Carson Model 4 :Small,Med,or Large ?

fuzzyedge

fuzzyedge

Joined
Aug 3, 2002
Messages
410
I have a large Model 4 clip point, and hopefully soon to be proud owner of a small Model 4 Clip point. Just wanted to hear from other owners/previous owners on their favorite size Kit Carson? Favorite Materials ? Thanks.
 
It's not secret around here that I am a carson fan. I love the model 4. I also am partial to the Model 16 as well.

I prefer the medium size. I have pretty large hands, and the medium is about as small as I can go and still feel totally comfortable in hands.

I am also really partial to stellite. I currently have 4 of kit's folders in stellite. I had a medium m16 stellite that I bought from Will York. He e-mailed me later regretting the sale and asked if I would ever sell it back. I really liked that knife, as a medium m16 is about perfect for daily carry. I thought about all the knives I sold that I wish I had back, and decided to sell the knife to Will to give him the oppertunity to get one back.

Currntly, I carry the prototype of the c2o collaboration framelock. Mine was all hand made, including the used of an end mill on the grooves instead of CNC, by Kit. I picked it up last summer at Blade. It is one I will never part with. Stellite and ti makes it a great lightweight EDC.

If I had to buy another Carson, I would get a medium m16 in stellite and canvas micarta or m21 in same set up.

JR
 
JR is a DEFINATE Carson man! I havt to say that over the years I've owned at least a dozen model 4's. Sad to say I have NONE to show for it now :( :( .
But the large has always been my favorite. When you consider how well it rides in the pocket for a 4" bladed knife you can't help but love it. I was always enamored with the standard model of ti bolsters and frame, along with the black/green G-10. To me that is the ultimate model 4. I must admit to having a bolsterless model at one time and really did like it. In fact I believe I might have sold this one to Jeremy! If I could have one I would take a large with some of that .094" titanium liner material, D-2 blade steel, and the green/black G-10 handle material w/o a bolster. Oh yeah, it would have the clip point blade and high mounted pocket clip. :) :cool: :D
 
Jeremy-

This is a good opportunity to thank you again for agreeing to sell me back my medium Stellite M16. It's just the perfect size for carry when day-hiking or any other time I need a little larger folder than my small EDC M4--also in Stellite. That M16 blade length, at between 3.5 and 4 inches, is great for tasks such as food preparation, etc. and the beefed up construction over the small Carson models is rugged as they come. If it weren't for Carson folders, I would probably have gone to framelocks or lockbacks exclusively for my pocket carry needs. But after trying several top-end framelocks (during which time I sold my M16 to Jeremy), I decided none could ever equal the ergonomics of a Carson linerlock--and I found nothing to suggest that any framelock is significantly sturdier or more fail-safe than a Carson linerlock.

Hence, my delight with Carson folders--of any size. I've also owned large M4's and large M18's, and they're great knives--just a little bigger and heavier in the pocket than I've ever found need for in a folder, since I have that medium M16. In short, I have to agree with Jeremy all the way around.

Will
 
Any M4 suits my fancy.

My preference is towards the medium, but I have several small's that are exceptional. I typically steer clear of small knives, yet da Carson guy's small M4, IMHO, isn't in the same catagory as the other small's on the market. It's called a "small", but it's really isn't a "small" . .if that makes sense. :D
 
Art, that was I that bought the large m4. I carried it a couple of times, but never could stop carrying the stellite ones. Because it wasn't being carried, I gave it to a friend. He had wanted a Carson for a long time. His wife went through some health problems and all the money he had saved went to her. So, I saw an oppertunity to give that knife to someone who would actually use it like it needed to be used.

Will, there's no need to thank me. I saw the oppertunity to give you the chance to get back a knife that obviously meant a lot to you. I'm sure there will be a time in my life that I would kill for that oppertunity. And trust me, there are not many people I would have sold that knife to :) You a good guy, Will. I knew you wanted that knife back to carry and use and I got plenty of others to carry.

My earlier post made it sound like I don't like the m4 as much as the m16. The m4 is my favorite all time tactical/utility folder design. I have 3 of them right now. If I had to buy another, I would like a 2nd m16 to go with my large. The medium m16 is still a really nice carry. It definately handles like a larger knife then it really is. I kind of hope the next c2o collab is a framelock medium m16 flipper. That would be really sweet.

JR
 
I have one Carson, the large M4. I am the one that got the knife from Jeremy. Yeah, my wife had some problems a few years ago, and I am happy to say that all turned out perfect :D

Anyways, this M4 is my favorite, and would be my favorite Carson no matter what for a number of reasons. Of course the quality of the knife, and the fact that I have grown so comfortable carrying it everyday and using it. I have not had to take it to a stone yet, just steel it on an old Henckels steel from time to time.

There is also something about pulling out a knife, and knowing each time that somebody was generous enough to have given it as a gift the way Jeremy gave it to me. A Carson is not an easy thing to come across, yet Jeremy remembered how much I wanted one, and gave me a mint condition M4 from his prized collection. His only stipulation was that I use it, enjoy it and pass it to my son when he is ready...pretty darn special if you ask me.
 
What a great story. That is a true friend (knife saint ?). I really like my large 4 clip point,but I fell in love with the small that came today, beats the hell out of a WH or Small benza, I've had both. I guess it might have something to do with the thick stag and damascus blade and bolsters on the small 4 that really lit me up. I just hope I get to keep it. Still waiting approval on the other end of a trade. Everyone please pray for me. fuzzy
 
I have 9 model 4's, 2 large, 1 small, and 6 mediums. Ok, I only have 8 of them here but Kit sent me pics the other day of my new mdeium stag handled 4 and it's almost done.:D I find the medium is the best size for daily carry for me. Big enough to do whatever needs to be done, yet not too big so as to be in the way in my pocket or alarm the sheeple.
On a cool note, the jig bone handled medium 4 I have carried daily for the last 3 years is at Blade magazine right now for pictures because they wanted pics of one that was scratched up for an article about user knives.

JR, I've said it before but that was a very cool thing to do.

Richard, that is exactly why I collect knives made by friends now. Everytime I use them it reminds me of friends and good times. I know you will treasure that knife always. I have one of the Spyderco D'Allara's with the steel from WTC that my friend Jbravo gave me. The knife was named after my friend and former lifting partner P.O. John D'Allara who died 9/11/01 so that knife makes me think of 2 friends.
 
You guys are lucky to have a Carson. I have wanted a small or medium (but prefer the small) model 4 with thumbramp, bolsters and two tone G10 for several years now. To me, that is one of the greatest tactical folders ever made and I have vowed to own one eventually. I got the TNT I wanted last year and so maybe this year I'll find the Carson.....
 
Peter, you have to talk to Tess Carson, tell her I sent you:D

I'm sure you'll get one. I have pics that Kit sent me from the 80's(instead of a brochure he sent pics) but I didnt get my first one till about 4 years ago.
 
I've got several Carsons- Med. M-4, Small M-4, Four C20's, Large M-16, Small M-16, Small M-21, LDC-8, Large M-18, BAK, and M-18 Flipper

My favorite carry piece is a Med. M-4, luckily the C2O's are essentially Med 4 framelocks. My favorite is has a drop point Stellite blade, bolsters and OD micarta handle scales. My fav C20 would be a classic clip point in 6K.

I think my favorite overall Carson is the M-18. I love the beefy handle and BIG blade. Mine has a stonewashed S30V blade w/ top swedge, Ti bolsters and green micarta scales. Just the cat's pajamas!

Get a Med. 4, you won't be dissapointed.
 
I have 5 Carson's all of which are safe queens. M4GT, M16, M21, E&E, and a C2O Coloured Ti and Damascus, with matching ring. Love em all and carry something I don't mind beatin on. Can't tell ya or I'd have to kill ya. :D
 
Small 4 with a clip point. Carry and use every day, just the right size for me. I love this knife and have tried to carry others since I got it but I just cann't leave home without it. Damn that Carson he wrecked my knife buying.
 
I'm really glad to heat that Wire Edge's favorite is the 18, I thought I was gonna have to put out a contract on him:D This'll work out fine, 4's for me, 18's for him.

K7, that's it, no more senior citizen discounts for you.
 
Well if Roger is gonna take the 18s and Dave is taking the 4s, I better hurry up and corner the market on one of Kit's models!

I guess I'lk take the flippers and m16s ;) I only have one 16 in my collection right now, have let a few others slip through my hands and on to new owners. The m4 is my all time favorite design, but that m16 sure is sexy and carries well. If I can't have the 4 or 18, I'll take all the 16s!

JR
 
Well ,the big fella can't have them all. :p I have two 4's and a 16.I like the medium 4 for pocket carry and the large works great for at work sheath carry but I don't think you could ever have too many of Kit's knives.

spelling like a hillbilly
 
HA! You guys are too funny. Any way you slice it (pun intended), all Carson's are great. You really can't go wrong with any model you choose. That's the bottom line in my opinion.
 
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