Length ?

My first thought is usually blade length as opposed to overall length. I always like to see overall, blade, and sharpened length if possible. Especially if no pic. Some knives can have a significant gap between handle and sharpened blade and as someone with a big hand, I want an exact handle length.
 
ocnLogan said:
If nothing else is specified, I assume that when someone asks for a certain size knife, they are talking about blade length. Based on what I've seen/read around here, it seems that this is probably how "most" people see it.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Nicely put.
 
Hickory n steel said:
My problem is that I see threads asking what's your favorite ?" Knife then I go to post my favorite and realize that they were referring to blade length.
Click to expand...

That's because they are. If someone asks "What's your favorite 4 inch fixed blade?" they are talking about blade length. 4 inch overall fixed blade? They exist but are not the norm. I have never seen someone refer to OAL without saying "OAL."

And, if you can't figure out from the context...then ask.

Hardy seems a problem.
 
I guess my problem is that at least for fixed blades I really don't care about blade length, because a 9" long fixed blade is almost always going to have a blade length that's more than suitable for my edc needs.
It does seem like people are usually referring to blade length, so that's probably what I'll assume.
If someone has a thread for 9" fixed blades ( without specifying oal ) I'm probably going to go ahead and post pictured of a 9" oal fixed blade, because that's my Max for edc and I have a few of them.
 
Blade length is more relevant to most discussions and laws, than total length.
Handle length makes little difference to me.
 
Last edited:
Hickory n steel said:
I guess my problem is that at least for fixed blades I really don't care about blade length, because a 9" long fixed blade is almost always going to have a blade length that's more than suitable for my edc needs.
It does seem like people are usually referring to blade length, so that's probably what I'll assume.
If someone has a thread for 9" fixed blades ( without specifying oal ) I'm probably going to go ahead and post pictured of a 9" oal fixed blade, because that's my Max for edc and I have a few of them.
Click to expand...

If you are going to assume that they are talking about blade length, then why would you post a pic of a 9 inch OAL when they ask about a 9 inch fixed blade?

:confused:

If someone is asking about 9 inch fixed blades, they are talking a chopper with a 9 inch blade. Not a "medium sized" knife with a 5 inch blade. That 5 incher is an entirely different animal that the 9 incher.

I mean you are free to post whatever you want, but you wont be addressing the question.
 
marcinek said:
If you are going to assume that they are talking about blade length, then why would you post a pic of a 9 inch OAL when they ask about a 9 inch fixed blade?

:confused:

If someone is asking about 9 inch fixed blades, they are talking a chopper with a 9 inch blade. Not a "medium sized" knife with a 5 inch blade. That 5 incher is an entirely different animal that the 9 incher.

I mean you are free to post whatever you want, but you wont be addressing the question.
Click to expand...

If someone completely leaves it open for interpretation and nobody else has posted , I may be a smart ass and do this giving them the chance to specify.
I'm not going to post a knife of an overall length when it's obvious what they mean or when many people have already posted, for the most part I will try to assume that people mean blade length.
 
Hickory n steel said:
If someone completely leaves it open for interpretation and nobody else has posted , I may be a smart ass and do this giving them the chance to specify.
I'm not going to post a knife of an overall length when it's obvious what they mean or when many people have already posted, for the most part I will try to assume that people mean blade length.
Click to expand...

Why would you be a smart ass? Why would you wait for them to specify? Why wouldn't you just ask for them to clarify? Am I missing Something?
 
Hickory n steel said:
If someone completely leaves it open for interpretation and nobody else has posted , I may be a smart ass and do this giving them the chance to specify.
I'm not going to post a knife of an overall length when it's obvious what they mean or when many people have already posted, for the most part I will try to assume that people mean blade length.
Click to expand...

Why not post a knife that it X inches from edge to spine too?

"X inches" means an X inch long blade. Always has here, and that is what, apparently, everyone other than you assumes.

Again, you are free to be a smartass, but I'm afraid doing that in this way will only serve to make you look like you are the one who doesn't know what they are talking about. My advice. And I've been a smartass here much longer than you have. YMMV.
 
craytab said:
Why would you be a smart ass? Why would you wait for them to specify? Why wouldn't you just ask for them to clarify? Am I missing Something?
Click to expand...

I was joking about how sometimes peoples threads are so broad without clarification.
I don't have any large fixed blades other than a 2 machetes so I'm probably not actually going to post if theres a chance they're talking about large fixed blades.
 
Almost all manufacturers differentiate blade length and overall length. It needs to be specific.
If someone says it's a ten inch knife , maybe you can deduce from the picture , if there's one.
If someone says it's "X" long , I would be assuming it's blade length .

Kind of goes over to guns also. If I say I have a 3" revolver , it's assumed the barrel is 3".
The "business" end of the tool in question is usually the dimension given.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I was joking about how sometimes peoples threads are so broad without clarification.
I don't have any large fixed blades other than a 2 machetes so I'm probably not actually going to post if theres a chance they're talking about large fixed blades.
Click to expand...

That is why I suggested you ask for clarification. We ask for more details on many recommendation threads, often many more things than a simple blade length or oal issue. If someone cares they will respond with details.
 
hiwa said:
Almost all manufacturers differentiate blade length and overall length. It needs to be specific.
If someone says it's a ten inch knife , maybe you can deduce from the picture , if there's one.
If someone says it's "X" long , I would be assuming it's blade length .

Kind of goes over to guns also. If I say I have a 3" revolver , it's assumed the barrel is 3".
The "business" end of the tool in question is usually the dimension given.
Click to expand...

That is, unless they're talking about a tool's Mississippi Measurement.
 
When people mention length, they generally refer to the blade length and exclude the handle.
 
#" by itself refers to the length of the blade from the ricasso to the tip and does not include the handle.

#" OAL is used when referring to a knife's overall length.

If in doubt, ask.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top