Giants of June/Big Blades Challenge - June 2024

[nate j]

I feel like larger blades are somewhat under-appreciated.  Sure they’re a bit more to carry, but they can do some things smaller blades can’t.  Other tasks that might be possible with a smaller blade are completed more cleanly and efficiently with a blade that is just a bit bigger.

So, the challenge is this:  For the month of June, carry and use only a knife or knives that have a minimum 4” blade length.  Fixed or folding, traditional or modern, all are welcome.

Of course, no one should risk legal trouble or their job, so if the only place you can carry and use a knife this size is your own home/yard, it would still be great to have you participate.

Use the AKTI Protocol for Measuring Blade Length (link below) to determine whether a given knife meets the minimum 4” blade requirement.

https://www.akti.org/resources/akti-protocol-for-measuring-knife-blade-length/

All the other usual challenge rules apply.  (If anyone is new to the forum and or new to challenges here and would like a full explanation, just ask.)

If you want to participate but don’t have a knife that qualifies, there are serviceable options out there for under $30, under $20, and even under $10, and of course you would have until June 1st to acquire one.

If there is sufficient interest, I’ll ask the mods to add this to the official challenge list and see about a badge.

[nate j]

Well, three days, 99 views, and not one peep of interest.  I didn’t expect a huge turnout, but it seems this idea is even less popular than I thought.

We’ve got a while (seven weeks) until June, but it looks like my options might be down to forging ahead solo or bagging the whole thing.

[Crunchie64]

Looks like a fun one to watch, but living in the UK, probably too much trouble to join in with.

Good luck to the participants.

[SurgeUk]

Looks like a fun one to watch, but living in the UK, probably too much trouble to join in with.

Good luck to the participants.

  with Crunchie here. I don't even have anything that would qualify (except my grandfathers bayonet  )
I did have a bush craft type thing but it was put into a GAW as awl I had manged to cut with it was - myself 

Unless you can recruit lithe, sinewy outdoor types like @GearedForwards into it then you might struggle this side of the pond I'm afraid 

[Antti Lammi]

I only have 1 knife over 4", i might join this  challenge. Other knifes is bit under 4" but those dont count for this.

Only Tools Matters

[ReamerPunch]

I was thinking of joining, but I don't think I will, considering what's going on down here.

[nate j]

I appreciate the input guys.

Here is my plan of action at this point:

1.  If anyone else joins me, I’ll do this challenge as scheduled.

2.  If no one else joins this challenge, but someone proposes another challenge for June that strikes my fancy, then I’ll do that challenge.

3.  If neither of the above, I’ll tackle this challenge solo.

[David Bowen]

I've got a few edc blades that are 4" and over, but going to skip challenges for a bit to focus on things.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[nate j]

I've got a few edc blades that are 4" and over, but going to skip challenges for a bit to focus on things.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Totally understand, DB.  Of course, would be great to have you should you change your mind.

[Farmer X]

I have very few knives with blades over three inches (the legal limit in my city), but I'll give some thought to joining...even though my uses of blades would be pretty repetitive.

[styx]

i believe i have 2 knives that would qualify. need to see how things go next week with some stuff to even consider if this would be viable though

[nate j]

…even though my uses of blades would be pretty repetitive.

My use tends to be pretty repetitive too, and I could carry pretty much anything in my corner of PA.  As long as you’re able to have some fun with it, that’s all that matters.

[nate j]

i believe i have 2 knives that would qualify. need to see how things go next week with some stuff to even consider if this would be viable though

Would be great to have you if things work out.

[powernoodle]

I can't participate in June, but this is a fun Challenge for Big Steel aficionados.   

[nate j]

I can't participate in June, but this is a fun Challenge for Big Steel aficionados.   

(Image removed from quote.)

You’ll be missed PN.

My Voyager and Espada will both be making appearances in this challenge.

[Farmer X]

I could carry pretty much anything in my corner of PA. 

You're probably not in the Philly area, then? And would you be showing off a big automatic now that the ban has been lifted?

[old Lefty]

Tempted, very tempted.
Trying to choose between this or the lights

Lähetetty minun SM-T515 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

[nate j]

You're probably not in the Philly area, then?

No.  I’m in the north central part of the state, a solid three-hour drive from Philly.

And would you be showing off a big automatic now that the ban has been lifted?

Probably not, since I don’t own one.

I’m always pleased to see knife restrictions fall, and I think anyone who wants an auto should get one and carry it.

Personally though, I haven’t felt the overwhelming urge to acquire one.

For one thing, a good quality auto is quite expensive vs. a comparable quality manual folder.

For another, I’m pretty quick with my flippers and wrist flicks, and I’m not sure how much speed (if any) I would really gain with an auto.

Finally, I would have some concerns (perhaps legitimate, perhaps not) about it accidentally opening in my pocket.  And if it had additional safeties or other complications to make this scenario less likely, they would slow down deployment, which would sort of defeat the main purpose of having an auto in the first place.

[nate j]

Tempted, very tempted.
Trying to choose between this or the lights

Big blades, bright lights, what’s not to like?

Technically, there is nothing stopping you from doing both challenges, you would just have to pick which badge you wanted.

[Farmer X]

A good quality auto is quite expensive vs. a comparable quality manual folder.

Ain't that the truth! For the price of some of those autos, I'd much rather buy a good quality fixed blade and have a good chunk of change left over.

[nate j]

Well, we’re about three weeks away.  Who has what it takes to spend the month of June carrying and using the big boys?

1.  nate j
2. 
3. 

[Farmer X]

Still giving it some thought, even though (as of right now) use would be limited to at home.

[Farmer X]

Okay, I've thought enough. Never mind that I said I'd never do two challenges in a month again; I'm in. If nothing else, it gives me an excuse to use a discount code I have laying around.

1. nate j
2. Farmer X
3.

Edit: I forgot to elaborate on autos a little bit. The one auto I own has a sliding switch beside the button. Said switch is a safety that prevents undesired opening if you slide it toward the go button.

[IMR4198]

Of course you could always just carry your Garberg in the challenge..... unless I give into temptation and buy it from you first.  G
 

[nate j]

Okay, I've thought enough. Never mind that I said I'd never do two challenges in a month again; I'm in. If nothing else, it gives me an excuse to use a discount code I have laying around.

1. nate j
2. Farmer X
3.

Glad to have you aboard!

[Farmer X]

Happy to join you! Even if Gary winds up buying the Garberg, I still have a few others I can use. The main participant still needs to be ordered.

[Farmer X]

The main participant has been ordered up. Yes, I'm gonna make y'awl wait until the challenge officially commences to see it.

[nate j]

The main participant has been ordered up. Yes, I'm gonna make y'awl wait until the challenge officially commences to see it.

I’ll be interested to see what you’ve chosen and how you use it.

[nate j]

I suppose it is no surprise to anyone, but I have a number of blades (both fixed and folding) that I’m hoping to showcase during this challenge.

I will be at scout camp for about six days of the challenge, and also leaving for a trip toward the end of the month, so I will need to pick just a couple knives to take on each of those excursions.

[Farmer X]

I’ll be interested to see what you’ve chosen and how you use it.

Unlike previous challenges, I anticipate doing a fair bit of food prep.