Need Help Choosing Fixed Blade Length For EDC

T

TV VET

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Jun 17, 2006
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I'm liking the Cold Steel Trailmaster and Sog Tigershark, (price is a factor for me) but I'm thinking they might be too large for every day carry. Damn things are bigger than any kitchen knife that most people own. Anybody out there lugging 9" plus slabs around daily? How do you like it? I just can't decide on a length right now. A 5" or 6" seems more practical, but I just can't get the monster blades out of my head. There just so cool. Help!
 
If you're considering a trailmaster and are worried about 9" being too large, have you considered the Recon Scout?
 
I like 2-4 inches.

I see no need for larger as EDC. Are you going to be hacking trees with your EDC?

Won't a Benchmade Activator (Snody Sportster) do everything you need? Or an Ontario Rat-3?

If you want to carry around a 9-inch blade, go for it. But I don't see much point in it. Even 6 inches is fairly silly, IMO. But carry what makes you happy. A tiny slipjoint will do pretty much all I need, but I like to carry 3-5 inch (blade) tactical folders because I like them. So if you like large fixed blades and feel you can carry one without freaking out people too much, go for it.

In general, EDC means cutting clothing string, opening mail, etc... simple little tasks. Those tasks seem akward with a very large knife. In the case of EDC, something small and easy to handle is superior to a large fixed blade.
 
I once edc'd an impact warthog for about 8 months.the blade was about 3 5/8".Personally I wouldn't go any longer than that.
 
A good guide for blade length in a FB EDC is the width of the palm of your hand.

I own a 9" Trailmaster, but I wouldn't think of carrying every day, even while out hiking.

My Gransfors Bruks Mini Hatchet and a Ritter Griptilian together weigh less than the Trailmaster, and give me far more useful options.

maximus otter
 
Most length I EDC in a fixed is 4". There are three things I'd personally be considering in an EDC fixed:

1. Legality. If the length isn't legal your other choices are moot. Why get arrested because you were packing something illegal?

2. Open/Concealed carry. Again, this is something of a legal question, since some places require open carry while others allow for concealment. This will affect the choice of sheath, and ultimately IMHO the overall comfort of carrying a fixed blade EDC.

3. Personal preference. This has more to it than just what you feel like carrying. Once the first two things are decided, and you've narrowed down what you like you have to decide how comfortable you are with carrying the knife EDC. 9"+ is a lot to have shoved IWB. You also have to consider the "Dundee effect." This is where NKP's (Non Knife People) reactions to your knife will change based on the size of your EDC. with something over 9" you're likely to cause a panic if you pull it out to use it in any urban setting. Even if the knife is legal and you can carry it concealed, when you pull it out that just makes the reaction worse because they weren't prepared for you having ANY knife let alone a large fixed blade. Now, am I or any other knife person upset by this? No. However, we live in a society where the personal carry knife has been nearly relegated to a purely convenience item. Given that, people aren't as used to seeing a knife used outside of the kitchen. Now, I mention all of this because if you're at all concerned about the reactions of others you may be hesitant to use that fixed blade you carry for EDC and might use a smaller folder instead. Well, if you're using a folder instead of that 9"+ fixed blade for your every day cutting needs, why would you want to lug all that weight around with you? Even if you decide you want to carry it, and use it, you still have to be prepared for the occasional bad reaction. Some do-gooder is also likely to call the police at some point, so keep that in mind. If you're legal, no big deal, just nicely explain yourself to the officer who shows up. Be polite, though, as there are quite a few police officers who are not quite up to speed on exactly what the laws are regarding knives; and they're responding to a call where someone has been reported to have a large knife while acting suspiciously. They're used to dealing with felons, so you may have to be patient while they change gears. If you're overly upset they may not make the transition from "guy with knife reported by aggitated citizen" to "guy mistaken for someone suspicious by a citizen who has no idea what the law is."

I'm not trying to preach at you, just giving an honest opinion.

ETA: Personally I say if you like it, find it comfortable to carry, and its legal who cares what NKPs think about it? Just be prepared for the fact that some of them might not like it. Then again, your freedom and rights are NOT dependent upon their comfort.
 
Choice of knife is clearly up to the user. Some like them big others small, you have to decide. A good working knife with a blade 5 inches long will do most tasks, and will not draw attention in an urban setting, but a really big knife will like others have stated. knives with blades exceding 7 inches also become cumbersom aswell, something to concider. A 5 inch fixed blade together with a decent folder would make a good combination.
 
Carry what you want if you are comfortable carrying it. You will have to look at some of the custom sheaths though to make it more concealable. Make sure the laws support your choice. Take care and God Bless You.
 
I think it's more of a legal issue of where you plan to carry. I personally like 2 1/2" to 3 1/2" for an EDC. 4" tops in length. Fixed blades are great for EDC'ing. They are much faster to use then a folder.
Scott
 
I carry a Fehrman First Strike @ 7 1/2" of CPM3V, and on the other side I have been carrying the Busse HEAVY HEART which is indeed "HEAVY". The reason I can carry these large blades is because I wear a web belt with a pair of tactical suspenders.
If I go out without the Biggies then I carry a Bob Dozier model-6, and a Dozier Arkansas Toothpick(both horizontial) and finally I have been carrying a Trident Custom Knives Oberland 01 in a verticle kydex sheath just forward of my right hip.

I think that most folks would be happy with something in the 5" to 6" length blade...my choice here is a Green Beret 5.5" CRK or the 6+" Neil Roberts Warrior, also from Chris Reeve Knives.

I have a CS Trailmaster too but I think you would grow tired of packing the brute around very quickly.

FWIW
Ciao
Ron
:cool:
 
I'm with the others on length of fixed blade for EDC. Mine's a Schrade Sharpfinger, same as Marc "Animal" MacYoung. Fred Perrin says glowing things about them.

Alternately, a Bear Feathermate Zytel, which is a lot like a CS Pendleton Hunter, except you can get one for $18.

If I were carrying a fb over 6", I might just go with a khukri, Bowie, or short sword. I mean, why the hell not?

Ooh, or one of those 14" Old Hickory butcher knives! For like $12.
 
Here in CA according to our DOJ we can carry any size folder concealed or not, but no auto blades of any kind. For fixed carry if it's over 2.5" it must be carried openly. This is excluding any local municipality ordinances that might be in place. I would be carrying a small folder in combination with my fixed for those small tasks, so pulling out the biggie wouldn't be very often. I still can't freakin decide.
 
TV VET said:
Here in CA according to our DOJ we can carry any size folder concealed or not, but no auto blades of any kind. For fixed carry if it's over 2.5" it must be carried openly. This is excluding any local municipality ordinances that might be in place. I would be carrying a small folder in combination with my fixed for those small tasks, so pulling out the biggie wouldn't be very often. I still can't freakin decide.
Click to expand...

I'm in the Bay Area as well and unless your job or hobbies really call for a large blade, I don't see how that's going to be very practical and in the long run,very fun. Maybe if we were in farm country or something like that. Oh yeah, and my first "name brand" knife was a CS Recon Scout- it was very impractical. I just recently sold it and bought a folder (Pacific Salt).
 
I live in a town where you can drive down the block, off the road, onto the dirt, and up a mountain. I see horses hitched up at the corner bar, no joke. I could probably wear a pair of six-shooters on a gun belt if I felt like it. In fact, they do historic tours here some nights, and reenactors are standing around all over town with revolvers and shotguns, and occasionally they break out into extremely loud mock gunfights. Anyplace else I've lived, such activity would probably lead to a fatal misunderstanding with cops or other armed persons.

So a knife on my belt has never raised an eyebrow, although I haven't gone out wearing the SRK yet.

The law here prohibits carrying a concealed weapon without a permit (and anyone can get a permit), and when it comes to knives, the law say nothing about blade length. I imagine I could carry a machete if I felt like it, although I wouldn't like to try.

Still, I carry the little Schrade Sharpfinger.
 
Bufford said:
Choice of knife is clearly up to the user. Some like them big others small, you have to decide. A good working knife with a blade 5 inches long will do most tasks, and will not draw attention in an urban setting, but a really big knife will like others have stated. knives with blades exceding 7 inches also become cumbersom aswell, something to concider. A 5 inch fixed blade together with a decent folder would make a good combination.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. I have to conceal my blades from 'casual' view. I can do this quite easily with a 4 3/4" blade. 9 1/2" OAL. Try to go just a bit larger, say ~6" blade and ~ 10 1/2, 11" OAL and it no longer conceals well, or is comfortable trying to do so.

Pair this up with a Sebbie (also concealed, but not by design) and it's a nice combo.

Rob
 
Your first requirement is to list what you do with it. Once you know what tasks it would have to perform, you've defined the size and weight.

If you're clearing brush, a bigger and heavier blade might make sense. If it's for office work, the smaller the better. Even 4" is clumsy for splinter-picking.

I like small fixed blades, but honestly, the only one I carry often is a Razel with a 3.25" blade.
 
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