Help me to choose: 4.1 vs 5.1

A

Alfadriver

Joined
Jan 7, 2016
Messages
11
Hi,

this is my first post in this forum. I got bitten by the knife bug, specifically the Survive! species. I spent the past two months reading all the posts, narrowing down the choice to two blades: the 4.1 and the 5.1. There are a lot of threads and youtube videos, of course, but still can't decide. The only thing I know is steel choice, CPM-20CV, because of the lower maintenance effort.

Does the 5.1 wear (on belt) significantly bigger compared to the 4.1?

Is there anything one blade can do and the other can't?

If you had to choose one, which one would it be and why?

I would be grateful for your thoughts. Thanks!
 
First off welcome. Your in the right place to talk Survive! but you may be in the wrong place for any of us to help you chose. I think most will be like me and say one of every size and steel will be the only alternative to being stuck in a decision like this.

Honestly my choice would be both if it is affordable. What are your intentions of use for them? I would say the 4.1 might have a leg up at finer work but Riz has filleted trout with his 5.1and I've done a fare amount of fine carving with mine. If your looking for an edc the 4.1 would be the one you need to look into.

A little more explanation may be in order to help you chose a better option suited to fit you, your environment, and situations you intend on (or want to be prepared for) being in.
 
My favorite go-to knife is my 4.1, that said I ordered one of the new 5.1's as well....so really I am no help... I would agree with TT and say that your use case will drive your need more than anything. The 5.1 is a bigger knife and will carry "larger" and if that is a primary factor, it might become a driving factor. If you wish to baton wood and do some light chopping though, a 5.1 would likely be a better bet...
 
To help, some history: the newest yet-to-be-produced GSO-4.1 is a slightly up-sized version of the previous 4.1 which evolved from the Survive! EDC-4. The previous 4.1 was like a stout Kephart-design with a rather straight handle. The new GSO-4.1 restores some of the EDC-4's handle-contours but (hopefully) improves the shape for better ergonomics. That name EDC-4 should give you an idea of the knife's intentions: most hunting and general outdoor utility knives blade-length are between 3.5" and 4.1". You can accomplish a wide variety of tasks with a knife this size - food-prep, field-dressing & butchering, rope-cutting, wood-carving & whittling, carpet and box cutting, basic drilling and notching, digging, batoning/splitting thinner logs, etc.etc. It's a great size, probably the largest I'd take hunting white-tail and smaller game, and it's reasonably compact such that it can even fit in a front pocket.

But the 4.1 is a bit small for even light-chopping - too little reach and heft - and is not as good for batonning as a longer blade, it isn't as good for de-limbing fallen trees and scraping bark, other tasks where a longer blade-length comes in handy. Also, not much of a "combat knife" if that is important to you. It's a great utility knife that has a bit more length than the GSO-3.5 which may be too small for some tasks like batoning.

The GSO-10 (or 12 not yet made) on the other end is MUCH better for chopping and scraping and other such tasks but it's also FAR from "compact" - definitely not going to fit in the average pocket ;) The GSO-10 is also too big for efficient use in a myriad of outdoor/utility tasks, or much bigger than would be preferred.

The GSO-4.7 and 5.1 are the next sizes up from the GSO-4.1. These are what I'd describe as "all around" knives, a good size for a "survival knife", particularly the 5.1. It has noticeably more length and heft than the 4.1, improving its light-chopping and batonning and scraping proficiency. It's better for de-limbing trees, digging, would make a better "combat knife", is thicker for prying, etc. but is still reasonably compact AND the enlarged choil allow the user to choke-up on the blade for finer use such that it can effectively perform all the same tasks as the 4.1, though it's still bigger than I'd prefer to take with me hunting. Maybe hunting hogs or bear it'd be a good choice, but i have no experience there. This is an excellent "one knife" option. It's a popular choice for a reason.

The GSO-4.7 fills the gap between the 4.1 and 5.1 - more compact than the 5.1 for easier carry and use in tasks not requiring such length, but still big enough for a lot of tasks... One reason I pre-ordered the 5.1, 4.7, 4.1, & 3.5 was to see what range of tasks each excelled at.

How does carry compare between the 4.1 and 5.1? I am 5'9", 140#, YMMV

GSO-4.1 in pockets:
IMG_0570.JPG

IMG_0571.JPG


Belt carry:
(standard clip)
IMG_0572.JPG

IMG_0573.JPG

IMG_0575.JPG



UKE:
IMG_0625.JPG

IMG_0627.JPG


GSO-5.1 outside pocket:
IMG_0655.JPG


shoot... I apparently didn't take a lot of photos carrying the GSO-5.1! Well, here are a couple videos where you can see it attached to a UKE:

(you can stop at 2:25, I don't show the sheath again after that)

[video=youtube;bIx2zaqWim8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIx2zaqWim8[/video]

In this one, you can start at 4:20 but skip a bit to 6:50 after that to see another way to carry the 5.1:

[video=youtube;COKvk-AcNzk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COKvk-AcNzk[/video]


I promise to take more pictures of carry-style with the new 5.1 when mine gets here (no word yet when that will be, exciting times :cool:)
 
Thanks for the response. I am afraid it might in the long run end exactly as you wrote - one of each size from their portfolio. For the first acquisition I would like to stick with 1 blade only. I am using a Spyderco Sage 1 as my EDC knife.

The GSO blade would serve as an all-rounder, mainly during hiking and camping (plan is to get as well the Gransfors Bruks mini hatchet for camping, so far I was using a normal size hatchet which is obviously rather on the heavy side), but not as an EDC in its true sense. But I don't want a "too big" blade. I don't plan any extreme environments like desert or jungle.

The blade should be able to handle both fine and heavy woodwork (less frequent), food preparation. But I want to be prepared for the case where a tough blade would be needed. On top, a comfortable belt carry is a priority (that's why I asked how does the 5.1 compare to 4.1 in practice wrt size).

Of course, you might ask, why S!K at all. The are multiple reasons - what I could see, perfect customer service and customer focus, top quality, personal engagement from the company, great reviews and feedback, pure design. All in all, it's not something you find today very often...
 
Alfadriver said:
Thanks for the response. I am afraid it might in the long run end exactly as you wrote - one of each size from their portfolio. For the first acquisition I would like to stick with 1 blade only. I am using a Spyderco Sage 1 as my EDC knife.

The GSO blade would serve as an all-rounder, mainly during hiking and camping (plan is to get as well the Gransfors Bruks mini hatchet for camping, so far I was using a normal size hatchet which is obviously rather on the heavy side), but not as an EDC in its true sense. But I don't want a "too big" blade. I don't plan any extreme environments like desert or jungle.

The blade should be able to handle both fine and heavy woodwork (less frequent), food preparation. But I want to be prepared for the case where a tough blade would be needed. On top, a comfortable belt carry is a priority (that's why I asked how does the 5.1 compare to 4.1 in practice wrt size).

Of course, you might ask, why S!K at all. The are multiple reasons - what I could see, perfect customer service and customer focus, top quality, personal engagement from the company, great reviews and feedback, pure design. All in all, it's not something you find today very often...
Click to expand...


This is definitely true, As to the original question, I think either could work and who knows maybe the 4.7 is the right one for you? (in the middle of the two) Unfortunately It's going to come down to a personal choice. I carry my 4.1 on a dangler and it "disappears" while camping, I don't have a 5.1 (yet) so I can't speak to that, and the 4.7 def has my interest as well...
 
Wow! Many thanks for the pictures and vids! It definitely helps me to understand the proportions. I am 6', would you say the 5.1 wears comfortably outside pocket or is it already a bit stretched for this type of carry?
 
The 4.7 - I dropped it previously from my list, but now it's back there. Redwood, you are maybe right, the 4.7, being in the middle, would be a way to go. Smaller than the 5.1, but only half of the length difference goes to the cutting edge. I might have to sleep a couple of nights over it...

Anyhow, thanks to all of you for your thoughts, suggestions and ideas! Very much appreciated.
 
The wife's 4.1 on a UKE (new style) she is 5,4 weight ? (I don't ask, I stay in enough trouble)



I might get in trouble for this one but.


My 5.1 on a UKE (older style) I'm 5,6 200#



A family picture. :)



They ride great on molle too.



Hope this helps.
 
Alfadriver said:
Wow! Many thanks for the pictures and vids! It definitely helps me to understand the proportions. I am 6', would you say the 5.1 wears comfortably outside pocket or is it already a bit stretched for this type of carry?
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At your height, you could probably carry the 4.1 comfortably in-pocket or out. The 5.1 is too long that it will flop around rather excessively just clipped to the pocket like that, the pocket lip isn't firm enough to keep that from happening. But for belt-carry, either one will work VERY well when accessorized with a UKE 2.0 ;)
 
Alfadriver said:
The 4.7 - I dropped it previously from my list, but now it's back there. Redwood, you are maybe right, the 4.7, being in the middle, would be a way to go. Smaller than the 5.1, but only half of the length difference goes to the cutting edge. I might have to sleep a couple of nights over it...

Anyhow, thanks to all of you for your thoughts, suggestions and ideas! Very much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Welcome! I don't know if I have much more to offer beyond what has already been said. If you're going to have a hatchet, you might not NEED the extra length and weight of a 5.1, especially if belt carry is important. The suggestion of a 4.7 is a good one! It is barely longer (less than an inch) than the 4.1 and it is thicker with a slightly taller blade. Guy has said that he thought of it as a SERE knife and I took that to mean a compact blade that can still be used for almost anything as a survival knife.

Chiral's UKE's are a great option for any GSO and you really can't go wrong with whatever knife you choose :thumbup:
 
I don't have the 5.1, but I have the GSO5. It is a significantly bigger knife than the 4.1. IMO, the pics do not do adequately convey how much bigger it is. The GSO5 is relatively heavy, built to take abuse, and a super hard-use knife. Is it "too big?" It depends on what you want. If I was going to have to survive the zombie apocalypse with just one knife, I would choose the 5 without question. However, when going outside I pick my 4.1 over my GSO5 95% of the time. To me, the 4.1 is just about perfectly sized. YMMV.

Both knives are totally cool, and no matter which you choose you will be happy. S!K makes good stuff.
 
Also depends in your size
I'm 6' tall so for me the 4.7 or 5.1 would be better
I don't like smallish knives
 
nc, good call on the 5!

To Alfa, I absolutely love my 5 and is only different from the 4.7 by fractions of an inch. The knife isn't a master of everything, but I feel like I could push it into most roles. I love the size. One down side for me is food prep, in my use it seemed to wedge things apart like fruit and vegetables. Then again Riz can easily fillet a fish with his 5.1 which is the exact same thickness. nc is right in that it is not a super thin knife, but I find it way more agile snd capable than a similar length blade that is 1/4 of an inch thick.

Rodger, I'm surprised you didn't try to talk him into an 8 :D
 
ncrockclimb said:
I don't have the 5.1, but I have the GSO5. It is a significantly bigger knife than the 4.1. IMO, the pics do not do adequately convey how much bigger it is. The GSO5 is relatively heavy, built to take abuse, and a super hard-use knife. Is it "too big?" It depends on what you want. If I was going to have to survive the zombie apocalypse with just one knife, I would choose the 5 without question. However, when going outside I pick my 4.1 over my GSO5 95% of the time. To me, the 4.1 is just about perfectly sized. YMMV.

Both knives are totally cool, and no matter which you choose you will be happy. S!K makes good stuff.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was going to say, the 5.1 is much more substantial. I don't have a 4.1, but did have an old spec 5.1, and am waiting on a new spec 5.1. Here's one in-hand, I'm 6' 195 and usually pick an XL glove.





And even large blades carry well on a UKE, 9" blade on this one with the solid drop-loop attachment.







 
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Get both....these are my 2 favorite GSOs. Don't worry about how you carry it. There are a million was to adjust and carry the sheath and or you can use a carabiner on your belt loop to lower the knife. chiral.grolim sells a pretty cool sheath attachment or you can get a 3rd party leather sheath with a dangler. Get both, believe me you'll LOVE 'em.
 
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