

It depends on what you're doing for the day, and who might be around you...

 

[Horsewright]

I EDC a samll fixed blade and have for decades. Right in there at 2.75", 6.5" oal.

 

[surlyman]

gotta be able to cut a sub sandwich

^^^
This. My cutting needs typically fall under the two categories of opening and breaking down boxes or food prep. 2.8-3.25 is about ideal for me. Shorter and I get apple juice in the pivot. Then I’m breaking it down and cleaning. Longer and the knife starts feeling cumbersome in my pocket.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Like others, I have tended to go larger more often than not but have started to downsize to a shorter blade for EDC.

While I do like the performance I get out of a 3.75" OTF or folder, the Mini Adamas really opened my eyes to what a shorter yet tough folder can handle.

These days, a 3.25" blade handles most things I need to cut.

 

[a1b2c3]

I voted 2.5” since I like how easy my Izula stainless in a Armatus horizontal sheath is to conceal. However typing this at work I’m wearing an ESEE 3 in a Armatus at 12:30 and another vertical in factory sheath at 8:30.