If you buy a new knife, Would the blade be 3" or 3 1/2"?

While I have to agree with the crowd that 3" - 3.5" is best blade length, I find that the reason I don't buy certain knives is that there's too much "handle" around blades that size.
 
My favorite knife is a 3" blade. And I find it ideal for tasks as well as laws and non-knife people. Then again I have small hands so they tend to fit me better on the smaller side too.
 
Most of my knives are around 3.5" although 3" is good enough for most EDC cutting needs I just like a blade to be 3.5" or a little bigger. Been carrying my FFG Endura lately and find it's blade length to be just right.
 
:DI like 3.5 or better. I think it fits nice in my hand and that makes it easier to cut with, after all that's why We buy them for. Well most of them anyway!!
 
For EDC use, I tend to prefer folders with handles at least 4", but not much longer than 4-1/2" or so. That's a size that will fill up my hand nicely, without being too bulky for the pocket. However much blade will fit into that size handle will work for me the vast majority of the time.
 
I've found my idea folder blade size to be 3.75 inches. I will buy anything from 3.5 to a little over 4 inches.
 
I greatly prefer a 3 inch blade for an everday carry knife. I very rarely ever carry a folder larger than that and if I do its just because I really like the design of the knife and am admiring it. If I need anything longer than 3 inches I'll slap a fixed blade on my belt.
 
I'd prefer 3 3/8" to 3 1/2" in folders blade length (not cutting edge!). Main reasons - perfect for edc anf law restrictions for blade length more then 3 1/2". Should I need longer blade - then I'd go to fixed ones.
 
As was said in a post above, it's more about HANDLE size than blade size.
Some folders have a great blade-to-handle size ratio: Benchmade Mini-Skirmish
Some folders have a very large handle with a smaller blade: most Emerson knives

Personal preference is to have the blade-to-handle ratio be as close to 1:1 as possible.
If the handle length is 3.5"-4.0" and the blade is close to that, then in my opinion, it's darn near perfect...

Thank you AG!

Regards,
Mike
 
For legal reasons in my area, 3" would be better. That said, I prefer the handle size of 3.5" folders. I find most 3" and smaller folders have handles that are too small and/or thin to be comfortable.
 
Now that I'm about to move to a city with a 3" limit, I personally would go for the 3" blade. If there were no limitations I tend to prefer 3.5" blades. But in all practicality, a 3" blade works just fine. I think the combination of those that prefer 3" blades, the general public's view of knives, along with the various blade length limitations throughout the country, a 3" blade will be your best bet for sales.
 
I find a 3" blade to be ideal for my edc. My two all-time favorites are the Buck/Mayo TNT and the small inlaid Senenza
 
3" or under for knives with clips..Smaller for pocket knives.

I have 2 knives here on my desk. Both blades are 3.0 inches long. One has a handle that is a hair under 4.5 inches long, and I am uncomfortable with it.. Just feels to big. The other has a handle that is 3.80 and it feels and looks right.
 
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