Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

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Lansky1
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Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Lansky1 »

I know we all have knives of all different sizes, but I have almost completely divested myself from the small ones over the years. I'm a white collar stiff, and even so, I hardly ever carry anything shorter than a 63090 stockman (3-1/4" closed), even though I have a pile of peanuts and pen knives that gather dust. More often, I'll be carrying a 32 stockman, canoe, 107W or ratcliffe.

I'd be curious how everybody else views this - about how short do you like to go for everyday carry ?
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tongueriver
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by tongueriver »

Although I enjoy smaller knives as collectibles, I don't think I ever CARRY one shorter than 3 1/2 inches. And often a fixed blade or folding hunter on the belt.
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Steve Warden
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Steve Warden »

I prefer 3-1/4 to 4".
3-1/2 to 3-3/4 about ideal.
I do have a Case 6375 at 4-1/4 that I'll slip into the pocket every once in a while.
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cody6268
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by cody6268 »

The Victorinox Classic, at a tad over 2 1/4" is the smallest knife I carry. And in most cases, I'm not using the blade, just the scissors. Normally, it's 3". I have lots of 3" lockbacks--they're great for a watch pocket. Same with Small Stockmen. 3.75-4" is about perfect.
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XX Case XX
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by XX Case XX »

3" closed is the shortest I'll go. Anything less than that is simply too small.

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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Mumbleypeg »

My favorite EDC is the Case 047 pattern which is right at 4 inches. Sometimes it’s a Schrade 881 which is just a tad shorter. My back pocket carry is a 4-3/4 inch lock back. Even when I worked an office job I carried a Case 18 pattern stockman (3-5/8 inches).

Anything less than 3-1/4 inches is too small for most jobs IMHO, unless you’re just working fingernails. JMO. But any knife is better than no knife! ::tu::

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WillyCamaro
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by WillyCamaro »

I'm with you Ken ::nod::
My favorite size is around 3 1/2" to 3 3/4". I feel they are the most handy in that size range. Bigger than that, they get uncomfortable in the pocket.
IMHO
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by zoogirl »

Thé little Richards and the Chinese wood and brass live in my changepurse. I like the can opener and screwdriver on the Richards and the other one is actually a two blade which you don’t often see.
The Coast three blade is my purse knife.
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KnifeSlinger#81
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by KnifeSlinger#81 »

I can carry a 2 3/4" knife with no problem, all the ones I have are schrades with two or three blades that are on the same serpentine frame. Naturally I prefer the three blade. It's a pretty small pattern but never inadequate for typical pocket knife tasks. I don't usually carry a knife that small though.


Examples of the type.
IMG_4132.JPG
IMG_0878.JPG
A later variant with delrin handles but it gives you an idea of the size.
IMG_4291.JPG
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Steve Warden
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Steve Warden »

Mumbleypeg wrote:But any knife is better than no knife! ::tu::

Ken
I like it!!!
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by knife7knut »

I tend to favor smaller knives now as my cutting shores are pretty much limited to trimming errant brush hairs on my lettering brushes and cutting paper for patterns.My carry knives of late have been a tiny Victorinox with metal handles and an older Smith & Wesson metal handled folder.
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rea1eye
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by rea1eye »

I have 2 Case Peanuts which I love but seldom carry. I am afraid they will fall out of my pocket.
Their small size makes them weigh considerably less than longer knives. The small blade size
however does the job in most circumstances.

My favorite size to carry is 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 inches.
Bob

ps The pen knife below is a mere 15 gm weight.
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

If you have joint problems in your hands as I do, then too small a knife gets to be a problem manipulating. I have small knives, but don't carry them, preferring 3 1/2"-4 1/4" folders.
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Quick Steel
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Quick Steel »

For carry 3 1/2" is the smallest I go. Prefer around 4".
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by tallguy606 »

I got this Buck 705 for $5 at the pawnshop. It's the tiniest real pocketknife I ever saw. Still, opens boxes etc. very well. I personally prefer a 4 inch stockman or a large Copperlock or Tribal Lock for EDC.
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Colonel26
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Colonel26 »

4 1/8- 4 1/4 are my most favorites. I especially like the jumbo Congress knives and the big stockman knives like my CASE 6375’s and Camillus 89’s.

3 5/8 is about my lower limit. Anything smaller than a Camillus 72 or a CASE 6318 and it’s just too small for my hands.
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Montanaman »

3 3/8 is my lower limit. The CSC Co-Op boys knife is that length, this knife has taught me my lower limit, and if it was a clip blade it would be way less useful for me.
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Dinadan
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Dinadan »

I normally drop a 3 7/8" or 4" knife in my trouser pocket. When I wear a vest I usually carry a little 3 1/8" knife in my vest pocket to go along with the larger knife. For me 3 1/8" is the lower limit.
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by bighomer »

I've got a small SAK on my keyring for finger nail work, I like good ole bigg'uns and big ole good'uns for tote'n and cutting, although I slip a pen knife in my watch pocket if it's a small pocket now and then. ::handshake::
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by geocash »

I usually have one of these on me. All Cases. Top to bottom, a #6233 at 2 5/8", a #6227 at 2 3/4", or a 3" toothpick, either the #610096 or the #510096. Another pocket will have something closer to 4".
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by royal0014 »

I typically go to work with something under 3" in the lfp,
Case 20 pattern, 33, schrade 808, small gerber. I like my little fellers .... :)
Something more substantial of 3.5 to 4 inches goes in rfp
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by 1967redrider »

I guess 3 3/8" is the limit for me, I carry this 6202 1/2 to work every day and she does the trick for opening boxes, letters and mandarin skins. It cuts an occasional thread too, I can't imagine not having some sort of knife on hand wherever I go.
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Colonel26 wrote:4 1/8- 4 1/4 are my most favorites. I especially like the jumbo Congress knives and the big stockman knives like my CASE 6375’s and Camillus 89’s.

3 5/8 is about my lower limit. Anything smaller than a Camillus 72 or a CASE 6318 and it’s just too small for my hands.
RIGHT you are about the 75 series. Pictured from right are my 3 stockman; XX 6375 red bone, yellow 3375, blue workman 6375, and red bone XX 6275 Moose. They are among my favorites for a hand filling work knife. BUT, 4 1/4" is as big as is comfortable in a pocket.
IMG_2922.JPG
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Colonel26
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by Colonel26 »

OLDE CUTLER wrote:
Colonel26 wrote:4 1/8- 4 1/4 are my most favorites. I especially like the jumbo Congress knives and the big stockman knives like my CASE 6375’s and Camillus 89’s.

3 5/8 is about my lower limit. Anything smaller than a Camillus 72 or a CASE 6318 and it’s just too small for my hands.
RIGHT you are about the 75 series. Pictured from right are my 3 stockman; XX 6375 red bone, yellow 3375, blue workman 6375, and red bone XX 6275 Moose. They are among my favorites for a hand filling work knife. BUT, 4 1/4" is as big as is comfortable in a pocket.

IMG_2922.JPG
Very nice!
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Re: Whats about the smallest (closed length) you can go ?

Post by rugmar »

I like a Case 055 pattern for carrying. So about 3-1/2 inches seems perfect.
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