How long is too long??

I will also add that it is the sheath that really makes the diference here. With a good sheath nearly any sized knife can be carried comfortably.

-Stan
 
WILLIAM.M said:
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???
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William,

As with all things, it's subjective and may be based on what you are accustomed to. Mountain men and soldiers of years past regularly carried fairly large knives and often both knife and sword or bayonet.

Most large knives (the type I tend to favor) can weigh 2 lbs or more in the scabbard. A good example is a 21" Sirupate or Chitlange Khukuri, which may be about the most well rounded general purpose heavy duty knife design ever devised. You get used to the weight, as it is certainly no more than a 4" barreled revolver which is a recommended carry item when in an area known for black bear and cougars.

My rifle weighs in, with a full magazine and scope, at just a touch under 11 lbs. Some say that's a "heavy" rifle, but armies fought wars with similarly weighted weapons. The fascination with flyweight everything might have it's roots in recon patrol or fast interdiction forces, but for a casual hike, taken at ones own pace with no enemy in front or behind you to worry about, a few extra pounds shouldn't be enough to quibble about.

Warm regards,

-E
 
I often carry a 6"-6.5" bowie style knife. I have some nice 6"ers and it is a good opportunity to carry a large knife to enjoy them . But i think 3-5'" is the best balanced size.
 
Not so much places around here where you need more than a 4" blade, longer and it feels kind of cumbersome on the belt anyway.
 
Mannlicher said:
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
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That Randall looks really good!
 
I like 4-5", but I'll make an exception for my RC6. It stays in a Spec-ops sheath, which makes it ride nice and low, I hardly know it's there. I have and do occasionally carry an 18" Ang khola on my belt, but only for brush clearing or getting firewood, as soon as I'm done, off it comes. ~3lb is just a little much to have hanging on one side.
 
18 inch Condor Machete. I have carried a 22 inch Dui Churra on my belt but man thats heavy. I routinley carry a Dogfather LE and that has a 10 inch blade and really its light enough it just doesnt bother me.
 
20" (OAL, about 14.5" of blade) CAK:
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Yes, it has a baldric strap (the knife rides on the baldric strap), but my belt holds it in place via a belt loop on the back of the sheath.
 
9"-10", but find that the sheath makes a big difference. Ride height - does the handle ride above, even with, or below the belt line. Also the weight - A Randall Smithonian Bowie as opposed to a Busse BM, as an example.
 
I try not to go over 5" on a belt knife. Or any knife, really. There are better tools available for the jobs big knives do. Anything much larger than 5" is excessive, imo.
 
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