What size blade is the perfect EDC for you?

[herisson]

While we're at it, I should post this. This was (still is, actually) one of my favorite pocket fixed blades. I tend to prefer stainless nowadays, so it has taken a back seat, but this little knife offers a perfect balance of weight, size, cutting edge and grippable handle. A true masterpiece. Oh, and the blade is 3.19".

 

[greatscoot]

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" :

That Baleta is a beauty and Dalibor's pocket blades are really sweet, I have two.

 

[jackknife]

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.

NEVER mess with a lady that carries scalpels!

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Stoil Manchev, from Sofia, Bulgaria

Oh, l didnt recognize it, l saw the other one of his knives but didnt realize this one is also made by him.
He is from my old town, very good knifemaker, thanks for clearing it for me.

 

[herisson]

His personal site is much worth visiting https://www.manchevknives.com/ : he does a lot of very diverse styles. But you knew that. He also does custom work (it was so pleasant to work with him !), so I can't resist to post this again ! Excellent EDC ! The symetrical blade makes for a double longer edge life (but Stoil's 14C28N lasts forever anyway) and takes the trouble out of resheathing under clothes or in the dark (as opposed to the Sgian Dubh). The blade is 3.46" :

 

[herisson]

While it's complicated (or not), I like them all. And that's my EDC theme !

 

[The Grendels]

3.5" to 5" blades are my personal preference. I have big hands, so the small handled, small blades don't do much for me unless they have exceptional ergonomics (like the Kizer Mini Sheepdog).

 

[craytab]

Some preferred size EDC knives! Actually EDC'd!

 

[DavidABQ]

For me a 2.75” long blade seems to be the sweet spot for my use. I am an office worker so I don’t really have many heavy duty cutting chores. If I do then I grab a fixed blade “garage knife.”

 

[nevermind35]

I've got two favorite blade lengths for edc folding knives: 3" and 3.3", or maybe I should just say 3"-3.3". It's just the perfect size for me.

 

[verkerke]

I might be the exception: I have a Puma Bowie in my briefcase. Blade = 6 inches. I have a Fontanille-Pataud in my pocket: 3.5 inches

 

[Planterz]

I've owned and carried various 4" folders. I now own none. Biggest blade I have is 3.5" and it feels comically large to me. All the rest are 3" or under. I've found that I simply don't need anything larger; in fact I usually something shorter because it makes detail work with the tip (all mine have thin, pointy tips) easier when it's closer to my grip.

My most used knife these days is an AG Russell 3" lockback that's .19" thick (the whole thing, not the blade) with about 2¼ of blade or my Magnus SlideClick utility knife with just under 1" of edge. My 3" Kershaw or Delica handles anything else I encounter. I'm not batonning firewood or stabbing car doors.

 

[herisson]

Hey, another perfect EDC ! I wanted a slightly slimmer in the handle and longer in the blade Sgian Dubh. Paul Baleta (on Knife Maker's Market) did a fantastic job. The blade is 3.86" :

But I must admit, I more often grab this one here under which is one of Paul's original designs. It fits better in the pocket and feels just so right overall. Blade is "only" 3.35", so there's that. Here is the even more perfecter EDC :

 

[King of the Cheese]

Looks like a winner is starting to emerge here… and I can’t say I’m surprised. Lots of very popular knives in that range.

 

[P.C.E.]

As much as I like my larger folders (and I really do) some of my favorites blades are 3" - just under 3.5".
Specifically the GM Ace Grand and Les George VECP, sturdy built mid-size folders that can really do it all and feels great in the hand.
The SOG Kiku XR looks intriguing to me for the same reasons and with XHP (and some points to use) I might bite.
Fixed blades too...

 

[King of the Cheese]

Okay votes are slowing down enough and I can consider this answered.

The top three blade lengths are:

1.) 3” - 3.25” (about 1 in 4 people picked this)
2.) 2.75” - 3” (over 20% of votes)
3.) 3.25”-3.5” (17% of votes)

An interesting observation is that this is a grouping in the 2.75”-3.5” range, and over 62% of respondents prefer a knife in this range.

Thank you to everyone that participated!