What size blade is the perfect EDC for you?

[King of the Cheese]

It's my last name, but I'm pretty sure you knew that already

How would I know that? I don’t know who you are. Anyway, we can leave it at that.

 

[Owen K.]

There is no "perfect size" I like a variety of lengths for different reasons. That being said most of my knives are around 3.75 in.

 

[NG VI]

I have a need and plain interest in knives of most sizes, for a daily driver I have a lot of flexibility but generally prefer designs in the 2.5"-3.5" range, trending towards 3"

 

[WValtakis]

How would I know that? I don’t know who you are. Anyway, we can leave it at that.

Riiiiiigghht...that's why you were in my sub-forum laughing at all my posts yesterday Anyway, yes ...it's one of the only full custom knives by me from start to finish because I hate actually making knives, too dirty Hand engraved 20CV@62HRC (heat treat by Peter's) with 25,000 year old New Zealand swamp Kauri (stabilized by K&G) and copper/nickel/brass mokume pins. Here's a better look since you were so interested

 

[EngrSorenson]

For the sake of data analysis it would be cool to let people chose their minimum and maximum values from an interval. Then you could plot blade length vs density of respondents. Too bad the forum poll options aren't quite that fancy

You could get a decent approximation though by making the intervals smaller and allowing users to select multiple answers.

You mean to stack up people's maxima and minima and see where the real average is? That would be the most accurate way to determine the ideal EDC blade length for blade forums in aggregate, and it would closer emulate reality where people are satisfied by a range of answers probably larger than these discrete quarter inch buckets.

In fact, since everyone but the most finicky knife aficionado would select measurements smaller than a quarter of an inch, your idea for multi-voting for your ideal range is a great approximation.

 

[King of the Cheese]

Riiiiiigghht...that's why you were in my sub-forum laughing at all my posts yesterday Anyway, yes ...it's one of the only full custom knives by me from start to finish because I hate actually making knives, too dirty Hand engraved 20CV@62HRC (heat treat by Peter's) with 25,000 year old New Zealand swamp Kauri (stabilized by K&G) and copper/nickel/brass mokume pins. Here's a better look since you were so interested

No I know OF you, I don’t know you PERSONALLY, which is what your last name is. Sorry if that offends you. We should probably stick to the topic, and not derail the thread with complaints about “laugh emoticons” or whatever other minor insignificant things, wouldn’t you say? Laugh emoticon concerns should be addressed in “tech support”.

 

[Dave from State Farm]

Riiiiiigghht...that's why you were in my sub-forum laughing at all my posts yesterday Anyway, yes ...it's one of the only full custom knives by me from start to finish because I hate actually making knives, too dirty Hand engraved 20CV@62HRC (heat treat by Peter's) with 25,000 year old New Zealand swamp Kauri (stabilized by K&G) and copper/nickel/brass mokume pins. Here's a better look since you were so interested

It’s a beautiful piece Chip and I’m glad I had a very, very tiny part of that project. And it could not have gone to a better recipient!

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Riiiiiigghht...that's why you were in my sub-forum laughing at all my posts yesterday Anyway, yes ...it's one of the only full custom knives by me from start to finish because I hate actually making knives, too dirty Hand engraved 20CV@62HRC (heat treat by Peter's) with 25,000 year old New Zealand swamp Kauri (stabilized by K&G) and copper/nickel/brass mokume pins. Here's a better look since you were so interested

Amazing piece! Attention to detail.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

My usual carry is just under 3"

 

[WValtakis]

It’s a beautiful piece Chip and I’m glad I had a very, very tiny part of that project. And it could not have gone to a better recipient!

Yes! I almost forgot to mention that it was a retirement gift to Cvrobinson from a group of friends here on BF with materials, labor and funds provided by myself, D Dave from State Farm , The Aflac Duck , Cursum Perficio , Quiet , danbot , JupiterPaladin and I'm probably forgetting someone. What a bunch of guys

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Perfect EDC size for myself would be between 2.5”-3.75”
I have a 3.25”, a 3.75” and a 2.5” on me most days, including today. Right tool for the job and all that.

 

[Wild Willie]

I have found that in a folder carried on my person the 3"ish range leaves enough handle to be able to dress the ropes/slings I use for rigging and climbing while still being fairly unobtrusive in my pocket while in a bucket harness or climbing saddle.
I recently switched from the douk douk I carried for a couple of years to a small pj31. My last experiment with a crk small 21 with micarta inlays ended in me going back to the douk douk, it was too thick. Common denominator in all of them was pretty much blade length though.

 

[craytab]

Wow, that’s a beautiful BK-15. Thought it was custom knife. Awesome scales too.

Hey, thanks! It is one that will never leave the collection! It came to me with orange and black scale, plus a custom patina (see bottom pics).

Here are some more pics to give and idea of some perfect EDC blade length combos. Wouldn't want to stray off topic or face a mod's the OP's wrath.

 

[r8shell]

I EDC sub 2" knives.
I often carry another knife, large enough to cut a sandwich in half, but I always have some tiny little scalpel-like blades in my pockets.

 

[herisson]

Perfect EDC size for myself would be between 2.5”-3.75”
I have a 3.25”, a 3.75” and a 2.5” on me most days, including today. Right tool for the job and all that.

This ^ ! If we're talking "perfect" there cannot be only one. The perfect one will have the length, the weight, the type (fixed or folder, one handed or two handed opening, etc.) that match exactly my requirements of the day. And it must please my sense of aesthetics. Important for an EDC. This said, I am very at ease (currently !) with 2.5" to 3" or 3.5" blades, fixed or folder. My uses have changed and I don't reach so often for my 4" and + blades anymore. If we're talking "most used", that would be around 3". But of course, my EDC is an assortment of 2 to 3 knives, ordinarily. Let's say, these, as an example for fixed (in the right pants pocket), in (from left to right) 2.36, 2.64, 2.76, 3.35, 3.43 and 3.74" :

And these, for folders (in the left vest pocket), as an example, in (from left to right) 2.56, 2.64, 2.68, 2.76, 2.91 and 3.94" :

But there is one I actually carry everyday as a necker, this one with a 3.19" blade. Probably wins in the "most carried" category :

And this one is always there, in the purse, as a backup. The small model (below), blade is 2.91" :

This one is always in my left pants pocket. Main blade is 2.95" :

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Firs picture, second from the left looks very nice, maker please ?

 

[jackknife]

Mostly I carry Case peanut size pocket knives, with a Victorinox classic on my keyring. As an old fart retired guy doing a lot of fishing, and most urban living, a 2 inch blade is enough for me. Most package opening and twine cutting is done with my Vic classic.

 

[kobold]

My rule of thumb is 3" in the summer, 4" in the winter, 3.5" for the shoulder seasons. Whatever, whenever if the situation calls for it.

 

[herisson]

Firs picture, second from the left looks very nice, maker please ?

Stoil Manchev, from Sofia, Bulgaria. He is on Blade Forums' Knife Maker's Market. He is great to deal with and does fantastic work.

 

[l1ranger]

my official vote was 3.0-3.25
but my carries vary a bit generally from 2.75 to 3.5 for folders, depending on several factors