Does *anybody* else lean toward small-ish folders?

patrickb

patrickb

Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
339
I often feel like the only knife enthusiast that actually likes and desires knives in the 2.5"-3" blade length. For EDC during the workday, I go with a WH kestrel or monarch with blades measuring 2" & 2.5" respectively. These are pretty small, even for me but as I wear a suit to work, anything larger is overkill.

Even for weekend or non business dress knives, I think 3" is the perfect size, but availability of the larger bladed knives far outweighs the smaller bladed ones. My Lochsa, while perfect in every respect is just a hair too big for my tastes. I'll never get rid of it but somewhere, in the depths of my psyche, I subconsciously long for a 2.75"-3" bladed Lochsa.

I also own an Obenauf small M2 framelock (3 1/8" blade) and am expecting another small M2 in the very near future. I'm now thinking that I should've gone with Mike's mini size (and may be able to do so).

I will admit that in the last year, my tastes have changed. Larger bladed knives have more appeal now than they did a year ago. I just wonder if in another year, I'll be just like the masses and looking at knives like Tom Mayo's T-Rex with a 5" blade :confused:
 
I have been happily carying a couple of different small knives, a black Kershaw chive and a SS Spyderco cricket. Since I got the cricket last week, the chive has been staying home but it is a good knife.

Because I EDC a BM 806, a small knife is very handy to have for more politically restrictive minded people to witness - if you know what I mean.

Chris
 
I love big blades because of the design opportunities the large object presents.

I love smaller blades more because like you patrickb - they are really what I carry and use everyday and for the most part, all I need.

So I have a ratio of about 2 smaller blades for every 1 larger blade.
 
I have VERY few knives in my collection that have over a 3" blade. As a professional the "pocket clip tactical" just doesn't do it for me. I kind of gravitate to the 2.75 inch blade length, and my true EDCs are a CRK mnandi and a SAK Yeoman. I occaisionally rotate a WH B5, or a Benchmite for the mnandi. I really have no use for a bigger knife in my everyday adventures. Outdoors work is a bit different, and I usually opt for a small or large sebbie depending on what I'm doing. I also like the Al Mar Hawk or a BM 770 for EDC knives, because they're inconspicuos.

As I told a firend of mine once, I don't think people would appeciate it if you were going to do a liver biospy on them and they saw a MaddMaxx sticking out of your pocket! :eek: :rolleyes:
 
Most people I know like a well designed short blade. It's everything you need and nothing more. It's also a lot easier to control, if that makes any sense.

The only reason some of us, like me, don't often carry anything with less than a 3.5 inch blade is that big hands need a big handle. And while there are a rare few knives with a shorter blade and a bigger handle, like the Dodo, I just feel like the knife is off balance in my hand if the blade isn't around the length of the handle... if that makes any sense.
 
You are not alone in this mindset. I EDC either a small Sebbie, Mnandi, Umfaan or K. Hara Lakeland. I think a 2.5" to 3" knife can handle 99% of what the average knife carrier will encounter in the course of an average day.
 
I like small blades fixed or folding,,they seem to have more practical uses in my everyday life.

:)
 
i work at a university so I also carry somewhat small folders; my favorites being a kiwi and an AG Russell mini-lockbaxk. the AG Russell in particular is a great little knife, I plan on getting all handle configurations.
 
Yup...My 2 EDC folders are the Benchmade 805 and 722...Both are pretty smallish...(At least they are, compared to my Cold Steel Vaquero Grande!.:D).
 
Clearly I am not alone. Perhaps it's the size of knives that I see on the market that makes me think that makers & mfr's are going larger. The BM Skirmish comes to mind as do several customs.

I had my eye on a couple of custom makers recently and it seemed like their standard or small size was 3.25" or 3.5" blade length. IMO, that's a large! For instance, I really like RJ Martin's Avenger, but it's just so big. In browsing through a thread of Mayo knives over at USN, the first several people to reply posted pics of XL or XXL TNT's and one of the initial responses was Mayo's new-ish 5" TNT folder! That's thing looks like a sword to me.

It's nice to see I'm not alone.
 
The largest folding knife I carry is a mini TSEK (love that knife) on the weekends. BM 773, WH CF 12 and Kershaw Leek are what I usually carry for work. I do like the AG Russell one hand and Spydie copilot also and do carry them. I do occasionally slip in a BM Mini-Reflex but you probably see a pattern developing here.
 
As a college student I have been coming to the realization that I don't need 3.5 - 4 inch folders. Lately I have been carrying either a Spyderco Navigator, Mouse or Cricket. In fact I started a thread asking for information about Benchmade's model 450. :D You are not alone in enjoying smaller knives.
 
I'm with you Patrick. I really believe that outside of self-defense and outdoor roles (which a fixed-blade should be fulfilling), a 2-2.5" blade will do everything you need it to.

As long as the handle has enough bulk to maintain control, I don't see myself needing much more.

Nitin
 
Been trying to compile a good list of smallish folders---saving $ for a good one; under 3"--good lock up & thumb studs or hole. Right now have a cheap Gerber EZ Out that I found at the PX. Had a Spyderco Dragonfly that I lost, but really liked. For EDC utility & cut my steak if necessary. Your ideas & recommendations are welcome. Price range: $40-70. Want to break out of cheap knife range.
 
Not alone.
My three EDC's are a Benchmite, BM 773 and a Scallion.
Its stealth for me and one of these gets the job done
 
Verzejd said:
Been trying to compile a good list of smallish folders---saving $ for a good one; under 3"--good lock up & thumb studs or hole. Right now have a cheap Gerber EZ Out that I found at the PX. Had a Spyderco Dragonfly that I lost, but really liked. For EDC utility & cut my steak if necessary. Your ideas & recommendations are welcome. Price range: $40-70. Want to break out of cheap knife range.
Click to expand...

My small EDC's are all more expensive than your price range, but if you want to save a little longer, the William Henry Kestrel (model T09-cf, 2" blade) was ~$130 and the Monarch (B5-cf, 2.5" blade) ran ~$160. Right now, Walter Krafft from spoonrivercutlery.com has 10% off his entire WH line. I've purchased both of my William Henry's from Spoon River and can recommend him with confidence. Another option is the Lancet (T10), which is listed at $142 with 10% off and has a 2.6" blade.

IMO, the William Henry carbon fiber series is the gent's folder by which all gent's folders should be measured. To see some pictures, follow the link in my signature below and click on the William henry gallery.

Lastly, my other small workday folder is a Benchmade 770. Carbon fiber handle, Axis lock and a blade under 3". This one is also light and quite pocketable. Hope that helps.

-patrick
 
My small Sebenzas are my "big" folders.
I really like something around 2.75" as my EDC. My Victorinox Settler is ALWAYS in my pocket. Away from work I usually carry a second knife in the same size range. My Mnandi and Umfaan see far more pocket time than the Sebbies.
There are two, possibly three knives on my want list now...Another Mnandi, a WH T-10, and maybe a LW Loveless City knife.

Paul
 
I scorned smallish blades, until I got a Calypso Jr. Man I love everything about that knife. I'm not jumping for a bunch more at that size right now, but my attitude towards them has changed.
 
With one exception (Buck Mayo, 3-3/16") ALL of my EDC are 2.5 to 3". For my setting that size handles pretty much everything that comes up, or that is likely to come up. Even backpacking, camping, and canoeing I don't carry anything larger than 3-3/8", and I have never felt like I don't have enough knife. Of course, I don't chop down trees with them, there are other tools for that.
 
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