What's your perfect size knife ?

Man I find so much use in knives of every size each seems to excel at something the other doesn't. I will say the 4 blades that get the most use from me are my leatherman Charge, Strider AR, Busse 6" fixed blade, and my Gransfors Bruks axe. They seem to always do the trick and I'm capable of carrying them all while hiking or camping.
 
Four inch knives are just about perfect for me but I like the 3-5 inch range in general.
 
For my activities (for now, dayhiking), I've been in the 4"-5" range for comfort of carry vs "just in case" and "I just like this size" considerations. Love my Bravo-1, but just got my own NWA Sierra Scout that I'm itching to get out with.

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As Tony posted, 5". It's my first woods knife above 4" range, so I'm looking forward to seeing how I like the length. I think the added inch will be a benefit more than a cost.


I usually have a RAT Izula as well though, and maybe only the RAT on short hikes, so I guess my range would be about 3-5".
 
After some trial and error, I've decided that a four inch blade suits me best. My current favorite is my SDS Nessmuk.
 
These for me - 4-1/4"

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Although, to be honest, a lot of the time for a quickee hike, I grab the RC-3 - 3-3/4".

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Of course, sometimes it's my Breeden DHLK - 3-1/2"

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Then again,.................... :rolleyes:

Well, you get the idea. I guess what I'm saying is 3-1/2" - 4-1/2".

Doc
 
Any one of my Recon knives that Mistwalker and I designed.

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I have been switching back and forth from the orange handle 6" blade length to the 7" tan handled one. I like them both so much it is hard to decide.

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But this new one with a 10" blade( The Raider) that I am working on might change that.

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a in hand shot

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Well you never know LOL

I love this design so much that I am making up a few more just to have some duplicates.

Great thread Pit,

Bryan
 
my dp forager is the perfect size knife for me it has enough handle for me to fit my fat handle hick is around 4 2/8 and a 4 3/8 blade
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and it has enough blade to baton
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Well its kind of dependant on the task - recently I got rid of everything and started again.
I now have a micro leatherman that goes on my keys, damn useful little piece of lit.
Leatherman wave in my edc bag - wallet, keys, iPod etc etc
Small custom push dagger that goes with me when I need a back up-late night movies etc
Fixed blade is another custom - 5 1/4 inch recurve blade, 1/4 inch thick, same size handle, leather sheath - this is my main bush knife.
And am trying to get a HI m43 kurki-approx 18 inches although would prefer 17, this is my big big knife, also my garden tool.
It would be most unusual for me to carry all at once though.
 
I'm sure like most of you, my preferred knife size has changed over time and with needs. When I was younger I really preferred a 7" blade, but that has gotten smaller and smaller and I prefer a 3.5"-4" blade nowadays. Of course that changes with the situation and if I'm carrying a shorter blade I usually have a large blade (10"), a saw or a hatchet along for the ride. I always prefer a full-sized handle.

Lately I'm drooling over goloks and when I get one I'll carry a 3"-3.5" blade to go along with it.
 
About eighteen years ago when I decided it was time to come out of the woods for a while and settle down I downsized from my Gerber BMF to standard a Ka-Bar...this still drew funny looks in the state parks where I took the kids so I down sized to the ontario pilot's survival knife..I loved the knife but after so long with a larger knife the five inch blade just didn't get it. I bought my SOG S1 Bowie and have been stuck on six inch blades ever since. To me the six inch blade is big without being too big and small without being too small. Now the knife that Bryan and I designed, which also has a six inch blade, has become my constant companion in the woods but I do want a 4.5" to 5" with a narroer blade and smaller handle for carry in the more urban areas. Usually when I am in town I have a five inch fixed blade in my bag or in my pocket.
 
At first, I thought that the Buck 119 was my all around knife. However, I have come to realize that I really love the 4 inch blade length. It can do a lot of things, though not everything.
 
I prefer blade size of about my finger length.
Handle slightly longer than my hand width as I will use knives wearing gloves.
 
I'm too tired to post pictures:o, but the comment about using the right knife for the task at hand is pretty good. However, for just EDC, I don't like a blade over 5.5-6"...most likely the sheath just won't be comfortable enough to carry and when you're not using the knife, hopefully you'll be wearing it. The sheath is almost as important as the knife. I've been carrying a Mad Dog Pygmy ATAK for over 10 years. The sheath just works and wears very comfortably (I've gone through one though and need another new one:grumpy:).

I have several blades in the 2-5.5" category and have found they all work well enough for me if they have a good carry system and sheath.

Good discussion and great pictues. I like that M.07 Puukko though!

ROCK6
 
Since another maker posted some of his work (and nice work it is!), I thought I'd throw these out for you guys to look at. The shorter blade has been proven quite handy for bushcraft and game processing, the larger was made on request for a new customer.

While I'm a bit set in my ways, I do listen to feedback, and am curious to hear what folks in this group have to say. While occasionally painful, it does tend to improve the product! (To that end, I can be reached via e-mail if there is anything particularly scathing to be said).

The first one is usually black, but following a show, I thought I'd try orange...thoughts?

Specs: 4" blade, 9" OAL, 3/16"x 1.5" A-2 stock, canvas micarta scales, stainless screws,

The 2nd one is the same pattern, but with a larger blade

Specs: 5 3/4" blade, 11" OAL, 3/16 x 1 3/4" A-2 stock, canvas micarta scales, stainless screws.

Coating is Kal Guard with phosphor primer.

Kydex sheaths on both.
 

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Oku said:
Since another maker posted some of his work (and nice work it is!), I thought I'd throw these out for you guys to look at. The shorter blade has been proven quite handy for bushcraft and game processing, the larger was made on request for a new customer.

While I'm a bit set in my ways, I do listen to feedback, and am curious to hear what folks in this group have to say. While occasionally painful, it does tend to improve the product! (To that end, I can be reached via e-mail if there is anything particularly scathing to be said).

The first one is usually black, but following a show, I thought I'd try orange...thoughts?

Specs: 4" blade, 9" OAL, 3/16"x 1.5" A-2 stock, canvas micarta scales, stainless screws,

The 2nd one is the same pattern, but with a larger blade

Specs: 5 3/4" blade, 11" OAL, 3/16 x 1 3/4" A-2 stock, canvas micarta scales, stainless screws.

Coating is Kal Guard with phosphor primer.

Kydex sheaths on both.
Click to expand...

Those look great Brian! I like the wide blade, looks very utilitarian with a good drop point. On a side note, I still need to send my knife too you. I was supposed to link up with you when I was at Fort Lewis last year and I'm still kicking myself because I'm almost out the door to Afghanistan:grumpy:

I must say your sheaths rock and really make a better system out of any knife!

ROCK6
 
Brian,
Great looking knives. I've been eyballing your knives ever since Blade West 07. (Too bad the economy went south and I lost my job) Based on the ones I have handled at your booths I really like the grip on your knives. One of these days I'll get my hands on one and finally be able to put it through it's paces.

To echo what Rock said. Your sheaths are the best. Everyone of my Busses, Swamp Rats and even my Siegle ride around in one of your sheaths. By far the best and most flexable system I've ever used.
 
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