Size preferred

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My EDC for 25+ years was a Gerber Silver Knight, at 3.25 inches closed.

Lately I've been experimenting with different patterns and sizes, and have concluded that three inches is about as small as I'd like to go, while four inches can work with certain clothing but not others.

Like many of you, I usually carry more than one knife. The in-pocket knife is, right now, a 3.75" Wharncliffe half-whittler (single spring, two blades), but I've also become fond of the 3.5" Uncle Henry (stockman pattern).

Clipped to a pocket somewhere is a 4" one-handed folder, like the Kershaw Leek, Buck Cutback, or (for today) the Kershaw Vapor.

And naturally, there's a Leatherman Wave on my belt. Not appropriate for all venues, but in casual dress I try to keep one around.

Oh, and my jacket pocket has a Case Sodbuster Jr in yellow/CV.

So I guess the answer to the original question would be something in the 3.25 to 3.75 inch range.

 
Probably around the 4" closed (been carrying a couple of Schrade trappers). On days I wear suits I tend to keep the knife in my vest pocket. When not as formal have tossed the knife in the back pocket of my dress pants - no problem with the weight or pull of the knife.
 
I also prefer a blade of about three inches - but not necessarily because of how it performs, how it carries, but because I'd prefer to stay out of any possible trouble with the law. Also, I like using my knife in public for tasks it should be used for - no need to take out a monster knife in the office to open an envelope.
 
I like the LOOK of a larger slip joint but I prefer the USE of a smaller one under 4" max. It's the weight thing that I don't like with big knives banging about in pockets and I don't want to faff around with belt sheathes etc. Smaller to use, bigger to drool over.
 
Blues said:
I'm usually in jeans so I normally enjoy carring a knife 3.75" or above.

I find that 3.5" closed is as small a knife as I normally enjoy carrying with the exception of a Barlow.
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Same here. A Barlow has enough heft at 3 3/8" that I can use it comfortably, but any other slip I've tried at under 3 1/2" feels toylike.
 
Hi,

I've got big hands, I can palm a basketball without much effort. So while I like small folders, it gets to be a pain in the butt to use a knife much smaller than 3 1/2".

So, I haven't really carried anything for maybe 10 years or so for EDC use. But lately, I've been carrying a 3 3/4" Okapi. But I just got a RR Sowbelly in the mail today, (you guys are an evil influence:eek::D). And it's the same length. Just heavier. So I think 3 3 /4" is as small as I can get.

dalee
 
You know, since I started carrying a Peanut a few years ago, anything bigger then 3.5 inches is too big for me. I was carrying a SAK Super Tinker that my wife got me for a while, but honestly, it was too bulky. My main thing is pocket comfort. If it is not comfortable, I am not going to carry it. Period. While I love the Peanut and/or Soddie Jr., I do tend to miss the tools that a SAK carries with it. Since I am multitoolless for the time being, I figured I'd EDC my Super Tinker again. I tried to this morning, but suddenly found it way too big for my pocket!!! I carried this thing for months and months, and even used it during my experiment, but now suddenly it was uncarryable. Hmmmm. I tried my Wenger SI, and while it was comfortable in my pocket, the blade was bigger then I needed, and to be honest with you, bigger then I wanted. What was going on? When I got home, I went to my knife drawer and pulled out my Vic Cadet, and it fit the bill perfectly. It's a small 3 1/4 inch knife with useful tools and a very slim, comfortable profile so it disappears in the pocket. The blade is small, but big enough to handle big jobs. The handle is longer then the Peanut's, so it's a better grip. And the rough texture of the Alox frame makes it a sort of worry-stone for me to fondle throughout the day. I think I'm going to go back to this little beauty and give it a shot for a while and see how it works out for me.
It's hard to go back to carrying large knives when you get used to the small ones.
 
ElCuchillo said:
You know, since I started carrying a Peanut a few years ago, anything bigger then 3.5 inches is too big for me. I was carrying a SAK Super Tinker that my wife got me for a while, but honestly, it was too bulky. My main thing is pocket comfort. If it is not comfortable, I am not going to carry it. Period. While I love the Peanut and/or Soddie Jr., I do tend to miss the tools that a SAK carries with it. Since I am multitoolless for the time being, I figured I'd EDC my Super Tinker again. I tried to this morning, but suddenly found it way too big for my pocket!!! I carried this thing for months and months, and even used it during my experiment, but now suddenly it was uncarryable. Hmmmm. I tried my Wenger SI, and while it was comfortable in my pocket, the blade was bigger then I needed, and to be honest with you, bigger then I wanted. What was going on? When I got home, I went to my knife drawer and pulled out my Vic Cadet, and it fit the bill perfectly. It's a small 3 1/4 inch knife with useful tools and a very slim, comfortable profile so it disappears in the pocket. The blade is small, but big enough to handle big jobs. The handle is longer then the Peanut's, so it's a better grip. And the rough texture of the Alox frame makes it a sort of worry-stone for me to fondle throughout the day. I think I'm going to go back to this little beauty and give it a shot for a while and see how it works out for me.
It's hard to go back to carrying large knives when you get used to the small ones.
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But your child personalized your super tinker so priceless!:thumbup:
 
Alright, I keep hearing everyone extoll the virtues of the Peanut so I went ahead and ordered one. I just recieved it, a CASE Peanut (stag of course), and the initial opinion,,,, TOO SMALL (sorry for the caps)(at least for my hands). I will carry it for a couple of days, but right now I think it will end up in the back of the drawer. Steven
 
oldrifleman said:
Alright, I keep hearing everyone extoll the virtues of the Peanut so I went ahead and ordered one. I just recieved it, a CASE Peanut (stag of course), and the initial opinion,,,, TOO SMALL (sorry for the caps)(at least for my hands). I will carry it for a couple of days, but right now I think it will end up in the back of the drawer. Steven
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It IS small, but don't underestimate it. Give it an honest chance and see if it doesn't grow on you.
 
SAKs, Soddies, etc., I know I'm just going to go back to my Peanut. I ALWAYS go back to my Peanut. I'm a sucker for small knives, and like someone else said, they cut like a big knife, not only because of their super sharp thin blades, but also because of the comfortable handles. No they aren't long, but they are pretty wide and boxie for it's size, and that makes up for them being short.
My name is Elcuchillo, and I love 'nuts.
:eek::confused:
 
ElCuchillo said:
My name is Elcuchillo, and I love 'nuts.
:eek::confused:
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TMI?

I like a knife between 3.25 and 4 inches, usually. Gives enough handle to hold onto when actually cutting for a longer period of time. When I'm whittling for more than a few minutes at a stretch, especially, it makes life easier.

If it's just snipping something or opening the mail real quick, it doesn't seem to matter so much.
 
Today I used my Peanut a ton. I used it to trim some banana tree branches, I used it to open up and cut up some boxes, I let a friend use it to cut open a package (he initlially laughed at it, but got real quiet when he realized he had a razor in his hands), to cut up a tarp, cut some zip ties, and also to cut some hoses in our train. I then used it for lunch (after a thorough wash) to cut up some Mandarin chicken. I basically used my clip blade all day, and at the end of the day, all it took was some swipes across the bottom of a porcelain cup to get the edge hair poppin again. Busy day for a little knife that just keeps on cutting.
 
Yeah the small pocket knives can really do much more than most knife nuts think. For years, before I truely became a knife nut, the only knife I carried was the small Schrade Old Timer peanut sized single blade and I never did feel under knived. I do find I do like the little bigger handles of the 3 1/4 knives best though.
 
3.25 - 3.75 inches. Here's my drawer dedicated to the ones this size that see regular (rotating) pocket duty. The GEC #73-S in Sambar is the newest and the Forest Edge Queen Canoe is the oldest in this bunch.

:cool:

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kamkazmoto said:
I prefer something about 3.5 to 4.0 inches closed. I use it a lot for peeling and cutting fruit and that seems to be the best compromise.
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I agree. This size range gives the hand something to "hang onto" and get some serious work done. Patterns like the Canoe and the 4-inch Sunfish keep the "pocket signature" at reasonable levels, too. So do a lot of single-bladed jacks.
 
This has been something I have been seriously debating lately. My favorite as of late has been a Moore Maker 3206 large trapper, and it is large 4 3/8" closed. Howerver, since I go to school daily, I end up carrying a soddie jr so that it rides fully in my pocket instead of hanging on my belt. Wouldn't want to draw any undue attention. Soon, I think I'm going to go back to a regular trapper, the 4 1/8" model because I like the trapper pattern so much and it allows for better pocket-ability.
 
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