Big vs Small EDC Folder Use - Knife Philosophy Question

MaxFactor

MaxFactor

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I know that there are many applications for a large folder but are there any "typical" tasks that a small folder couldn't handle?

I only ask because on a day to day basis I carry a large folding knife, (Manix 2, Mini Onslaught, Socom Delta, or ZT 0561) and my Spyderco Dragonfly ZDP-189. I work in a retail setting and my Dragonfly opens/breaks down boxes just as well if not better than my big blades. Outside of work, I may or may not have my Dragonfly on me, but I always carry at least one of my large blades.
I started carrying a large knife mainly because I simply enjoy knives and I would rather have them see some action than sit in a drawer. At any rate, one of my co workers carries a ZT 301 and uses it for box cutting, as a screwdriver, prying, etc. Now, I'm not afraid of giving my knives some hard use but you won't catch me using them as a prybar or screwdriver. I'm also not going to be doing any batoning with my folding knives since I have some fixed blade beaters, and I've seen the videos of the lock up issues that typically arise after batoning with a folder.

I feel kind of dumb asking this question, but really, what's the intended purpose of a large folding knife? Or should I say... tactical knife? As far as I can tell, the main benefit is the increased penetration which pretty much only applies to a self defense scenario. Am I wrong about that?

I suppose it's sort of like driving a Hummer instead of a Honda Civic, or a Ferrari instead of a Focus.

I'm not really sure what I'm looking for here; maybe just some validation. But I thought other knife guys may have asked themselves the same questions.
 
I wear large-XL sized gloves so I like bigger knives mainly for the handle comfort.
 
The longer the edge, the more it can cut before dull (all else equal).

Bigger handles can offer better ergonomics and multiple positions.

Cutting thick substrate in a single pass is not usually possible with a short blade.

Longer reach is nice when using the knife as a pick (think of a narrow crack with something deep within that you want to pull out).

I could perhaps come up with more...but it's really a preference thing.
 
I have smaller hands and the longer handles that come with bigger blades are awkward to me. This is why I carry smaller folders in the 3inch range. I believe this is all you really need for blade length with a pocket knife. I don't like obligating a whole main pocket to a big folder when I can accomplish any of my edc tasks with a smaller one (and have pocket space), I feel foolish when someone needs to borrow a knife to cut a thread and I bust a 4 inch blade out of my pocket. If I need a bigger blade I will go with a fixed blade. The reason is once I find a task that a small folder cant handle, I probably will be in the woods or work away from squeemish people. But if you have bigger hands, it usually means your going to have to go with a bigger blade.
 
At work, I like to use something small simply to avoid too many stares or remarks. That usually means a keychain knife like my Manbug. At home I like something larger, usually 3-3.5". More than length, I like a good blade profile. To me, that means a fairly thin knife with a flat or high hollow grind. I don't need a super thick folding pry bar.
 
A large folder has more reach, and more edge for bigger cutting tasks.
This being said, I normally carry a large and a smaller blade.
For regular EDC tasks though, I could do it all with my Spyderco Squeak, truth be told.
But I like to carry a bigger knife as well, it just feels right to me, whether I NEED it or not.

You may not need a big knife for day to day chores, but if you like them, there's no reason not to have and carry them.

I don't need large blades, but I have them, I don't need $300+ knives but I have them, I don't need anything over $50 really, but I have it.
If we were being completely realistic, I could get by with a SAK, but I like folders.
 
I like to have a longer blade when I cut food. The longer the blade is, the less likely it is to get bits of food/juices in the pivot.
Sure, using a 2 inch blade to cut through a big orange is possible, but it's messy. I'd rather have a blade long enough to make it through in one cut without getting the pivot too close to the action.

For all other "dry" tasks, the shorter blade on my multi-tool will more than suffice. It all depends on what you're cutting.
 
For utility use, I find that I don't really need a large folder. However, I found that a blade that's 3.5 inches or longer helps a lot more with food prep. I've been happy upgrading from a Caly 3 to a Caly 3.5. More blade for just about the same size package. I find that the 3.5 is not unwieldy and makes for a great all-around EDC.
 
Try cutting up tomatoes, onions, and bread for a sandwich with a knife smaller than ~3.25 inches.
 
The ones I carry the most are; Para 2, Manix 2, Native 5 and sometimes an Emerson CQC7. I have a Small Sebenza 21 and I wish I bought a large. I find a little larger blade to be more versatile and I have my own business so I am not at all restricted as to what I carry.
 
My EDC blades are almost always around 3.5". I find that's a good usable amount of blade without being "too" large. If I need a small blade for whatever reason (use in public, precise cut etc.) I always have my Marc Mummert CCL in my wallet.
 
On the size spectrum Ive carried everything from a Spyderco leafstorm to a benchmade bedlam and I've found that roughly 4 inches is the best size EDC for my needs. Ive carried a Benchmade Contego exclusively for about a year now and I don't think I will ever go back to a small blade except for occasions where a large knife would not be legal/fashionable/practical.

The main reasons why I like a larger blade are increased comfort, more edge, greater leverage in cuts, and generally increased slicing and cutting ability. (you can't slice very well using a sawing action with 2 inches of blade). When i need a knife, I want a KNIFE. I use my EDC quite a bit and for a huge variety of things and a bigger knife can handle more tasks than a small one.

Handle comfort is really important to me and smaller knives typically don't have long enough handles to facilitate comfort during periods of long use and in addition to this you can generate a significantly greater amount of force with a large handle compared to a small one. Something a simple as carving a piece of wood can be highly uncomfortable with a 3 finger EDC like the leafstorm. I eat a ton of fruit and usually use my EDC for slicing up apples, oranges, grapefruits etc... and you simply can't slice a decent sized piece of fruit with a 2 inch blade.
 
If you should ever have to cut a seat belt in a burning car or a spooked horse that's tied to a hitching post a small folder may not get it done in time.
 
KalEl said:
Handle comfort is really important to me and smaller knives typically don't have long enough handles to facilitate comfort during periods of long use and in addition to this you can generate a significantly greater amount of force with a large handle compared to a small one. Something a simple as carving a piece of wood can be highly uncomfortable with a 3 finger EDC like the leafstorm. I eat a ton of fruit and usually use my EDC for slicing up apples, oranges, grapefruits etc... and you simply can't slice a decent sized piece of fruit with a 2 inch blade.
Click to expand...

I strongly agree handle size in particular (IMO) is so important. The Emerson CQC7 doesn't have an overly large blade but the handle size gives you a lot of control. I just don't like using anything that I can't get a firm grip on or vary my grip.
 
I carry several different size blades, the smallest being ~3.25 inches, the largest would be close to 6 inches. As for preference, that's situation dependent... This is why I carry 2 or 3 blades with me.
 
For me I carry a larger/longer folder if it means more blade length for my cutting tasks, with one catch :D it has to be a good slicer! A FFG 3-4 inch blade will cut a really long ways (big boxes) as well as be a superb kitchen knife, which is what most my knives are used for, kitchen duty, if I have to saw my way through a head of lettuce, even romaine, with a sub-3 inch blade that means more work, I like more slicey less work, and I know most people would say just use a kitchen knife, but then I wouldn't be a knife-nut would I? :p
 
4"+ is my favorite and is really a small-medium size if we think of knives in cultures around the world, folders and fixed blades. Small folders are convenient for use in public places, watch pocket carry, sitting next to a wallet, whittling on a piece of wood while relaxing, etc.

Whatever people are comfortable with and works well for them. Design being same, larger basically does = better performance, strength, and versatility. Many times I have been glad I had a 4" one-hand opening, locking folder instead of a 2-3" slippie.
 
Cutting food, slicing, picking stuff out of corners have already been mentioned in this thread. Another task where a longer bladed folder excels is when you need to cut something nearly flush with a flat surface, for instance scraping a paper label stuck to the middle of a glass pane. A thin handle and longer blade with some belly to it allow you to get under the paper with the edge instead of only the tip.
 
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