Folder Size

A

A. G. Russell

Joined
Mar 10, 2001
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We were talking about slipjoints and lockbacks and Foilst said:

"I have no real preference one way or another on the subject of locks. I'm more concerned about the size and the pattern when it comes to slipjoints or lockers."

I think of a standard (medium) size as measured 3 7/8 to 4 1/4

Large as 4 1/2" to 5 2/3"

Small would be 3 1/2 to 3 3/4"

Pen Knives 2 3/4" to 3 1/4"
 
I tried to make this a poll, it did not work

Personally I prefer either slipjoint or lockbacks at about 4 1/4" closed. Just right to fit most front pockets.
 
A. G. Russell said:
I tried to make this a poll, it did not work

Personally I prefer either slipjoint or lockbacks at about 4 1/4" closed. Just right to fit most front pockets.
Click to expand...

A.G. it is a bit complicated an answer for a poll IMO.
If it were the 19th or early 20th century,w/ a fella had "a knife" one size could be favored
In this day in age & I'm sure others will agree,with knife collecting,accumulating & using,one size ,is only for one knife,for me
Also,for me,under 3" & over 3-3/4" is pretty much not practical & I have had & tried those sizes
I prefer to downsize a popular size
-Vince
 
I agree with you A.G. I also feel that once you get above the 4 1/4 size you run the risk of people looking askance. A couple weeks ago I was at a dinner dinner with a group of people, and a friend and I were both using Opinels to cut some bread. I had a 9 (4 3/4) and his was an 8 (4 1/4). While his looked like a utility knife people thought that mine looked more like a weapon.

Same style handles, same blade shape, but the 1/2" difference in size made the one look far more sinister.
 
my most used slipjoints for the front pocket fall between 3 1/4 and 3 5/8 closed. I carried a Gerber silver knight lockback for a long time in the 70s and 80s (Bought it from you) because I just liked it. But I tend to only need a lockback on the bigger ones now. Buck 110 size and I have a Dozier lockback folding hunter.
 
3 3/4 inch closed with a 3 inch blade is my perfect size. I'll go as large as 4 inches to get the 3 inch blade but that's about my max.
 
My preference depends on what I'm wearing. For thin dress pants, I prefer the pen knife size (3" or less). This is probably my favorite size, represented by a Case peanut and a GEC #25 Barlow. For heavier pants, I don't mind the sub-4" size, usually a SAK. For the large size, I'd prefer a belt pouch. Oddly enough, I do have a pair of jeans with a ridiculously deep watch pocket that can swallow up my GEC #23 Pioneer.
 
how you make your living should probably be a factor. construction worker ( like me ) has different requirements than an executive type. i like a med stockman.
 
I tend to catagorize my traditional knives into three catagories:

  • Small - 3.0 inches or less, like the Case Peanut, Tiny Trapper, or Pen. Nice for carry in dress pants when you want to go low profile.
  • Medium - 3.1-3.9 inches, like the Case Swayback Jack, Congress, or Medium Stockman. This is generally my favorite size for pocket carry. Nice and light in the pocket, but big enough for most thing I ask of a pocket knife.
  • Large - 4.0 - 5.0 inches, like the Case Large Trapper, Large Stockman or Folding Hunter. These are actually some of my favorite folders, but they are starting to push the "pocket" catagory for me and are the largest slippie I would carry lose in my pocket. I might even prefer a belt sheath for these big boys.
Honestly, I find most folders bigger than about 5 inches almost freakishly large, and definetly in need of a belt sheath. ;)
 
I think one has to find what is the happy medium for thier own lifestyle.

To get the widest amount of versitility out of a pocket knife, it has to fit a wide style of pants pockets. Too big and it won't ride well in business casual, too small and its not fuctionable for people with large hands.

For me, I've found that 3 to 3 1/4 closed is about perfect. A Buck cadet seems to pack a lot of function into a small package that rides well in different pants. A 4 to 4 1/4 inch closed is getting a little too big exept for heavy work jeans or coat pocket.

For edc, truly every day carry, I've found a Case peanut, Buck cadet, Victorinox cadet, Victorinox recruit, to be almost the perfect size. Small enough to be very convienient, yet still alot of function. Won't weigh down a pair of dress pants or dockers either. With the exection of the peanut, they fall in the 3 1/4 inch range.
 
I agree with mdauben:

to me

3" or under = small
3 1/4 up to 4" = medium ( with 3 1/2" being purfect size ala my Erickson 3.5 EDC )
4" and up = large ( anything over 4 7/8 tends to not get carried at all , just too big )
 
Max 3 1/4 overall length for IN the pocket.
Max 4 7/8 overall length for ON the belt. (110)

After that I go to fixed blades. 300
 
The size I prefer is between 2 7/8" and 3 3/4". Peanut to Copperhead. In between are Canoes and medium stockmans. All my favorites. I have some large stockmans at 4 1/4", but to me they seem like more knife than I need. Since I feel most of what I do can be done with a peanut, any more is just cause I like it. Or maybe I feel I will need more size. Hey, don't get me wrong. I won't say I never carry a bigger knife. There are time I carry my Buck 110. But 95% of the time it is the sizes I stated earlier.

Bill
 
I prefer the large medium size at about 4.25" closed. This is the length of the Vic SAK Adventurer model (or large size SAKs). I have a Queen Mt Man Trapper that I bought from you which is 4.5" closed. That is about as large as I can go and comfortably carry it in my pocket. Larger or much thicker, and I want a belt pouch and I tend to forget them. So pocket size is best for me.
 
As I stated in the other thread, I've been carrying the stockman slipjoint since the 1960's and it's served me just fine... (3 1/2" closed).
I occasionally toss a Buck 110 lockback in my pocket or wear it on my belt...(4 3/4" closed) and have even thrown a 2-bladed lockback in my pocket... (5" closed). The small stockman feels right!


DSCN8797.jpg
 
3-3.5 for me. Really small knives dont fit my hand, and bigger ones I'd rather put in a pouch or bag.
 
mdauben said:
I tend to catagorize my traditional knives into three catagories:

  • Small - 3.0 inches or less, like the Case Peanut, Tiny Trapper, or Pen. Nice for carry in dress pants when you want to go low profile.
  • Medium - 3.1-3.9 inches, like the Case Swayback Jack, Congress, or Medium Stockman. This is generally my favorite size for pocket carry. Nice and light in the pocket, but big enough for most thing I ask of a pocket knife.
  • Large - 4.0 - 5.0 inches, like the Case Large Trapper, Large Stockman or Folding Hunter. These are actually some of my favorite folders, but they are starting to push the "pocket" catagory for me and are the largest slippie I would carry lose in my pocket. I might even prefer a belt sheath for these big boys.
Honestly, I find most folders bigger than about 5 inches almost freakishly large, and definetly in need of a belt sheath. ;)
Click to expand...

This covers it for me. Thanks for typing out my answer, mdauben. :D

I prefer the medium size for daily duty.
 
I like a slipjoint knife 3 1/2 to 4'' with two blades. The main blade being a turkish clip and the smaller blade a carpenters blade. I prefer the carpenters blade to come out of the opposite end of the main blade. I do like jack knives
 
3-1/2" to 3-3/4" for pocket carry, that's perfect in my opinion. I realized after switching back to slipjoints that that was the size I was usually drawn too; it still allows for an almost endless variety of patterns.

thx - cpr

ps - So, A.G. - what's up? You thinking of introducing something new & interesting & purty? Hmmmmmmmm...? ;)
 
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