Most utilitarian size

[Gargs]

Talking about a fixed blade. In terms of your experience, what is the most useful or utilitarian blade length in your experience - ranging from 3 1/2 to 5 inches? By utilitarian I mean - you put it on your belt and use it in the kitchen; around the house; skinning and camping (assuming you clean it between uses of course). In speaking with Vic Hangas, who has been making knives since 1965 or so and using them since well before that, he said the older he gets, the smaller knife he needs and at the time (about 5 years ago) was toting around about a 3" knife. So I'm curious about what the posters here think and why. Not looking for specific "brands" although you're not penalized for throwing that in. I also assume at some point the age/size ratio Vic spoke of just stops, or those lucky enough to make it to the late 70's will be sitting on the ground trying to skin a moose with an "Executive" SAK while chawing on the ivory toothpick that comes with the knife.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I like to pair about a 4 inch blade with a machete for most camping trips. I find most knives beyond about 5.5 inches to be a bit cumbersome when doing more precise cutting but light weight and good balance can alleviate that to a large degree. My current favorite for those type of tasks is actually my Spyderco Street Bowie which is a bit on the large side but very light and well balanced. I've been meaning to pick up one of the new production Perrin La Bowies since that looks just about perfect for me.

 

[nate1714]

I like 3.5in. Mostly because I have smaller hands and can get away with it. That is for everyday carry. If I know I am going into the woods then I like a 4in blade (also I like it thicker thus stronger).

 

[Gargs]

Both of you make sense to me. You do need a machete type blade for clearing stuff and building make-do shelters, etc. I'll take a look at the Spyderco Street Bowie, Inspid. I had one of Perrin's customs in that model a few years back...but then he was mostly about self-defense and it didn't work for me in that context. I also agree with nate (thought I have larger hands) in the 3.5 seem to do most of what I need plus that size doesn't aggravate me to carry.

 

[762cal]

i like 3-4 inches blade. my preferences of thickness is about .125". for me, that length is ideal for my EDC and any-task knife, like the Spyderco Moran .

 

[Gargs]

I think the Spyderco Moran is one of the best product smallish fixed blades. I liked it so much I (stupidly, maybe) gave it to a friend as a gift. He still uses it and it has been years and years now.

 

[co556guy]

I find 3.5" to be a nice handy size, however I'd be more in the 4.5-5" category for a belt knife if I weren't constrained by legal issues for EDC.

I don't want to be swapping knives at my property line just to gain 1-1.5" of blade, so my EDC knives all are carryable anywhere in the state a knife can be carried.....

So, to get back at it.....3.5" for edc. When I camp, I carry a larger knife for wood processing, but that's not edc, and quite honestly anything bigger than 3.5" is excessive in my experience (however length shouldn't be regulated by law..........it's tool. Should sledge hammers have a weight restriction? How about axes have a haft length restriction, etc....).