What's the largest belt knife you'd comfortably EDC on your hip

It is so dependent on circumstances / environment / context... In the woods, I'm totally comfortable with carrying on the belt a machete and a hatchet, if needed (and a billhook, in hand or on the pack). I'm personally comfortable with a 4 to 8 inches knife on the belt, carrywise, if circumstances allow. I don't like to advertise my knives, so I will generally carry folders, neckers and small fixed blades in urban and semi/urban environments.
 
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I have been carrying this Behring Made Knives 3.5" fixed blade for a while now as my EDC. Not too big, and with the stag handle it looks like a knife most folks can wrap their minds around carrying daily, as opposed to say something far more tactical. I find this blade length to be the right size for most tasks, though I've also carried three smaller fixed blades a lot in the last year and been just as comfortable.
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I carry a Winkler Woodsman when I'm camping, and have no problem leaving that knife (4.25" blade / 8.75" OAL) on my belt going into town to eat or get groceries. Living in the western U.S. I don't find it to be an issue carrying a fixed blade most places I go. I definitely read about carry laws where I'm going, but as long as I can, I EDC a fixed blade daily, along with a modern folder.
It definitely helps to know the law of the state or place your in. Colorado says it is illegal to conceal a blade longer than 3.5", but there aren't restrictions on size of carry. Oregon, where I'm traveling through today, has very few restrictions on knife carry. I'm not trying to push it, with large fixed blades in urban areas where I most likely won't need them. I also am not carrying knives primarily for self defense. I've found knives I believe have a place pretty much everywhere, and will continue to carry them openly because I really enjoy having them with me every day.
 
I generally only carry a fixed blade when camping or woodswalking. Usually, it's one with no more than a 4 and 1/2 inch blade, and I prefer horizontal carry on my front off-side (as I'm right handed). I don't much care for vertical carry, where if I'm not paying attention, I might poke myself in my side resheathing the knife. Also, if I'm out to do some chopping, I'll usually carry the sheathed chopper-sized knife in my hand. If it's not in my hand, it's lashed to my pack. One of my camping trips last year with the Scouts, some Dad brought one of those Wal-Mart "Winchester" bowie knives and was wearing it on his belt. He kept banging it into stuff, and jammed the tip of the sheath in the dirt multiple times when he'd crouch to tend the fire or whatever. That was Friday afternoon-evening. Saturday morning and through the rest of the weekend, he left it in his tent.
 
In the past year the largest knife I've carried has been an old Western 48a with a 4" blade, surprisingly it's been a whole year since I've really Carried the 119 on my belt.
It seems 4" is a common max length for an EDC belt knife around here, that's very interesting.
I also find it interesting that I really prefer the 2.5" or less blades for a folder in my pocket but have no problem carrying up to a 4" blade on my belt, the 110 and 110Lt are the only 4" bladed folders I've got and the LT the only I'd consider carrying In my pocket.

In the past month it's been the Buck 212 at 3.5" and for a couple weeks before that the 102 at 1.75".
one of my favorites is an old queen #85 B&T at 3"






I'm definitely at a point where carrying the larger belt knives feels a bit silly, so while I am to going to carrying t for fun I doubt I'll end up carrying the 498 for more than a week tops.
A 7" blade is just too much , I doubt the size will be annoying on my side or anything but that's just way more blade than I need.
 
This hunter by Phillip Patton gets a good bit of carry.
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This pair of Tendic get carried most days!

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Bigfattyt said:
This hunter by Phillip Patton gets a good bit of carry.
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Is that a GP100 snubby? One of my favorite guns - like it so much I have one on me permanently. Seriously.

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On topic, I carry up to 5” blade fixed blades regularly. Any more than that and I’m out in the woods.
 
This Carothers HDFK is a regular carry for me, but I wish I had requested
a higher riding version of this Azula alligator sheath, as it’s a bit long when driving.
On the trail it’s perfect, and retention requires no snaps or straps, is almost like kydex.
Next Azula alligator sheath will be high ride forward cant.
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AntDog said:
Is that a GP100 snubby? One of my favorite guns - like it so much I have one on me permanently. Seriously.

image.jpg


On topic, I carry up to 5” blade fixed blades regularly. Any more than that and I’m out in the woods.
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It is the SP101 in .357. So a little smaller, lighter, easier to conceal (lighter for a Ruger....).
 
I generally don't like to carry a fixed blade for urban edc. But I have tried to and in most cases I'm perfectly comfortable with it on my belt. I am currently carrying the Condor Compact Kephart (2.57" blade in 1095) in the factory vertical belt sheath. I like it. I easily gets VERY sharp. Been using it for the very same tasks that I would use my SAK as far as cutting goes. So, I have the little SAK in my watch pocket. But it is easier to grab the fixed blade. So, that's where I am currently at. Ask me in 6 months and I will probably tell you something different.

Taking it with me tomorrow in the woods and touched up the edge a little with the Extra Fine DMT. Probably won't need to cut anything. Mostly taking pictures.

I have carried a few of my Dozier's with their nifty cross draw sheath. Like them a lot. But for now, it is the Condor on the belt. I always seem to have a SAK with me, but if there is another blade, it changes from time to time. Right now it's a small fixed blade.

As far as maximum blade length I am comfortable with... about 4" which makes for about an 8" OAL. The other fixed blade I have carried a few times is a 3.8" BRKT Mini Kephart (7.5" OAL). It is a all around shape that works.
 
I carry a 4.3" fixed blade - 8.8" oa & I find it great on my belt, the sheath has rotation so horizontal/vertical/45 is easy

I won't normally walk around downtown with it, but hiking or around the house it's a no brainer


Quick question for anyone carrying a 6"+ blade.... what does it allow you to do that a smaller 4ish wouldn't?
 
Bought this Russel Reese Cahutta Pukko on the Exchange awhile back.

Am currrently carrying in on the weak side of my belt. Prefer to cross-draw longer fixed blade knives. However, I still carry the Bastinelli/Marcaida Pika karambit on my strong side.

This pukko is sweet little knife - 3 3/8" long O2 steel blade (about 7 3/8" overall) w/a natural canvas micarta handle and a very nice leather sheath. It's about the longest fixed blade knife that I'd carry for an EDC.

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dirc said:
Quick question for anyone carrying a 6"+ blade.... what does it allow you to do that a smaller 4ish wouldn't?
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Feel more badass :D
At least for me that's the only reason I ever carry a larger knife, if I was going into the woods it would probably be a different story but for knocking around a small rural farm town my knives just get used for general utility in the garage or basic everyday stuff.

There's just something cool about a large fixed blade, but there's something even cooler about a beautiful classy small fixed blade.
 
AntDog said:
What are you dressing out with a 119?!
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Nothing at all !!! I was responding to what I carry as the OP asked. In CT we are unable to EDC while bow hunting, even with a valid pistol/revolver permit, so I CARRY a 119 while bow hunting. I use a buck 110 carried in my backpack to field dress deer. Your assumption got ahead of you on this one. ;)
 
Jeff S1 said:
Nothing at all !!! I was responding to what I carry as the OP asked. In CT we are unable to EDC while bow hunting, even with a valid pistol/revolver permit, so I CARRY a 119 while bow hunting. I use a buck 110 carried in my backpack to field dress deer. Your assumption got ahead of you on this one. ;)
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When somebody says they carry something while hunting, yes I assume they are using it for hunting purposes. Go figure. I was very much hoping you hunted elephants or rhinos. :(
 
AntDog said:
When somebody says they carry something while hunting, yes I assume they are using it for hunting purposes. Go figure. I was very much hoping you hunted elephants or rhinos. :(
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There are plenty of people who process game with a Buck 119 special, smaller blades may be more practical but that doesn't stop people from doing it.
 
Quick question for anyone carrying a 6"+ blade.... what does it allow you to do that a smaller 4ish wouldn't?

Not much really! I like to have my Fallkniven volcano 6.75" while. in the woods. As someone said it's just cool. love.the feel of the volcano in my hand and mostly.I just use it for clearing any branches or small trees that happen to be getting in my way. I've used it to field dress and its ok, but better skinning! I always have 2-3 knives on me anyway! When it's not hunting season, I'll carry.my Roselli axe instead of Fallkniven. Ive.even used the Roselli to dress out a deer too! The more the merrier as far as knives in my pocket goes!!
 
Let’s see, I’ve carried a bayonet and machete while in uniform but those don’t count in my mind.

My Benchmade 162 has about a four and a half inch blade. So, I would say that is about it.

With the right sheath of course.
High on the belt is the way to go, IMO. Leather or maybe Kydex.
No ballistic nylon tactical garbage.
I have a Falcon from the OKC Ranger series that just sits because of the sheath.

I recently handled a EDC fixed blade from CPK. Very impressive.
 
For me, 4'' is about it. Imho the key is not only moderate oal, but also that the handle is rather thin. My current favorite is the Esee PR4 in aftermarket kydex.
 
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