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Blade Length Survey

JK Knives

JK Knives

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Joined
Mar 6, 2001
Messages
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I was just wondering what fixed blade length is your most used when out and about? I plan on doing a run on Kepharts, and instead of offering only the standard 4" length, was looking to see what you guys might want. I`m talking about the full size handle model, not the Mini or Pocket version.

John
 
For my needs a 4 1/2" or 5" blade is plenty. For an everyday "only one" knife I think a 4 to 5 inch blade is all you need. Once you go over 5" you start to get into that range where it is too long for tip control and too short to chop.

So I'd say 4 1/2".
 
I mostly use my knives for hunting and general farm/ranch use and have found 4-4.5" to be just about perfect for me. Anything over 5.5" tends to be a bit unwieldy when doing finer tasks such as skinning and field dressing.
 
So far I`ve done them in 3"
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4"
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and 5"
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with a 7" soon to come.
 
4.5" is tops. Less than 4" (which I still love and have many blades in sub-4" lengths) and you start to sacrifice some utility. More than 5" and you start to get useless/cumbersome. It will lack the heft and length to really chop well, and you'll sacrifice ease of use and ease of fine work.
 
My most used blades are about 4"

Can't legally carry anything bigger in CT anyhow.
 
I think about 4 to 4.5 is about right for me. Not too big not too little.
 
I think the Kephart should stay right at 4 or 5. J's new Scout model can be the bigger one if somebody wants a larger knife.

For a "one knife" situation I like something in the 4 or 5 range.
 
5" to 5.5" is pretty much the max for anything I will carry regularly. But agree with wackafew that a 4" to 4.5" is pretty ideal for most things. I can't wait to see a pic of that 7" Kephart.
My neck of the woods is saturated with sheeple, so my pocket kephart is ideal when I'm out and about. Small enough not to stand out and just big enough to be very useful.

I like the thought of a 2.5" Kephart. I think that is an outstanding idea, maybe in the neighborhood of a 3.5" handle on it.
 
C Bryant said:
5" to 5.5" is pretty much the max for anything I will carry regularly. But agree with wackafew that a 4" to 4.5" is pretty ideal for most things. I can't wait to see a pic of that 7" Kephart.
My neck of the woods is saturated with sheeple, so my pocket kephart is ideal when I'm out and about. Small enough not to stand out and just big enough to be very useful.

I like the thought of a 2.5" Kephart. I think that is an outstanding idea, maybe in the neighborhood of a 3.5" handle on it.
Click to expand...

You must be talking about the "one and only" Pocket Kephart! I think I will draw out a 2 1/2" with a 3 1/2" handle, see how it looks.

John
 
Well, personally I like knives in pretty much every length (I know that doesn't help) but here is my queer little view point of the world:

One Knife - EDC
-I like a little fixed blade, 2.5-3.5" for pocket carry. I like something in a thin profile.

One knife - bush
-I like a 4"-5" knife best. If pressed on one knife, I will lean towards 5". It is just very handy and versatile. However, I don't mind a 4" if it has a stoutish blade (e.g. 3/16") and prefer a bit thinner on the 5" blade (1/8") for lightness.
-Looking at your two blades Stomper in this category, I prefer the visuals of the 5". That says nothing of course for how it actually feels - but I like that knife of yours very much.

Two knife combo
-I like a 2.5-3.5" small knife and a 6-7" large knife with the combo minimizing the overlap. On the small knife, I like it to be thin and optimized for cutting. A durable tip is important because the tip work is going to be done with the small knife. I know the last two features are somewhat exclusive of each other, but I definitely do not want a thin cutter with a delicate tip. The larger knife I really like to be on the lighter side (1/8 or 3/16" thickness) for optimized carry and wider 1.5-2" blade width. The greater width imparts stiffness to a thinner stock of metal and also really helps with food prep.
 
ilbruche said:
For my needs a 4 1/2" or 5" blade is plenty. For an everyday "only one" knife I think a 4 to 5 inch blade is all you need. Once you go over 5" you start to get into that range where it is too long for tip control and too short to chop.
Click to expand...

+1 4 1/2 to 5 for me
 
4" Blade 4.25" Handle
 
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