How big a folder is too big for you?

22-rimfire said:
I don't think I've handled a 0452. Next visit to the knife store and I'll see if they have one available to fondle. Doubt I would buy one. I feel the same way about pocket swords. I like knives and the big folders certainly appeal to my knife-self, but I feel stupid actually using a folder beyond 3.5" blade length in public. The Endura is big to me. As I have said before, I have slipped into the 2.75"-3.25" zone with most in the 3.0"-3.25" (Native-Delica size). Really comfortable with this size and I like the fact that manufacturers are coming out with their "mini" versions now that generally fall right into my comfort zone.
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Good points. Like I said, for 95+% of us knife guys, we don't need more than a 3.5" blade for 95+% of our edc tasks.
 
I've been carrying an Endura the last few days and it's just right I think. I have a Voyager that is good too, but could be a problem in the wrong pocket. I've been eyeing a Resilience lately though.
 
22-rimfire said:
I don't think I've handled a 0452. Next visit to the knife store and I'll see if they have one available to fondle.
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The ZT 0452 looks smaller than it is when it's closed; I can't believe how slender (without being too slender, at least for my hands) this knife is. Here's mine next to the closest cousin I own, the Spyderco Military:

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For anyone on the fence about trying a 4" blade (slightly over in the 0452's case), these two knives might change your mind.

My postal scale puts them both at 4.2 oz. The Millie is about 5/16" longer overall . . . but the 0452 has 1/2" more cutting edge. Both carry extremely well, albeit differently (tip-down only Millie, tip-up only 0452; wide vs. slim; both very light with long, accommodating handles), and both feel light and lively in-hand. The Millie is more versatile; the 0452's action is unbelievable.

My "type" for knives has changed over time, but right now these two are both solidly my type. Highly recommended! :)
 
kingston73 said:
For me it’s how big it is in pocket, not blade length.
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I'm the same way. With that said, 3.25 inches is my sweet spot for blade size.
A full-size Griptilian is about as large as I like to carry but, it just depends upon the ergos of the knife.
 
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Like most seem to agree, 4" is just about right for me. Feels good in the hand. A little bit bigger is fine, but nothing like those Cold Steel monsters. I had one of the Counter Point XLs with the 6" blade and it was just comical. Plus it didn't flip open for anything and you had to back a truck over the triad lock to disengage it. I hear the Frenzy at 5.5" is slim and light and wouldn't mind trying one if one came my way cheap, but I have a feeling it would be uncomfortable in the pocket. I'm at a desk all day and anything over 5.5" folded in my pocket tends to get annoying.
 
The GEC #43 - 4 1/4" and the R2-D2 4" closed length, are the biggest folders I will carry.
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For me I've gravitated towards smaller blades lately. I got rid of most of my knives lately to help with bills but I still have a Spyderco G10 Dragonfly and a Rat 1 in D2 that I use. The Rat is pushing it for my tastes but it's a beater knife for the yard and all the cardboard I accumulate during work. I have a Large and Small Sebenza that I've had for a while and while the large is a bit too big for my tastes it's only brought out on days I know a larger blade could be useful. The small Sebenza is a great size for my tastes. It's not a blade that if I went to dinner and had to pull it out for some reason that everybody wouldn't get freaked out over but it still can handle just about anything that I need it to do. So somewhere around 3" is my sweet spot.
 
Am a fan of smaller knives like delica etc but I agree with previous posters in that if it carries small I don’t mind a big knife. My Millie comes to mind. Light and slim in pocket.

The Millie may make some people nervous though in public. Faboulous knife but not very descrete :D

It my hang up not the knife’s but I tend to favor 3 inch or slightly shorter blade lengths in a folder. Easy to carry and not scary.
 
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I have to admit to having a liking to large folders. For a while I carried a ZT0300. Sadly, I was short-sighted enough to sale it and started carrying an Izula II. I loved that knife, but my mind told me it was too small so I began carrying my Spyderco Resilience until I got hold of a Strider AR.
 
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