How long is too long??

WILLIAM.M

WILLIAM.M

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Apr 14, 2006
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How long of a blade is too long to carry(on your BELT) Hiking/Backpacking???

Some people I know LIKE 4" AND UNDER fixed blades(4" blade length-not overall)

I have other friends that will carry on their belts a 8" blade and not bat an eye

I like to keep my belt knives under 5"-for weight.

Larger ones go into the pack

How about you???

What is the LONGEST blade length you will carry on your BELT???
 
Totally dependent on what is in my pack. Since it is a specific question though, I have carried a 12 inch blade multiple times and it did not feel that bad. So, to answer the question I would say 12 inches. Although rarely, I will carry it. (Knife blade, not a machete, machete is always in hand when in use, never in the sheath.)
 
Good question Bill and one that I have at times pondered long and hard over.
For me it is a little over a 5" blade, that is why I drew up my Booshway.If I really felt I'd need more blade then I would probably put up with the extra size and weight but in all honesty I can't see a situation where my Booshway would be too small.
 
I carried my 18" oal M-43 kukri on my belt daily for a number of years.

Ganeraly though I prefer a 5" bladed knife on my belt.

However in wilderness use the kukri usualy winds up there due to it's greater utility.
 
Good thread.
I am still pondering that one. When I was in the service , I had to carry a 7" Ka-Bar but only really used my Vic Swisschamp. After that I tried a 6" Carbon V SRK for a short camping trip. Was okay but still too large and I ended up using my Swiss Mora for everything. But now I feel the RC-3 is ideal for me. Small but feels like more knife than the Mora (although I still carry it and a Vic Rucksak.)
 
I've carried 12" knives on my belt and it doesn't bother me at all. Really depends on the sheath itself. IMO, carrying a big knife in the woods is no more bothersome than carrying a decent size handgun on my hip in the woods.

I've got more than a few shorter fixed blades that I use quite often, but I still carry a bigger knife or a small machete of some kind. Nothing beats size when it comes to clearing stuff out of the way efficiently.
 

I'd say the LONGEST I'd carry on my BELT would be about 4.5-5 inches but I've never really tried carrying a big chopper knife. I have done a hike with a tomahawk in my belt. If that counts than 19 inches.






























:p
 
I've never carried a knife with a blade longer than about 4 1/2" on any hunt or hike I've taken in the past 20 years.

I just don't like to carry big blades if I'm doing any walking at all. They just seem to get in the way.
 
Around 5" is my max for day hikes and overnighters.

If I'm really hitting the bush or going for an extended outing, I will go up to 9". But that knife will be a dedicated chopper, and I will bring a smaller one along for basic tasks.

All the best,

- Mike
 
on my belt... probably around 4".

if I need a chopper, it'd either be in my hand or strapped to my pack. i'd rather carry the weight where it will ride more comfortably.
 
On my belt I would go 5". If I was wearing a baldric maybe 10" would be ok. Otherwise I will carry bigger stuff strapped to my backpack.
 
8'' but the blade is relatively slim in thickness and height therefore the weight wasn't an issue nor the bulky sheath.
 
How about this one? 22 inches of hand forged Damascus steel. Sharp as as can be, and very pretty.
The 7 inch Randall #14 works well in the woods also. :D
LangsaxandRandall.jpg
 
On my belt, ...around a 12" blade.

I have several waki style machetes that I use all the time in the woods. Around 17" blades, 28" overall. I carry them on my back balderic style. :thumbup:
 
I have carried up to a 7.5~8 inch blade on my belt while hiking and camping, but in general I prefer 5 inches on my belt. Most bigger knives get put on the pack and smaller knives get put in my pocket.
 
Mentor said:
Around 5" is my max for day hikes and overnighters.

If I'm really hitting the bush or going for an extended outing, I will go up to 9". But that knife will be a dedicated chopper, and I will bring a smaller one along for basic tasks.

All the best,

- Mike
Click to expand...

What he said.

Edit: Now that I think about it...in general I'd be good with a well sheathed 7" knife in either scenario, as long as it isn't overly heavy.
 
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