Lately I've been finding that I don't carry anything much bigger than my skyline. I really love the Hinderer Zt knives but I'm hesitant to buy one because I'm afraid i wont use it. Maybe in the future when i can afford to have safe queens that wont matter but for now Im kinda in a pickle. Anyone else find large knives to be an edc problem? If so what were your solutions if any?
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I like bigger blades but hate to carry them HELP!
- Thread starter rhosk
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I live big heavy-duty knives, but truth be told, they never get as much urban pocket-time as the smaller, lighter folders. I just can't be bothered carrying such a heavy brick, when a lighter and smaller blade accomplishes the same cutting task.
A solution for you, could be a belt sheath maybe?
A solution for you, could be a belt sheath maybe?
try carrying it inside the waist band. If people can carry sub compact pistols most "larger" knives should be somewhat comfortable. I carry my zt 560 and bm 810 that way.
If not a belt sheath is the next best.
larger knives in the pocket can poke or flop around clipped to the pocket.
If not a belt sheath is the next best.
larger knives in the pocket can poke or flop around clipped to the pocket.
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Not a problem here - I've found over the years that I also prefer to pack as much knife as possible (4" or 3.5" mostly). I tend to carry only 1 knife on my at a time and most of the smaller knives I've had were not 100% comfortable in my hand. Any of the larger knives I own come with longer handles and better ergonomics because of it.
You only get a relatively short time on this rock so I say use the hell out of ZT. You have plenty of time to get into 'collector / safe queen' knives later!
Knives, like all tools, always look their best with scratches, dents, dirt, and all the stories about how it got you out of a spontaneous jam....
You only get a relatively short time on this rock so I say use the hell out of ZT. You have plenty of time to get into 'collector / safe queen' knives later!
Knives, like all tools, always look their best with scratches, dents, dirt, and all the stories about how it got you out of a spontaneous jam....
Look into Al Mar Eagle Ultralight 4" blade at 2oz. Very high quality knife
http://www.agrussell.com/al-mar-eagle-ultralight-talons/p/AMKhhh1005UT/
http://www.agrussell.com/al-mar-eagle-ultralight-talons/p/AMKhhh1005UT/
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- 16,397
Knife Sherpa
"Big" is a relative term. I've carried 3.5" folders before, and for the past few years carried 3" folders. I've gone back to 3.5" folders for EDC. I would even try a Spyderco Military.
Using pocket clips I have no problem with weight and not much problem with size. In my pocket a 5 oz. knife doesn't feel any different than a 3 oz. knife, and length isn't a problem either. Without a pocket clip I can't have a very big knife laying in the bottom of my pocket but I don't carry any of mine that way. I do carry a Leaterman Juice in the bottom of my pocket and that is about the biggest that is comfortable for me to carry that way.
This is my current EDC rotation:
Using pocket clips I have no problem with weight and not much problem with size. In my pocket a 5 oz. knife doesn't feel any different than a 3 oz. knife, and length isn't a problem either. Without a pocket clip I can't have a very big knife laying in the bottom of my pocket but I don't carry any of mine that way. I do carry a Leaterman Juice in the bottom of my pocket and that is about the biggest that is comfortable for me to carry that way.
This is my current EDC rotation:
Sonnydaze
Gold Member
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So many companies have jumped on the bandwagon to produce absolute tanks that are NOT useful in casual everyday carry. In general, thick blades don't slice as well as thinner blades, but one can grind a secondary edge profile which will provide better slicing ability with the thicker blade.
ZT's are excellent knives, and the company has models available for your specific purpose. Models like the 560 series are much too large and too heavy for me, although I truly enjoy the various 0350 variants. One of my grown sons chose a tiger-striped 0350 (0.125" blade-width) immediately for his own use, while rejecting the NIB 0551 (0.160") next to it, without a second thought, as too big, too huge, too thick for his use and carry comfort.
So personalize your knife to your intended use. The 0350's are relatively thin in blade-width, handle-width, light and very capable. My favorite 0350 is one with a composite blade-steel using ZDP-189 which takes a fine edge and holds it a long time before needing resharpening. In general, thinner blades slice better; thicker blades are much tougher and can even be used to pry without chipping or breaking of the blade tip.
My blades are usually about 0.125" (1/8") stock thickness and I'm happy with up to 0.165". The blade-widths of 0.190" and above, IMO, are special use knives, finding use with LEO's and the military. Most usual type folks, like myself, have no use for blade-widths that are 1/4" or more in thickness, although opinions vary , and many of these "tanks" provide enormous self-satisfaction to their owners.
I have several other favorites, all of which use blades of approx 3.5" long, blade-width that's not too thick to slice.
My number one had long been the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (PM2), although the CRK Sebenza and the Strider Sng seem to prove its equal in nearly every way. All three have a blade of suitable length and width, a pleasantly thin handle width and weight which falls nicely below five ounces.
Although the Spyderco PM2 blade-steel is availble in many different supersteels, and I REALLY like that, the Strider and the Sebenza (CRK) have opted to provide specific heat-treatment parameters which provide adequate strength and edge-holding capability in their blade-steels.
Sonnydaze
ZT's are excellent knives, and the company has models available for your specific purpose. Models like the 560 series are much too large and too heavy for me, although I truly enjoy the various 0350 variants. One of my grown sons chose a tiger-striped 0350 (0.125" blade-width) immediately for his own use, while rejecting the NIB 0551 (0.160") next to it, without a second thought, as too big, too huge, too thick for his use and carry comfort.
So personalize your knife to your intended use. The 0350's are relatively thin in blade-width, handle-width, light and very capable. My favorite 0350 is one with a composite blade-steel using ZDP-189 which takes a fine edge and holds it a long time before needing resharpening. In general, thinner blades slice better; thicker blades are much tougher and can even be used to pry without chipping or breaking of the blade tip.
My blades are usually about 0.125" (1/8") stock thickness and I'm happy with up to 0.165". The blade-widths of 0.190" and above, IMO, are special use knives, finding use with LEO's and the military. Most usual type folks, like myself, have no use for blade-widths that are 1/4" or more in thickness, although opinions vary , and many of these "tanks" provide enormous self-satisfaction to their owners.
I have several other favorites, all of which use blades of approx 3.5" long, blade-width that's not too thick to slice.
My number one had long been the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (PM2), although the CRK Sebenza and the Strider Sng seem to prove its equal in nearly every way. All three have a blade of suitable length and width, a pleasantly thin handle width and weight which falls nicely below five ounces.
Although the Spyderco PM2 blade-steel is availble in many different supersteels, and I REALLY like that, the Strider and the Sebenza (CRK) have opted to provide specific heat-treatment parameters which provide adequate strength and edge-holding capability in their blade-steels.
Sonnydaze
Last edited:
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Carry around a cold steel rajah 2 or spartan for a week. then switch back to a zt. it will make it seem microscopic.
Problem solved.
Problem solved.
I also have a problem with EDCing large folders. My solution is to not EDC large folders!
Nobody's forcing you to carry something you don't like. There are a ton of great small folders out there. :thumbup:
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This.. I've done mostly big folders and the Military wears the best.
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How about a BM 940 great size blade for a lighter package?
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I have and will continue to carry the above folders
Just tighten the old belt no problem
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awesome mursepack. it might be illegal to wear those, as you'd have to physically beat the ladies off with a stick.
back on-topic:
i'm in the same boat re: size of knife for daily carry. day to day - BM mini-grip (low-rider clip), Spydie chaparall (low-rider clip), Kershaw skyline (low-rider clip), Spydie ambitious (low-rider clip), SAK compact, or small Sebenza. as i'm sure you noted, it even took low-rider clips to make most of them work for me in a suburban lifestyle.
all that said, i capital letters LOVE my 0551. and it is way (way way way) too big to carry around the office. people in a grocery store around here might panic. but i LOVE that knife. days off, it is the one in my pocket. hiking, walking the dog, working in the yard, it's the one in my pocket. i usually handle/fondle it every day getting dressed as i'm grabbing a smaller one for regular workdays.
so don't hesitate, you'll love it, whichever one you pick (550/560), and you'll find reasons to carry it - i went 551 b/c i prefer the slightly smaller size of the 0550 line (and wanted to try out elmax), although everyone says the 0560 line is less bulky even if it's a bit larger. you'll dig it. you'll find days to carry it, it's a h*ll of a knife. (made even awesomer by G10 scales from rival1314 here on BF)
