Why do people EDC big knives?

as of lately my EDC generally consists of a folder that is 3.75+ and a small fixed blade (usually the tops chico) on my belt that can tackle anything I wouldn't want to pull a folder for.

So to answer your question,
1. I agree with other members, once you carry a big blade that's comfortable all the smaller ones seem way smaller.
2. because I can and they're fun
3. better to have too much than too little
4. bigger is easier to handle
 
I do get diabolical pleasure out of opening boxes with a Satu or Praetorian.[/QUOTE]

NICE!! I have the Satu now all I need is a BIG! AZZ! Praetorian! :D
 
I usually carry a folder with a 3.5-4" inch blade. This gives me plenty of handle to get a whole hand grip and enough blade to handle any practical task while not being in the way or too big to carry.
 
XXL hands. I generally carry a small knife, often a slip joint, to use for quick, light cutting jobs that I have to do around people who may not appreciate larger knives in their vicinity, respect and all that. I also carry a large folder, ideally with a handle about 5" or more that I can cut with for an extended time without undue hand fatigue. The more a handle fills my hand the less I have to concentrate on holding the knife and that means more focus on what I'm cutting.
 
I will edc up to a 5" blade length. It's more useful for me to have more knife than I typically would need, oppose to not having enough knife when a certain task presents itself. I'm also not much of a folder guy I mainly buy fixed blades with 3-6" blade length so that's what I carry.
Then there's just the reason bc i can.
 
Smooth_Operater said:
just curious what the reason are.
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1 - 85% of us: its fun; big blades have more big blade goodness (Stabman)

2 - 9% of us: utility, big hands, actual need (Insipid Moniker)

3 - 1% of us: convicted felon who can't carry a gun (CM)

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Personal preference for me. 4 inches and up (blade, 9inches over all or more) provides the utility I need / want in my personal EDC.
 
bdmicarta said:
I always wonder why people handicap themselves by carrying a smaller knife than they need to.
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I don't feel handicapped carrying a 3" folder at all. Some people have different cutting needs than others, and smaller knives can be quite useful. Personally, I don't need a Contego or Military to core my peach or peel my orange for lunch, or open that bag of food, or what have you. In TX I can legally carry a 5" blade folder, but I would never do that because it would be uncomfortable and bring way too much attention. My Benchmade 707, Small Sebenza, Spyderco Caly 3 cf all are plenty capable for handling any cutting task I could realistically encounter.

Sonnydaze said:
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.
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I like you.
This is exactly where I like many of my knives. 4.6" handles fit me well, although I do have many smaller knives, as I also like 3" blades with 4-4.25" handles as well. My hands are not small, just slim, and my Contego looks a little out of place in my hand. My collection is probably about 50% small knives (2.5-3.2"), 40% medium (3.25-3.6"), and I only have 2 large knives at the moment.

I do love me some Benchmade Lum Tanto and Contego. 4" blades with 5" handles. Why do I carry these, because I just like the knife, I do not have big enough hands to need a knife that large, but they are nice and I like the design, so I carry them anyway. They don't get carried much, but I really like those knives and am happy to own them. I haven't tried a military yet, but they look nice as well.
 
I prefer large, and it goes back to the culture of the good old days of life when bigger, better and faster was the norm.
 
Smooth_Operater said:
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.
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I carry an Emerson CQC-8 daily. It has a blade length of 3.9" and an overall length of 9.3". I prefer to carry longer knives, but not exactly larger knives. Carrying a knife, with a blade length that is 0.4 inches longer than the typical 3.5" blade, is no hindrance to my pocket and the extra length is nice to have when it's needed. I also carry a SAK Cadet daily and use is for smaller tasks, when the CQC-8 just isn't really necessary. I wouldn't open mail with the CQC-8 (although I sometimes do) and I wouldn't cut large diameter rope with the Cadet. I also live on the Gulf Coast and experience the heat. However, my clothing choices change due to temperature, and do not have any effect on my choice for knife carry.

I do have XL hands, so I tend to enjoy a larger knife. However, I've carried something as small as a Kershaw Cryo for months and never had a complaint, until I decided to get higher quality knives. I also carried a ZT0560 for a few months, but disliked the deployment. Once it was opened, I loved it, but I disliked the flipper and deep carry clip.
 
I carry a Chris Reeve large Sebenza 21 or 25 almost exclusively. I carry the 'large-ish' knife because:
-it is legal where I live
-I like to
-I am a very big guy and me carrying a 9" knife probably looks like you carrying a 6" knife.
 
You could ask the same about cars, trucks, boats, dogs, and the list goes on. When one thinks of and pictures a knife in ones mind, this is what one will generally gravitate towards. That's why some say "that is to large of a knife" and others say "perfect" or "to small". Simple as that.
 
Big knife thing.... First of all, I would prefer we reference knives, folder and fixed by blade length (or closed length in a folder + blade length) versus overall length. Handle lengths vary and larger handles tend to be more comfortable for using and that usually means it has a longer blade. But how long is right? I think it mostly boils down to personal preference and what you get used to.

What do you actually use a folder for that requires a longer blade? Or does it matter? Probably the latter for most of us.

I carry a 111mm SAK every day. Many people say these are too large for pocket carry (even a two layer). I used to carry the Tinker size (93mm I believe). Does the longer blade increase the utility of my larger SAK over the middle size? I think so. But if they made a 140mm SAK, would I buy one and use it as my edc? Probably not. Why? The 111mm size fits my hand and allows me to apply as much pressure or force cutting as I deem necessary more easily than a 93mm sak. So, those that like or prefer longer blades in folders, go for it.

Why don't we all carry utility knives with about a 1" or even less blade length? You often get a larger handle for a more comfortable grip... I don't like the blade length for most things and a longer disposable blade in a utility knife breaks easily and may be a safety hazard for the kinds of cutting often done with them.

So, I am part of the 85% mentioned above. But I have rational reasons for my preferences. I don't particularly like to carry a folder with a 4" or larger blade. It just brings more attention to the knife than I want. But if you have large hands, this may work better for you or perhaps a longer blade is better for you based on the kind of use you have. I am really not aware of any dominant uses where the 4"+ blade length in a folder makes much difference in terms of cutting other that self defense.

But maybe you cut a lot of cantaloupes and watermelons with your folder? Who knows?
 
It's what you get used to. Generally, on the jobsite as a contractor, I usually gravitate toward a slip joint Barlow pattern paired with a heavy duty multi-tool. The little blade is all I need to open cardboard boxes, but having pliers or a driver or whatever at my fingertips keeps me from having to walk back to the truck.

That said, day to day, I usually carry a larger knife because I can. Today I am wearing a small 10" overall khukuri. It's a cute little bugger with about 6.5" of blade and a stumpy handle. Great for conversations too:) It positively dwarfs my job site carry pieces, but it's quite small compared to some of the 15" blades I carry around to do yard work.
 
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