Optimal EDC blade length

3 1/4 to 3 3/4 for a folder. Don't really need that long of a blade 90% of the time but it gives me a comfortable handle length.
 
My folders are under 3". Small 21, Copperhead, Buck 301. Buck 501, both SAK slightly shorter. Pocket fixed at about 2.5" and most of my belt fixed at 4".
 
DangerZone98 said:
Interesting responses from everyone. Usually, my biggest gripe with short bladed folders is the small handle real estate. The smallest knife I can grip fairly comfortably is the Para 3. My Dad’s Native 5, not as much. I dunno, my hands have weird taste.

Unpopular opinion perhaps, but I’d like to see blades in the 3.0” neighborhood that can accomodate a comfortable full grip.
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You ever handle a dpx hest fixed, before?
 
DangerZone98 said:
That’s the Espada XL right? Surprisingly, I was expecting more knife to stick out beyond the pocket clip lol.
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Correct ! :p

If you use the clip , about 2" will stick out above pocket edge .

But , for low profile carry , forgo the clip and let the knife ride down in the pocket .

It almost disappears in some of my big work pants pockets . Stays upright and in place pretty well , because it's so huge !

Dress pants , probably not . Wrangler Riggs or similar , great for carrying all your gear .
 
Work EDC: 3" in the summer and 4" in the winter.
Otherwise it is usually the Spy Chap at 2.8" with a clip removed.
 
It all depends on what you do, what you wear, where you are, etc. For instance, do you need to cut up a lot of stuff? Do you just need a little something for the occasional cut? How much pocket space do you have? Are there any legal restrictions? How about civil restrictions such as appropriate decorum or a formal dress code at work?

This is why I have an EDC rotation. There are different things for different days.
 
it's corona time. Work from home most of the time, so I've found that I prefer the 9 to 10 cm (3.5-4 inch) variants more because.. I can.
bm 910, umnumzaan, cold steel voyager, emerson cqc-8 etc.
 
I like 4-inch blades, but my favorite EDC is an extra large Cold Steel Voyager, which Cold Steel says is 5.5 inches and my ruler says is 5.25. In fact, that’s in one of my pockets right now. The other pocket is filled up with a Cold Steel 4-Max Scout.
 
The past 2 months I have been going mostly with a CS Tuff Lite and a Spyderco Native.
Both under 3” and I have not been under knifed at work.

I still like to use a longer blade though at times, the Endura and Air Lites are probably my Goldilocks size.

Yet even though I don’t carry it too often at work, I have gone with the XL Voyager clip point and even with its size it carries comfortably.
 
in a folder 3.5" to 4" plus. smaller than 3.5" i find no advantage over a 3.5". can live with 3.25" though. smaller than that i dont really ever carry. as it gets bigger than 4.5" i find that extra handle gets in the way.
 
DangerZone98 said:
Interesting responses from everyone. Usually, my biggest gripe with short bladed folders is the small handle real estate. The smallest knife I can grip fairly comfortably is the Para 3. My Dad’s Native 5, not as much. I dunno, my hands have weird taste.

Unpopular opinion perhaps, but I’d like to see blades in the 3.0” neighborhood that can accomodate a comfortable full grip.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. Handles that are shorter than 4 inch aren t comfortable to use. And I don t mind a 5 1/4 inch handle, even on a 3 1/2 inch blade.

My preferred blade lengths are 3.4 to 4.0 inch lengths though lately I eve been getting a lot of use out of well designed 3.0 inch blade, the Hold Out 3. If I carry just one knife, which is most of the time, 3.4 to 4.0 inches. The only reason I say 3.4 is I have 2 knives that length in my edc rotation. The Manix 2 and the Ritter Griptilian. Oh yeah, my PM2 is also about 3.4 inches. I m fine carrying a Military or a Recon 1.
 
So much depends on what I wearing and what I'm doing. Just as an example, if riding a motorcycle with short seat to footpeg distance (i.e. Low Rider) i will go with a shorter knife so it doesn't poke me while I ride; like the Spyderco Tenacious at 3.375" but other than that, I prefer 3.5 - 4 or so inches. I generally rock a Recon 1, larger Emerson or my favorite, the AD-10 which comes in right at 4 inches.

As was previously mentioned in this thread, I cheat too as I will generally have a SAK and/or a multi-tool on me as well ... of various sizes.

In a fixed blade, unless going horizontal or dangler (or seriously high ride) anything much over 5.5" starts getting to be a hassle in and out of vehicles. If only hiking or on a horse, dirt bike or an ATV, then 6 to 7" is fine.
 
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For me it’s 3,5 for EDC folder, in lower length is kingdom of SAK&traditional and for any folder is almost impossible to win in the battle for my pocket in 3 and less category :)
4 and higher I am carry only when it is necessary but for EDC they a bit uncomfortable
Also in my Country quite tricky knives laws but in frame of 3,5 inch and below I can carry anything except daggers (OTF, auto, butterflies, fixed etc)
 
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My last 2 carries were a Spyderco Military and currently a Spyderco Pattada. Both 4" knives. Well, the Pattada is actually only 3.92" but, who's counting? LOL! ;)

My next carry will be a Gen 3 G10 Spyderco Police at 4.35". So, you can see where my preferences lie.

I am NOT a "big" guy but I have no problems pocketing and utilizing 4" folders. Of course, I don't "need" to carry a 4" knife. I seldom "need" to carry a knife a all. I just like to carry 4" folders but usually only carry a 1" fixed blade SD blade (a Marcaida/Bastinelli Pika) for "backup"

I also have no problem w/carrying folders in the 3.25-3.75" range but I really think that knives at 3" or less are really TOO SMALL, even though I have collected many in that size range before I "knew better."
 
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