Converting to small knives?

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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I see a lot of guys liking the Izula here and was wondering if any of you are being converted into small knife guys? It seems the more knives I buy the more they tend to get shorter and thinner. I'm getting to the point where an EDC like the Izula or the RC3 would be my main woods knife. In fact a 3/32" by 3" might end up being pretty ideal for me given the correct geometry.

To be clear, when I go into the woods I'll generally carry a hatchet or hawk if the weather looks iffy or it's on the fringe seasons, late fall/early spring. So the main job of my knife is slicing and wood carving, not chopping.
 
My Izula goes into my pocket most days for work and everyday stuff. It's not too big to whip out in a store or restarunt and it can handle most cutting chores.

If I know I'm spending some time in the woods, it's a RC-3 or RC-4, depending on my mood. And that's backing up a machete or large chopper for the most part.

My RC-5 or RC-6 are mostly used for fire prep or camping. The RC-6 also normally goes hunting with me because if I need to dispatch a wounded animal or clear a shooting lane or make up a drag rack I like to have a big knife and don't like the weight of a machete or hatchet to lug around.
 
I generally go smaller. I find I don't use much more than a 3-4" knife, and can get by with less. I've spent many a day with just a 3.5" knife and never felt 'underknifed'. Sometimes I add a folding saw in colder weather.

Now, I'm talking about northern deciduous forest. If I'm in Africa or SA, it'd be a machete + small knife.

For bowhunting I like to keep a bigger knife with me for finishing the job, but I've never had to use one.

Remember the Ice Man? Otzi? I think he had a 1.5" stone knife with him. In addition to his little axe. If that dude could get by with a 1.5" knife, I figure I don't really need more than 3".

Still, my most recent knife purchases have been 5.5" and 6.5" blades.
 
I've always leaned toward smaller knives. Just recently tried out a ten inch blade, and am now all up in the air on a good carry combo. Thnking 3 and ten
 
right tool for the right job.... izula is small , small enough to legaly carry... it works , its a great little slicer.... love the rc3... go little well rounded blade...

but neather of em do the job of my 10 inch dog father ... and for that matter my dog father doesnt take the place of a good machette...

i keep an izula pared with the rc5 .... shes a good slicer , the rc5 i feel lacks a bit in the slicing area , they seam to work well togeather....

for edc , i carry a folder , if i edc and i dont have to be in public i use a 5 inch... blade i have... i like it so i use it... i posted a pic from the exchange of a SoD with an izula rider in a sheath... but generaly a small light knife is what i need so i carry that....

so figure out your needs .... and pick the appropriate tool....
 
The thing I like about the Izula is that its built like a tank, can handle anything for that size blade and doesnt freak people out when you whip it out. :)

Most people "normal people" freak over fixed blades but the izula is small enough to not illicit an odd reaction.

Here in most of Ga we can carry anything under 3 inches as concealed. Unfortunately I work in Atl which has a 2 inch law ... So the Izula rarely goes to work.

All that said, I sure love my RC 4 for field work. And cant wait to get my hands on the Forum Knife which I reckon will be about like an RC 3.
 
my fav knife for carry right now is eather my s5 or my HEST.... if you want a step between the izula and rc 3 check out the hest i was impressed... and its just a handy tool....
 
Shotgun said:
I see a lot of guys liking the Izula here and was wondering if any of you are being converted into small knife guys?
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comes in small packages!
 
I love my Izula... I can't really see myself needing a larger knife. If there's any chopping to do, i'll have a hawk or small axe.
 
The Izula has been my EDC for about 6 months. Usually when I switch back to a folder temporarily, its a bigger blade. I usually like bigger blades, But the Izula has been doing everything I've needed it to do for the past 6 months.
 
I will never be converted from a chopper to a small knife guy. I like all things sharp, just the little ones are easier to EDC and carry than the big guys.
 
TheGame said:
I will never be converted from a chopper to a small knife guy. I like all things sharp, just the little ones are easier to EDC and carry than the big guys.
Click to expand...

Yup if it was legal for me to carry a 4" blade I would carry one all the time. Even if it was a folder. :eek: I think that is a good size 4-5" knife blade
 
I have my new HEST on me at all times. So far its opened more beer and mail than anything but its such an awesome tool to have on you. I think it will most likely be in my pocket for the rest of my life. That said when I sling on the pack the RC-5 and 5 inch Koyote are 2 hundredths of a second away.
 
Ever since my Izula has arrived it has been with me at all times. It's an awesome for EDC and I love it. An Izula + multitool has me covered for the most part. But I will admit to carrying my RC-4 quite a bit as well; even though I hardly ever use it because I am a little hesitant to pull it out in public.

May have to give thought to purchasing a HEST though...
 
I use to carry larger blades 99% of the time, but I have found I can do what I need to do with a Izula or my Gossman PSK most of the time. I prefer my RC-3 for a LOT of cutting, but the Izula will handle it fine. But my days of caring a 10"+ blade have long past. My Izula stays in my BOB/EDC bag in the truck and is with me whenever I leave the house, but no on my person, I am happy with my Kershow folder and a SAK for on body blades.

These days I think the largest blade I own would be the TAK, BK-2, or my Gossman Kepthart and Mini Tusker. Will be getting an RC-4 soon, to replace a RC-3 I sold recently. I wouldn't go any smaller then an Izula.
 
A friend of mine will look at a knife you show him, and go "Dang, that would be perfect if you broke an inch and a half off the end of the blade." I was really liking the 3-3 1/4" blades for a long time, but the new Benchmade Deja Voo just sort of messed up that trend. :D It doesn't go in the woods though, so I guess it's OK for it to have a little extra blade.
 
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