Favorite blade length and weight in a folder

Jampa

As long as you are sensible and not pushing the law you should be fine - for now

You should not have too much of a problem (now but wait 5 years).... Even if searched and found with a knife you are fine you have a legitimate reason for carrying a legal knife/multitool you are OK. i.e tradesman, back packing etc. it is assumed every backpacker will have a knife of some kind when they are travelling, usually a SAK; and in the country areas I don't think anyone cares - knives are assumed tools for many people .. case stockman style and multi tools typically. There is even a belt made by RM Williams for country people which has a built in horizontal pouch for stockman style knives one of our more crusty senators carried a Stockman into parliment recently - (by accident?) in one recently - through what should be the tightest security in the country!! He proudly indicated to the press thtat the knife had ended the amorous expectations of thousands of male sheep on his property over the years.

Victoria in the south has the tightest rules and The searchers are (so far) are restricted to metro Melbourne areas -this far in areas which have had problems, which includes downtown/CBD, nightclub areas and rough spots.

If you are young and male think about leaving the knives at the hostel when going out for a drink or sightseeing in city areas. But if hiking, picknicking, travelling with your backpack - that would be a legitimate reason for having knives with you

As for type - as long as it is legal (not double edged or assisted opeing) you are technically, fine. However smaller and less aggressive attacts less attention.
 
Blade length doesn't concern me nearly as much as handle length. I like a 4.5-4.75" handle.

And I don't mind if they weigh up to 5 ounces but over that and it is starting to get heavy.
 
I like blade lengths of 3.5-4" hovering at no more than 5 ounces but prefer less. Handle size is also important to me and I prefer no smaller than 4.25" and no larger than 5 inches.
 
2"-4". Anything shorter or longer is too small or big to me. I don't really have too much of a preferance. It's all about blade and handle shape to me. Most of my knives are between 2.5" and 3.5". As for weight, it would have to be under something like 5 onces, I hate when I can feel the blade weighing me down a bit.
 
I'm always bemused [not amused] by the popularity of small folders when a larger folder [even of the same model] doesn't weigh or cost that much more. I think it makes eminent sense on so many levels to drive a small car but where's the logic of packing a small folder? I once bought a Benchmade Pardue, which I think is one of the best looking folders around, but when I got it home it looked so tiny compared to my other folders that I took it back and exchanged it for a full sized folder. It just seemed reckless to me to carry such a small knife when there was no reason why I couldn't carry a big folder which would be so much more capable in an emergency.
 
Larry Turko said:
I'm always bemused [not amused] by the popularity of small folders when a larger folder [even of the same model] doesn't weigh or cost that much more. I think it makes eminent sense on so many levels to drive a small car but where's the logic of packing a small folder? I once bought a Benchmade Pardue, which I think is one of the best looking folders around, but when I got it home it looked so tiny compared to my other folders that I took it back and exchanged it for a full sized folder. It just seemed reckless to me to carry such a small knife when there was no reason why I couldn't carry a big folder which would be so much more capable in an emergency.
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The majority of people probably only use a knife to open mail or trim a thread or maybe clean their fingernails. A big knife is not needed for these tasks and for some delicate work (picking at a splinter?) a smaller knife is actually better. Throw in the fact that many people work in an office environment where something small and inconspicuous is preferred and you have some pretty good reasons.

Just like in a kitchen you don't use a 10" knife for everything, sometimes you need a paring knife. Everyone has different needs and is going to carry based on those needs.

Not everyone carries a knife to deanimate bad guys and chop through the roof of a car.
 
Larry, I started this because I wanted to see the average size people carry.I just dont like all the weight that goes with the larger folders.So far the three inch or so blades are perfect for me.
 
3.75-4in

lighter is better but not so light that it compromises too much strength. military at 4 oz is nice, not sure id want a 3 oz military
 
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Larry Turko said:
I'm always bemused [not amused] by the popularity of small folders when a larger folder [even of the same model] doesn't weigh or cost that much more. I think it makes eminent sense on so many levels to drive a small car but where's the logic of packing a small folder? I once bought a Benchmade Pardue, which I think is one of the best looking folders around, but when I got it home it looked so tiny compared to my other folders that I took it back and exchanged it for a full sized folder. It just seemed reckless to me to carry such a small knife when there was no reason why I couldn't carry a big folder which would be so much more capable in an emergency.
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Having a larger knife in a given situation does not necessarily make you "more capable." Design counts.

I mean, it not like we're talking about our dicks here.
 
I carry whatever fits into that little pocket in my jeans. So, 3" or less on the blade seems about right. The small Buck Vantage is the perfect size and weight for me. Now, I just need one that size in s30v...
 
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