Are sub six inch (OAL) fixed blade Knives TOO small to be truly useful ?

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
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Hi all,

I love small fixed blade knives. Most all my small knives measure six to seven inches in OAL such as the Becker BK-14, Mora 2/0, vintage BR & Co. Scandi, Tops BTK, Morris Pee Wee XL, etc. All these knives have handles around 3.5" long. My new "Morris Pee Wee XL" (OAL six inches) has a very comfortable handle even for my extra large hands. The "Pee Wee XL" sports a 2.5" blade. So, I'm wondering if (for example) a BARK RIVER Micro Canadian at five inch OAL is truly useful size knife ?
I'd love to hear comments from BF members who own/use SUB six inch fixed blade knives.

http://www.michaelmorrisknives.com/resources/_wsb_637x477_102_0374.JPG



HARDBALL
 
Very useful either at home or as a pocket fixed blade.
I have a couple of HardEdge Knives that are just about that size. A kirdashi that's just a touch over 6in and another drop point model that's about 6.5in. Both have plenty of blade for my needs.
They are also very discrete when worn on the belt.

That's a good looking knife you have there as well!
 
Other than the most basic kitchen blade (sure, i don't need a machete to cut a tomato), i cant say i have a use for a knife that small (honestly, don't get the small knife appeal in general).
 
With the exception of my penknife collection (which I consider to be a whole 'nother hobby), the smallest blades I own these days, fixed or folder, are 3". Over the years I've had a tendency to go longer with folders and now my new purchases tend to be 3.75 - 4". I'll still carry the <3.75's as much as I ever did but over time my tastes have gone slightly larger.

For me the only reason to carry sub 3" would be office environment, local laws, or if my job or hobby involved constant blade use thus making such a length an efficient choice in many instances. Maybe suit slacks in church...things like that.
 
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Actually I have very little use for knives between 5 and 8 inches. It seems like a medium size that's good for very little. Even when camping I just take an extra pocket knife or two, and one of my small machetes. The pocket knife does small camp jobs, and the small machete handles everything else, even cooking. A large 9 inch blade can do the job of a 5 inch blade, but not the reverse. In the kitchen at home, my chefs knife is 8 1/2 inches, and bread knife 10 inches. Everything else is done with a small paring knife.

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Depending on my plan for the day, I often carry a 3" fixed blade. I find them useful and easy to carry. My favorite so far is a BHK Bushbaby with a flat grind. I also like my ESEE Izula and I just got a RWFred custom MOK that has a 2 9/16" blade. Honestly those blades do most of what I need on a day around the house or running errands.

If I know I am heading on a long hike, a hunt, of hours in the woods playing with shelters and fire, I usually carry bigger blades.

Small fixed blades have their place. Try one and se if you like them.
 
I have been using a Fallkniven juni since I got it. OAL is 5.9" with a 2.75" blade. I find myself grabbing it first for most daily uses. It's essentially the same as a typical Swiss army knife length and does everything a Swiss army can without the fear of closing on.my fingers. Even better is the steel (3G), which holds an edge.longer than any of steels currently being used. Just a quick strop every week or so and its good to go. Another plus is people's reaction to it. Most just say it's cute and regular knife users love the classy look in general. I can't recommend this knife highly enough.
 
I like the small fixed occasionally. Hanging from my belt with a D-ring, it fits very comfortably in my pocket. The lanyard makes it instantly accessible. It handles the great share of my EDC needs.
Knives are: Blind Horse Knives...BushBaby

 
I've found that 2.25" to 2.75" is just about perfect for my EDC needs, and to get there (at least without going custom), it seems that a 6" to 6.5" OAL is the standard.

I've been carrying fixed blade for about a month now, and I think the real debate should be about the carry rig, not the knife.

I believe that with some version of an IWB sheath, pocket hanger sheath (like some of the bushcraft guys have), or a full-on concealed carry rig (the kind that harnesses up around your shoulder and middle) that hides inside your shirt, you can carry whatever sized knife suits your needs, and legal restrictions.
 
Well, I have several and I must say I absolutely love them... although, basically, I'm most comfortable with a 4 to 4.5" handle and a 4 to 5" blade. This sweet spot does all I usually need in the house, in the garden, in the woods. It feels good in the hand, very satisfying, strong action and cuts well (due to the length) even when not rabid sharp.

The smallies are another cup of tea but I found them to perform astonishingly well for the same usual needs... but they need to be sharp as sharp can be : try to cut a thin slice of smoked rib with a 3" blade. Actually doable (and clean as ever) but the blade must be sharper than a razor.

From top to bottom (the first two are above 6" : D'Eskabar-7", BlackJack 155 - 6.5") :

Becker D'Eskabar : D2, flat grind and beveled edge, with Izula green Micarta scales... a sweet little knife, on the thick side, that performs as expected from a Becker. Best handle to blade ratio of all 4. Just a tad heavy for a necker.
BlackJack 155 : 154 CM, flat grind and convex edge, with crappy "in house" Paracord wrap... an excellent surprise, fantastic cutter, very strong but not too thick, not too heavy, makes a good necker.
Böker Beauty : BO690N, flat grind and beveled edge, Micarta scales... a "gentleman" fixed blade. Comes with a gorgeous leather sheath with money clip for carrying clipped inside a pocket. A knife that is immensely pleasant to carry and use whenever you need something pointy/slicy for well, "gentleman" stuff : opening letters, peeling an apple or an orange, cutting a loose thread... This is the one that nobody goes "Shriek !" or "Yikes !" about (6" overall).
Fred Perrin Mini-Bowie : 12C27, flat grind and beveled edge. The ideal necker (so far, IMO) : very light, good ergos, thin blade = scary slicer. The original Kydex sheath is not a blast but works for tip down carry. This is the one I carry all times because it can do for 95 % of my daily tasks. And because I often forget it's around my neck...(6" overall).
Böker Nessmi : excellent design by Jesper Voxnaes, CPM-S30V, hollow grind with beveled edge, Micarta scales. My dedicated eating knife : does everything from spreading butter to cutting cheese, fruit, meat, bread, cake... And strong enough to break down cardboard boxes. Good cutter with splendid ergos : the handle gives great power on the blade (5.75" overall).
So, to answer your question, Yes they are absolutely useful in the everyday life of an average person. Needless to say, when I go camping in the wild, I will add a machete and a folding saw, and maybe take instead of the smallie a BK15, just for the fun.

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A nice 6" or so small fixed blade is my ideal edc. Lighter than a folder, slim, tough, and honestly I've never said to myself "man if only the blade was an inch longer" during any use of a knife.
 
Hi all,

Thank you all for your thoughts/responses thus far. Thank you for the kind words about my new "Morris Pee Wee XL" knife. It's truly a beautifully built SOLID (and VERY sharp) six inch OAL knife. I must confess, no doubt I have "ECD for EDC" small fixed blades. Hey! That's pretty good! "ECD for EDC" ha! Anyway, I can't stop searching the Net for new knives. I was thinking I MIGHT try a "three finger" knife (i.e. under six inches OAL) just for the heck of it. I appreciate hearing from other BF members. JFK, that Fallkniven Juni is such a beautiful little knife and those BHK are awesome as well. Madcat, I highly recommend giving a good six inch OAL fixed blade a try. I bet you would change your mind.

HARDBALL
 
My custom neck knife , wharncliffe has been very usefull at 2.5 "
I now have a Surviveknife 3.5" small enough to fit in a large pocket ,great steel CPM 3V.
Cold Steel has their Pendleton knives in 3V now , two sizes !
 
As an EDC, this knife size works if you can become accustomed to carrying a fixed blade. I have a number of small fixed blades with my two favorites being the BK-24 with handles and a Dozier Personal. Have the Dozier Canoe too which is a useful size. It is generally all you need except for the occasional need for something larger. In the woods I favor a 4-6" blade length for most things except field dressing game when a smaller knife works really well.

I keep looking at a Ed Wallace knife I picked up a few years ago at Blade. It lays on a shelf on my book case, so I see it a lot. It's small with elk handles. Total length is 6.75" with a 3.5" or a tad larger handle. Very useable bird and trout sized knife. I believe it is in 154CM steel with a high polish on the blade.

You don't hear about his knives much here on BF. I believe he is out of Shephardsville KY. I occasionally see him at gun shows in the region. Have a larger fixed blade of his as well. But if you asked me to see it, I know I wouldn't be able to find it. Things get misplaced in my world. Haven't seen it in years actually.
 
Generally I would say yes, but I have a Mora no 2/0 to be quite useful for food prep around camp and when fishing on the boat.
 
I was thinking along some similar lines when I started this thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-a-large-sturdy-folder-for-bushcraft-survival

But I was coming at it from the standpoint that the advantages of fixed construction for hard use start to disappear when the knife gets too small.

However, hard use is only one reason to choose a fixed blade. Fixed blades are also faster to get out and put away. They are also easier to clean, and are often really nice to look at and handle because of their inherent simplicity of form.


I would happily carry a sub-6" fixed blade for EDC. A well designed one should accomplish most EDC tasks and be very pleasant to use. I just wouldn't fool myself about having a "hard use" advantage simply because it is one piece - really small knives are difficult to abuse because they are so short and light.
 
RX-79G said:
I was thinking along some similar lines when I started this thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-a-large-sturdy-folder-for-bushcraft-survival

But I was coming at it from the standpoint that the advantages of fixed construction for hard use start to disappear when the knife gets too small.

However, hard use is only one reason to choose a fixed blade. Fixed blades are also faster to get out and put away. They are also easier to clean, and are often really nice to look at and handle because of their inherent simplicity of form.


I would happily carry a sub-6" fixed blade for EDC. A well designed one should accomplish most EDC tasks and be very pleasant to use. I just wouldn't fool myself about having a "hard use" advantage simply because it is one piece - really small knives are difficult to abuse because they are so short and light.
Click to expand...

If you would like to carry a small fixed blade, do so. As for hard use....except for the folks that might use a mallet to baton their knife through some fair sized logs.... but yeah, smaller knives are less apt to be abused simply because they are small.
 
A short time ago, I would have said yes...small blades can be okay, small handles not so much. I have a few small knives, but dancing around the 6.5 -7 range was my lower limit. I found some of these surprisingly comfortable to use (Dozier modified personal, Swamp Rat Rodent 3, Bark River Mini Fox River); but didn't think I could go smaller.
Just for giggles, I recently purchased a LT Wright Patriot with desert ironwood scales - it is my ONLY fixed blade under 6" OAL; and it felt pretty good in hand. Good enough that I purchased another as a gift. The bone handle on that one is slightly smaller; and, to be honest, I find it more comfortable (so I'm keeping it). I'm still leery of trying other sub six inch fixed blades, because I feel I got lucky with the Patriot. A small difference in length or shape can make a huge difference in such a small knife; and I just don't feel right about buying something I know is really small and returning it because it's really small.
If you've got small hands, or get lucky with how one fits, a sub 6" (OAL) fixed blade can work...but I still think 6.5"and up is the way to go.

*edited to add image*
Patriots at top and bottom, for size comparison
 
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In a word... No.

The kiridashi is popular for a reason. Knives of this size are just as useful as most small and midsized folders. They also tend to be able to withstand a bit more abuse and are more old lady friendly.
 
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