Why do people EDC big knives?

I like to carry a 3.5" modern locking folder along with a traditional folder. I find the 3.5" blade is just right to slice up an apple, look intimidating if it needs to while being pocketable. The traditional is just right for opening a package, cut a tag off a new toy for the kids or use in public to say slice a sandwich without raising too many eyebrows. Plus this setup justifies carrying more than one knife from the collection!
 
Yep, you got it.
It also states in the rules that, if you are going to be commenting or covering an old thread (necromancy), create a new thread linking to the old one for reference if folks would like to reread the topic.

No need to be confused. Just actually read the rules that you said you read by checking the box when you signed up...
;)

Even though it is in rebuttal towards your comment Tas, I think you already know this. The newer folks on the other hand...
 
After being married for a while I realized it's the only thing I'm my pants my wife doesn't own. I want it to be as big as possible so I feel like I have something substantial.

Plus, my left leg is too short so by keeping it in my right pocket my pants stay level.
 
'Sooo.... just curious what the reasons are.'


Ask the United Kingdom or Australia what happens when a civilization collectively allows itself to be socially engineered into not exercising their rights. I hear in the UK, their version of the Boy Scouts aren't even allowed to carry pocket knives anymore.

No amount of propaganda is worth our basic freedoms imo.

THIS would be my primary reason for EDCing visible large fixed and / or folding blades.

And this should be more than enough reason for you to do it as well.

In fact, I sincerely hope LOTS of you do.
 
Canada seems to be following right behind Australia and the uk. As a Canadian I greatly admire the Americans for putting together the Knife Rights group. We need a branch of that up here.
 
Because they don't actually have to do any real work with them.

If they actually did real work, for extended periods, then they would choose the appropriate tool. For some tasks that is a machete, golok, kukri, billhook, or an axe. Historically, the big heavy knife never really showed. Fighting knives were slimmer faster and not much cop for utility work. All specialised to be effective and efficient. That big heavy Busse isn't efficient; great example of blade making though.

So its all about dress and uniform, to show a certain "big man" syndrome. Dandy fun, which isn't anything new, or wrong for that matter. All men are peacocks, always have been. When modern society robs men of the macho culture and life is pretty risk free then men need some kind of outlet. Big Blade syndrome is just one and so long as no one gets hurt then its fine by me. I've carried a sword for a military parade before and loved the theatre of it all.
As I do practice bushcraft, and know my survival skills, plus do a bit of hunting, I would agree that big knife isn't great, but there are large knives that have their use; but its not those as the thread is asking about. For real work I like the right tool, which means several tools that are good at what they do. Not one that is poor at everything. The One Tool Option is fun, but silly.

If you want a blade for defence then carry a sword. Of you want a knife for working utility then its a kitchen knife or something that cuts. Axes and hatchets are for chopping. For EDC utility convenience then a penknife, a multitool, or a small folder will do.
 
Honestly though, I think a lot of people carry a big knife for no good reason. Thing about knives is that we (at least most of us here I think) live in fairly well organized societies. This means that if you need a knife in any given situation, there is probably going to be one there for you to use already. You keep kitchen knives in the kitchen, you keep work knives in a workshop, they provide steak knives at restaurants and they will have cutlasses racked under deck on a pirate ship. Then if you need a knife for anything else (hiking trip or whatever), you will probably know that in advance and you will bring a knife for that specific purpose and then it's not really "EDC" neither. Then of course, a situation might pop up, where you find yourself needing a knife when no knife is to be found around you, but in those cases, a Swiss army knife will probably be of more use than anything else.
 
Because...
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Same reasons now as when this was originally posted:
Because I can
Because I have large hands
Because I like them
 
Tasmaniac said:
Wait... if you post a new thread on a topic that's been covered before, you get busted for failing to use the search function. If you use the search function and revive an old thread, you're charged with thread necromancy. I'm so confused. ;)
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I agree. I think the chit chat threads like this one tend to be immortal regardless of their birth date.

People carry large (whatever large is) knives because they want to and every so often because they need to in today's "civilized" world. "Large" for guys may be defined as anything longer than their manhood. Yes, men are peacocks and always have been.
 
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I usually carry larger knives because of the size of the handle and comfort that usually comes with it I also like the longer blade 3.5 or more because of the reach across say a large apple or larger piece of wood I wouldn't try to argue it's necessary but just nice to have.
 
I'd rather have more knife then I need then not enough... I find it's easier to do small cuts with a bigger knife then it is to do big cuts with a smaller knife, but I also try to stay within reason.
FWIW I am 6'3", a thin 200lbs, and wear medium gloves because i like the way they fit snug on my thin fingers.
*(hands are about 4" across the palm).

I have found my comfort sweet spot to be 3" - 4" blade for folders, (7.5"-8" total), and that is usually paired with a 4"-6" fixed blade. That is my typical edc. Then my keychain sak/leatherman blades can handle any small chores I come across.

If I know I'll be doing larger tasks, like knife heavy yard work, I'll opt for a larger aporopriate fixed blade. If I know I'll be facing more fine slicing tasks, I'll add a thin slip joint into my pocket.
 
strategy9 said:
....I have found my comfort sweet spot to be 3" - 4" blade for folders, (7.5"-8" total), and that is usually paired with a 4"-6" fixed blade. That is my typical edc. Then my keychain sak/leatherman blades can handle any small chores I come across.
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My sweet spot on folders seems to be about 3.25" blade length (Delica size). I find the Endura size a bit too long for my defined comfort zone. Yes, on the fixed blade even though if I carry one as an edc, it is usually smaller than yours. General outdoors stuff... I like about a 5" blade. Yes, to larger when you need them, especially around the yard or property. I keep a machete in my vehicle for woods or trail wacking if I feel the urge to do that. So, that will almost always be larger than the infamous "9".
 
22-rimfire said:
My sweet spot on folders seems to be about 3.25" blade length (Delica size). I find the Endura size a bit too long for my defined comfort zone. Yes, on the fixed blade even though if I carry one as an edc, it is usually smaller than yours. General outdoors stuff... I like about a 5" blade. Yes, to larger when you need them, especially around the yard or property. I keep a machete in my vehicle for woods or trail wacking if I feel the urge to do that. So, that will almost always be larger than the infamous "9".
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My bm-contego is by far my largest folder, and I like it, but I definitely would not go any bigger. Not on a folder.

The smallest I edc, is a Buck Quickfire, with a 2.75" blade, and it works because it has a proportionately larger handle 4.25". My biggest issue with smaller blades is usually they have proportionately smaller handles, and in smaller handles I just feel like something is missing. I like being able to retain a full grip on my bladed objects.

On the fixed edc, I also frequent a bk11 and a Boker Ridgeback, both around 3.25", and my Arno Bernard is 3.5", my Trey Parker is closer to 3.75", and they get a lot of time too, so definitely some wiggle room on the smaller end. My bk15 is about as big as I would go for an edc, at 5.5", and can definitely handle most anything or more I would come across in a day, outside of chopping, and that's where I would bring something bigger, (like a machete or axe), if I had the inclination that chopping was on the days agenda.
 
Also, one time I had this dream where I was floating uncontrollably into the sky.. it was like reverse gravity while being underwater. I was the only thing effected, so I had to hang onto the grass to avoid flying into the sky. Ever since then I make sure to carry enough weight to avoid that sort of situation. Murphy's Law.. always be prepared.

Beyond being weighted to earth, I occasionally cut string or tape and I find having a knife is handy.
 
What we need is a theory of everything. One grand unified theory that can explain why both the very small knives are useful as well as the very large. This would lead to a person having any (and every) size knife and only one explanation would be required as to why it is necessary to have. It could be called the cutting string theory.

Until then, I would would just say the larger knives are starting to grow on me. I have found myself underknifed here on the ranch lately. I've been trying to get by with a small pocket knife when a larger Buck 110 in a sheath would be much easier to use for ranch chores.
 
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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To operate operationally while operating as an operator on an operation.

I tend to carry "larger" folders while working. Stuff like the Spyderco Military or 560 Freek. The longer blade makes cutting thick foam easier.

9 times out of 10 a 3" blade would be fine, but that tenth one makes carrying a bigger blade worth it.
 
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