WARNING: THIS POST IS R-RATED.
I'm going to have to agree with Jim. Bigger is (most often) better. Specifically relating to reach for slashing, and thrusting.
For thrusting, longer blades can puncture vital organs, and arteries with much more lethality than a shorter blade.
True. In any form of combat, you never reveal your advantage. However, by using body positioning it is not much harder to hide a 5.5 inch blade, than a 3 inch blade.
If money were no object, I'd buy both a Microtech SOCOM and a SIFU. However, in real life, I have an order for the Bladeforums REKAT Sifu Special Edition because it had D-2 over 154CM, G-10 handles over aluminum/kraton, a stronger lock-up in the rolling lock over a liner-lock. In addition, I'm getting an inch and a half more blade length for less money. Plus, if Mike Turber and REKAT only roll 150 off the assembly line, it will be a very rare production knife.
Besides, I have enough 3.5 inch to 4 inch knives.
[This message has been edited by Full Tang Clan (edited 09-09-2000).]