Moving to a smaller EDC ?

bladeprince

bladeprince

Joined
Jun 12, 2006
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After years of carrying fairly large knives as an EDC, I seem to be moving to a set of smaller knives for EDC. I used to think I needed the largest knife my pocket could handle without too much discomfort, usually a 3 1/2" to 4" blade. I did occasionally carry a Delica when going to work or wearing other light weight material pants or shorts but as soon as the jeans went back on, out came the BM 710, the BM AFCK, the Endura, etc., or my favorite, the Ritter Griptilian. These are all still great knives and I intend to still carry them, but change is in the wind.

All of the sudden it seems I've discovered the comfort and utilitarian features of a smaller knife. What really turned me around was the purchase of the Kershaw Leek in stonewashed S30V, G-10 scales, and the only black Leek pocket clip. WOW, what a great knife. I'm not a huge fan of liner locks but if I'm going to carry one, the lock-up on a Kershaw seems to always be tight and secure, with great fit and finish. And the Speed-Safe assisted opening is great for my aging fingers. I won't waste your time mentioning many other great small knives, but you all know there are many “out there”.

Now I can don't have to switch knives when changing pant types. And the ease of being able to peel an apple, clean my finger nails, or open a letter is a pleasure instead of work, as it often was with a much larger blade. Plus, many of these small knives (Leek included) will work just as well or better for SD as most larger knives, especially since I lean towards the Pikal method of “icepick-edge-in” grip. The Leek and Delica are perfect for such a technique.

I'm also curious if some of you that started carrying a large EDC knife years ago have gone through a similar evolution. With over 40 plus folders to choose from in my collection, I’m choosing the new Leek day after day, with an occasional day for my Ritter Grip. Alas, most of my larger knives sit idle while I now enjoy the ease of use of a smaller blade while still know that I could defend myself because of my Pikal training.

Regards and good luck
 
I've never found the need to carry my Benchmade Pinnacle or Mini-Stryker for day to day stuff. The biggest obstacle in my way might be a manilla envelope.;)

I do love my Benchmade 330 gentleman's folder. It's so unobtrusive in my pocket and doesn't scare anyone. I doubt I'd have much fun creating shelter with it, but for 99% of the stuff I see each day, it's perfect.
 
I think the my red BM 960 Osborne is one of the prettiest knives that I own. It is only slightly larger than my Leek with a D2 blade and silky smooth axis lock. Every time anyone sees it, rather than be intimidated by it, comments on how nice it is.
 
I made the switch from big folders to small folders and have never looked back. Most knives I carry have a blade roughly 2.5". It's all I need.
 
I'm the same way. I used to carry full size Benchmades and Spydercos. Now I carry 3" or less blades. They seem to work the best.

I used to love the Paramilitary but the handle was just too big for my pocket. I'd rather carry a Delica as it's almost the same size blade.
 
I mainly use big knives for their comfortable handles. That's why I really like knives like the Buck 110, Manix and D'allara DP, big and filling handles that offer much more comfort and security to me than something like a Delica.

A standard SAK blade has always been long enough for my needs. The only thing it's short for is slicing apples into quarter, but that can still be done very easily by making two initial cuts.

Could anyone suggest some small folders with real comfy handles suited towards larger hands?
 
Vivi said:
Could anyone suggest some small folders with real comfy handles suited towards larger hands?
Click to expand...

Delica 4
Paramilitary
Benchmade 525
Spyderco Mini-Persian
Spyderco Scorpius

All have about 3" blades.
 
The Strider SNG also has a large handle in comparison to its blade length.
 
Chin Mullet said:
Delica 4
Paramilitary
Benchmade 525
Spyderco Mini-Persian
Spyderco Scorpius

All have about 3" blades.
Click to expand...

I ended up selling my D4 because the grip just didn't fit my hand well. Superb knife otherwise. I might try out a minigrip in a store if I can and see how they feel, but they look like they'd be too small too. The Para looks like an awsome knife, but the handle doesn't seem very small. The Native would be excellent for me if the blade were thinner stock and flatground, it had great ergonomics for its size. I sold mine off because I didn't like the blade grind.
 
I've recently moved towards bigger folders. From Para to Millie, and from SnG to SMF. Maybe it's because a HAK is always around my neck now, and can do all the fragile stuff.
 
I often pair my big folders like the Manix, Buck 110 and D'allara with a Vic Classic.
 
I've been moving to bigger folders than I usually allow myself. Last year, I pretty much only carried 3 inch and smaller, this year all my EDCs (pretty much) are 3-3.5. I'd rather move the other way, it's merely that the designs I like right now are a little bigger.
 
After years of carrying 3.5"-4" blades I went down in size to the Native. Just over 2.5" of cutting edge is enough for the majority of what I do. Not the best for food prep but it'll do in a pinch. It was the ergos that sold me. If I were going to replace it with anything it would be a Native III.

Frank
 
Don't much like blades less than 3.5 inch, and prefer 4-5 inch blades, for EDC. They will cut a full size sub-sandwich without the need to squish it - my basic length test.

Still, if work requires I carry something small, I do while there. Outside, a proper knife awaitsfor exchanging.
 
I went from small folders, to big folders, to fixed blades.

I wear pants and a belt whenever out of the house, so the difference between a small, light folder, and a large, heavy folder is *zero*.

I cannot feel a large folder. I cannot feel a small folder. So I started carrying larger folders because carrying a smaller one was a waste.

Then I found that I could carry a fixed blade without noticing it as long as the sheath was designed well. So now I carry smallish fixed blades (3-4 inch blades) and find carrying any folder to be a waste.

The only time I see smaller knives as needed are when wearing shorts. My Buck Mayo TNT was a great "shorts" knife. But I personally rarely wear shorts, and when I do, I tend to prefer a neck knife to a small folder.
 
I carry a variety of sizes of knives. I am currently carrying a Small Sebenza & Spyderco Lava. The largest folder I have has a 4 inch blade, and that is as big a folder I would carry anyway. In my opnion, any blade over 4 inches, then I might as well carry a fixed blade; but that is just me. I like small knives too. When I am in Boston, there is a 2.5 blade length restriction; and I have 2 knives that I carry when I am in Boston.
 
As soon as the weather becomes warm enough(it's Canada, so no guarantee when:D ), the shorts come on. Carrying anything too cumbersome is not for me, so I tend to stay on the smaller side of knives. To this point, I've yet to really have any task that I was unable to do with my 2"-3" folders. Even at work, I have carried a smaller knife for all my duties without any problems. As long as it works, I'm happy.
 
I dunno, I carry knives that are usually between 3-4" at any one time. The one that gets used the most (my Buck/Mayo 172) hovers at around 3", and it does most things, but there are times when I'd prefer to have something in the 4" range.
 
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