What's your smallest acceptable size?

geegee

geegee

Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
1,453
There's no question about it for me, after 9-11 I'm wanting larger folders, or even small fixed blades. The reason is that prior to 9-11, I flew a great deal on my job, and so had two sets of folders: my "airplane knives", and my normal carry knives.

Because many of my folders had to go through airport security (before that labeled me as a terrorist :rolleyes: ), all of them were around 3". My favorite airplane folder was the Masters of Defense Trident. Never aroused any suspicion, looked acceptable to sheeple, and is a wonderfully made knife.

After the events of 9-11, I began selling or trading off my airplane knives. Why own all those small folders, if I have no need to restrict the blade size to 3"? Once that problem was addressed, I found I much preferred...greatly preferred ...a larger EDC. Not only a larger folder, but now I've gotten to the point where I want to carry a small (4" or so) fixed blade. I see some knife ads, and if the blade length is under 3 1/2", I'm really not interested in thinking of buying. What's the smallest you'll go? geegee
 
well, I own a key knife with a blade just a little over an inch...

As far as folders, I'd say no less than 2". I actually stray away fron knives with blades over 3.5"
 
The smallest folder that I carry (as my EDC) is my SS PE Spyderco Delica (2 & 7/8 inch blade), but along with that is my SS SE Spyderco Police model (4 & 1/8 inch blade). SOMETIMES I really go off the edge and carry either my Cold Steel Vaquero Grande or my Cold Steel X2 (PE) Voyager...Both of those monsters sport a 6 inch blade, and an over 13 inch opened length.
 
Originally posted by geegee
After the events of 9-11, I began selling or trading off my airplane knives. Why own all those small folders, if I have no need to restrict the blade size to 3"? Once that problem was addressed, I found I much preferred...greatly preferred ...a larger EDC. Not only a larger folder, but now I've gotten to the point where I want to carry a small (4" or so) fixed blade. I see some knife ads, and if the blade length is under 3 1/2", I'm really not interested in thinking of buying. What's the smallest you'll go? geegee
Click to expand...

I feel your pain. I like large folders too. I prefer right around 4", but I'd settle for 3.25" for a good knife like one of my Microtech LUDTs. Anywhere in that area is perfect. I used to like 5" folder blades, but came to decide after trying a few that that's overkill.

Fixed blades, on the other hand, I'm willing to accept much smaller. In fact, I like small 1.5-2" neck knives. Fixed blades have a certain strength and rigidity that permits hard work with a smaller blade I think.

But, I agree with you, I usually ignore smaller knives too with a couple exceptions. (The Spyderco MeerKat is one of the coolest knives I've ever seen.)

I like the way you think and you should keep looking for big folders and enjoy them.

I have some suggestions:
Try a good little fixed-blade neck knife as a back up for a while and use it.
Check out the Timberline Wortac LARGE model. It's a WELL-designed knife and one of the coolest and possibly best quality for the money big folders. It's super-strong and has a 4" blade.

Write me if you're interested in bigger than 4" blade folders. I've tried a bunch of them. Some are very good. I just prefer 3.25 to 4".
 
Try a good little fixed-blade neck knife as a back up for a while and use it.
Click to expand...
Ah yes, neckers! That's a whole other kettle of fish, and one I believe we've discussed. I can't wait for that new BK&T 11! :cool: geegee
 
The smallest blade that I would consider would be around 1.75". I have seen a lot of small knives recently that I have really liked. The Al Mar S.L.B., Shrade Spitfire and SOG Sculptura and Twitch 1 are all nice knives with blades under two inches.
 
Anything under 3" is definately too small for me.

Even that's pushing it...3.25 to 3.5" is usually my limit. Preferably, 3.75 - 4" folders.
 
I'm not so concerned with the blade length per se, but more with the overall ease-of-handling of the knife as a whole.
One thing is for sure though IMO, a pocket knife has to be convenient, and that means that a 2 pound, thick bladed hog of a pocket knife pulling my pants down is absolutely out of the question.
Some of the most USEFUL POCKET KNIVES I own have 1.5"-2" blades and are quite thin as well. They may not pass the dreaded spine whack, beat-em-with-a-2x4, run over em with an abrham's tank test, but when it comes to real world use, they are tough to beat.
 
I have a couple that are smaller (a Camillus 2 blade Congress and a Buck Gent) but they're a little hard to hold. I have medium hands and lean towards a medium knife, say 3"-3.5" blade, be it fixed or folder.

Frank
 
It's a nice knife, very nice (the Cook knives I've seen are gorgeous, IMO, and have great fit/finish). The only thing that keeps me from carrying it more is that I don't care for the sheath, and have yet to do anything about having another one made.
Mine is S30V, which is what I wanted, but I got it off the forums, so didn't get to choose. I would have probably bought it if it were in BG-42 or S90V, too.
I love the blade, which is similar to a small Sebenza's, but the tip is dropped more (which I like).
The handle is really small, though. On the verge of being too little for me, and I have small hands. It's contoured, and very ergonomic, but I think that would give someone with larger hands fits, because the shape kind of forces your hand into position-which would be fine, except I imagine that it's going to be too small for most people, and uncomfortable. The handle's also a little narrow, and the linen micarta very smooth, so even though for me it's comfortable, it's easy to force it to turn in my hand.
Don't get the wrong idea. I love the knife, and have had no problems at all in actual use, personally, but wouldn't want to help steer anyone into buying something that wouldn't work for them by leaving out the negatives.
People with small hands, particularly the women I've shown it to, have all loved it. I got to handle the larger version, and think it is great in all respects, but already had a Rinaldi Gambit (that I love) in that size range, so decided to try something smaller.
 
I prefer a blade greater than 3". A Delica, for instance, is just too small for EDC. 3.5 to 5 is best, but I do sometimes carry a 2" Navigator just to break up the routine.
 
The smallest knive I carry is Spyderco Navigator and that is about a two inch blade. Of course if I decide to carry my Old Timer slipjoint then then smallest blade there is 1.75 inches.
 
Combo for me works for everyday cares,
Solid lockup and no nonsense carry with a large Sebenza with wood inlays
Case Wharncliff whittler for detail closeup jobs, very nice knife!

attachment.php


G2
 
B cup. Ohhhhh! We're talking about knives. No less than three inches with one exception...my MT UDT.
 
I seem to be going smaller and smaller on my EDC's, well under 3". I work at a desk and for most of my knife cutting chores I can get by with a cutting edge of around 1 1/2". For example an Al Mar "Osprey" or a David Winston "Key" knife is all I need to open an envelope or a package. I will admit that I also carry a larger folder (or two), but for 99% of what I need to cut a 1 1/2' will cut it.
 
I carry large knives, which are handy for some jobs when a 2" aint gonna cut it(like cutting the end off a cardboard tube that's 6" diameter and 1/8" walls)...

most of my use is done with 2-2.5" range knives. Love my spydie dragonfly and cricket, picked up a crkt rollock end of july, and I have 3 slipjoints.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top