Recommendation? EDC Fixed blades: How small is too small?

How small is too small for an edc fixed blade?

  • Less than 3" = not for me!

    Votes: 28 34.1%

  • Less than 2" = shame on you!

    Votes: 16 19.5%

  • Less than 4" = I must have more..."

    Votes: 4 4.9%

  • Who the hell EDC's a fixed blade?

    Votes: 3 3.7%

  • Size doesn't matter... it's how you use it!

    Votes: 31 37.8%
  • Total voters
    82
Deinos

Deinos

Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
1,605
Considering picking up a Fiddleback Runt (production) for a pocket fixed EDC, but wondered if I would find it too small at just less than 2"... Current fixed edc's: Bark River Essential, Bradford G3, White River Knucklehead. All 3 just barely under or at 3" usable edges. Probably use my G3 the most with the Knucklehead a close second these days. Don't carry the Essential much anymore (but I think that is more due to thickness than length...).

What's the general consensus on usefulness at that length (especially in a fixed blade)? Smallest folder I carry is a df2 in g10, and I admittedly don't carry it nearly as much as I used to. Also, anyone else carry a Runt and in love with it? Thanks!

Edit: forgot to add a choice for people that don't care about size... :p
 
Last edited:
I agree with the above the handle size on a fixed blade is what makes it for me. I choose 3'' since my absolute favorite EDC sized fixed blade is the JK Element 01 Hunter or E01 EDC if you like a lil smaller handle.
 
For EDC purposes, something under 3" (fixed blade) works if the handle is comfortable when using it. But my regular uses are pretty non-abusive and folders work better for me. I like all sizes of fixed blades. I tried to edc a 5 1/2" Dozier and wasn't comfortable with that. I tried carrying a 9" knife in the woods and was uncomfortable with that. Right now I'm in the 2.5" to 3" class for a potential daily carry fixed blade.

The sheath makes a world of difference on comfort and if you feel you may carry a fixed blade.
 
I forgot to add I carry my EDC fixed blades in a pocket sheath and prefer overall length to be about 7". For me thats the sweet spot 3" blade with a 4" handle.
 
As others have said, it's all about the handle. I carry a Tactical Pterodactyl mid sized Raptor a lot in my pocket, and it's wonderful. I believe the blade length is 2.25", but the handle fits my hand perfectly.
 
I could probably do most of the stuff I do with my folders and smaller fixed blades with a 2 inch blade. It wouldn't be too much of a detriment, but it'd get tiresome even if it was super thin and razor sharp. Mostly I'd like to stay at a 3" blade and up, 6" being the upper limit on what I'd be comfortable carrying around pedestrians in the middle of town. Sure I could carry an 9" Bowie on my belt, but it'd be a bit too much for around here.
 
2 7/8" on several of my neckers is perfectly fine for me. Now to the handle: If it's three finger (despite a proper and convenient lanyard being added in seconds) potential buyers automatically back out regardless if they love every other aspect of the knife.
 
Are you talking blade length or overall length? Assuming you are talking blade length, I EDC a blade length of 2". I'm pretty big guy @ 6'4" and have big ole knarly meat hook hands and I'd agree with JJ_Colt45 that handle design can make it or break it in this size. My personal EDC is about 5.25" oal. As a cattle rancher as well as a knife maker I use my knife a lot. I've never found it wanting or wishing I had a bigger blade. I make and sell a lot of sub 3" blade knives with the vast majority under 2 5/8" mark. Very useful for what we do. The wife also carries one the same as mine just a different handle material. Her's is in blue jigged bone and mine is in elk. Horizontal crossdraw is how we carry and is the method of carry preferred by the vast majority of my customers. The wife getting ready to rope at a friend's branding:

D6daQXe.jpg


Mine at the same branding:

PWnUKEH.jpg


This is a Buckaroo my most popular model by sales. It is 6.5" oal and has a 2 5/8" blade. I also make this knife in AEB-L and then its called a Cowboy.

eJqby62.jpg


A Cowboy in elk:

kYTzfNF.jpg


Couple years ago my son was working on a nearby ranch. They had a first time heifer that weighed 1150 lbs or so and she was getting ready to calve. Unfortunately, somehow, she'd broken one of her hind legs. My son caught her up and he and the ranch manager were going to try and splint the leg so that she could calve. They had a bunch of PVC pipe and duct tape and they were gonna use some cowboy ingenuity to get er done. However the break was right at the hip, just no way to splint it. So the manager called the big boss to see what he'd like em to do. So they shot the heifer and did a cesarian on her to try and save the calf (ya got three minutes to get em out). They were able to get the calf out but it only lived for a few hours, dang it. Then they called the butcher to see how he wanted them to bring the heifer in. He wanted her decapitated, the quarters separated, and the back straps pulled. So they did all that with the manager's Buckaroo knife I'd made him. We got a big box of hamburger as it was more than they could all eat, the two of their family's. Some of the best hamburger, bar none I've ever had. Little blades are not found wanting.
 
3 to 3.5 inch blade lengths are ideal for my uses and carry well as a necker which is my preferred way to carry an EDC.
Handle ergos, weight and thickness all come into play more on this size blade as it needs enough handle length but no too much width or weight. Good retention on the kydex sheath is a must as well as I prefer handle down carry. If I just need a combat grade utility knife/box cutter the little bit smaller GSO necker 2 w/ the newer style sheath is also about perfect.
 
If I can't get a full four-finger grip, I don't carry it. As for blade size, 3 inches would be fine.
 
Blade thickness is important too on a small edc knife. I recently purchased a White River Backpacker Pro and was comparing to my Becker BK-14 and BK-24.... both have thicker bar steel and heavier as a result. It all depends on what you might use them for, but I tend to want some under 1/8" thick now for a edc-ish fixed blade. There are few cases of hard use for me.
 
ty_higg said:
I forgot to add I carry my EDC fixed blades in a pocket sheath and prefer overall length to be about 7". For me thats the sweet spot 3" blade with a 4" handle.
Click to expand...

I find much bigger than this and it's basically a belt knife. Which is fine, but if you want to pocket carry a fixed blade, this is about the max for me.
 
Horsewright said:
Are you talking blade length or overall length? Assuming you are talking blade length, I EDC a blade length of 2". I'm pretty big guy @ 6'4" and have big ole knarly meat hook hands and I'd agree with JJ_Colt45 that handle design can make it or break it in this size. My personal EDC is about 5.25" oal. As a cattle rancher as well as a knife maker I use my knife a lot. I've never found it wanting or wishing I had a bigger blade. I make and sell a lot of sub 3" blade knives with the vast majority under 2 5/8" mark. Very useful for what we do. The wife also carries one the same as mine just a different handle material. Her's is in blue jigged bone and mine is in elk. Horizontal crossdraw is how we carry and is the method of carry preferred by the vast majority of my customers. The wife getting ready to rope at a friend's branding:

D6daQXe.jpg


Mine at the same branding:

PWnUKEH.jpg


This is a Buckaroo my most popular model by sales. It is 6.5" oal and has a 2 5/8" blade. I also make this knife in AEB-L and then its called a Cowboy.

eJqby62.jpg


A Cowboy in elk:

kYTzfNF.jpg


Couple years ago my son was working on a nearby ranch. They had a first time heifer that weighed 1150 lbs or so and she was getting ready to calve. Unfortunately, somehow, she'd broken one of her hind legs. My son caught her up and he and the ranch manager were going to try and splint the leg so that she could calve. They had a bunch of PVC pipe and duct tape and they were gonna use some cowboy ingenuity to get er done. However the break was right at the hip, just no way to splint it. So the manager called the big boss to see what he'd like em to do. So they shot the heifer and did a cesarian on her to try and save the calf (ya got three minutes to get em out). They were able to get the calf out but it only lived for a few hours, dang it. Then they called the butcher to see how he wanted them to bring the heifer in. He wanted her decapitated, the quarters separated, and the back straps pulled. So they did all that with the manager's Buckaroo knife I'd made him. We got a big box of hamburger as it was more than they could all eat, the two of their family's. Some of the best hamburger, bar none I've ever had. Little blades are not found wanting.
Click to expand...

Helluva endorsement for a shorter fixed blade!:thumbsup:
 
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