Why do people EDC big knives?

The thread's old, but the question remains viable. I carry 4"+ (blade length) knives, preferably ~4.5", anywhere from 6 to 10oz. Always clipped on a belt or a hem of the pants, the knife stays glued to the hip and I've yet to find any issues in EDC, but I do find that a heavier knife assists in cutting as well as stability and control. The reasons, to me, are practical—I find a longer, thicker blade far more versatile and capable in a broader spectrum of tasks than delicate 3" blades, and having broken some tips before, I take comfort in knowing I don't have to worry about damaging a robust blade in harder use. I like 5-5.5" naturally-shaped handles that fill the hand well and allow for a multitude of different grips without getting in the way with hot-spots sticking out, such us sharp choils, ramps and other protrusions. In my experience, even a 4.5" blade can have plenty of tip control as well (depending on design), especially in conjunction with a longer handle helping shift some of the mass to the rear. I do believe that some of these are the reasons the people of older times were using larger and heavier knives and tools in general.
 
DruKnives said:
helping shift some of the mass to the rear.
Click to expand...
TWSMS (that's what Sir Mix-a-lot said)

3.5 is the minimum blade length I can carry without feeling naked and afraid. I prefer 4" but a good 3.5 isn't really distinguishable. Out in normie world I carry a folder; I would rather EDC a fixed blade but I feel too conspicuous, especially being a large man of scary ethnicities. If I had nothing to worry about I'd roll with my Lionsteel M7 all day every day
 
I like big blades...but I don't like heavy knives. The ZT 0452 is excellent
for me. I like the Spyderco Police 3 G10 too.
For even less weight a ZT 0462 is an epic choice in 20CV.
I really like big, light flippers. They are wonderful.

I don't care what muggles think when I am not at work!
 
I carried a ZT0560 for years and felt it was just right. Then I switched jobs to a more... sensitive environment. So I started carrying a 940 osborn. Still have the ZT in the hip pocket for if I have to do heavier cutting. I once broke a Benchmade HK nitrous blitz cutting heavy shipping cardboard tubing. It was similar to a 940 in blade thickness. ZT eats em like candy.
I am also 6'1" and 280lbs. I wear a size 15 ring and xxxl gloves. Small knives dont work with bear paws.
 
Good question. I have a few small knives that are fun but they never get carried. Awkward to operate, more difficult to retrieve, easier for me to lose, not as much cutting power, and negligible difference in weight and comfort when carrying. I also don't carry a bunch of junk around so one real knife isn't a bother.
 
When I think of EDC, I am thinking self defense. I carry two small pocket knives that will work for opening packages and menial tasks just fine. My EDC is for backup self defense to my Glock, and maybe cutting seat belts if that ever needs to happen. So, the bigger the better.

The last traffic accident that I was a witness to was a kid that probably fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road. His car stopped rolling laying on the passenger side and he climbed out of the drivers window dazed and confused. So all I needed to do was grab my fire extinguisher and put out the fire under the hood. He seemed to be okay.
 
I'm more concerned about the closed length of my folders.
The OAL is irrelevant to me.

My "normal" EDC is a 4 inch to 4.5 inch closed stockman, (tho for the last couple weeks a 3.75 inch closed Marbles MR431 D2 Sow Belly stockman has been in my pocket), a 3.625 inch closed 4 blade scout/camp knife in my pocket, and a 5 inch closed Buck 110 and/or a 5.5 inch closed 2 blade slipjoint folding hunter on my belt.
(some days I carry both the 110 and slipjoint folding hunter side by side on my belt.)

On 30 June I added a CS Finn Bear (or a Mora Classic Number 1) in my right sock, like a Sagian Dubh. :)
My jeans fit loose enough that no one notices it is there, and I can roll my pant leg up to access it.
(Yeah. I may be deformed, "handicapped"/ "crippled", ugly and a vintage antique, but I ain't stupid. The Finn Bear or Mora is in a sheath. :rolleyes:)
 
I dont consider 8-9” overall length large for a knife, more like “normal.” As some others have said, the grip must be comfortable in my hand during use and the closed length is the final factor. The smallest EDC knife for me is actually a BK14 fixed blade as both of my folders are longer when opened! (Vic OHT and Benchmade Contego.)
V9nY5bG.jpg


Now a 7”+ BLADE is getting into ‘large’ territory as we approach a foot in length and more!
 
I just got the 452cf. Love it. Regarding food prep, I like the fact that with a larger folder, you're able to keep the pivot, etc, that much farther away from what you're cutting. Less gunk = good.
 
I stopped trying to figure out why, talk myself out of it or justify it in general. For some reason it just makes me happy. I want the weight too. Especially in the winter. I look forward to the winter just on the basis of of being able to carry bigger and heavier knives. I don't have a single task that couldn't be accomplished with an Opinel.

Right now I'm lugging around a Medford USMC Fighter Flipper in shorts and loving every second of it. The first 90% of my time collecting I tried to focus on things like "value" and "usefulness" and "economy". It became a bland race to the utilitarian bottom. Now I go with the high end mall ninja shit. DLC all the things. Bring on the XM-24's, SMFs, SOCOMs and Marauders. I'm still waiting on the 4.125" Sebenza 21 XL.
 
I thought small knives and small guns was because of small hands which is equivalent to small......?
 
It’s nice to have the extra cutting edge, and my large-ish hands appreciate the extra real estate to grab on to. I don’t know if other guys are trying to compensate for something, but I just happen to like big knives. No different from preferring trucks over sedans.

My usual EDC is in the 3.5” to 4” blade range (exceptions would be the Para 3 LW and the ESEE Izula). 4.5” to 5.5” on some days when I feel a little crazier. Thinking of getting a folder with a 6” blade when it becomes available on my local online store.
 
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