What’s the smallest EDC knife you can get away with? Fixed or folding are fine.

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DangerZone98

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Dec 7, 2019
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Me personally, I like me some Esee Izula, Mora Eldris, and the Para 3. I’m perfectly happy with those. What works for you?

I could make do with a SAK probably, but I prefer carrying the sharp boys mentioned above. Perfect blend of want and need.
 
My favorite EDC fixed range from 3-5”, and favorite folders 3.5-4”. I could certainly get by with my Volunteer Knife Mod 3 and a Para 3 or Delica most of the time, i just generally prefer slightly larger.
 
beeinak said:
My favorite EDC fixed range from 3-5”, and favorite folders 3.5-4”. I could certainly get by with my Volunteer Knife Mod 3 and a Para 3 or Delica most of the time, i just generally prefer slightly larger.
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Same here. 3.5 to 4” are pretty large already honestly. 4” blades rock.

2.5 to 3” blade lengths are my minimum jam. My Izula does everything I can reasonably demand from it.
 
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Fox Vulpis. About the size of SAK classic but better blade/grind/grip/steel.
 
My smallest knife is my mini penguin (2.25” blade ) but I really prefer my small inkosi with its 2.75” blade.

I don’t have a lot of blades under 3”.
Most of my knives are in the 3.25-3.75” range
 
I tend to go 3 inches of blade when it comes to slipjoints, any smaller and it tends to affect the handle. I can pretty much get away with even just an inch of blade, the real question for me is how big is the handle. If the handle is too small, deployment and closing of the knife becomes difficult as well as handling the knife.

I tend to need a 3 or 4 finger grip on a knife. For a lot of folding knives, 3 inches of blade does not equal out to 4 fingers on the handle most of the time for me. However, with slipjoints 3 inches of blade very regularly sees 4 fingers on the handle. Without a pocket clip present, it feels more ergonomic than modern folders as well.
 
I usually prefer a knife over 3" just because the handle is going to be longer. I did develop a soft spot for my Mini Hera. It's just under 3" and being an OTF, the slimness of it suits the small stature. It's the knife I pack when I am just kicking around the house, wearing shorts, or going to be doing nothing that requires anything heavy duty.

That said, it's a wicked little thing with a pointy bayonet blade, so it can punch above its weight. I'm really surprised how much of a shine I have taken to it.
 
If I want to abide by local laws, which I do, I have to carry a blade 3 inches or less.

Having to obey that law has made me realize that I don’t really need anything bigger than that for my retired city boy lifestyle. I’ve gotten so used to small knives that I actually prefer them.

Most of my EDC knives have 2.75 - 3.0 inch blades but I also occasionally carry even smaller blades.

I get frustrated when I see a knife that I would otherwise buy but the blade is 3.125 inches.

That law is not strictly enforced around here but I would be that one guy who got caught.
 
Bugout or SAK Ranger. Most of my EDC folders are on the heavier side but blade length is between 3 and 3.75 inches.
 
I have a couple of Anzas that are 2” to the plunge, 2.5” tip to scale. The handle is a full 4”.
Opinel 6 is under 2.5”.
 
While I prefer blades around 3”, my Spyderco Dragonfly with its 1.88” blade works surprisingly well for most of my current daily uses.
 
Smaller knives like the Spyderco Dragonfly, the Boker Plus Subcom, and the Victorinox Minichamp on my keychain are just supplemental.

But the Spyderco Chaparral, Victorinox Pioneer and Traveller, Brisa Necker, Bark River ULB and PSK, Fallkniven WM1 are fine.
Mostly it is the Spyderco Native, the PITS or a Small Sebenza though.
 
For me it’s the handle size that matters most especially since I have arthritis and being able to maintain a good grip. So at my minimum I need at least a 3.5 inch handle with a thickness of at least 3/8 inch. The blade size depends on the model. A single blade or main blade knife needs to be 2.5 but a secondary blade like a stockman can be 1 inch.

Currently I like the size of my Buck 501 as my pocket knife. At a 4 inch handle length and 3/8 thickness with a 2.8 inch blade It’s just right for my small knife for lighter duty. Then as my main work knife I like a bit more blade and handle. I like a 3.1 inch blade and a 4.5 inch handle about 1/2 inch or more thick like the Buck Vantage. Then for heavy duty I like a Buck 110.
 
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