Blade Length for EDC

Your favourite blade length for EDC

  • Less than 2"

    Votes: 2 0.8%

  • 2"

    Votes: 1 0.4%

  • 2 1/2"

    Votes: 13 5.2%

  • 2 3/4"

    Votes: 19 7.5%

  • 3"

    Votes: 77 30.6%

  • 3 1/2"

    Votes: 77 30.6%

  • 3 3/4"

    Votes: 32 12.7%

  • 4"

    Votes: 28 11.1%

  • 4 1/2"

    Votes: 5 2.0%

  • Limit? we don't need no stinking limit...

    Votes: 24 9.5%
  • Total voters
    252
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Blade length: Seems to me that this depends on a few things.

One would be where and what: What are you doing EDC and where are you doing it? A boardroom exec might just want a high-end "gent's Knife". Something small, light that won't wear out the pocket of his high dollar designer suit but is made to order by craftsmen in some remote village in Italy with a radiation that goes back to the Remanence armorers of Milan.

Someone working in a less refined workplace (everyone else) might put more emphasis on task and purpose rather than prestige of ownership, though that is always nice. If I am an independent commercial fisherman, I might want a fixed blade belt knife that won't be a financial tragedy if broken, stolen or lost.

In years past (long past) I worked as a tree cutter for Davey Tree. Always climbing with a suspension harness and manually working at altitude, my knife then was a Buck 110 tucked way down in my jeans. Later in life, I worked in hospital and switched my EDC to a Leatherman Wave in a horizontal belt sheath.

If your every day job is a hunting guide in Montana, you might have a totally different need for knife type, blade profile and overall length.

Another thought: Here in Texas, we can openly carry about anything that cuts or shoots. Your locsl jurisdiction may be more restrictive. Be safe, be legal. Vote.
 
I dearly love the Darrel Ralph designed, semi-custom, Madd Max and its clone, the commercially licensed "Cuda Maxx" from Camillus.

But it has a 5 1/2-inch blade with a six-inch length folded and is nine inches in OAL when open. Way to big in every way. Plus, its an aggressive looking double edged stiletto-looking dagger that is illegal to carry or even own in many jurisdictions.

Looks cool, but not the knife I need for just walking around.
 
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3" is a good compromise for utility and legality. The Kershaw RJ Martin 3.0 is one of my favorites.
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Well, I got in my little 2 1/2" folder and decided it really wasn't the Goldie Locks I was hoping it would be :) I'm sure it is for others probably but just not for me.

SO, with that in mind I edited the POLL options for you folks, I made it now so you can CHOOSE MULTIPLE blade lengths AND you can also CHANGE your original selection if you so choose to do so...as I have from 2 1/2" to 2 3/4"

G2
 
3 to 3.5 is ideal for me. I’ve said it before but the small senenza just is the “perfect” edc if just need a cutting tool. Little small for self defense but that’s what guns are for anyways so. Lol. But this is America so I voted for no stinkin limit size :)
 
Depends on the traditional knife pattern, what I'm doing, and which of the two or more blades I'm using.
I don't know how long they are. Usually they're "long enough" for the task at hand, be it the primary or a shorter secondary blade.
 
I agree, there really is no Goldie Locks knife out there...yet...sure wish there was, at least my wife would be happier about that lol...the Ace Farley is ideal for me at the moment as is the Kizer micarta Gemini both are smaller blades and perform well.

my wife is actually pretty good, as she knows that I use my leather working money or I'll sell one knife to get another, so I don't use the 'house' funds for my uh...problem...;) but, I still get the occasional look...

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
I've always preferred shorter knives, anything in the range of 2 to 2.75 inches. Most of the time I really have no need for anything larger.

I also find that if I need to do any kind of detail work, usually something involving the tip of the blade, having the tip closer to the handle gives me much better control.

Mark
 
Personally, I'm more focused on handle length than blade length. For example, the PM2 has a 3.5" blade but a ridonculous, near-5" handle. That's about as big as I go as far as handle length, but I would happily carry a Shiro with 3.8" blade and a handle about same size as the PM2's. At the other end of the spectrum, the GM Ace Riv has a tiny, 2.5" blade, but with the forward choil I can get a full, four-finger grip, so I'm okay carrying it. Realistically, that's all the blade I need 90% of the time.
 
When I worked in an office, it was a 2 3/4" that worked just fine. Since moving to Utah, working from home and now retired, I've carried a Spyderco Military, 3 3/4" blade. Three reasons:

It was a gift
It has Orange scales - easy to find if dropped
I almost live in 5.11 Taclite pants and shorts. The right leg pocket is perfect for this knife.
 
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