Three Inch Blades

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Gadgetman7

Joined
Sep 30, 2001
Messages
932
Ok I know this comes up from time to time but I would really like more three inch bladed models. Don't get me wrong I love my Paramilitary, Ti Military and Manix 2 but I can't carry them in a lot of the places I go. I have a Chaparral on pre-order and am waiting on some other models. (Native Ti, Techno and Centofante) I also have a lot of the older models like the Salsa RIL compression lock, Delicas, Navigators, Dragonfly etc.

But one of my favorite new models, the Perrin PPT, is so close but just over the limit. So is the FRN Native, Lum CF, and the original Paramilitary. I realize the the lines on the knife have to flow but would few millimeters make that much difference? It seems that some of the knives like the knives could be scaled down without affecting the ergonomics that much. Since the three inch rule is so prevalent it would seem to make sense to try to make the smaller knives comply when possible.

So who would like to see knives that have something like a 3 and 3/32 inch blade scaled down?
 
I'm not so sure. I too live in an area where the 3 inch blade law is applied. Most of Spyderco's models that fit this stipulation, I enjoy to carry. The larger folders are often wider, bulkier and heavier in pocket which make them more of a nuisance to carry, IMO.

You also have to keep in mind that many knife owners are obsessive about blade-to-handle ratio and overall balance. Whether you like it or not, that affects sales. Spyderco also likes to put in as much bang-for-your-buck in their knives, which means maximizing cutting edge in a particular model. If that helps sales, it's kind of ridiculous to ask them to stop.

The only time I need a bigger knife is for heavier work duties. That is often at my house or at a work site, where I don't need to be concerned about an officer coming to check about the tool in my hand.
 
75mm Persian2 is a great smaller knife.
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Sage series would be another option. You might also consider getting the Perrin and having someone trim the blade down to 3".
 
The Deacon said:
Sage series would be another option. You might also consider getting the Perrin and having someone trim the blade down to 3".
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I love the Sages and have all three. It's not that I don't like the three inch knives that are out there I'm just curious as to why Spyderco makes a blade of say 3 1/16 inches when you could make it three inches so easily. I am particular about the handle blade ratio but I guess I just can't see the difference that 1/8 inch makes. (In fact I reground a Native myself and don't notice any difference in how the knife feels in my hand.
 
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I'm just the opposite. I am partial to blades that are ~3.5 to 4 inches. I usually won't buy any more knives that are less than 3.5". Fortunately, Spyderco makes lots of knives in all sizes to satisfy all preferences and as mentioned, it's easy to grind a blade down a few 1/16ths if it bothers you. On the other hand you can't make them longer at home.
 
I don't have to deal with blade length laws in my state, but I prefer blades under 3.5 inches. In my smallish hands they feel more comfortable and don't look like I'm trying to cut open packages with a machete. I feel like Spyderco does a decent job of balancing their selection between smaller and larger knives, certainly better than Kershaw's selection of <=3-inch folders, IMHO.
 
Gadgetman7 said:
I love the Sages and have all three. It's not that I don't like the three inch knives that are out there I'm just curious as to why Spyderco makes a blade of say 3 1/16 inches when you could make it three inches so easily. I am particular about the handle blade ratio but I guess I just can't see the difference that 1/8 inch makes. (In fact I reground a Native myself and don't notice any difference in how the knife feels in my hand.
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It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation for Spyderco. On the one hand, you have the folks who live in areas with 3" blade limits. On the other, you have the folk who want the maximum amount of blade for a given size handle. Sometimes, the smallest handle that affords proper ergonomics requires a blade over 3" in order to satisfy the second group. With few exceptions, it's fairly easy to reduce the length of a blade by 1/4" or less to comply with local laws. Just one of those cases where it's necessary to pay the "my way" tax in order to get exactly what you want.
 
The 3/32" would be real easy to reprofile to 3" and in after many trips to the stone may one day get there on it's own.There's always the Caly 3 or a little shorter the Persistance is a good knife.
 
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