This knife is "small" enough for me.

kamagong

kamagong

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Jan 13, 2001
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It's no peanut, but neither is it a Buck 110.

I started carrying a knife back in college. Going to school in the late 90s-early 21st century, that meant a modern folder. In my case it was a Spyderco Endura, followed later by a Military. Excellent knives, the Military remains an old favorite.

That all changed once I started working. Pocket clips are fine with jeans and cargo shorts, but they look entirely out of place when wearing dress slacks or even khakis. That's when I wandered into this place. I needed an old-fashioned knife, one that wouldn't elicit any attention in a white collar environment.

My first true foray into slipjoints was with the stockman. Awesome pattern. Three blades, one large and two smaller ones, all with different shapes. All you could ask for in a pocket knife. The problem is that I only really used the clip main. The spey and sheepsfoot added unnecessary bulkiness and weight to the knife.

That lead me to single blade slips. My first was a Laguiole. A classy pattern, but too big. I then tried a couple of sodbusters, but I like a pointier tip. After trying out a few more I came to realize that the sweet spot for me is right around 3 3/4" closed. Big enough to use comfortably, but small and light enough to carry without any bother.

Some of you might think I'm losing it. Next to a peanut, the Scout pictured above is an absolute brick. Perhaps, but when your first real folders were Spydercos and a Microtech, a GEC #73 is a featherweight. I see no reason to go any smaller when carrying this knife is near effortless. The only way I can see myself carrying a 'nut is if I ever get a government job. In that case, I'll quickly place an order with A.G. Russell for one of his pinched peanuts. If I have to choose between carrying a peanut or carrying nothing at all, give me the 'nut.

All other scenarios, I want something something I can wrap my hand around.

I can't be the only one here who prefers bigger knives. Sound off here if you like them.

Anyone willing to join me in an anti-peanut alliance (APA)? ;)

- Christian
 
I'm with you. My main carry is four and a half inches closed. I like the extra length.
 
Nice post. Good looking 73 and classy to boot. I also prefer a bigger knife than the peanut but they are still nice in their own right. It's nice to have a few different sizes for different occasions.
 
Isn't there a way to get a knife that's a peanut while it's inside my pocket, and something like your 73 when I'm holding it? :D
I grew up with Sardinian knives around. The standard size has 9-10 cm of blade length. People say it has to be long enough to get to the center of a form of pecorino (sheep cheese). I never got used to carrying one; every time I sat down, I cringed.
Then I got into "standard" (93 mm) SAK's and that felt way more comfortable. Got into slipjoints, and tried knives from 4" closed down to a peanut. Great in the pocket, but not that much in hand (more for handle size than for blade length).
I don't cut 100 times a day, so carry comfort wins over use comfort I guess...and 3,5" is my sweet spot. I tend to carry bigger knives when I know I will cut often (outdoors), or when I don't carry my knife in a pocket (outdoors, but also scrubs at work).
Isn't there a "I want it all but have to accept the compromise of a medium length knife" team? :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
I think the 73 is about just right. It is a tad longer than I would like in the pocket, but fits almost perfect in my hand when in use. Nice 73 BTW. My sweet spot is 3.5, but my 73 get time in my pocket more than others. Maybe when I run across a Northfield 15 or 25, I can retire the 73.
 
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3-3/4" to 4" closed is my preferred size for everyday use. I never have considered knives in this size range large, rather they seem a normal size for reasonable chores to me. :thumbup: :)
 
Large stockman is my perfect size, I have large hands so anything in that range is just right.
 
There is certainly a time and place for a small folder . I have a small pen knife that gets pocketed when I'm going out at night and don't want or need a a big blade and in many cases a big knife would be inappropriate and may even be illegal .

f5dda27e7096695160f2d7d4fd739649_zps7fad9b7d.jpg


But I recently got a big Traditional and I realised that when I'm at work of around the house for me " Bigger" is better .
This picture shows my new acquisition with a Leatherman Surge . The Surge is the beast of the Multitool world so it gives an idea of what size I now carry .

6d4ce4140edcac9ad08b823ef942763f_zpscac983a6.jpg



Ken
 
quattromori said:
Isn't there a way to get a knife that's a peanut while it's inside my pocket, and something like your 73 when I'm holding it? :D
Click to expand...

If you can figure out that little problem you'll be a rich man.

quattromori said:
Isn't there a "I want it all but have to accept the compromise of a medium length knife" team?
Click to expand...

The #73 is a medium knife. Now if you want to talk about big knives I have a couple of those too.



:devilish:
 
Ken, what a beautiful knife. If you have a chance, could we get a picture of your latest knife with the blade open?
 
You're not alone, Christian. The sweet spot for me is 3.75" to 4.5", with 3.5" being the lowest I'll go.

James
 
sitflyer said:
3-3/4" to 4" closed is my preferred size for everyday use. I never have considered knives in this size range large, rather they seem a normal size for reasonable chores to me. :thumbup: :)
Click to expand...
This is my point of view as well. I have been forcing myself to carry a peanut the last week or so along with my "larger" knives just to see if I can find any value in having a really small blade on me. My rule of thumb is that I need to be able to cut my big ol sandwiches in half at lunch, the peanut fails at this.
 
I prefer a folder in the range of 3.5 -4.5 inches range. If I'm going to get into some serious cutting then I turn to my fixed blade, always close at hand.
 
ms3902 said:
This is my point of view as well. I have been forcing myself to carry a peanut the last week or so along with my "larger" knives just to see if I can find any value in having a really small blade on me. My rule of thumb is that I need to be able to cut my big ol sandwiches in half at lunch, the peanut fails at this.
Click to expand...

You mean to say you would not be able to field dress a walrus using a peanut?
neidermeyer.jpg

What kind of man are you?
Sorry couldn't resist.
Look I'm not about to join the Royal and Ancient masters of the Nut secret druidic cult (neither am I expecting an invite) but "the anti peanut league"? Hey I'm not gunna shellout the membership fees for that rowdy rabble of rambunctious rebels either.
Its the Seventy Three Society for me (miniscout miniscout whoooooaa. miniscout)
 
Anti-Peanut League? Don't worry, there are no membership fees. It's nothing too formal. Just a loose collection of like minded individuals.

Besides it's the Anti-Peanut Alliance, APA for short.

:p
 
aah Sorry, I was confusing it with the more militant APL- splitters.
actually its the 72 Society not 73 with their fancy fandangled non lockbacks.
knife content.
20140717_102221_zps1df299c6.jpg
 
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