When is a small knife, too small?

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Traditional under 3.5” closed are on the small side for me. Modern folders I typically like at least 4” closed so I can get a good grip for cutting zip ties or boxes with a little more resistance. I just passed on a nice S&M Whittler that was just about 3.5 closed but was so slim and the blades were very narrow that it just felt too small even if the handle length was pretty close to my minimum.

I have tried small moderns like the Dragonfly and the Spyderco Techno and they just didn’t get pocket time.
 
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RugerNurse said:
I’ve been carrying the Spyderco Dragonfly lately. The blade is only 2.2”. I haven’t run into any situations where I wish it was longer. Now I’m a light user of knives, I don’t do a ton of food prep or outdoor stuff with folders.
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It’s an easy knife to get “stuck” carrying. The H1 SE version is in my pocket right now, Just something about it… such a great model!
 
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Small is as small does, to paraphrase Forrest's mom.

Anyhoo my son put this cow elk down for his cow elk tag in OR.

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Drug er back to camp using his Horsewright belt (clever boy):

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His father in law started in on the elk with his Coyote knife I'd made him with its expansive 2 5/8" blade.

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Then my daughter in law and her sister got there and finished off using my DIL's Poco I'd made her. Poco is Dave Spanish for not quite enough steel left in that sheet for another Gordo. Poco's vary but most run bout 1 7/8" blade.

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Many would say that ya couldn't field dress an elk with a small blade but then again..........
 
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dogstar said:
The smallest life I own is the victorinox classic. Handles daily cutting tasks with aplomb, has never let me down. It is not my primary food prep or bushcraft knife, though.
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This is too funny, appropriate and a sad revelation. I've been carrying a Classic for YEARS. I love my knives. I have many $100+ knives as well as some $600 knives. 95% of the time I use my Classic. :oops:. I guess that means (at least for me) a 2" knife with a blade shorter than that is NOT too short for me.
 
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ylimehajile said:
This is too funny, appropriate and a sad revelation. I've been carrying a Classic for YEARS. I love my knives. I have many $100+ knives as well as some $600 knives. 95% of the time I use my Classic. :oops:. I guess that means (at least for me) a 2" knife with a blade shorter than that is NOT too short for me.
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For a long while, the Classic was the only knife I had on me. When you have only one knife, and some cutting to do, you just get on with it.
 
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I carry a Al Mar stainless Osprey Lock Back in my coin purse (1 5/8" blade).
And a GEC key chain knife (1 3/4" blade) on my keys. Most of the time that's all I need.
Edit: When I'm trimming meat, I use a Benchmade (2 5/8" blade).
 
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I am blessed with the ability to choose from a wide variety of blade sizes and shapes.
But I keep going back to the CRK Mnandi as my first choice!
 
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When I can’t get a good hold and grasp of the handle is when it’s to small for me. My Buck 303 cadet at 3.25 inches is about my limit. I have a 305 lancer and a peanut that I can only get two fingers on and that’s just not enough for me. I’m saving them for my grandkids.
 
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catspa said:
Did you forget where you are, buddy? Who on this forum is gonna admit to THAT?

We’re kinda self-selected for “too much/many knife for the job”.

Parker
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Fair point. There was a time when I didn't want a bunch of things jangling around in my pocket. Now I'm reformed, I have two knives with me now 😁

And no, I'm not a pocket clip guy.
 
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