How big a folder is too big for you?

Totally depends on the design.

A ZT 0452CF is too big for me to practically use.

A Spyderco Military is great, mostly due to the choil and more ergonomic handle.

Cold Steel 4-Max is in between. It’s a bit heavy and takes up a lot of pocket but once open, super useable.
 
SharpieB said:
I ask as I almost pulled the trigger on a Cold Steel Hold Out I
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Funny you should say that. Before I opened your thread I dug up some old photos.
This is NOT too big. Rides nice in my pocket to. I highly recommend them (questionable in the eyes of some local laws how ever).

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It helps me to keep my ginormous cinnamon rolls at bay :
Oh my gosh look out !
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:) It's alright now . . . they keep me nervous until they stop twitching.
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My EDC knives range from PM2 to Military and Manix 2 XL. I bought a ZT 0200 and found that it was too big for me. The Manix 2 XL is pretty much my limit.

When our state law was 5.5" maximum blade length I wanted to buy a Tatanka just because.
 
spyderco military is great size, but about the largest folder I pocket carry. Big enough to provide plenty of cutting edge and a not too long handle. Anything bigger just feels awkward, as a pocket folder. The light weight and slim thickness make a big difference too.
Having said that, the CS Talwar XL is a really good folding machete and that is how I use it. Toolbag or chore coat folding brush clearer.
 
jbmonkey said:
the 6" like a holdout has just too much handle for my likes. i find it gets in the way more than it helps.
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It is what is known as a "Big Two Handed Zarker"
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Funny though; it rides the same in my pocket with or without a clip . . . top of handle at top of pocket.
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And besides it's just right to hold your book open while you read at lunch.
I'm tell'in ya . . . it's the ultimate 'Gentileman's EDC." ;)
:D
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Wowbagger said:
Funny you should say that. Before I opened your thread I dug up some old photos.
This is NOT too big. Rides nice in my pocket to. I highly recommend them (questionable in the eyes of some local laws how ever).

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Don't think I ever sliced a cinnamon roll like that in my life. I just tear them apart with my fingers if they are too big. Hope you're having fun.
 
Typically I will go up to 3.75”. As it gets closer to 4”, some folders are too big for my hands to comfortably deploy. Not all though. One example would be the Manix 2 XL. I can deploy it fine but it’s not comfortable
 
I have a large fixed blade, the handle on it is 5 & 3/4 inches and the blade is larger than that. The handle is about as large a handle as would be needed for most large knives. A handle any larger is mostly unnecessary.
A folding knife with the same size handle will have a blade about an inch smaller, not any larger, about 4 & 3/4 inches long. To me, that is too large for a folding knife, at that size a folding knife becomes less useful because of the handle to blade ratio. And anything larger than that is cartoonish.
Folding knives as a purpose are a convenience over carrying a fixed blade, the pivot will always prevent it from performing at the level of a fixed blade. Once a folder gets to a certain size it is no longer more convenient than a fixed blade to carry.
Just one man's opinion!

For me, a 5 inch closed length folder is the limit.
 
I like Cold Steel's 6 inch Ti-Lite, Hold Out, and XL Counter Point. They feel good in hand and are manageable. The Rajah Ii and XL Espada are heavy and akward to open when using the thumb stud. Handles feel unweildy as well.
 
XL Voyager clip point is the largest I have, and I enjoy carrying and using it. The XL Espada, on the other hand, looks like more than I'd like as that handle is extra-super-duper long.
 
Around 3.75 is my sweet spot for folders. I would doubt I carry anything over 4.25.
 
Normally I can go with a 4” blade but when doing outdoors stuff a xl Voyager with the 5.5” blade is just fine.

The Holdout carries very nice being so slim, it wouldn’t be optimal but I am sure I could edc a HO XL with no problem.
 
Relative to my 11.25" hand I need a larger knife so I can get a full 4 finger grip.
I have plenty of knives with a 3 finger size and 3-3.25" blades and I do carry them most but when I'm looking to carry and use something that really "fits" it will be in the 4-4.25" range.
Funny thing is that folks don't really see it as a big knife in my hand and I don't get many complaints about the intimidation factor relative to the amount of scuttlebutt I read around here anyway.
 
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