When is a folder too big to pocket carry?

This one is pretty good size and it isn't very pocket friendly, but I just can't seem to leave it at home.
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My government says nothin bigger than a 4" blade and no fixed blades. I normaly carry around 3" to 3 1/2" blade. It seems to be working for me.
 
Actually, I used my BM 710 to cut out that check.

I was going to mention that I had injured myself more with my old slippies than all of my larger folders combined. Then yesterday, I had just opened a mailer and set my 710 down - blade still out. My intellectual cat, Elmer, jumped to the table and went to head butt the box - and point of the knife. I reached over with my hand to shield him from the knife - he butted my hand and the 710's point pierced my left thumb. Hooray for 'Liquid Bandaids'. My fault entirely - always put up a knife.

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Back to knife size for EDC. First, they are tools to me. I can - and do - carry something else for protection. I have found the Spydie Native to be more than sufficient for general duties - as is a Victorinox 'Farmer' SAK. They make my big Benchmades, Bucks, and Kershaws somewhat superfluous. I guess I am just a knife nut after all!

Stainz
 
The max blade size to be a good pocket carry is about 3.5". In addition, the handle thickness, (not width) is very important, about .5" is the max.

If you look at the Benchmade Presidio width, it's about .68 or so, and to me it's getting a little big for daily carry, but I still carry it occaisionally.

That's why I think Spydercos are a very popular knife. Most of their knives are thin, even though the blade and handles are be wider than most, that dimension isn't as important as thickness.
 
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Carry whatever you like, and whatever will not land you in jail.

And another knife, that won't scare the un-informed.

Marion
 
I normally carry a bigger folder in my right front pocket (a cs pocket bushman or a kershaw tyrade lately) and a smaller knife (opinal #8 lately) in my left pocket for when I'm afraid to scare the sheeple. I also carry a multi tool on my belt.
 
hissatsu1, i think the CDQ MK1 would be more pocket friendly if it was tip-up carry. to me the MK1 and it's little brother are top heavy when clipped to you pocket. other then that i enjoyed carring both!:) but then i have big pockets! :D
 
To me, a folder is too big only when you find yourself not carrying it.

edited to add: But, where I live, I can carry any knife I want (except switchblades). I carry a fixed blade and a multitool.
 
babakanoosh45 said:
A few inches bigger than this and your going overboard...:D

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Wow:eek:

I hate to even pipe in after seeing that.

The largest folder I have is a Buck 446 Goliath(bucklite series) Its about 9 1/2
inches open 4" blade and guess over and inch wide. The bolster ends are probably 1 1/4" wide and it fills my pocket. That being said, with the exception of above pictured knife, none to big. Give me a big honkin folder every time.:thumbup:
 
What is this and where can I get one???


Go to where the original poster did- the Photo Shop!
 
I carry both a 42 and a 51 by Benchmade in my right front pocket. The 42 goes in the cell phone pocket cause it has no clip, and it fits well. The 51 goes right behind it in the main pocket by the clip, latches facing back.
That way, when I need to pull em' both, I throw them up in the air, catch, de-latch, and basic vertical/horizontal open within a second. =D
Balisongs aren't too big for me =]
 
When your pants are so tight and small, you remember that is the size you wore in 6th grade. Only now you are taller and a little chubbier?
 
Obviously an EDC has to fit comfortably in my right hip pocket but honestly, it's the weight that I have to accept or reject most of the time. And I share the EDC pocket with some banded cards and cash. I have to be able to get my hand in there during the day and the biggest issue I face with that is ill placed jimping. I judge a good EDC by how friendly it is with my hand when reaching in for my cards and cash. Some knives can make you bleed due to jimping location and sharpness and/or lack of dehorning. I really don't care about tip up or tip down whatsoever but I have had to switch the clip many times to relocate jimping or other sharp features on a folder. I carry a Millie and my Hogue 4" DP with no problem and in fact, with a lot of joy and happiness :D
 
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dalefuller said:
In my EDC travels around the warehouse and homesite, I've never found a need for a blade bigger than 3", so it's a small Seb or a UKPK for me. No problems in public so far (55 years of public use) and nothing I couldn't cut with it.

In the woods for whatever reason I add a 4" FB and everything I've needed to do is pretty well covered.
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Another example of "It's not the meat, it's the motion?" I agree. For my needs, I max out at 3". Small Sebenza, Ritter mini-grip, Strider PT. The only exception for me is my BM 940. But I think it's because it's so light weight and has a relatively thin blade. But it comes down to what you're comfortable with I suppose. For some it could be bigger. I also agree with going into the woods. When I used to go into the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, I'd always carry a fixed blade primarily, with a folder as a backup.
 
rmc85 said:
When it wont fit in your pocket?
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Exactly. I don't even understand the OP.

If it fits in your pocket you can carry it. If your question is more towards what is accetable, thats a whole new topic.

And who cares what others think anyhow. In any scenario the people around you may think any knife isnt right. Just tell them its a tool and ask what they use when something needs cutting?
 
I always thought it was too big for pocket carry if more than half the knife sticks out of the pocket. Of course, if your clothes are tight enough, you can have a little more than that hanging out without it overbalancing and falling out of your pocket.

Legally, anything with a blade over 4" is too big here. Socially...that's why I carry a bunch of knives. If I have a little job, I get out a little knife. Cutting a check out of the checkbook would draw a Ladybug at most. Cutting out a couple of square feet of damaged drywall calls for something a bit larger, like the old S90V Military. Splinter in a finger, the Schrade US 108OT comes out. Fit the knife to the job and the surroundings.
 
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