The merits of having a small knife

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
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Often one hears about the advantages of having a hefty, sturdy and solid folder/knife. Few extol the virtues of a one-inch, or two-inch blade.

I for one think the world of small knives. Small blades can get into nooks and corners of things where big knives cannot tread.

Take for example, the back of a watch. I found out that only a suitable small knife can pry open the back of a lady's watch. In doing so, the tiny button battery can be extracted and replaced.

Try doing that with a big blade. You will get no where.
Another example, ever tried slicing open the corner of a tightly sealed envelope. For a small blade, it is like skating on ice - easy and smooth.

Therefore, I say give me a small knife anytime. It doesn't even create a crease in the lining of your trouser pocket when it is there.

:)
 
You're absolute correct golok.

My gathering ranges from large to small.

There are times when what you're wearing and where you're going (certain functions) that dictate a small carry. But, I don't let that stop me from carrying small. ;)
 
I concur, My rainbow Kershaw Leek has become my EDC, just because of that, it's amazing how you can get into anything with one of those, not to mention if the chips are down it can be used as a defensive tool in a heartbeat. It's a great sized knife for most anything, if only it had a clip like the SOG Flash series, where it wouldnt be seen in your pocket it would be perfect.
 
I started collecting big blades, but I've been picking up some tiny ones for detail work. David Winston's "The Key," the Busse Assault Shaker, Spyderco Cricket, etc. Very useful.
 
I think it's possible for knives to get too small, though.

littleknife2.jpg
 
For soooo long - AFCK, SERE 2000, etc.

The last 4-5 months, most of the time a Kiwi in the pocket, and in the desk at the office a Benchmite and a small Griptilian. For more "administrative" chores, like opening mail, small packages, etc. I find myself reaching for a smaller knife.

And all this time I thought I was getting weird!!!!!!!:D
 
CRK Mnandi!

I carry mine at work every day. It's a little knife that thinks its much bigger.

Dan
 
You can't go wrong with Spyderco. cricket, Jester, Kiwi, Dodo, Dragonfly, Meerkat, Salsa. Lots of cool stuff.

Blade-tech's mouse II looks like a great small knife as well.
-Kevin
 
I agree. I often supplement one of my small Sebbies with my V'nox Pocket Pal or Bantam. They really come in handy for chores that require getting into a tight spot. Also, frankly I'm more comfortable with letting a "non-knife type" person borrow/use one of my V'noxs as opposed to one of my Sebbies.
 
That's why I carry small (Spyderco Delica) and large (Spyderco Police model) as two of my EDC's...Just "in-case".
 
one of my edc's is a Kershaw Silver Knight II. It's perfect for those small jobs.
 
Good point, for me in an outdoor environment camping, hiking, white water etc. my needs gravitate towards medium to larger size blades say 3.5" and up to machete length.

Day to day during the week I am in a surburban/office environment and needs gravitate towards smaller knives (the tasks that arise are more easily accomplished with a smaller one). I appreciate smaller knives and mine see more duty due to lifestyle, but I do not want to part with bigger knives when I am outdoors. Imagine going to your property out in the woods to set up camp trying to clear brush with a small blade :D. About as silly as using a long bladed knife to open a letter or box. :D.
 
Size all depends on what the user is used to. Some people would consider an Endura a small knife esp. if they are used to carrying a mega folder ala MADD MAXX. I've always carried smaller knives. My latest fave is the Spyderco Kiwi.
Matt
 
Originally posted by RH
Dann, a Delica is not a small knife, IMO.
Click to expand...
...Laid (open) between my (open) Cold Steel Vaquero Grande and X2 Voyager, my Delica IS a SMALL knife!.:p.
 
Been abusing my SS PE Dragonfly since 20 aug 01... just about 2yrs of abuse on it so far, and it's going stong. No movement in the lock, and only just over 1/8" tip gone(can tell when it's seen against the new engraved one). Handle has been mirror polished(needs it again), blade has been convexed(spent about a year convex), then lately taken fron convex to about 20deg inclusive. I've been sharpening with sandpaper for the last while. Dozen strokes on 1200 dry and a quick strop to get the wire, and it shaves for another week.

Today I was in jogging pants at work, had 2 knives with me. SE FRN Endura and my 'fly. used the fly only so far.

Been working on sizing my carry down for the last couple weeks, and I now carry a 2.5" slipjoint(single blade, lambfoot, nice snap to it) instead of a clipped(usually military or CS ti-lite) on right.
 
The small blade is the main reason my V-nox Settler has become my EDC. I absolutely LOVE my small Sebenzas, but if I had to choose, the Settler would win.

I hope I never have to make that choice.

Paul
 
I sure felt like a man today when I opened my paycheck with my Rinaldi Chimera. I did notice a problem during lunch, however. Somebody could not get the little plastic protector off a bottle of mustard, and I was too chicken to pull a six inch blade out of hiding to open it.

I offered my little Boker folder with stag handles.

I guess everything has its place, but I really like having that big blade on my hip. We seem to keep each other warm somehow.

In my moment of distress, my large-bosomed salvation better be weilding a blade of size and stature. I sure hope she has more than a Boker.

Come to think of it, I'm sure I'd be happy with any old person with scissors in my moment of distress. Pain meds could probably fix the blade and bosoms.
 
Small knives with even 1inch or usually 2, maybe 2-1/2inch blades do extremely well for the stuff that golok mentioned. The other advantage is ease of carry. I like the idea of a "NONFOLDING POCKET KNIFE." The security and rigidity of a fixed blade is reassuring. At perhaps 6inches OAL, these knives are obviously compact and lightweight - they can be worn on a belt and actually look non-intimidating as opposed to a standard 4inch hunting knife that might make a more "common" EDC. Also, being small, they could be slipped into a pocket. I've made a couple of sheaths designed to be carried in a shirt breast pocket.

Check out Jens Anso's knives he makes a mean small knife.
http://www.ansoknives.com/scalpels.htm
http://www.ansoknives.com/personaldrop.htm

Some of mine, only 6.5inch OAL
http://jcbknives.com/galleryimages/personalpersianarcticL.jpg
http://jcbknives.com/galleryimages/monarchL.jpg
6inch OAL
http://jcbknives.com/galleryimages/paradoxkurigataL.jpg

Its cheaper. Usually. You can also put more exotic stuff on a small knife without the cost getting outrageous. Easier to make - Not always, since small knives test your precision more.

Thats lots of advantages, IMHO. Jason.
 
It's a hair over 4" closed, but it's slender. The clip point ends in a needle like tip, good for delicate work. The spey is for cutting the packing straps on the printer paper without mutilating the boxes. Okay, it's not exactly small but with any luck I'll be picking up a small congress that matches my trapper. Now if I could only find a toothpick or folding hunter that matched.

Frank
 
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