Folder Size

3 1/2 inch is my preference for medium size, 4 inch and above for large, while under 3 inches is small for me, usually relegated to key chain status.
 
My trusty SAK measures at about 3 1/4, which is just about perfect.

My hands and fingers are small enough so that I can fit all 4 fingers on there, and the knife is still small enough so that it's generally socially acceptable.
 
I find 3 1/4" to 3 3/8" closed to be the perfect front pocket size for many knife designs -- at that size, it doesn't seem to effect carrying comfort much if a knife has one or two springs or if heavier materials and design are used -- even with double steel bolsters, a 3 1/4" knife won't weigh your pocket down. Also, this size hits the sweet spot - small enough that I don't notice it's there, but large enough that it doesn't get lost in my pocket (forcing me to rummage around in my pocket to find it). Smaller than 3" closed is just too small for comfortable use for me. Personally, I'd be most interested in a nice 3 1/4" lockback.

I *hate* pocket clips and absolutely will not wear a belt sheath/pouch for a folder (nor do I ever carry knives in my back pockets).
 
A. G. Russell said:
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"
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Slippies

Medium from 3 1/4" to 3 5/8"
Because the blade size will be from 2 1/2" up to 3" (Doctor)
And I will get a 4 finger grip.
This size will easily move from the office to work.

Small is less than 3 1/4"
They are just too small to get an easy grip
Exception are the GEC Barlows

Large is 3 7/8" to 4 1/4"
These are solid working knives
Full grip with longer and larger blades

Too Large 4 1/2" to 5 2/3"
What can I tell you!!!

And the sizes all depends on the knife itself
A 4" single spring Muskrat is not large
A 3 3/4" GEC double bladed Scout is very large indeed!
A 3" GEC Barlow is not small
 
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zerogee said:
I find 3 1/4" to 3 3/8" closed to be the perfect front pocket size for many knife designs -- at that size, it doesn't seem to effect carrying comfort much if a knife has one or two springs or if heavier materials and design are used -- even with double steel bolsters, a 3 1/4" knife won't weigh your pocket down. Also, this size hits the sweet spot - small enough that I don't notice it's there, but large enough that it doesn't get lost in my pocket (forcing me to rummage around in my pocket to find it). ... Personally, I'd be most interested in a nice 3 1/4" lockback.
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You should check out the Buck 55. I love mine. Don't let the price on the Buck site put you off - you can get one a good bit cheaper than that.
 
neeman said:
Slippies

Medium from 3 1/4" to 3 5/8"
Because the blade size will be from 2 1/2" up to 3" (Doctor)
And I will get a 4 finger grip.
This size will easily move from the office to work.

Small is less than 3 1/4"
They are just too small to get an easy grip
Exception are the GEC Barlows

Large is 3 7/8" to 4 1/4"
These are solid working knives
Full grip with longer and larger blades

Too Large 4 1/2" to 5 2/3"
What can I tell you!!!
Click to expand...

Im with you in this categorising of sizes. The medium start geting useful for everything but is very pocketfriendly. The large ones has good strong grip but is in exchange less pocketable. To large or a pouch has no mening before a fixed blade but some disadvantages.

Bosse
 
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. ;)
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Yes, I concur with these categories.

Might add that it is also the BULK of a knife that can count,thick scales can both improve grip or make it too gross for the pocket. I've a couple of CASE Mini Copperlocks in bone which are slim, the stag version is ridiculously fat which cancels out the whole point of the knife.

I'd like to KNOW if anybody really does carry a pocket knife bigger than 4.25"?? You can admire the cutler's art certainly, but something like a 5" plus Daddy Barlow or Deer Slayer is an outlandish behemoth:D
 
willgoy said:
I'd like to KNOW if anybody really does carry a pocket knife bigger than 4.25"?
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I carried a SchradeUSA LB7 for two+ years in high school; it sat upright in my back pocket, next to my wallet. Proportionally, everything fit just right to keep the knife & wallet in the right place. I stopped carrying it like that after high school.

Fast forward to:

1996, I bought a SchradeUSA 6OT, and tried the pocket carry thing again. That lasted 45 minutes, and I had to go back to the sheath. I tried everything with that knife: pocket clip, belt-sanding down all the edges & corners, etc., nothing worked to make that thing pocketable. How on earth I managed to pocket-carry that size of knife for two+ years in school, I don't know.

thx - cpr
 
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...

When you say 4 1/4" slipjoint, do you mean something like a toothpick, or single blade shadow pattern?
I ask because my 4 1/8" #53 GEC Cuban 3 blade Stockman carries almost like a roll of quarters. The differnce being that the roll of quarters would be about an inch shorter than the stockman. I would carry it my front pocket, but I think it would wear a hole in my leg ;).
 
I have medium to large sized hands.I need a tad more than a 4" handle & like as much blade you can pack into that size.

Although it's not a traditional or FB,the BM 635(mini-skirmish) is the perfect size folder for my hands.It sits flat in the pocket.It has a 3.43" blade & a 4.30" handle.
If it wasn't for the recurve,it would be the perfect knife for me.
 
I prefer a 3.25-3.5" closed knife during the week. During the weekend I like to carry a knife with a bit more heft, usually settling on something between 4-4.5".
 
For some locations there are only 2 sizes. Legal, and not legal. Quite a few areas have a 3inch blade limit.
 
"Pen Knives" do everything I need them a knife to do, baring one rare task. But the "Medium", specifically 4-1/8" to 4-1/4" is my preffered size, good carry and 'just right' on handle length for me to hold comfortably. 4.5"+ is too big for holding and too big to carry usually.

I don't like 3" or 3.5" much, too big for small carry it just feels wrong in the pocket, and in hand; too short, and too long... . 3-7/8" is borderline comfortable, but depends on the pattern.

G.
 
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