What's the right sized traditional slippie?

[Nal0n]

I voted for 3 1/4. As much as I love my peanut, it's at least 50% because of my old man and my memories of him that I carry one. If I have to admit it, two of my favorite pocket knives were in the 3 1/4 range. The Buck 303 cadet, and the Victorinox bantam and recruit. JUst the right size for a easy carry pocket knife.

To each his own ... but Carl ... you really made my cry there

 

[MerryMadMonk]

Like Woodrow, I carried/used big pocket knives for years... Buck 307 and Schrade 8OT/881, but 3 1/2" to 3 3/4" seems to be the sweet spot lately.

 

[Kisatchie]

I voted 3.75 as an average. I mostly carry a 3 blade stockman and they are between 3.5 and 4" .

 

[screened porch]

I used to always want the biggest I could get. I've almost never carried the Buck 307 (4.25") because it's just too big a drag in the pocket.
I've been using the Western 3 7/8-incher, and I still like a 3" blade, but I've just fallen in love with the Buck 303 Cadet I bought in an antique store (1995- is that even vintage?). At 3 3/8" closed, it's .5 shorter than the Western , and 3/8" shorter in the main blade, but look at all the bulk it saves me, and imagine the weight.
With the Cadet for the fine stuff, and the Soddie Jr for the rough stuff, I'm a very happy camper right now.
So I voted 3.5": smack between my two current faves.

 

[Halfneck]

Another vote for 3.25" here. I really like my GEC Radio knife, but 3.5" is the upper end of what I will go in a slipjoint. I like my Case Peanut & Pemberton, but sometimes I wish they were just a bit bigger. My Case Medium Jack at 3 3/8 just seems about right to me.

 

[Hammer67]

It seems that just about every pattern I like is somewhere between 3.5" and 3.75"

 

[Woodrow F Call]

OP, we have a lot in common.

My hand prefers a 4 inch handle as they are large but for pocket carry I am finding that 3 5/8 is a good balance between what my hand wants and what my pocket wants. Carrying a larger folder in jeans isn't a huge problem but I rarely need the cutting power of my full size Sodbuster or trapper for EDC stuff. I was using a slimline trapper and I dig it but I'm about to rekindle my love affair with my sodbuster jr. I have considered ordering the GEC Bullnose but that feels like i'm cheating on Case. I don't know if I'm willing to do that...

As far as Sodbuster Jrs go, I like the Yeller Case knives. They just have something special that can't be accounted for and doesn't make sense. I think the GEC bullnose is better put together, but that Yeller Sod Buster Junior just has some special mojo.

All that being said, GEC makes great knives in more unique varieties and are generally put together better than Case Knives. I like both, but I send more Case knives back for tweaking than GEC. I have sent some from both companies back.

Life is too short not to try new things.... especially if you haven't tried GEC. Not to say I don't like Case. I have more Case knives than GEC and my favorite is still my Chestnut Case 6375.

I voted for 3 1/4. As much as I love my peanut, it's at least 50% because of my old man and my memories of him that I carry one. If I have to admit it, two of my favorite pocket knives were in the 3 1/4 range. The Buck 303 cadet, and the Victorinox bantam and recruit. JUst the right size for a easy carry pocket knife.

+1 for memories.

Whatever you like

I liked your vote.

 

[catfish579]

I have grown fond of knives in the 3 and a half range, its the size of my trapper. with the exception of the peanut, I try to go for 3 inches as the smallest, otherwise there is less comfort from the stubby handle. might go for a 3 5/8ths as biggest but anything biggers just looks to big for me and it just becomes cumbersome in the pockets ( also look silly in my abnormally small hands!) of course, I would carry a case slimeline trapper even though it is 4 1/8 but because its so slim, its easy in the hands and not to much bulk in the pockets. we may have to take how wide the knife is also cause small may be good but get to chunky and it feels like a rock. have this workhorse whittler that is a beaut, great blades on it, but cause of how wide it is, im reluctant to use it for daily carry.

 

[rune1279]

I picked 3.25", though my real answer is 3 3/8" +/- 1/8". At 3.5" I prefer them to be slim, but down at 3.25" even a stockman fits nicely.

 

[Mora2013]

I chose 3.25. For EDC pocket carry, I like them small, thin, light and non obtrusive. However, If Im in my garage, bigger 4" is better.

 

[N.E.Tim]

3 1/4" to 3 5/8" is ideal for me, although I sometimes like to carry a 4" folder.
I guess it has a lot to do with how I am dressed and what else is in my pockets.
As far as " What size is right ? " I vote 3 1/2 "

 

[black mamba]

I voted 3.75, but it's really give or take a half inch. I carry and like anything from 3¼ to 4¼ inches when out and about, but sometimes go even smaller at home, like a peanut or this lady leg I've been enjoying lately. When in the field it's usually 4+, and at least one fixed blade along with it.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

For me a slim 4" is perfect, such as GEC's executive Whittler. I like to be able to slice good such as grapefruit with my knives, so 3.5" and under are usually designated as backups to the longer blades.

 

[knowtracks]

It all depends on what I'm doing. Most winter days a peanut would be just fine. If I'm workin cattle or horses, 1 of Charlie's HJ's. Up at cow camp, a larger folder like the Queen Mountain Man or folding hunter + a fixed blade. Branding, I carry a large stock knife. Running haying equipment, I carry a single blade utility knife & a leatherman.
Ain't no hard & fast rules in my world!

Dave

 

[Rsmith_77]

I voted 3 1/4 but my ideal size is 3 3/8". I have a rough rider barlow at 3 3/8" and its just absolutely perfect. That being said most of my knives are about 3 1/2" for some reason. Guess its just the most common size *shrugs*

 

[jc57]

The poll is not sufficiently granular for me to reply accurately. I like 3 5/8" knives from what I've seen, though I rounded down to 3 1/2" rather than up to 3 3/4"

 

[bonky]

I've carried a 4" or 4 1/4" stockman for over forty years now.
For the last five or six years, I've carried two or more knives of various sizes and patterns. Some of my favorites hang out in pocket number two (or maybe pocket three) for months at a time before going back in the case and exchanged for a different pattern, but in pocket number ONE (my right front pocket) is always an "old reliable" stockman or cattle knife.

Don't fix it if it ain't broke, I suppose

 

[Ernie1980]

My fav wasn't an option- 3 5/8- so I say 3 3/4. Not too bulky to carry but with a good sized blade and room to grip

 

[SAK Guy]

With RA, 3 1/2" (Pioneers)----> 4 1/4" (Lg Trappers) covers most patterns that are comfortable for me to EDC.

 

[Zidfeldts]

Case 6375 which is 4 1/4 closed is my all time favorite.