Largest "useful" blade length?

ferider said:
Kephart was born 30 years after the first revolver was patented (1836). The Bowie knife was designed in the 1820s. You’re mixing time lines ….
My point is there always was variety, not everybody carried the same stuff / similar kits.
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"This is more or less what c.1830's mountain men carried in the Rocky Mountains" Did I miss something? You must think that Kephart, and Sears where not aware of the frontiersmen, in the early 1890's some were still alive. My Great Grandfather Billings, a cowboy, Shotgun rider, and trapper in North West Wyoming knew some of them at that time.
 
If we look at traditional knives from around the world we see that the sizes and styles vary tremendously. For home and EDC use, I am happy with a 2.5 - 4” folder. Back when I did hunting, my usual knife was a 4-6” fixed blade. For hiking the knife was a multi-tool or SAK and my usual stockman, backed by a 2/3 camp axe, machete, or large camp knife - depending on conditions. No one is asking anyone to limit themselves to a single knife and doing so would make less sense than packing a single screw driver in your tool box. “Oh-oh, sorry I only packed my medium flathead and this screw requires a large one….I will have to come back tomorrow..:(”

Having access to a variety of knives means being able to use a more effective tool. When the winds start blowing and the trees start falling, you are going to feel very under gunned with that fancy folder. If I catch you at the right time I might even be able to trade you a machete for a Sabenza. That trade also works if evening is approaching and you are trying to get through thorny brambles…och! A larger knife never seemed so good.😁

N2s
 
My maternal Grandfather had this beast and as little boy it was scary. It watched grandpa cut down small pine trees with it . It was first used in the Spanish American War.

WWI Collins Type 1 1005 Bolo Marine Engineers Machete
15" blade, very thick about 1/4" it weighs over 2.5 pounds.

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🤔
 
Folders represent 95+ % of my knife use outside of the kitchen. I mostly own 3-3.5 inch blades on my folders (sharpened length).

This seems to be the sweet spot for me.
 
We have big fruit. Watermelon, pineapple, mangoes paw paws., coconuts. That people sell at roadside stalls.

And I have appreciated a bigger knife to handle that. Where i haven't found my bigger knives really struggle with light jobs.

And I do like a picnic as a destination activity.

I am half tempted to get the civi hid.
 
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These threads always remind me of my Dad. He carried a 6” PAL MKI USN deck knife. It was like a scalpel in his hand. He liked it because it had a full size handle. Could field dress a deer and slice an onion. IMG_3019.jpeg I always picked a little larger something like a MKII.
 
Shorttime said:
I don't do bushie stuff because I like my bed and my coffee maker.
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Consider doing some bushie stuff!

You don’t have to spend the night in the woods to get out and hike, practice wood gathering and fire making (more fun if you bring food or a beverage to heat up), and practice scouting out places and materials that you could use for shelter (essentially emergency role-playing - as if your airplane had crashed for instance).

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This may bring you an appreciation of larger knives and generally improve your health, well-being, and confidence in the woods all at the same time. Just remember to leave an itinerary with someone you trust and bring a real map and a compass along with your survival knife/knives. 🌲🌲
 
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I think a 6 or 7in Hudson Bay style blade with a thick spine would be my choice for one-knife-does-all
 

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My every day carry is almost always a folder, but even if I edc a fixed blade, a 3-3 1/2" blade works best for me. For the woods, I like a fixed blade with 5-7" blade. If the job calls for something bigger, I have a couple Busse's that have that covered too.
 

If it’s all the same to everyone I will continue to use this to butter my toast as it helps me to keep the smachete looking spiffy.

N2s
 
Cold Steel calls this one a 5 1/2 incher, and though it's shorter than that, I like it a lot as a do-everything-I-want folder.



Lately, however, I've been enjoying this one a lot, too, because it solves the fragile-tip worry that batoning through Roma tomatoes evinces, and it has a 4-inch blade.

 
Drop bear said:
We have big fruit. Watermelon, pineapple, mangoes paw paws., coconuts. That people sell at roadside stalls.

And I have appreciated a bigger knife to handle that. Where i haven't found my bigger knives really struggle with light jobs.

And I do like a picnic as a destination activity.

I am half tempted to get the civi hid.
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Dang, now I am too! The big river site has all styles for $85!
 
I carry a stout 4 inch fixed most of the time. In my vehicle, I always have a larger fixed in my go bag. As well as a couple multi tools. I'm a worker, a doer, a fixer...so I can't have to many tools.
I subscribe to the philosophy that you should carry the strongest knife, in the size you like, that you can. I collect SAK's, so don't think I don't appreciate slender and delicate cutting tools. I own many. I just think, if I am going to use it as a tool, it should be strong enough for extra duty.
I think big knives are usually better. I know all the arguments for only needing a 3-5 inch blade, but out and about the wilds, you never know what "need" may arise. I personally like a max of 8-9" blades..but sometimes I make bigger blades, just because. Truth is, if I was living off the land, I would want a bunch of tools and knives. Axe, saw, 4 inch scandi, 5 inch hunter and a big ol survival style for defense, draw knife, chopping...
 
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