Why do people EDC big knives?

S

Smooth_Operater

Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
394
Let me start by saying I don't think it is "stupid", "dumb" or any other negative adjective to carry a 8", 9", 10" or any other sized knife. What i'm interested in is the why? Is it because of the job you have that a big knife is what you need? Is it for protection or is it just what you gravitate to? Or are you just a big guy so you need a big knife? When I say big knife I mean in terms of weight and or size. The reason I ask is because I see a lot of members carrying (or recommending) big knives with almost a 8.5" - 9" overall length to other members for edc.

Me, I live on the Gulf Coast and do surveying work. When i am at work, I wear jeans and do a lot of walking in various terrain. I tend to gravitate to knives that weigh under 5oz because its always hot here so the lighter the better. Typically my edc is around 7" in overall length with a 3" blade because I have medium sized hands and don't need that much blade to cut the stuff I run into on a daily basis.


Sooo.... just curious what the reason are.
 
why?
1. because I can
2. because they work better for some of the things that I cut
3. because I like them better

My EDC runs the range from Manix 2 and Paramilitary 2 on the shorter end to Spyderco Military and Manix 2 XL and ZT 0561 on the longer end. I don't think any of these are over 5 oz, at least if they are they aren't much over. Clipped in my jeans pocket I don't notice any of them. I have hands on the larger side.

I always wonder why people handicap themselves by carrying a smaller knife than they need to.
 
Once you go big it's hard to carry less. Anything with a blade under 4" seems tiny. I do carry a scallion or slip joint to use when there might be sensitive people around haha.
 
not a zombie fan said:
cause its badass and there's tactical bushcrafting to attend to thats why. also, because it's there, mom wouldn't let me, i can afford it, murika, rambo movies. mostly cause of awesome though...just sayin...and cause busse made me do it.
Click to expand...

This answer has so much awesome in it:thumbup::D!

My honest answer is just because I am a big guy with big hands so an 8 inch knife fits me perfect and the extra weight does not mean much when I weigh in at 260 pounds!
 
I can
It's fun
I feel I should be able to carry what I want
I also don't present my self as easy target with a large knife and firearm
Do I carry knives this big? Sometimes and sometimes a hawk.
 
I do because i wont get to much of a chance to use it if i dont. My 3 reasons for carrying a knife in general are to use it as a tool, show friends what i just bought (although they dont really care, they're gun guys), or for self defense.
 
I feel a great sense of freedom when carrying a cold steel voyager xl...because i can, and in many other states and countries it would be prohibited. But i admit it is impractical and usually carry an American Lawman, Spyderco Gayle Bradley or PM2, which for me are a good size for most anything
 
On a general basis, I carry three knives on me at any given point. These three have been it, more recently.

8oz, 9". JK Friction Folder


2.5oz, 9"oal Opinel


3.5oz 7" oal BK14




I carry both heavy an light knives. I don't reject a knife for any reason but that it doesn't do the intended purchase. With these, there is nothing I need otherwise.
 
I don't consider an 8-9" (overall) knife to be particularly large, honestly. I've been carrying knives for about 40 years...so I've outgrown a lot of the reasons that might be attributed to teenage-twentysomething y.o.male. I don't even have a huge need for an EDC knife in my current life; but I carry what I do because I enjoy it.
For me, it is more about comfort than anything else...small handles are simply not comfortable for me. Sure, for a quick cut, that doesn't really become a factor; but when I AM doing more, a handle that fits my hand is what I like.

I've fairly recently started carrying a traditional, in addition to my "regular" knife. They feel ridiculously small to me; but they work great for those jobs I wouldn't bother pulling out a "full sized" knife to do...so I actually use them more than my bigger moderns. Could I, then, get away with carrying a smaller knife? Sure - for about 80% of the time; but for that other 20% of the time, I would be ill prepared because my knife would be too small.
I like my normal sized knives, and I like carrying them. You like smaller knives - and I don't feel compelled to ask you to explain yourself.
 
I carry large just to intentionally make people ask why.

But for reals I just like bigger knives, if I could carry my TGLB to work I would, I do carry it in public though. People look at me weird but I don't care, better to have and never need than to need and not have.
 
Five ounce max, with about 3.5" blade of good steel. Closed length 4.6" and I'm happy.
I can't carry a big folding knife and handle it well.
 
I carry bigger, I widen holes in tiles, drywall, cut through banding, twine. I also carry them to dress animals i hunt with. It's just easier to carry a folder I know will do the job with enough blade over carrying my Scallion or something like that. I do like small knives, I usually carry one smaller knife and one 9"+ folder with me, smaller I use when non-knife people who consider my bigger blades weapons are around.
 
Because of the same reason a dog licks his balls???

I do get diabolical pleasure out of opening boxes with a Satu or Praetorian.
 
Most of the time when I use my knife is at work and I'm usually wearing gloves. A bigger knife is easier to handle when cutting heavier materials and when wearing gloves. My work knife is a Contego and I've never thought that I needed a smaller knife and I definitely don't feel under equipped when using it.
 
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