Maximum overall closed length?

TAH

TAH

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Regarding your traditional folders, do you have a maximum overall closed length that you will carry in your pocket? At what length do you say, "Uncle"?
 
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Kind of depends how you define "pocket". I have some fish knives, Daddy Barlows, and a Cold Steel Kudu that all exceed 5", and each of them is easy to carry in the long "leg pocket" on carpenter jeans and bib overalls. I've also carried them in a back pocket next to a wallet, but that doesn't feel very secure/comfortable to me. (The "larger" question is why I even want to carry a knife that big.)

- GT
 
Loose in the pocket is the only way I carry a knife anymore these days. 3 7/8 inches closed is my maximum but even that is pushing it. I have a couple of GEC #53 Cuban Stockmans (4 1/8" closed?) that I would love to carry on a regular basis but I've tried and I just can't cope with the size.

I just love those knives and I'll probably try carrying them again someday but for now they are just too big.
 
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4.25" is pretty much my upper limit for traditionals. That's a match for my favorite pattern, which is a large stockman along the lines of a '75 pattern Case or a Queen #49 'Cattle King' stockman. I also sometimes carry a 1980s-vintage '4-dot' Buck 112 at the same closed length, though a good deal bulkier. Anything much bigger or bulkier than those won't generally get much carry time, with me. I'd like to carry some of the bigger ones, but am never able to get very comfortable doing so, with them in my pocket.
 
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Knives, guns, beer and... pockets... are all evidence that God loves us. I have no problem carrying a folding hunter in a pocket when I have some odd reason for doing so, although better in a belt sheath. I also have been known to carry rocks, pistols and odd pieces of machinery in my pockets. I have a fishing vest for even more inventory. I am not restricted to elegant garb as one might be in an urban occupation.
 
Anything bigger than 3 1/2 inches closed rides in a sheath. Unless it’s flat ( Mercator,fishing thoothpick etc.) those go into the back right pocket.
 
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Depending on the pants and the pockets, and what I’m going to be doing, and where.

For looser fitting cargo pants (and especially shorts), then most definitely on the shorter end, and more importantly, something on the inexpensive to replace end of the spectrum.

For more form fitting pants or jeans with deep pockets, for loose carry, I’d be willing to go larger (examples, Case large stockman, or a Mercator, both of which are at 4 1/4 inches).
 
I can carry a single blade 4" length slip joint in my front pocket, always in a leather pouch that tends to keep it upright next to a front pocket wallet. I don't like any knife that sits horizontal at the bottom of my pocket. Some of my pants pockets aren't wide enough to make this comfortable, so I'll use a belt sheath.
I'm retired and don't have to put on a suit everyday anymore. The above works for me most of the time.
 
My blade-swapped Buck 560 is 4.75" long and carries really well loose in the front pocket of shorts or lightweight pants. I have a 4" Elephant Toenail that's just a tad too heavy for comfort other than in jeans. I've got SAKs that are just too bulky except in the magazine pocket of cargo pants. I hit the limit for bulk or weight before I hit the limit on length. That said, my lower limit for length is 3.75", so my tolerance for bigger knives is high.
 
Usually I carry three knives in the 3.5” neighborhood in the RFP, and don’t really notice them. Today, I have a 4.25” stockman in there, and it is a bit of a lump. But most of my pants are baggy enough to drop a Mora in there (9.5” OAL with sheath) without discomfort, not all day, but for up to an hour or so for a specific task.
 
I never carry a traditional in front pocket, always loose in back pocket. Anything over 4” doesn’t fit well. 3.5-3.75” is perfect.
 
3 3/4 is my limit, it's not the weight I mind it's the length. I've tried pocket slips and couldn't get used to them.
So anything over 3 3/4 that goes in a belt sheath.
 
With only one exception (the CS forum knife) any knife over 3.75” goes in a belt sheath. Larger knives just aren’t comfortable for regular pocket carry most of the time IMO
 
It's a rare day that I carry anything over 3 1/2" closed length in front or back pockets. I will carry larger stuff in cargo pockets, but that's usually a small fixed blade and not a folder. Most of my carries are 3 1/4" or less.
 
Depends also on weight, bulky heavy knives may be short.

Depends on the pattern too I'd have to say. Generally, a slim 4 " is about the limit, I have no time for belt sheathes for pocket knives, pointless . Most of the time 3 3/8" seems right.
 
My sweet spot is at 3-3/4" but a nice slim single spring up to 4-1/4" feels right at home.
 
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