Largest "useful" blade length?

[RPZIP]

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

Quote:
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.
End quote

Very true. Exception would be a knife carried by a miltary pilot etc as part of a survival kit. Most military pilots are not knife nuts and only going to have one that is issue, or maybe one they have chosen themselves to carry in the cockpit. Many professionals - cops, firemen, outdoor workers - carry knives on their belts, but usually just one.

 

[Shorttime]

Quote:
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.
End quote

Very true. Exception would be a knife carried by a miltary pilot etc as part of a survival kit. Most military pilots are not knife nuts and only going to have one that is issue, or maybe one they have chosen themselves to carry in the cockpit. Many professionals - cops, firemen, outdoor workers - carry knives on their belts, but usually just one.

And in those cases, it's even more important that their one knife should be not too big, and not too small, but just right. The "Goldilocks zone", as it were.

While there is no agreement on any one size that fits all (and there shouldn't be! Right tool for the job, after all), looking at the replies so far seems like there are mostly three blade-size-wise categories.

3"-4.5" for everyday stuff. I fit into this category, as most of my cutting needs involve the pre-packaged frustrations of our "civilized" world.

4"-6" which catches a big chunk of people who are carrying a fixed blade as their EDC, and seems to be the Goldilocks zone for a lot of knives, anyway. I would think most of you who do this live a little further out, where there may be more than plastic bags that need a touch of the edge.

8"-10" Right on! I have no idea what some of youse are doing with this much sharpened steel, but I respect you, and support your right to do it!

Sure, I'm painting with a broad brush. This is the internet, where everybody is wrong, so if you're interested in making a case for why 7.125" is The Ideal Blade Length, I would love to hear it! I like knife philosophy in general, and as a very much hobbyist knife maker, I'm interested in understanding the "why" of other people's carry choices.

 

[Cobalt]

Here's a few cliche's that apply
The largest useful knife size changes with activity type.
A large knife can do most small knife jobs, but a small knife can't do large knife jobs.
The best knife is a hatchet

For me,
The best knife size for daily chores is 3.5 inches
The Best knife size in the kitchen is 8 inches
And my favorite knife size for outdoor all around use is 10-11 inch.

 

[donnord]

My opinion is 4" for a folder is my max length preference, for a fixed blade 5"-6" is pretty useful.

 

[RPZIP]

And in those cases, it's even more important that their one knife should be not too big, and not too small, but just right. The "Goldilocks zone", as it were.

While there is no agreement on any one size that fits all (and there shouldn't be! Right tool for the job, after all), looking at the replies so far seems like there are mostly three blade-size-wise categories.

3"-4.5" for everyday stuff. I fit into this category, as most of my cutting needs involve the pre-packaged frustrations of our "civilized" world.

4"-6" which catches a big chunk of people who are carrying a fixed blade as their EDC, and seems to be the Goldilocks zone for a lot of knives, anyway. I would think most of you who do this live a little further out, where there may be more than plastic bags that need a touch of the edge.

8"-10" Right on! I have no idea what some of youse are doing with this much sharpened steel, but I respect you, and support your right to do it!

Sure, I'm painting with a broad brush. This is the internet, where everybody is wrong, so if you're interested in making a case for why 7.125" is The Ideal Blade Length, I would love to hear it! I like knife philosophy in general, and as a very much hobbyist knife maker, I'm interested in understanding the "why" of other people's carry choices.

I agree. In my opinion the compromise "do it all" is about 4 to 6 inches, and my EVAC, get home, "survival", "bushcraft" is a 5.5 inch.

Also significant is the blade design and profile which is another subject.

 

[jaseman]

And in those cases, it's even more important that their one knife should be not too big, and not too small, but just right. The "Goldilocks zone", as it were.

While there is no agreement on any one size that fits all (and there shouldn't be! Right tool for the job, after all), looking at the replies so far seems like there are mostly three blade-size-wise categories.

3"-4.5" for everyday stuff. I fit into this category, as most of my cutting needs involve the pre-packaged frustrations of our "civilized" world.

4"-6" which catches a big chunk of people who are carrying a fixed blade as their EDC, and seems to be the Goldilocks zone for a lot of knives, anyway. I would think most of you who do this live a little further out, where there may be more than plastic bags that need a touch of the edge.

8"-10" Right on! I have no idea what some of youse are doing with this much sharpened steel, but I respect you, and support your right to do it!

Sure, I'm painting with a broad brush. This is the internet, where everybody is wrong, so if you're interested in making a case for why 7.125" is The Ideal Blade Length, I would love to hear it! I like knife philosophy in general, and as a very much hobbyist knife maker, I'm interested in understanding the "why" of other people's carry choices.

And I think you’ve described exactly why so many of us often carry more than one knife. I live in the cushy suburbs, but do a lot of outdoors stuff, whether it’s yard maintenance or weekend warrioring. So while 3.5” is my ideal size 9-5, M thru F, 5-7” is my preferred once I’m out in the woods or in the yard. And deep out in the bush, my 10” camp knife becomes ever so handy.

 

[Mick Boardman]

Depends on the use, but I do find anything over 8” for the woods to be in excess. 3-3.5” folder spot on for EDC work, 4” seems a tad too long.

 

[acaptainnn]

3.5" max unless is a kitchen knife.

Agreed

 

[whp]

I think every home owner should have a big chopper to deal with large fallen tree branches that need removal....

I personally like bigger blades, and have comfortably carried 7" for EDC...but like most, 4-6" being most common

Speaking of fallen tree branches, about two weeks ago I was outside with my dog when a twenty five foot pinetreae branch fell in our yard twenty feet from us , taking down a twenty foot oak tree branch with it. Right across our driveway. The pine branch was about 10 inches in diameter, the oak branch about 8 inches. I might have been carrying a Recon 1. Very sturdy and useful, but worthless for this situation. With a recently broken left arm, I had to use a battery powered chain saw with one hand to cut these into small pieces to carry back into the woods to clear the driveway.

I had to relate this after seeing this reference to clearing large tree branches. The bigger pine branch fell from about 50-60 feet up and was the size of a small tree. If my dog and I had been under that branch instead of a few feet away, I wouldn t be writing this now. I ve had enough bad luck lately.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Speaking of fallen tree branches, about two weeks ago I was outside with my dog when a twenty five foot pinetreae branch fell in our yard twenty feet from us , taking down a twenty foot oak tree branch with it. Right across our driveway. The pine branch was about 10 inches in diameter, the oak branch about 8 inches. I might have been carrying a Recon 1. Very sturdy and useful, but worthless for this situation. With a recently broken left arm, I had to use a battery powered chain saw with one hand to cut these into small pieces to carry back into the woods to clear the driveway.

I had to relate this after seeing this reference to clearing large tree branches. The bigger pine branch fell from about 50-60 feet up and was the size of a small tree. If my dog and I had been under that branch instead of a few feet away, I wouldn t be writing this now. I ve had enough bad luck lately.

I see it as you had Very Good Luck!
-you both didn't get hit.
That's a good thing. I'm glad you were able to still clear it.

Trees are Amazing. So Powerful. The more I think about trees the more impressed I am..... Engineering marvels.

 

[bikerector]

I think my longest kitchen knife is 14", and it's glorious for sizing up bulk meats. 10" is very reasonable most of the time as well but I probably use the 5" one the most for cutting up small things for kid's lunches and snacks.

A 6" fixed blade is pretty useful around the yard but every now and then a machete is nice to use instead, usually a 16" bolo or 18" latin. The machetes have been getting a decent amount of work the past 2 years as we've had a lot of ice in the winters that knocked down or killed trees.

Around the house for utility chores, 4 and 5" is a nice size. I do use an 8" leuku for cutting down cardboard pretty regularly in the garage.

 

[VorpelSword]

The "best" blade length is . . . as long and as heavy as you need it to be to get the job done.

In the recent past, an eye surgeon might have used a flake of Obsidian. Today that might instead be a laser. A Tuna knife looks to be about two feet long. In the Medieval period, there was a use for a huge sword for hacking at pikes and a Knights lance; see Braveheart.

My own urban EDC is a Leatherman Wave right now. In the past, it was a heftier Buck 110. I live in Houston Texas where we may legally openly carry about any blade except maybe a Samauri's Katana or a Renaissance Rapier. But...much like the OP, I cannot imagine the daily wear of a knife with a blade larger than 4", folding or fixed . . . if only because of issues with bulk and weight. However, that is again for daily EDC in an urban environment.

 

[cbach8tw]

The most practical for overall needs would be 4 - 6 inches, but for my EDC needs I like 2.5 to 3.5 inches. I think more small fixed blades are becoming very popular or trendy lately, depending how they can be carried too, and small fixies have certainly filled a lot of you tube time that I see lately. For camping, a 7 to 8 inches is good, but I am more talking glamping then camping, I find a good knife for food prep is more important, and even a Swiss Army knife filled a lot of roles. What I first grab is a 3 inch blade.

 

[VorpelSword]

When our son went into the Marines as a 2nd Lt, I understood that he was required to have a "belt knife"* with a blade at least 7" long. In his time in Iraq, that was 2004-2005, he spent weeks at s time outside the wire. He has said that this knife was exclusively used for everyday utility chores similar to primitive camping. He did not bring a fixed blade dagger or folding stiletto for that reason.

He also has said that anything longer than 7" would have been less convenient to carry for reasons of bulk and weight. Weight can become a paramount consideration for infantry.

*Side Bar Note: The term "belt knife" is meant to refer to a fixed blade not compatable with pocket carry. In use, his fixed blade at that time either a Randall #16-1, or a CRK Green Beret, was worn on a drop leg thigh rig with his pistol or strapped to his plate carrier.

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

Just remember to leave an itinerary with someone you trust and bring a real map and a compass along with your survival knife/knives.

This right here, #1

 

[vltor17]

The 9” blade is useful for watermelons, wedding cakes, and tall grass.View attachment 2728915

Looks like the optimum knife for the task. Cuda or clone?

 

[tiguy7]

Looks like the optimum knife for the task. Cuda or clone?

It’s a Darrel Ralph Custom. He designed the factory CUDAs. The Camillus CUDAs came with 5 1/2” blades or 7” blades. The 9” are all Custom. Here are the 3 sizes.

 

[David Mary]

This is the internet, where everybody is wrong, so if you're interested in making a case for why 7.125" is The Ideal Blade Length, I would love to hear it!

Here’s why:



Yep. That’s my actual EDC now.

 

[DunRanull]

I'm a Town Boy, and I don't do bushie stuff because I like my bed and my coffee maker.

For my uses, a 4" blade is the upper limit of "useful size". If I need more than that, I'm probably doing demolitions, and I brought specialized tools.

I'm curious about what other people have found to be the biggest practical blade? Where does it become more practical to carry a hatchet or machete and leave the knife for finer work?

Pic is for attention.

View attachment 2723816

Back in my long-past field-humping days I carried a 7" blade for the most part. Sometimes a 12" khukri or 9" bowie. Plus a 3-blade pocket folder of course for small stuff. Now it's mostly a 3" pocket clip. And a 4-5" belt knife as needed.
My wife says an 8" blade is best- lord knows she uses it often enuff...

 

[David Mary]

I think every home owner should have a big chopper to deal with large fallen tree branches that need removal....

Agreed! My 15" bladed Barax machete is my yard work knife.

For those who do have need of a larger blade than that, what sorts of work do you do with it?

Mostly, I use them to make wood and cardboard into smaller pieces.

I don't believe [in] "best" blade length. I will carry and use blade sizes ranging from 1.6", to 15". It all depends on the job...

Agreed!

My post above is somewhat tongue in cheek (though that is my EDC knife now). The fact is that since I started making my own fixed blades, I have carried and used many sizes, in large part just to experience the act of completing various tasks with sizes and styles I may not have considered viable for said tasks. In some cases, I have proved myself right that certain knives or sizes are not suited to certain tasks, but in a lot of cases, I have found that tasks that are supposed to be best accomplished with one type of knife can be effectively accomplished with something that might be counterintuitive at first glance. For example, opening packages with a bigger knife.

But I am in agreement with the 5" size. To me that is the most versatile size for most undefined possible cutting tasks that may come up.