I saw a post on another forum today about how modern folders are so much bigger than their traditional counterparts. And it's kind of true. Here is a Copperhead from case, that's general a "fullsize" knife yet it's the same size as the "mini" griptilian. And massive compared to a "medium" jack knife.
I noticed the size issue as well, and I'm a bit torn by it. I can remember very well when 3.25 inches was the sweet spot for a folding knife for me, and when a Buck 110 was perfectly good for a camping knife at a whopping 3.75 inches. Maybe years and years of carrying a SAK has changed my perspective, but now 3 inches of blade is my limit, and the Skeletool KBx is just fine at 2.6 inches. This significantly limits the folders that suit my preference. Perhaps thats a good thing for my wallet, but its somewhat boring for our hobby. I wouldn't mind getting back to the 3.25 inch mark to expand my horizons, but it just doesn't suit me anymore
I'd be more than happy with a SAK and it's sub 3 inch blade all day. I've lived in a wide range of places. From towns where a 6 inch fix blade on the belt wouldn't make anyone blink, to big cities where slicing your sandwich with an small opinel makes the people nervous. I hate to admit being influence by it, but living where people are more skittish just makes smaller knives more appealing, what's the point of carrying a huge blade if I can't use it without terrifying the neighborhood?
Interesting perspectives, gents. IMO, the statement that modern folders are way bigger than their traditional counterparts is an over-generalization, at best. There are certainly traditional patterns, such as folding hunters and clasp knives, whose size rivals or exceeds all but the very largest modern folders.Empirically, it does seem to me that there is a trend of modern folders towards a common size. As you alluded to, EB, if one is happy with about a 3.25” blade length, then there are a lot of options. If one wants something significantly smaller or larger, though, then choices become limited.In terms of size preference, I find myself trending the opposite direction of the two of you. After years of carrying a 91mm SAK as my primary (if not only) knife, I feel best prepared these days with about a 4” blade as my primary knife. But I may very well change my mind again in the future.I’m of two minds regarding the “don’t scare the sheeple” approach, but I don’t think either choice is something to be embarrassed about. On one hand, I feel like, as long as I’m carrying and using something that is legal where I am, if someone has a problem with it, then that’s their problem. OTOH, there is something to be said for being the gray man, not attracting any unnecessary attention.
Like it or not, I wonder if in this day and age Multitools are less a sign of preparedness, and more a sign of subtle insanity or old age, or both.
I was thinking yesterday, about the "don't scare the sheeple" idea. I had gone to an event where there was a Boy Scout Troop in attendance. Keeping an eye out for what people are carrying, as I am wont to do, I noticed a complete change from what I remember some 20-30 years ago. Nobody had any sort of pocketknife on their belt except for the oldest leader there, even as the Scout uniform trousers has an integrated D ring in place of the belt dangler that we used to have when I was in the scouts. Like it or not, I wonder if in this day and age Multitools are less a sign of preparedness, and more a sign of subtle insanity or old age, or both. I don't think of it scaring people as much as looking I fell out of the 1990s. I dont know. Maybe I am overthinking it
I had to go somewhere that has a 2.5 inch limit (who decided that odd number? )
Day 11 of 30Today destroyed more cardboard boxes and sharpened pencil with combo edge [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]
Day 12The serrations aren’t the best for letter opening but still does the job
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