Smallest Knife You`re Confident In?

River-8 said:
Tough little rascal :thumbup::

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What is the name of this one??? I don't think I have seen it before...if I have it has not caught my eye until now..... me likey!
 
For a fixed blade i don't feel comfortable with anything smaller than a Mora Classic 1.
For a folder nothing smaller than a 93 mm SAK :)
 
A 3 inch to 4 inch blade is my minimum, thjough I generaly carry a five inch blade on a daily basis.

My biggeast problem with most of the smaller blades is their width ( I prefer a wider blade in the 1 3/8 range and most smaller blades rarely go over 3/4 to 1 inch in wirth), and I need longer handles than most smaller blades provide (I need a minimum of 4 1/2 inch of usable handle length).

The RC4 from RAT cutlery looks like a fantastic knife to me but this handle length problem is what has kept me from ordering one. I have an RC 6 and the handle is excellent, but it certainly iosn't a small knife either.
 
These are the smallest ones I am 100% confident in.
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For me a knife that fits the description you are looking for, ideally has no longer than a 3" blade and no longer than 6 1/2" OA. On a small using knife I like a thicker handle that gives me a good grip. I like to carry a small fixed blade on me all the time so I like it to be simple looking as to not frighten any sheeple who may happen to see it. And on that note I like to to be small and light enough that I don't really notice it when I am carrying it around town.
 
Though I generally carry a medium to large size fixed blade, I also often carry a small knife.

The smallest one that I really use is this Bark River Custom Pro-Drop Point.

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It’s only 6” overall with a 2.5” blade, but I find it handles well even in my large hand, and cuts like a much bigger knife.

The combination of a .145” thick tang and a full distal taper make this a very useful little bugger.

I trust it more, and use it harder, then most folding knives.




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
 
jackknife said:
I love that knife! Clean looks, nice wood. What's the blade made out of, if I may ask?

How small can one go in gear and still have it functionable was a quest for me in my backpacking days. Cut enough onces, and you have pounds off your load. When I was in my 30's, I carried a Randall 14 and a S&W model 60 among other things. In my 40's it went to a Buck 102 and a Beretta 21. These days I'm down to a hide out NAA .22 in the pocket and a 2 inch pocket fixed blade. Binoculars have been replaced by a good monocular. Two AA flashlight has been phased out by a single AAA LED. As you age, weight becomes ever more important, and you learn as a by product, how to develope techniques to use the mini equiptment to get the job done.

Generally small = lightweight.
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That one is made out of O1 steel,with a tulipwood handle.
 
As long as the handle fits my hand, I don't mind any blade length over 2 inches. Any shorter and I don't think I could use it for much, to be honest.
 
Stomper said:
This is what I have been carrying. 3 " blade, 6 1/2" oal. I`m just thinking,how small can you go, without losing practicality?

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That's a great looking knife. I carry my 2 3/4 in Knives of Alaska Cub Bear and don't feel I'd have any problems. That wide blade you have there looks very confidence building, and practical.:thumbup:
 
I can use a 3 or 3.5 in blade. I just don't like little handles at all. Never been a fan of neck knives or pocket sized fixed blades. I like around a 4 in. blade and a handle length of no less than 4.5 in. They just don't feel comfortable in my meaty hands. That's why I don't care for so many slip joints. On so many the handles seem to get swallowed up by my hands. I do love jumbo Trapper style knives though.

BRKT Highland Special would be my go to knife if the handle was a bit longer. I have a love/hate relationship with them. Every so often I get one and try to get used to the handle length, then after a while I trade it off for something with a longer handle.
 
this one has about a 2.5 inch blade, but a full sized handle, so it will work for alot of big knife type of chores. it wont baton a log, but as much as i enjoy batoning, it would really be necesary for this type of knife. it could however, baton though a small branch, and could aid in getting some dry wood for fire starting.

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Small knives are great for lots of chores. For urban EDC, a small 2" - 2.5" is great for pretty much everything I ever use a knife for.

For hiking, I have to say I really prefer a 3.5" (at a minimum) and 4"-5" preferred. In a hiking situation, I view my knife as not only a tool for chores, but also an important survival device. I think building a shelter with a <3" blade, while possible, really compromises capability and time. Of course, pair your little knife with a credible chopper and/or saw then hell ya - its great!
 
I'm a big fan of the small knife. Almost never need anything bigger than 2.5-3". A 4-5" blade can be more useful, but isn't a necessity for me. Like others have said, the problem I see with small knives is small handles.

A couple of my 'day hikers.'

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And I'm trying to get my hands on an EWOK. ;)
 
On my dayhikes, I really feel fine with my BRKT Mikro II. It's tiny, for sure, but it sure can cut. Plus, I like pocket carry with my Adirondack sheath. With the pouch, you can always throw a larger folder in there, or flashlight or whatever.
 
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