Sizes...

Since I switched to back pocket carry I’ve found that length is mostly insignificant. Weight and bulk however is another issue; too thick or heavy and sitting down isn’t comfortable.

Still, I have my preferences and that’s usually knives in the 3.5” to 4” range. Anything smaller tends to disappear from my pockets and larger patterns typically don’t appeal to me.
 
I carried a 4" Buck 301 Stockman for a good 25 years as a HS and college student and then a young Soldier and then as a contractor's right hand man. In the late 1970's I became a GE Company sales rep and later a wallboard sales rep. In those days a sales rep wore dress slacks and a coat/tie - I went to a Schrade 108OT Small Stockman - never really liked it but the bigger knives flopped around in those looser dress pants of that era. As soon as I went back to jeans, about 2005, I switched up in size to a Medium Stockman - for the last 15 - 16 years that has seemed like the right size for me. Used the Sheepfoot blade on my Case 6332 today to cut samples of wallboard to send in to the plant lab for random quality testing. For me that size seems like the sweet spot - I still will switch around from 3" up to 4" but really like 3-1/2". I think it's one of those personal preference things - ain't no right or wrong, just what feels the best to you. OH
 
Like most folks, I have multiple sizes of traditional knives. As crazy as it sounds, it is a pants thing for me. Dress pants will be 3-1/2” or below in right front pocket (no slip and nothing else in that pocket besides the knife). Jeans or work type pants, I can go up to 4” or so comfortably, as long as weight is not distracting. I love Buck 110’s, but even with jeans, I rarely carry them in the pocket due to weight. The 110 LT is an exception.
 
My largest traditionals I carry are belt knives of 8" oal and under, this includes my Buck 110 which I consider a belt knife.
The largest pocket knife to get frequent carry is my Case Texas Jack at around 3.25 closed, I've been growing towards smaller and smaller peanut sized knives over the past year or two.

The Texas Jack seems just right when I carry it, but so do my smaller ones for some reason.
They all fill the same needs though, so I suppose it's just a matter of liking certain knives and not needing much knife to cut most things I encounter.
If I had more specific needs they might dictate my choices.
 
No, I think what you're wearing is influential. Top-coat in winter I'm happy with a Large Stockman or Laguiole. Lighter weight trousers or jeans means I dislike weight in the pocket so then I prefer smaller knives/patterns. Type of pattern plays a role too Heavy/thick knives annoy me, they're dead weight :D which is another reason I admire the Contemporary Traditionals from Italy-Lionsteel. Viper, Fox etc because the are lighter yet excellently constructed :cool:

I don't carry a knife in a slip, too fiddly to get it out but I like them for transporting a few knives in a bag on a trip. Back pocket carry I don't much like, sitting down is awkward...it can mess up upholstery plus the knife needs to be pretty tough& substantial to bear the weight :eek:

It's always interested me with Traditionals just how small a size range they tend to fall into whereby a few millimetres or inch fractions can make a lot of difference to the feel & use of any knife. I can't use or carry a knife less than 7cm/3" min and 10.5 cm to 4" is enough, can manage 11cm/4.25" in a coat, size does play a big role after all.
 
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