The Advantages/Disadvantages of LARGE Folders

C

Confederate

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Sep 5, 2005
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I love large folders and, living in an anti-gun state that, for the moment, has not gotten around to banning or restricting knife carry, I find them comforting to have. Some people like larger knives for a variety of reasons.

Why? And what is the longest folding knife blade you own?

Others are restricted by law or preference. Many feel a good Sebenza is all they need, while others prefer a 4-inch or greater.

I've found 3-inch knives to be too restrictive for my needs, and one reason I like Cold Steel is that it caters to those who need even larger folders.

Still, for every inch of blade you add to your knife, you add another inch to the size of grips.

What is your ideal blade size for a folder? And what is the longest blade size you own? Have you ever needed a knife with a longer blade, and if a long blade size turns you off, why?


ColdSteelVoyagers_1.jpg


Cold Steel offers this remarkable line-up. Here two Voyagers sandwich
a Vaquero Grande. The top two knives sport 6-inch blades and the
Zytel frames allow more grasping real estate.

CRKTS-2_6.jpg


Often called the "poor man's Sebenza," this CRKT S-2 has a
titanium frame and a 4-inch ATS-34 blade. Both the blade and
the frame can be polished, making it incredibly beautiful. The
Teflon washers can be easily replaced.

BearExecutive_5.jpg


For some, this may be the only size necessary.
 
I like large folders. Their only disadvantage to me is that they aren't fixed blades.

I only like them if they can be opened one-handed and if they have a pocket clip. For example I don't care so much for Buck 110 style folders though they are relatively large.

Andy
 
I longest folder I own has a 5" blade, CS Gunsite.

Really anything over a 4" blade I would rather have a fixed blade.
 
Some places restrict fixed-blade carry, except open carry.

I, too, have a Gunsite and it's been one of my favorite carry knives.
 
Confederate said:
Some places restrict fixed-blade carry, except open carry.

I, too, have a Gunsite and it's been one of my favorite carry knives.
Click to expand...

Most places do. ;)

But I will still keep a large fixed blade on me if I feel the need. :)
 
I prefer folders with 3,5 to 4 inch long blade. For example Benchmade 710, Kershaw Groove... Of course bigger folder should have stronger lock.
 
For me, carrying a big folder is fun, but a Delica or something even smaller can handle all of my cutting needs. I don't field dress many mastodons. A Peanut would even work, though I like something with a handle that I can get more than 2 fingers on.

I also EDC a bunch of stuff - mostly in my pockets - and am constantly trying to minimize the size of things I carry while retaining adequate utility. Smaller light, but still as bright. Smaller knife, but still as cutty.

Now, I also live in a Free State where we are allowed to defend ourselves with firearms, so I do not rely on a folder in that capacity. If I were ever denied the right to carry a gun, if I could not move to a Free State I would probably carry a big, pointy folder as my EDC knife. Spydie Police or Military, something like that.
 
I can't stand large folders, personally. My ideal blade length is somewhere between 2.5" and 3.5".

As a general rule I won't buy any folder with a blade 4" or over anymore. I find them to be really unwieldly, and I honestly haven't actually come across any tasks for which a large (4"+) folder provides any real advantage over other, smaller folders. The largest folder I own right now is the Endura 3 (4" blade), and it really doesn't get any pocket time.
 
The main disadvantage of large folders is the fact that they tend to dominate the pocket they are in. Weight is also a consideration if your sensitive to heavier folders.

The main advantage of a larger folder simply boils down to 'a big blade can do what a little blade can do, but, a little blade cannot do what a big blade can do'.
 
A Large Folder is the perfect companion to go with the Slip Joint (Queen Congress) that everyone carries.

You do carry a Slip Joint, don't you? :D
 
For Urban I've rarely needed more than 3" blade... however sometimes when hiking I've wished to have slightly more if not in blade then in handle. Most 3" knives edge is more than enough for working but I find their handles lacking. I like big handles where I can grab securely and comfortable.

To me larger folder's advantages are its usually easier and more comfrtable to carry than fixed blade yet offers more than enough cutting power for most light and medium works.

Their disadvantage is that since they are not single piece construction, the pivot is very vulnerable and their weak point. Which is reason why I am piocking up my ZT 0500 MUDD tomorrow from post office and I have dished out very lustful sights towards ZT 0200.

My ideal combination includes compact fixed blade (Necker or other compact full tang knife) Large folder and good survival knife (mine is Morris Custom or Morris Necker for small fixed utility, ZT 0500 for Folder and Becker BK-7 for survival knife ) with those I can do almost anything I may need to do related on cutting and such work.
 
Often called the "poor man's Sebenza," this CRKT S-2 has a
titanium frame and a 4-inch ATS-34 blade
Click to expand...

Ah excuse me, but that would be 3.5 inches for the CRKT S-2 blade, not as impressive IMO as a 4 incher.
 
In Texas legal size is 5.5 or under and my largest folder (as of now) is a 5.2 Benchmade LFK. I prefer it because when I was on my bike sh*t would fall between the seats and I couldnt get my hands in so I would use my knife. lol

I also have a Boker Magnum Lady damascus that I carry now because of its small size. (great for working with women, they think its nice because of the blade and dont mind its a knife. lol)

Right now I am looking for larger folders and a few large fixed blades to carry :D

Most of my knives are 3.5 if I could find them in 4+ I would rather buy it. I would rather carry a large folder then a large fixed in some occasions easyer to conceal carried sideways on a belt or thin enough in your back pocket.
 
As I've said many times before, I live in a very liberal, tolerant area so I'm at all concerned about the size of the knife I carry. No one's ever batted an eye when I use a knife and I'm sure no one will.

That said, I prefer smaller knives with blades less than 3.5 inches. Right around three inches is ideal for me as long as the handle is comfortable, but I'll carry a knife that's bigger or smaller if I like it.

My thinking is why should I add more weight by carrying a four inch knife when a three inch or smaller blade will do the same thing. It's a comfort thing for me. But like I said, if I find a bigger knife that feels good in my hand, and isn't too much to carry around, I'll carry and use it happily.

I don't see folders over four inches as very pocket friendly though.

I EDC'd a Benchmade 710 for a lot of years until I realized that it was just way too much knife. So I switched to a Spyderco Paramilitary which is just about perfect in terms of blade length to handle ratio.

Right now I'm rotating between a Queen #31 two bladed congress, a Ka-Bar stockman and the Paramilitary for daily, around town and going to work carry. If I'm going into the woods for a while, of course I'll take a much bigger knife.

In the end it's all an issue of need and comfort. I don't want or need five inches or more of folding knife in my pocket.
 
555 said:
A Large Folder is the perfect companion to go with the Slip Joint (Queen Congress) that everyone carries.

You do carry a Slip Joint, don't you? :D
Click to expand...
I do, though mines a Case medium stockman.

I don't have any large folders at the moment but I have one with a roughly 4" blade on the way. I've been able to handle most everyday cutting tasks with my SAK or my Case medium stockman and those have blades that are around 2.5".

The reason I bought the Endura 4 was so I could have a knife that could be opened with one hand. I could have bought a Delica or something similar with a shorter blade and probably would never have a problem, but since I carry a smaller knife anyway, I figured I would get a bigger one to kind of cover all the bases. I also live in Canada so most of the time I wouldn't be able to have a gun on me so the Endura 4's bigger blade could come in handy for self defence if the need ever arises (though I'm not expecting it to).
 
The largest folder I own at the moment is my Swamp Rat Rat Trap. It's also the knife that I carry the most often. It has an S30V blade that's just under 4" long. The uber thin G-10 scales, feather weight and low ride clip also make it the most comfortable and concealable folder I own. It absolutely disappears in my front pocket. It's so easy to carry and use I see no reason (other than variety) to carry any of my smaller folders. I also see no reason to own or carry a larger folder. It's probably not as bullet proof as a hard use folder like a Strider or Hinderer but if I plan to use my knife for such tasks I'll carry a fixed blade. The only disadvantage I can see is possible scaring the sheeple. But, really, is that a disadvantage? :)

Here it is pictured next to my Busse Meaner Street for size comparison. You can see by the ambidextrous clip holes on on the scale facing up how low the knife will ride...
IMG_0075-1-2-1.jpg
 
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I do like my big folders, of that there is no doubt! Though the last few months have seen me carrying a very stout,but smaller knife than I usually do. This past couple weeks have seen me take an Ontario Retribution 1 and modify it to have thinner and flatter scales, while adding a pocket clip that allows for deep carry and tip up. This one has been in my right front pocket for the past two days. It is a big knife no doubt. Blade is 4.5" X .200", handle is 5.5", and weight is 10+ ounces. Has ridden well in the baggy pants I wear with no one the wiser. But it is not the most practical folder to carry!!
 
Confederate

I feel your pain. Be careful where you pull those big folders out at. The little cities and towns in Merryland sometimes have their own rules on knives and they frown upon anything more than a SAK.

That being said - I love large folders, and the ideal size is 3.5 to 4" blade length. My largest is 4" - I think a folder starts to get too big after that.

I always carry a SAK in addition to the folder just in case of sheeple. I've never had any problems in MD but I am also discreet with my carry.
 
Can't stand carrying a folder with a blade larger than four inches. Back when I had a BM740 Dejavoo and a Cold Steel Ti-Lite, they worked well for most tasks that didn't require too much detail work, but I never really enjoyed carrying them, so off they went to find better homes. Strangely enough, I still carry around an Opinel No.8, even if it is rather large in the pocket.
 
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