Your smallest "full size" knife.

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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I'm looking for an edc/necker type knife with a full length handle but still compact to be easily carried. I want it to carry on hikes near the city or in conjunction with a hawk so a small unobtrusive knife would be keen. I've noticed that for my hand 3.5 inch handles are hit or miss depending on shape. For instance the Izula is too small yet the Gossman PSK is just barely big enough and they're both 3.5 inches. So I was wondering if you guys could give me an idea of which blades to look at that have fulls size handles but are still really compact. Looking for under 3 inch blade and list your hand size if you would. Customs are preferred but not required. What can I say I'm a snob.:D
 
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Thats a tough one because handle lengths tend to often be balanced with blade size to achieve visual symmetry. I'd avoid anything called a neck knife because handles are purposely designed to be compact. Rick makes something he calls the snublore which is a small 3-3.5" blade with a big handle. He's got a kind of funny story about how it came into existence, but it is better that he tells it.

Another area to look at is the traditional puuku's like Kellam or many of the brands sold by Ragnar at Ragweed Forge. These things usually come with full sized handles even when sporting 2.5" blades.

Finally, you can go the custom route. I had Bryan Breeden build me a knife specifically for winter and using with gloves that I called the 'big paw'. It has a 4" blade and 5.5" handle. Visually it looks a bit out of balance, but it works as intended with gloves and arctic mitts - you get a great grip with it. It would be easy to have him or JK make you something specific to your specs.
 
Fallkniven WM1
I got one for my wife last year and she loves it. I keep getting tempted to buy one for myself because it's compact, feels comfortable in my hand and is a great blade.
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I love my Fiddleback Forge EDC. The handle is great, and the blade is right there. Check with Andy for sheath options. He just sent one to Lee's Cutlery as well.
It's not for everyone, but Bark River has some knives that are on the small side, but have 3-3.5" blades. Look at the Highland, Woodland, TUSK. I have a couple of these, and my hands are between med and large. Most Medium latex gloves fit very tight, and often rip going on. My palm is wide, and the Barkie's handles fit me perfectly.
 
foxx said:
I love my Fiddleback Forge EDC. The handle is great, and the blade is right there. Check with Andy for sheath options. He just sent one to Lee's Cutlery as well.
It's not for everyone, but Bark River has some knives that are on the small side, but have 3-3.5" blades. Look at the Highland, Woodland, TUSK. I have a couple of these, and my hands are between med and large. Most Medium latex gloves fit very tight, and often rip going on. My palm is wide, and the Barkie's handles fit me perfectly.
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I've been looking at that fiddleback but wondered about the handle. Seems a little thin near the blade but it's hard to tell from pictures.
 
My favorites:
1JK-especially the last one: a pocket tank.
2 Benchmade 211
3.Fallkniven WM-1

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Shotgun said:
I'm looking for an edc/necker type knife with a full length handle but still compact to be easily carried. I want it to carry on hikes near the city or in conjunction with a hawk so a small unobtrusive knife would be keen. I've noticed that for my hand 3.5 inch handles are hit or miss depending on shape. For instance the Izula is too small yet the Gossman PSK is just barely big enough and they're both 3.5 inches. So I was wondering if you guys could give me an idea of which blades to look at that have fulls size handles but are still really compact. Looking for under 3 inch blade and list your hand size if you would. Customs are preferred but not required. What can I say I'm a snob.:D
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I personnally find the Izula to be ideal. If you find the Izula to be too small you might take a look at the Izula II which has a larger handles and full size scales combined with the regular Izula blade.
 
dirtpig67 said:
I personnally find the Izula to be ideal. If you find the Izula to be too small you might take a look at the Izula II which has a larger handles and full size scales combined with the regular Izula blade.
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I can get it done with Izula for sure but everytime I hold it I think if it were fuller it would be so much better. And yes, when they get the forum knife out I'm gonna try the II. :D

I see a lot of love for the fallknivens. Maybe I'll look into those. Kinda partial to carbon and micarta tho.
 
Bark River Pro Scapel II

Full grip on the handle and decent blade length.
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Total Length: 6.5"
Blade Length: 3"
Weight: 2.4 Ounces
 
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Lauri blade 63 mm,my handle

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Mini Canadian,3 finger grip but large choil enables 4 finger grip
 
I've found the best dimensions for what you are looking for is 6 1/2" overall with a 2 3/4" blade, gives you a 3 3/4" handle length. 1" width on the handle seems just about right. Blade thickness is personal preference.
Scott
 
I went through exactly the same thought process as you are now. I measured all my knives and stressed over the smallest knife I could get away with as being my only knife if it had to be.
What I came up with was my modified version of Matt's ML Survivalist. It has a 4" handle and a 3" blade. Here is an important point though, the handle slabs are very much full size....pretty beefy....it is the girth that makes the handle in my opinion. If the slabs are full length but skinny then the knife will still be uncomfortable during prolonged use !
I also had Matt bring the edge all the way to the back of the blade to maximise the cutting edge.

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By pitdog2010 at 2011-01-24

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-11-15

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-08-12

This knife is really too heavy to be a necker though, although I do carry it that was sometimes, the closest I have to a full sized necker is my BHK mini Nessie, although tiny this little blade still feels great in the hand and lets you do some serious cutting !

Shown here with my 4" bladed Mark Wohlwend Bushcrafter...

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-09-21
 
The Fiddlebacks have some variations in the handle thickness. They are all hand made by Andy. I have two EDC's. One is 1/8" thick, with a more flat thinner handle. The other is 5/32" with a full sized thick handle.
I prefer the 1/8" blade thickness, but the thicker handle. The thicker one is less of a cutter, and too heavy for neck carry.
 
MIght I suggest my EDC a bark river bravo necker 2

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the handle felt small in my hands without the scales, but the addition of the scales brought it right into that hapy medium between filling up my hand and still staying easily concealable, undreneath a t shirt while still on my belt

EDIT: the necker 2's blade might be a little too long based on your OP, you might try the original necker
 
Bushman5 said:
the ESKABAR would suit your needs just fine. :thumbup:
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Don't know how that would solve the problem given the same handler as my izula.

Hey pit that's funny you sent that link to look at and I liked the small survivalist more. :DI agree with your mod of bringing the blade all the way back. Looks much better IMO. Would you say that's your favorite small blade? What's the thickness?
 
Shotgun said:
Don't know how that would solve the problem given the same handler as my izula.

Hey pit that's funny you sent that link to look at and I liked the small survivalist more. :DI agree with your mod of bringing the blade all the way back. Looks much better IMO. Would you say that's your favorite small blade? What's the thickness?
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1/8" stock .

If I had to just keep one blade that would have to be used for everything then that would likely be it !:thumbup:

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-08-12
 
My most recent necker (and I am not a fan of neckers) is the Izula Two. I am really liking this knife. Full handle - hole for a 'beener - and a bunch of fun stuff for a great price.

TF
 
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