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

[NJBillK]

I find small fixed blades excellent for edc tasks. I edc a BK11 in a custom sheath from Coyle Outdoors:

When I get a little cash saved up I want to get a T.M Hunt "Hornet". In the handles he offers, so sexy!

more images found here;

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1120098-The-Hornet-s-Nest

:thumbup:

Both of these are awesome knives. I have a BK11, BK24 and had a TM Hunt Hornet (gave away in a gaw on here), and I honestly love(d) them all.

The 11 is near always comfortable and I have yet to encounter something that made me wish for larger, and it has a bottle opener so you don't have to use the spine. 1095 crovan takes a great edge and sharpens easily plus they have their heat treat down pat

The 24 (d2) has better edge retention for abrasive materials, and has yet to patina even though I haven't tried to stop any from forming throughout 6 months of steady use cutting sod, digging small hole in loose soil for planting, cutting plant matter and general outdoor use. BK14 is the same shape as the 24 but uses 1095 crovan steel.

TM Hunt Hornet, a great little 3 finger edc, 01 tool steel that takes a killer edge and is easy to sharpen due to it being a wharncliffe. The handle shape fits well in the palm of the hand, the lanyard will reach out to your pinky if you wear large sized gloves and has extra jimping near the tip for added control if it is needed. Takes a nice patina and the edge polishes to a mirror finish easily, can hold a pretty fine angle and comes with a great leather sheath that is wet formed if you want to wear it as a neck knife.

And a Huge +1 for Coyle outdoors. Tate is a great guy and will do whatever he can to make sure you get Exactly what you want.

 

[mtangent]

I have a Juni. The handle is too small, mostly because the circumference is tiny. I think I have medium hands, & I don't mind a 3 finger grip for some things, but the Juni is really for small hands, maybe children.
I have a Bk11, which has a much better 3 finger grip.
Also a BRK&T mini canadian with a tiny blade & larger handle. It is very good.

I think on small knives, it is better to shrink the blade more than the handle.

 

[B34NS]

I get much more daily use out of small fixed blades everyday. Got a few in the sub 6" range that are easy to fit into different kits.
In the chef world a small paring knife becomes one of the most valuble knives in your roll, depending on where you cook I guess.

 

[bdmicarta]

I think different people have different experiences and needs, but for me I think the answer to the question is "yes and no".

I have been interested in a fixed blade for EDC and I've decided that 6.5" would be the right length. I have a BK11 and I think it is a useful size but it isn't the blade shape that I want. I've looked at some of the small BRKT knives but they seem to be too small to easily hold onto. Another one I have some experience with is the Dozier Personal and it would be a good size for me if it wasn't out of my price range.

Generally people want to pick a fixed blade because they are stronger than a folder but a 6" long fixed blade has a relatively small handle and it is hard to exert much pull on it for normal use. I think if you have to put that much pull into a knife you should have one with a larger handle. Now if you are in a situation when you need to pry open a door or something like that, you can improvise enough to use the strength of a small fixed blade but this seems like a rare occurrence.

I moved my size range up to 7" thinking that would be easier to use.

I have this small custom knife that I bought years ago, with unknown steel and heat treat. It is just over 6.5" and fairly hard for me to use with its small handle. Not knowing about the steel I decided to test it by cutting cardboard. It won't match up to my good Spydercos but it stands up well enough to be useful. If I ever get around to making a minimalist sheath for it I will try carrying it.

 

[HARDBALL]

Hi all,

Excellent! I'm pleased to see the interest in smaller fixed blades here at BF. You guys all make some very good points both Pro and Con for small knives. HH, I tend to agree with you that six inch OAL knives (or greater) are the best way to go when it comes to small knives. That being said, I'd still LOVE to own that
Bark River Mikro Canadian just because it's so damn cute. However, my not having unlimited funds, I think I would find a bit larger knife more useful. I am seriously checking out the TOPS Scandi Trekker as well as the L.T. Wright "Coyote". The "Patriot" looks awesome as well.

HARDBALL

 

[elkins45]

This little Greco is less than six inches and it's pretty darned handy.

 

[Bob W]

I've been carrying one of these for years, most recently in a lab-type work environment, and before that five years on a drill rig. It's my all-time favorite for hiking and backpacking, and I carry it exclusively when motorcycling or mountain biking.

It has easily performed every cutting task encountered. :thumbup:

 

[Scurvy092]

Here's my fixed blade collection:

The Bark River Adventure is easily the biggest but it's only 6.75 inches overall.

I live in a fairly urban area so they see mostly around the house use but there hasn't been a task they couldn't accomplish. Very handy.

 

[dozer2025]

I'm a folder guy-a big folder guy, actually (because...I dunno, overcompensation?)- but in my life and line of work, my favorite fixed blade edc's are a Boker Rambler (OAL 5 and 3/8") and a Cold Steel Mini Pal (OAL 2 and 5/8"!).

 

[AntCaps]

I carried my benchmade 211 for months and it did everything I needed. Iv always had a fondness for smaller fixedblade.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Hard question to answer. That small and I certainly don't think they're useless, but I don't find them more useful than a folder, so I'll choose the folder for convenience. That said, paring knives are an obvious exception and if I was skinning small game a fixed blade that size seems like it would be about perfect.

I would love to EDC a belt knife in the 9-10" OAL range, as I think those are super handy and can offer real performance benefits over folders, but legal, social and career obstacles won't let me do it. I know small fixed blade EDC works great for some, but I've never really understood the advantages or appeal.