How much blade do you NEED?

[Styerman]

An issue that effects small blade performance is handle size and shape . The big limiting factor for me with Classics , Ramblers etc , is the dinky handles .

Chris

[Lynn LeFey]

I think that's a fair point. I find the small blade on the Small Tinker, which is about the same length as the blade on a 58mm, to be much more 'stable', but I can't tell if it's handle size, or blade thickness (cutting edge to spine), or the overall thickness of the metal stock used... or maybe a combination of all those factors.

[PTRSAK]

Leaving out the "other" tools because we're just talking blade size here, I've EDC'd blades of various sizes from the dinky little efforts on 58mm/Micra/Dime etc right up to Tactical Folder size.

Generally I have found that the Pioneer is about the point where I don't find myself in situations where I end up wishing that I had a longer/tougher blade, but most times a 84mm Vic or a Wenger will do anything I need.

If I'm pocket carrying anything smaller than a 84/85mm SAK (or equiv) I will have something bigger in my bag.

[powernoodle]

I could get by just fine with a 58mm blade.  I like to carry a bigger blade just in case.  So I do both.  I carry something like a PS4 or Manager, plus a larger folding knife like a Delica, etc.

[Cupboard]

I think that's a fair point. I find the small blade on the Small Tinker, which is about the same length as the blade on a 58mm, to be much more 'stable', but I can't tell if it's handle size, or blade thickness (cutting edge to spine), or the overall thickness of the metal stock used... or maybe a combination of all those factors.

Doing a crude wiggle test, the small "large SAK" blade feels much more solid than the 58mm blade to me. I was rather expecting a similar blade in my Manager to the larger SAK and was a bit disappointed really. Still, it seems to do the job so far.

[Styerman]

Don't sell 58mm's short . I read a post over on BF from a dude who had bought a bunch of TSA seizeures , some he tested to destruction . The scissors will cut up to 12ga. solid copper wire , the blades/backsprings don't fail under normal EDC tasks .

Chris

[Cupboard]

 

As I said earlier, I destroyed a pretty substantial cardboard box with one the other day.
I'd be curious to see the test if it's convenient. Don't worry if it's lost in to the depths of the internet!

[gustophersmob]

Leaving out the "other" tools because we're just talking blade size here, I've EDC'd blades of various sizes from the dinky little efforts on 58mm/Micra/Dime etc right up to Tactical Folder size.

Generally I have found that the Pioneer is about the point where I don't find myself in situations where I end up wishing that I had a longer/tougher blade, but most times a 84mm Vic or a Wenger will do anything I need.

If I'm pocket carrying anything smaller than a 84/85mm SAK (or equiv) I will have something bigger in my bag.

This.

[Goatlord666]

for my needs a spyderco honeybee slipjoint has served as a loyal & dependable friend for many years. It's actually my "go to"... but always have a vic cadet / pioneer as reinforcements if the task at hand proves to be a challenge for my frontliner blade 

[getahl]

I can get by just fine with my Classic. I love the pen knife, and, outside of cutting up a piece of meat, bread, or fruit, handles most all of my knife-related chores. I use an Opinel for that