If you were confined to one knife to EDC carry,

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Modoc ED

Modoc ED

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What size (closed) would it be?

In April 2010, "Durwood" started a thread about what everyone's favorite closed length would be for their EDC knife. Rather than bring that older thread to the top, I thought I'd start a new one.

My favored length is 4". That means that the main blade would be between 3" to 3 1/4" -- legal in most jurisdictions. However, since I don't actively work on any local farms or ranches anymore I have come to like a stockman knife of 3 7/8" closed. Further, the closed length of 3 3/8" would bring the main blade to just under 3" -- legal for sure in all jurisdiction that I know of.
 
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Personally, I think the answer depends on other factors too (width, thickness), but as for pure length, I'd say between 3,25" and 3,5" closed.

Fausto
:cool:
 
You're right Fausto. The lenght of the knife anyone carries depends greatly on how the knife will be used but it's nice to know that the blade length of the knife carried won't put you behind bars. :eek:
 
This is very circular for me, but however big my modified Opinel #9 is. That knife, by far, is the one knife I always want with me.

My #9 has been shortened and reshapened to a drop point and the handle shortened about as far as it can be taken. Handle is 4.5" and blade length is 3.5". I *could* move down to a 3" bladed knife. I have several like a Buck 112, Buck 500, Buck 482 and Opinel #8. Food prep (which I use my knives for quite a bit) is harder at 3". I don't like smaller pocket knives unless I have the #9 around somewhere as a back up for this reason. If I had to go to 1, no question which it would be.

Edited to add...

Here's a shot of some of my knives. The modified #9 is the top Opinel shown. That's my size if I have to have only one.


Folders by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
Thats a tough one Ed.

If I was confined to one knife, I would have to go with my #73L, it's length is 3 3/4'' closed.
But, I would have to miss out on my 4'' Big Jack and not to mention the Powderhorns and Toothpicks from GEC.

My favorite Jack knives, the #56 and #66 are both 3 1/2'' closed.

If I could have a bracket, it would be for knives between 3'' and 4'', that would be perfect for me. Picking just one closed length for a knife is tough though.
 
Personally if forced that I had to edc only one knife for the rest of time, it would be some sort of fixed blade, 3.5" blade, ~7" OAL.
 
I like a blade in the 3" length even though Tn. has a 4" Length limit.* So I EDC one of my Para's everyday which has a length of 4 3/4" by a Blade of 3" and also because I like the Para's more than most of my other Spydies as far as comfort and easy carry with Clip.!*
 
When I read the question, the first thing I thought of was my GEC calf roper. If I had to carry just one for EDC for always, that would be the one. So I guess that means ~3.5" overall in-pocket, the long blade falls in the 2.5" range.
 
If we were talking traditional knives, which I think we are, I'd pick 4" to 4 1/8". I've been carrying a lot of larger single blade slip joints for a while, but if I could only have one knife it would be a full sized trapper.
 
I think I'd be just fine with a small sodbuster. Like this GEC Bullnose. Pay no attention to the Insingo. Though it would do the job too. ;)
BCBF6C1F.jpg
 
johnny twoshoes said:
Thats a tough one Ed.

If I was confined to one knife, I would have to go with my #73L, it's length is 3 3/4'' closed.
But, I would have to miss out on my 4'' Big Jack and not to mention the Powderhorns and Toothpicks from GEC.

My favorite Jack knives, the #56 and #66 are both 3 1/2'' closed.

If I could have a bracket, it would be for knives between 3'' and 4'', that would be perfect for me. Picking just one closed length for a knife is tough though.
Click to expand...

I'd second the #73 tied with an Opinel #8 but suspect the Bullnose will give them a run for their money when it arrives!

Sam
 
avoidspam said:
I'd second the #73 tied with an Opinel #8 but suspect the Bullnose will give them a run for their money when it arrives!

Sam
Click to expand...

FWIW, I have six GEC #73s, and I prefer the Bullnose over all of them. Mostly because you can pinch the blade open, but the steel is better and the handle is more comfortable too. For a simple, hard-working single blade, it doesn't get much better. :)
 
It may well be considered heresy to say so openly on the traditional forum, but if I was forced to have only one it would be a very difficult choice between my Case Peanut and my Victorinox Fieldmaster. The Peanut is 2.875" and the Fieldmaster is 91 mm (slightly over 3.5").

However, when my Colonial Barlow returns rescaled as a shadow pattern in marigold bone, it may take pride of place over the Peanut, so that would make both of my top choices in the 3.5" range.
 
If I could only pick one... It would be a Wharncliffe Trapper
3-1/2 closed. It will do anything a man needs done in a days work...imho

Jason

Reese Bose WT..
new034.jpg
 
I have to agree the Bullnose beats out the 73's pretty much in everyway...except the 73's have the added strength of a bolster.

Anyhow if I had to pick one, Ed you really are a grump :-p, it would be my Richard Rogers Sowbelly Stockman. I carried it for about a year when I first got it and had ZERO urge to look for another knife. It wasn't until I temporarily retired it that I have been endlessly looking for an equal.

Not sure on the dimensions. I will check into that later.

Kevin
 
pinnah said:
Ed, this would make an interesting poll.
Click to expand...

I was going to do this as a poll but couldn't figure out how to do it as a poll -- poll symbol, choices, etc.

Oh well, hopefully, it'll work out oi.
 
weinerd said:
Personally if forced that I had to edc only one knife for the rest of time, it would be some sort of fixed blade, 3.5" blade, ~7" OAL.
Click to expand...


Ditto. The only knife I have that fits this is a Buck Alpha Hunter. I've thought about giving it a try as an EDC.
 
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