What do large knives do that small ones cannot?

All else being equal, the edge on a longer blade will last longer than the edge on a shorter blade.
 
AMRaider said:
All else being equal, the edge on a longer blade will last longer than the edge on a shorter blade.
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This, and also it's more practical to dull a portion of a larger blade and leave the rest in good shape. So, if you're scraping, stripping a bunch of wire, etc., but want to retain the forward part of the blade for cutting paper that particular day, before resharpening the knife.

Another thing I've noticed is that I tend to use a longer blade more as a reaching tool. For example, to pull a wire out from a narrow cavity where my fingers can't reach.

These are things I have realized as the result of carrying larger folders because I was just fond of the knives. Not really talking about huge folders, more along the lines of Large vs. Small Sebenza.

The principle drawback of the larger knife (for me) is not wanting people to think I'm a lunatic when I present it to cut a piece of string, etc. This isn't about legality, just decorum. A smaller knife is easier to present softly... even to use partially open if you really want to keep it concealed - like maybe opening a package at an office party.

I don't spend much time in situations where decorum is that much of an issue, but OTOH, am really not looking to get negative reactions from people re my knives. Much prefer to move swiftly and lightly sans fanfare.
 
4" Becasue I CAN. (legal length limit:barf:) If the sheeple don't like it, tough, they can look the other way!
 
tsiloics said:
I don't spend much time in situations where decorum is that much of an issue, but OTOH, am really not looking to get negative reactions from people re my knives. Much prefer to move swiftly and lightly sans fanfare.
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+1 on that. I like the idea of being a "wolf in sheep's clothing". I used to like to whip out a big honkin' BM710, and open it with a flourish, to open a package when I was younger. Nowadays, I just meekly pull out a Case peanut or something of similar size when I need to cut something in public. There's no reason to antagonize people that don't deserve to be antagonized. I like to be a friendly, affable, harmless-looking sort, that doesn't attract attention to himself.

If I need to, however, I can pull out a Sebenza or a massive, 7" bladed Bravo 2 just as easily as I can my peanut. If I were flashy or showy about my knives, I might not be able to get away with carrying a full-sized knife like my Bark River. But I dress like a businessman, and carry my huge, "Crocodile Dundee" knife in a "phag bag", and you would never know it. Nobody gives me a second glance. And I like it that way.
 
Big knives have significant larger cut, about 25% larger on every 2 - 3 inches. They also penetrate deeper, no matter what shape of blade they got ( because they are larger ). What is best size for knife depends of work. You can carry small knives ( like RAT 3 ) in war zone and maybe you wont pull it out of sheath ( hard to believe ), but when you need one, you probably will understand why army demands different type and size of blade. Same thing is with hunting, climbing, sky jumping, diving...
 
Larger knives do have some advantages, more edge being one. That being said, for folders, I prefer something around a 3 inch range. Spyderco Delica or Calypso Jr. is just about perfect for me. The longer folders don't fit my pockets well, and where I live, 3.5 inches is the legal limit.
 
Large Knife can be Like a Small Sword.

Small Knife can be Like a Kitchen knife or Paring knife for apples and other things.
 
I carry large folders (Buck 110, Kershaw 1725CB JYDII, Blur, etc) in my back pocket. Smaller knives (Buck 301 Stockman, 503 Prince, Kershaw Scallion/Leek, Spydie Native, Victorinox Farmer, etc) ride in my front pockets. My pants back pockets have more and larger holes than the front. Hmmm - larger folders wear my britches out faster!!

Now - fixed blades. Buck 102/105s, etc, are polite knives.... a Buck 120 is a sword!

Stainz
 
I am liking the carry of smaller fixed blades more and more. A rat 3 is a sturdy knife that does alot of tasks food prep is one. but it slices things great whittles does light prying might even need to cut a wire or 2. i pefer bigger blades and always have. i dont know if i have ever even consdered owning a knife with a blade of less thaqn 3 inches. besides maybe some multitools. i guaruntee that i will need to use my knife for at least 3 things in the course of a day and if one of those things requires a big knife then im set and if it doesnt then well im probably still set. :D bigger usually equals sturdier, and the lock is probably beefier on the beefier handles that will allow me to get a good grip.
 
Usually a small knife means a small handle, which can be difficult to use for extended periods of time or in awkward/stressful situations. There are rare exceptions (Emerson Snubby, Spyderco Dodo/Paramilitary/etc) but when I know I will be cutting frequently, for a long time, or in tricky spots, I opt for a larger knife. By the way, most of my EDCs are small knives.
 
USSR said:
Usually a small knife means a small handle, which can be difficult to use for extended periods of time or in awkward/stressful situations...
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+1

I forgot about that aspect as well. I used to have a BM 707 which has a good blade size (about 3") for my intended uses but, the handle was just a tiny bit too small. My HD-7 has a similar sized blade (3.25"), but the handle is about an inch longer than on the BM 707. The HD-7 is no doubt bulkier in the pocket (and heavier) but it is more comfortable to use when I have to grip the knife tightly. I would much rather the handle be a little to large versus being a little too small. YMMV of course.
 
USSR said:
Usually a small knife means a small handle, which can be difficult to use for extended periods of time or in awkward/stressful situations. There are rare exceptions (Emerson Snubby, Spyderco Dodo/Paramilitary/etc) but when I know I will be cutting frequently, for a long time, or in tricky spots, I opt for a larger knife. By the way, most of my EDCs are small knives.
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That's not necessary true with fixed knives either! The smaller-bladed knives can boast full-size handles, leaving an efficient, legal blade that still gives you the ergonomic and aesthetic breathing space that is common to the larger-bladed folding knives like the Spyderco Military.

It is a wonderful world where we can have so much choice---big, small, fixed, folding, liner, lockback, Axis, compression...

The diversity of the knife industry today is excellent for all of us enthusiasts, and it is hard to believe our favorite tool evolved from what our ancestors made with a simple wood or antler handle and worked flint or low-grade iron!
 
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