Is a folding knife over 4 inches worth owning?

[1911bphil]

Blade length is a secondary concern for me. I consider the size of the handle first. I have XL-XXL hands and prefer a handle at least 5" long. Most of the Cold Steel large and extra large folders have great handles that fit my hands very well. These knives have blades 4" or longer. Another reason to own them is just because I can.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I don't really think a folding knife over 4 inches in blade length is worth while.

After a certain point, just carry a fixed blade.

 

[kobold]

Sometimes I would like an XHP Talwar, but my Military, Native Chief and Stretch 2 XL folders are just fine for my needs.

 

[DocJD]

Out in public , I usually don't exceed around 4" blade folders .

On my own property , especially outdoors , generally XL folders from Cold Steel . Sometimes fixed larger .

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Depends on the needs. I have been gravitating toward sub 3.5" knives as of late when it comes to carry. Also, as I am wearing shorts more without a belt, weight becomes a factor.

For most of the fall and winter, the SHF has been in my pocket, It's heavy but in belted jeans, it's a non-issue. Clipped into draw string work shorts with my Multitool in my other pocket, not to mention my phone and wallet...its too much. I started carrying something smaller and carried (and still carry) a Hera Mini OTF as it weighs next to nothing. However, for work and sweat and dirt, it's not ideal. I started carrying a Mini Adamas as I love that knife too, but it's still a chunker. Finally (and always happy to enable myself), I went ahead and bought the Stretch XL Salt you see. Just as big as the SHF, but like half the weight. However, for me, and for my work, the extra length is nice to have on the jobsite. I could carry a smaller blade, but this one does more work...and doesn't yank my pants down.

Day to day, I don't need a 4" blade. However, I have a few CS that makes me smile. I love my 6" Hold Out. With the handle it's like 13" OAL. It doesn't serve much of a purpose, but it opens fast and loud with a Snaggletooth

I could get along just fine without a 4+" blade, but my life would be poorer for it

 

[mitchnola]

How well a knife carries is one of the most important decisions in purchasing a knife because if I can’t carry it comfortably then it will never get used and just sit on a shelf.

There are plenty 4” knives that carry well. Emerson has many options that are nearly 4” that are great to carry. The kwaiken at 3.8-9, the roadhouse at 3.8 and the cqc 8 at 3.8-9 are a couple I have that are excellent to carry. At the end of the day if the blade is 4”s or even bigger and can be reasonably carried and used then why not.

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[jmj3esq]

I love this beauty. Spyderco folding Catcherman. It’s more than a filet knife.

 

[eveled]

In the title You ask if its worth owning, then talk about carrying it.

There are other reasons to own a knife. Historical, novelty, display, etc. So yes they are worth owning.

For reference that is a Buck 110 opened ontop of the RED SOX knife.

The Opinel no13 has a blade that is almost 9” long. It’s an awesome picnic knife. (Ever wonder how to safely take a chefs knife somewhere?). My kids call mine the watermelon knife.

Also the GIANT JACK pilot survival knife has an overall length with both blades open of 18” I believe. A must have for any military collector

 

[bdmicarta]

I think they are worth owning and worth carrying, for some people. It depends on your interests and your uses.

I have decided that blades around 3.5" are the best compromise for me. I own a Spyderco Military and carry it occasionally, and I've used other blades of that size previously. (I try to be aware of the laws in places where I go and choose knives accordingly.) In my state our law used to have a 5.5" limit, maybe not enforced aggressively. When I discovered that I sold a lot of fixed blades I had that were longer but I didn't own any large folders. I did think though that since the limit was 5.5" I should buy a 5.5" folder to carry occasionally but I never did, then our laws were changed to remove that limit. I have a Spyderco PM2 in my pocket right now and I'm happy with that size. Occasionally I think I should carry my Military more and maybe I will.

 

[irsh]

Not for me. If I need more I should have brought a fixed blade.

 

[mitchnola]

I just don’t see why blade length would determine that anything should be a fixed blade. I would think use would be the reason for whether or not a fixed blade is needed.

Perfect is example is the 9” opinel watermelon blade. Great cause it’s big enough but is only 10” closed compared to having to bring a 14-15” fixed blade.

Just my opinion though.

 

[Tsujigiri]

I'd say they are; and honestly it's more weight and width that makes a knife carry large, not length. Usually you have a lot of unused space in the pocket past the end of a normal sized knife. A larger blade is nice for tasks where you have to saw, since you have a longer stroke. I also have one that's meant to be a folding kitchen knife, which you kind of need the larger blade for. And a good balisong is going to have a blade 4.5" or so long; any shorter and it'll balance somewhat awkwardly. If you're into classic Italian stilettos, you'll want a blade over 4" since those are the classic sizes. Then there are the behemoths that are fun just because.

 

[Therom]

For my use a 3.25-3.75 blade length is great

I only have a ZT0452CF with a blade length a smidge over 4 ” and it carries very well (after changing the pocket clip )

I don’t see the point for me to get a larger blade on a folding knife

However a lot of knives at 4” are very pocketable: Spartan SHF, Shirogorov F95, Spyderco Policefor exemple can easily be carried

But larger…. Not really for me

 

[knarfeng]

It seems like most areas make the legal limit 3 or 4 inches. Anything larger is usually very heavy to carry. Is there any logical reason to own an Espada XL or large?

I feel as if a fixed blade should be used for hunting/ camping tasks when the knife needs to be larger than 4 inches.

I also find the Cold Steel Kukri to be the ultimate camping/ coyote defense blade that can still be carried. What are your thoughts?

San Diego does not have length limits for folders. Neither the state nor the city have length limits for fixed blades, but you are required to carry a fixed blade plainly visible on your belt. Going out with a large fixed blade on my belt draws worried glances from passers-by. So if I want a large blade, it'll be a folder. So, do I want one.

It depends on what I'm doing that day. If I'm out and about town going to stores, or if I'm working inside the house, then I want a nice short handy blade of about 3". But if I'm hiking in a wooded area near my house or working in the back yard, a Cold Steel Pocket Bushman with it's 4 1/2 inch blade is nice to have and easy to carry. Closest thing to an actual fixed blade you can carry.

But then there's my Luzon Large with it's 6 inch blade. I mostly carry that because it's FUN.

Quiet said it in fewer words.

The clear answer is yes. "Why"? Because yes.

 

[norcalAF]

For my use a 3.25-3.75 blade length is great

I only have a ZT0452CF with a blade length a smidge over 4 ” and it carries very well (after changing the pocket clip )

I don’t see the point for me to get a larger blade on a folding knife

However a lot of knives at 4” are very pocketable: Spartan SHF, Shirogorov F95, Spyderco Policefor exemple can easily be carried

But larger…. Not really for me

I love both of my 0452 variants, they carry extremely well for such a large blade

 

[AntDog]

Folders, I have one on the way that is 7.5" oal, with a 3.5" blade. On the fence about if it will be too small for a primary carry, and it probably will be. I'll either trade or relegate it to back-up status.

Here in Texas, we only have to follow the weapons laws if it's over 5". Can't carry anyplace that a firearm isn't permitted, church, school or government building basically. Don't have any over 4.25" but that's only because there aren't many out there that check the other boxes.

My fixed blade collection is starting small, with a few sub 3", one 3.5" and a single 5". It's just a matter of time before those all start getting big as well. lol

I thought there were no “illegal knives” in Texas anymore. I carry whatever I want (including well over the old 5.5” limit) except where it’s posted that you can’t carry.

 

[DangerZone98]

Do you consider, "because I want to," a logical reason? Because sometimes I just want a big ass folder on me. Admittedly, I don't carry the HUGE pocket sword, as I find the Espada XL unwieldy for most pocket knife tasks.

I say that with the caveat that the Cold Steel Rajah 2 is honestly a halfway decent folding machete/hatchet for lighter duty use. And unlike an actual machete or hatchet I can fold it and toss it in a pack just in case.

IMO, the Cold Steel Voyager XL is the maximum “practical” big folder. Has a better pocket footprint than the Rajah 2 for some reason. Looks fairly discreet on jeans or even shorts.

The Rajah’s a fine knife though.

 

[bikerector]

I like them and use them a lot. Easier to carry than a fixed and here's the big one for my situation, faster and easier to get the edge put away if one of the little kids come near me while working. Big knives have big sheaths and I work with shorts/pants without belts a lot. Or, just for a quick, chop-chop, put away, the folder is fine.

For a lot work, fixed blades tend to be more comfortable.

The large rajah is one of my favorite working folders for the yard, once the sharp edges on the inside of the scales were cleaned up.

I wouldn't hate to see a few more 5" folders out there as that's my preferred "most purpose" blade length. I feel like many cold steels jump from 4" to 6" and not many others making big folders. a niche market for sure, but I like them, even if most are just for fun.

 

[bikerector]

Of the ones over 4", the rajah and counter XL get the most use. The rajah sees a fair amount of small chopping work, like trimming up pruned tree limbs for easy transport or to make it into fire wood, and clearing sapplings and other such things. I've used it to dig out the end of a drainage pipe a few times as well as I needed to cut up a lot of roots that got in. Now, I use the CS shovel which is a better tool for the task, but the rajah did really well too, just dulled right away, as sand and mud tends to do to an edge.

The counter point has started quite a few fires as it has a sharp spot on the spine for ferro rods and the length makes it easy to turn sticks into kindling just by pushing on the spine and handle, but it's batoned some things too. Getting those pencil sized sticks is easy and the weight is quite reasonable for the size of the tool, IMO. Like the rajah, it needed the plastics smoothed on the inside from the factory to make more comfortable for rougher uses.

 

[davek14]

San Diego does not have length limits for folders. Neither the state nor the city have length limits for fixed blades, but you are required to carry a fixed blade plainly visible on your belt. Going out with a large fixed blade on my belt draws worried glances from passers-by. So if I want a large blade, it'll be a folder. So, do I want one.

It depends on what I'm doing that day. If I'm out and about town going to stores, or if I'm working inside the house, then I want a nice short handy blade of about 3". But if I'm hiking in a wooded area near my house or working in the back yard, a Cold Steel Pocket Bushman with it's 4 1/2 inch blade is nice to have and easy to carry. Closest thing to an actual fixed blade you can carry.

But then there's my Luzon Large with it's 6 inch blade. I mostly carry that because it's FUN.

Quiet said it in fewer words.

Came to essentially say this. I'm guessing that, in most of the country, you wouldn't get into trouble carrying a big knife for yard work, if you're hiking, etc.. So, you need a big knife for those times. That said, now that I'm older, for just dropping into my pocket and going out I carry a pretty small knife.