Full-Size Folders...Too Big?

S

Skunkabilly

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
86
A buddy of mine suggested perhaps the 4" folder he carries (AFCK) may not have fit in my hands, as mine are quite small. Am I better off with a smaller knife, or is it the lack of training and intimacy with a knife that makes it cumbersome in my meager paws, and I can overcome this and be as proficient with a large knife as I am with something like a mini-AFCK or BM705?
 
A few months ago I would have probably recommended that a 3 inch knife would be a good all around investment. I always carried a clip point in that length and I had once owned a Emerson Commander which did not work for me. I now believe the Commander did not work for its re-curve design and the chisel grind.

Recently I bought a Strider AR and have been carrying it as my only knife, no back-ups, no rotation. At first glance I thought, "What have I done, this thing's huge!" Until I started to use it.

The alloy and Rc are great, the angle is useful, the handle (while blocky) grows on you as ergonomic and I no longer notice it clipped to my right front jeans pocket.

I no longer think that size alone should disuade you from chosing an EDC. I think that the elements of the design are more important.
 
I sometimes carry my Cold Steel Vaquero Grand (6 inch blade, 13+ inches total length). If they made something bigger, I'd carry it instead.:).
 
No matter what anyone tells you always pick out and use......
what your hand likes.

That is to say some knives will "fit" better than others based
on your individual size and needs. So, while this sounds goofy,
close your eyes and pick out your knife base on what your hand likes.

NEVER be swayed by the eye candy of any knife. :rolleyes:
 
Large knives are obviously clumsy for detailed tasks until you've gotten used to them. I rarely hand over my pinnacle for someone to borrow, if I'm carrying a smaller knife with it. People just don't know what to do with a knife that size. Its combo edge and they want to use the section by the handle, only they need to slice. So they try to choke up their grip and end up getting cut.
You should choose a knife that you can hold and handle comfortably. Having small hands doesn't automatically limit you to small knives. After all having small hands doesn't limit your needs to cutting small things. If its comfortably in your hand, and you have an adequetely secure grip, you'll get used to the difference in blade size.
 
The first time I held my mini-AFCK I thought it was a little too big, but I already had it so I carried and used and got used to it. Then I bought a full sized AFCK and wondered if I'd made a mistake by carrying such an enormous knife. It just didn't feel right because it was so big. But I carried it and used it and got used to it. Then I bought a Sifu and couldn't stop laughing at myself for buying such a huge knife. But I carried and got used to it. Now I wish they made one that was a few inches longer (and had an Axis lock).

So, I think you'll get used to whatever you carry. YMMV
 
Originally posted by Matt Shade
...You should choose a knife that you can hold and handle comfortably...If it's comfortably in your hand, and you have an adequetely secure grip, you'll get used to the difference in blade size.
Click to expand...
That's one of the reasons why I like the Cold Steel Vaquero Grande so much...My "catchers' mit" hand is 4&1/2" across, and with the handle of the 'Grande being about 7&1/4" long, my hand never feels crowded when wrapped around the handle of my VG.:).
 
I think there is a lot more to handle comfort than blade length...for example, handle THICKNESS can vary substially from one folder to the next (e.g. compare the Spyderco Police with the MOD CQD!)...taking this one step further, you could consider other ergo features such as placement of finger grooves, sharp (or rough) edges, etc.

Personally, I like THICK handles but I stay away from LONG handles...I also think that folders with really long blades look "funny" since the handle becomes so long (after all, you don't see 6" fixed blades with a 7" handle)...except for my favourite BIG folder, the Laci Szabo RAD (with 7" blade and 4" handle) :D

szabo2.jpg


RL
 
Originally posted by jjcoolay
Am I seeing that correctly? Is the folded knife still exposing part of the sharpend blade?
Click to expand...

Yup...the knife is meant to be used when open
rad_use3l.jpg


or closed!
rad_use2l.jpg


RL
 
RL,

That's a beautiful knife in the open position. It's a framelock too, so it's strong.

If it does not lock in the closed position, however, it's an accident waiting for a place to happen.
 
Well if it comes with that sheath then whether or not the blade locks when it is closed is a moot point. Hell I'd be more worried about the exposed blade then the fact the knife does not lock up closed.


Btw that is a cool knife.
 
"If it does not lock in the closed position, however, it's an accident waiting for a place to happen."

All the more reason to keep it open :D

Speaking of BIG folders, how could I forget this Bud Weston Texas Mini with an 8" blade! (too bad it doesn't have a pocket clip)

9005826.jpg


RL
 
Being a full grown man at 5'3" and 120lbs. You won't find many with smaller hands than I. I always preferred a big knife. 4" blade folder.
My all time favorite is the AFCK. I also liked the Spyderco Endura, MT LCC/DA and have finally decided on the CRKT M16-04. IMO, carry the biggest you legally can. You will get used to it and will probably never hear, I wish I had a smaller knife....but, you may say if you get a little pen knife, I wish this damn thing was bigger. A big knife can do small knife things, a small knife can't always do big knife things. Bigger is better. ;)
 
Handle width and thickness will more affect than the length. Sifu from REKAT had narrow handle width with its finger groove where index finger contacts the handle.
 
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