Smallest Knife You`re Confident In?

My hand size is 3.25 inches. Im speculating a 3.5 inch handle would be the most comfortable.

Im still working but my wife is laid off. I have a few bucks stashed away. I have no permission to buy a knife. Permission? I dont need no stinking permission. Im anxious to see what you come up with.
 
Hey Stomper,

It was me that sent you that email - guess I should have identified myself as DOC-CANADA, I just don't think about it. I have gone by Doc for about 55 years. I only post as DOC-CANADA because I couldn't register as Doc and I had the same problem on another forum, so I tried to stay consistent.

Anyway, cheers!

Doc
 
Stomper said:
This thread kind of confirmed my thoughts that most of us here do not have a need for a big chopper, we get by with smaller blades. This was kind of a survey of sorts, as I am going to be changing my lineup of knives, and probably eliminating any with a blade longer than 5".
Click to expand...


With all due respect, the thread title is "What's the smallest knife you're confident in," not "What's the knife you carry afield for general purpose?" Or "ONE Knife afield, what is it?" Those threads would likely have very different answers than this one.

By that I mean, the answers in this thread are skewed towards the smaller end.

We may have to define "confident in," as well. Does it mean the smallest knife you know will do the job (as defined by you) without failing or what? Some of us would define the "job" differently, so we're no closer to a definitive answer. But it is fun to think about!

As for me, it depends on the outting or purpose of the trip. But if push came to shove and I had to pick one, it would be a Busse 4" Meaner Street, maybe a 3.5" Active Duty....but for general purpose, I'd prefer a longer blade.

.
 
Had a Busse Active Duty and a Fatty Game Warden but sold both when I got my J.Neilson B.U.K. I do like a big knife, such as a Busse Battle Mistress or such, so when I got this knife through the post it looked like a kid's knife. Then after a couple of days I couldn't put it down. It's a great slicer, fits my hand very well and is a natural choice to pair with one of my bigger blades when I go into the woods.

Here's what J has to say about it:

This is a no-frills, no-nonsense, low-profile work knife. These B.U.K.'s are forged from 1/8" thick 1084 high carbon
steel (6" overall with a 2 3/4" cutting edge) and have a satin finish. The handle scales are 1/8" thick (normally
Micarta or G-10) with a pin and lanyard liner as the second pin (either stainless steel or natural
Micarta). These knives come with a molded Kydex sheath with a removable/reversible belt
loop. This allows the knife to be carried on the right or left side...or remove the belt loop
altogether for pocket or (adding a cord/chain) neck carry.


post-20096-1174320383.jpg
 
David E said:
With all due respect, the thread title is "What's the smallest knife you're confident in," not "What's the knife you carry afield for general purpose?" Or "ONE Knife afield, what is it?" Those threads would likely have very different answers than this one.
Click to expand...


This true, good point. Try taking the question like this: a knife that you would be confident in using for all of those tasks. A knife you would have no problem with carrying as an EDC, work utility, field use, camping, and general all around knife tasks. Maybe not the ideal 100% perfect knife for any one of these uses, but one that will comfortably handle all of them that is small enough so it is comfortable carrying often or everyday and not get in the way. Plus it could easily be paired with a larger blade more suited for a particular task if needed.

How do you guys prefer to carry a smaller knife as described? Belt, neck, or some other position? Just curious because I'm kind of torn between belt and neck carry. I find that neck carry is quite handy, but sometimes gets it the way, and I don't always like to have a knife on my belt.
 
For hiking (when I could walk ) I liked the 3.oz Böker Chad MPT for comfort and I was confident in its fat 3 3/4 inch blade . The most comfortable and smallest hunting knife I have is the 4" ZT 0121 I wish I had my laptop set up to take and send pictures because both these knives very substantial as they both are about 1/2 as wide as they are long . They both have deep bellies that would be good for skinning your prey .
 
Of the FBs that I own, it would be my RC-3P. I've got big mitts and a good handle is very important to me as well.


I've got an Izula on the way though, so my answer may change in a week. :D
 
"Smallest" I would have to say my Rat3 followed by Tops Wolf Pup and Blind Horse Knives First Patch Knife.
 
As the question of this thread is: "Smallest Knife You're Confident In?" I posted my Busse SAR Warden earlier.
So while I'm "comfortable" with a smaller knife, I much prefer a larger blade, particularly on SAR missions...

This is a great forum, and I fully understand the 'blade-size-increases-with-your-ignorance' mindset of many
members; its just that in my experience the dreaded "sharpened crow-bar" has value, and as such, has a
prominent place in my standard load in the backcountry... :thumbup:

Just my $.02 :o

8

** Cringing as I slip into Nomex **
 
Last edited:
This is my striker knife (Strife). It is part of my fire kit and never leaves my side in the woods unless I'm swimming in the lake. Definately counts as small... and I've used it to carve out fire drill sets so I know its comfortable enough to use for campcraft.


BushKit003.jpg
 
I have a Bark River PSK that's good. One thing I like is for the knife to get thinner as it gets smaller. Seems obvious, but just sold an otherwise excellent mini-canadian because it was so thick...
 
I've got a lot of confidence in anything made by Greg Lightfoot, for a small fixed blade, I really like this classy little necker I bought from him back in March.

The sheath is kydex bonded with shark skin, overall length 6 7/8", cutting edge 2 5/8", thickness 0.16", steel 154CM.

It's been carried a lot but not used a whole lot, it's super solid, sharp, and real pretty! I don't think I would carry a fixed blade any smaller than this.

I should be getting my RAT Izula right after Christmas, it's a touch smaller overall, but has a slightly longer blade length (O.L. 6.25", blade 2.88"), I've got high hopes for this one!




Lightfoot_necker5_lowres.jpg



Lightfoot_necker1_lowres.jpg
 
My Doug Ritter Paul knife he designates as his gents folder RSK Mk4 is the smallest knife I own that I have complete confidence in to perform any and all I ask of it. Its actually much more capable than the small size indicates. Another fine example of a small knife that instills complete confidence is my Bark River Trickle, and although I haven't received it yet I'm sure it will be the same for my new Mikra Tusk also by Bark River, both of which are pocket fixed blades but certainly mega capable.


STR
 
Really worthwhile thread, thanks:thumbup:

I suppose we carry what our hands are suited to, I have long thin fingers so large knives are not to my taste.if I need to baton, a small Fiskars hatchet does it, if I need to clear stuff, the machete.Large knives seem like bayonets to me,thick&stabby:D

Small knives appeal to me and they demand more competence in some ways. I feel very confident about my Bark River PSK, although small it is fantastically versatile and such ergonomics. I recently got a BRKT Pro Scalpel II and this is proving very worthwhile,not quite so sure about the carbon steel it comes in, it stains&discolours very quickly so extra care is needed. A small Mora is not a bad knife either, lightweight and slim.Been eyeing some Dozier models and they COULD be a nice alternative to that damn Game Warden I can never locate :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top