what size do you prefer/carry

B

Bjoern

Joined
Sep 14, 2014
Messages
107
hello!
as i posted the GEC thread here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nds-out-of-your-trousers-)-(knifenut-content)
and this knife is perfect for nearly everything theres one thing that bothers me: its a bit too big (4") and hefty. I found out (many knifes bought and sold again) that a knife with a size of 3 7/8 and quite a slim construction is perfect for pocket carry for me. this size can handle everything from light tasks up to food handling (which is possible but very uncomfortable below that size).i modified a case muskrat to have a normal and a sheepsfoot blade but 1.its modified and not original and 2. the main blade is a bit too slim for my taste. as far as i know, none of the current makers produce a knife with 3 7/8 and carbon steel. case did the 6347 few years ago (nice ones sell at a much too high price i want to spend for a case knife), GEC are 3.5 or below or 4" or above. a 3 7/8 dixie stockman would fill the gap perfectly as it has a bit of a broader blade than the case muskrat.
how do you think about that and what size do you prefer?
brgds b
 
The sweet spot for me is 3 3/4". Comfortable to carry and comfortable to use. My EDC is a single blade #73.

- Christian
 
3.5-3.75" is what works best for me. The new 77 pattern is great. I'll also carry a SAK Pioneer which is a little bigger but they're slim enough and carry great. 4"+ is too big for me.
 
The GEC #48 is one of my favorite patterns/sizes, particularly the jacks. They are 3 7/8" closed, come in carbon steel, have multiple blade configurations and the main clip blade can be had in a slim clip blade or a broader one. My other favorite carry is a GEC #33 Conductor in pen configuration that is 3 3/8". A lot of knife in a small package. I'll usually carry the #48 around the house or out when I think I might need a (just over) 3" main blade. The #33 is usually what I carry outside all the other times. It's main blade is 2 1/2" which is pretty huge for a small frame. Not ideal for food stuff you mention but more blade than other knives its size. Other knives in different sizes/configurations also get carried for variety but I like those 2 sizes/configurations best.

A pic of my user #48s and another of my user #33s (not including a user ebony which recently returned)

 
When I'm going out and will only have what I carry, then I use a 3-5/8 to 4 inch knife with either 2 or 3 blades, preferably at least one straight-edged and one curved. When at home and surrounded by knives in every room, I carry something from 3 to 3-1/2 inches. There are a good selection of trappers and stockmen in the 3-7/8" size. Here are a few of mine.

Stag Moore Maker in 1095
StagMooreMaker.jpg~original


Bone Fight'n Rooster in 1095
FRbwOpen_zps3058feec.jpg~original


Bone Hen & Rooster in German Stainless
BertramH-R_zpsfff4ff66.jpg~original
 
Nice Rooster there Jeff. That Conductor with the bail is cool too. One of those could work for me. 3 5/8 is my sweet spot and up to 4 1/8 if its a trapper. I can't feel 3 5/8 but anything bigger or smaller I can feel it in my pocket.
 
Anything above 3.5 I prefer to carry in a belt sheath or coat pocket rather than front pants pocket.
 
trand: never saw the #48 jack, just the trapper and bird knives, very nice!
jeff: that moore maker is just awesome. hows the quality?
 
I like a bigger knife 3 5/8'' on up......


Here is the numbers from a poll done here..........:cool:

Thread Title
What the right sized traditional slippie?

Date posted - 3-6-2014
4 - pages long
64 - post
164 - poll hits

So out of 164 votes - this is what the percentages & numbers looked like...

4'' - closed and up ----- 7 ----- 4.27%

4' - closed ----- 21 -----12.80%

3 3/4'' - closed ------37 -----22.56%

3 1/2'' - closed ------69 -----42.07%

3 1/4'' - closed ------22 ----- 13.41%

3'' - closed ------- 3 -------1.83%

2 7/8'' - closed ------ 4 -------2.44%

1/4'' - closed ------- 1 ------- 0.61%
.
 
I like to get all of my fingers on the handle, which means 3 3/4" minimum. Anything between 3 3/4" and 4 1/2" is optimal, as it's easily pocketable yet large enough to fill my hand. If a knife isn't big enough to fit all of my fingers on the handle I'd prefer it to be small enough to not be noticed at all in my pocket, which is in the 2 7/8" to 3" area for me. Going against the grain, I'd say that 3 1/2" is just about a worst case scenario. It's small enough that my pinky is left floating out there, and big enough that it's not any easier to carry than a full-sized knife.
 
3 5/8" closed length is the sweet spot for me.
But I will carry anything from 3 1/2" to 4".
 
very good point, cory,i think it varies with hand size of each of us. i do have quite big hands so the texas jack drowns in them and the abilene feels just right. handle size as long as my middle finger inside joint...
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oh and thanks pks for the poll results, i searched for perfect, size, edc, carry and couldnt find something.
 
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I got a custom knife that is 4.5 inches closed. It seemed too big at first but it is so cool I had to carry it. Now I'm used to it and 3.5 inches seems too small.
 
Bjoern, the quality of fit & finish on the Moore Makers made by Queen are excellent. Here is a composite picture showing both sides (very well matched) and the unusual pile side blank shield (for engraving). Pulls are about a 5 out of 10.

260efa83-d941-41b2-b7c0-461ef8d9b8e5_zps0d0639b1.jpg~original


Their 1095 is a point or two softer than GEC's is, so it sharpens very easily and takes a fine edge. They take a beautiful patina, too. Here is their large stockman (4-3/8" closed) in burnt white bone, one of my favorites.

BBopen_zpsde96f3c6.jpg~original
 
For me, it's a combination of size and weight with a little of the bulk factor weighing in. A 3 inch knife that is heavy for it's size may get rejected for a 4 inch knife that may be lighter in weight. Like a 3 1/2 inch stockman may be more uncomfortable to carry for me than a number 8 Opinel.

I like anything from 2 7/8th to 3 1/2 size, but under 3 ounces. Two ounces is better.
 
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