Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

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Mgj48
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Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#1

Post by Mgj48 »

No flames here but I cannot see the functionality or purpose of small knives ( < 4" handle , less than 7" overall). I do use a Salt 1 and a Salt Tasman on my wade belt and in the boat but they are absolute minimums for me.
Interested in the attraction for something like a dragonfly or man bug. Why do they appeal to those who love them. Am I missing something ?
thrtiz17
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#2

Post by thrtiz17 »

Easily concealable. Carry an Elishawitz(Spelling) in my waistband. Since they won't let me carry my Glock 21, at work.
Molle Ninja
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#3

Post by Molle Ninja »

I work in an office with a bunch of lawyers next to a county that has a blade limit (<3") in a state that requires that you need to have the knife totally hidden--not even a clip--lest you go to jail and have to spend knife money on your defense.
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SpyderNut
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#4

Post by SpyderNut »

Like the others mentioned, smaller knives tend to appeal to those who are unable to carry larger blades due to legal restrictions, work policies, etc. There are also those who prefer to carry a sub 7" knife simply because they don't need a larger knife for daily chores. For instance, I use a Manbug 99% of the time at work in an office setting. I have many other larger knives available, but I never really "need" the added cutting power Monday through Friday. Aside from legal reasons, I suppose a lot of it boils down to personal preference.
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bearfacedkiller
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#5

Post by bearfacedkiller »

Unless I am doing yard work or food prep most of my EDC tasks can be handled with one inch of sharp edge. I carry a Ladybug Hawkbill in my watch pocket and to be honest most of what I use my knives for it can handle. I do always back it up with a larger blade because I do a lot of food prep. Also, when doing heavy cutting you need more handle to grab onto. I also like the fact that you can pull a Ladybug out in front of even the most knife adverse people without raising to many eyebrows.

It is also an excuse to carry another knife. ;)
Last edited by bearfacedkiller on Sat Mar 07, 2015 12:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
-Darby
sal wrote:Knife afi's are pretty far out, steel junky's more so, but "edge junky's" are just nuts. :p
SpyderEdgeForever wrote: Also, do you think a kangaroo would eat a bowl of spagetti with sauce if someone offered it to them?
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bearfacedkiller
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#6

Post by bearfacedkiller »

Here are some pics to persuade you to give one a try.
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-Darby
sal wrote:Knife afi's are pretty far out, steel junky's more so, but "edge junky's" are just nuts. :p
SpyderEdgeForever wrote: Also, do you think a kangaroo would eat a bowl of spagetti with sauce if someone offered it to them?
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ChrisinHove
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#7

Post by ChrisinHove »

"Horses for courses". And for not scaring people.
twinboysdad
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#8

Post by twinboysdad »

If you get a Ladybug Hawkbill...a) you will thank me b) this conversation will be over and c) just like me, you will not stop talking about the LBHB! It is like the Crossfit of the cutlery world, once you get one you can't stop talking about it and getting others to try it.
PWork
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#9

Post by PWork »

I'll be the odd man out here...

I prefer smaller knives. I have more control with them. I also like something that carries well in the bottom of my pocket as I'm not a big fan of pocket clips.

The Dragonfly is a perfect size. It gives me a 4-finger grip and a blade that just plain works for me. There's not much I can't get done with a Dragonfly. I suspect (and plan to find out) that the Squeak will be another that works well for me.

Knives like the Ladybug, Manbug, and Roadie, while not as versatile, are still enough knife for most of what a person is likely encounter in the course of their personal life. They also have "the edge" in public. Like it or not people view knives more as weapons than tools in our modern world.

The Delica is my BIG knife. I find anything much bigger to be very awkward to use. I use knives this size when I'm in the woods, but it's still more knife than I need most of the time.

As always, YMMV. :cool:
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Jazz
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#10

Post by Jazz »

I can't see the use of a big-*** knife for EDC. We're just different. I like 3" blades for most, but the Manbug sure is awesome. Very useful. Check out my video, if you haven't already. They're great for pulling out in front of candyass sheeples.

http://youtu.be/OFsLeBGrvPQ
- best wishes, Jazz.
Cujobob
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#11

Post by Cujobob »

I'm probably the opposite in that I don't see the intrigue of larger knives. When I have a job that requires a large knife, I could use a fixed blade I keep around the house for it. On the go, nothing I need to cut is so extreme that it would require more than 3-3.5" of blade. The DF is great because its light and easy enough to grip it can be used for a large majority of EDC cutting tasks. A Manix XL is a fine knife but I rarely need that much blade to break a box down, open a package, or for minor food prep.
PWork
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#12

Post by PWork »

Good video Jazz. :spyder:
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bh49
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#13

Post by bh49 »

For my daily needs Native5 with 3" blade is the most used knife. The only task, when I prefer 3.5" is to cut an apple. I do not use smaller blades a lot, but if I need to clip coupon in a store around tons of people of my socialist state, than it better to use Jester. Small knives have benefit that nobody would go amok, when they see them. And they still capable to do many tasks. They are not work knives, but still knives.
JD Spydo
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#14

Post by JD Spydo »

Mgj48 wrote:No flames here but I cannot see the functionality or purpose of small knives ( < 4" handle , less than 7" overall). I do use a Salt 1 and a Salt Tasman on my wade belt and in the boat but they are absolute minimums for me.
Interested in the attraction for something like a dragonfly or man bug. Why do they appeal to those who love them. Am I missing something ?
Brother you sort of stole my thunder because that is precisely my line of thought also concerning Spyderco's micro-sized knives like the Ladybug, Manbug, Jester ect, ect. Even when I had two of the Burgundy Micarta Jesters in my overall collection they just didn't do anything for me at all.

I have had sort of a temptation to try a Ladybug Hawkbill that everyone has been raving about but I've yet to even pull the trigger on one of those and you're hearing this from a Hawkbill Fanatic. I even at one time was going to test one of the ZDP-189 Ladybugs but I ended taking the money and getting another Ayoob model instead>> because I know that I know I will certainly have uses for that Ayoob model if I lose my user version of it.

Now don't get me wrong because I do believe that Spyderco's micro-sized folders are well made, high quality pieces of minature cutlery. But like the good Brother who started this thread they just don't entice me at all.
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sal
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#15

Post by sal »

Hi Mgj and Thrtiz,

Welcome to our forum.

While there are, as mentioned a number of specific influencing factors, in my opinion, you are watching a trend. Mostly the funtion of social psychological developments. In the 60's, I carried a Buck 110, a 4" knife, with few noticing, also a Gerber folding hunter, slightly shorter. (Thank you Chuck Buck and Pete Gerber). Today a 4" knife is illegal in many areas and appears to be a very large knife. I think you will see 3" as the maximum size socially acceptable (outside of jobs requireing large knives). Public reaction is important, mostly becasue it is based on fears and "fear is the prime mover".

As others, I will almost always cary a small knife along with a larger knife that rarely comes out. The Manbug is a favorite (in ZDP or SB) and lately I'ved been carrying and testing a Roadie.

I also think that age might be an influencing facgtor How old are you?

sal
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Evil D
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#16

Post by Evil D »

For starters, I will have a Ladybug on my keys until they either stop making them and I wear mine out, or I'm too old to drive. It's just too useful for the mundane tasks that you don't need a 4 inch blade for. I've been carrying a SE Dragonfly pretty much exclusively for the last few weeks and I haven't missed the length at all. I find that the times when I need that much length are much fewer and far between than needing the control I can get with a shorter blade. It all depends on your EDC needs I guess.
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gbelleh
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#17

Post by gbelleh »

As others have said, small knives are still very useful, and don't cause a scene if you open them up in public. Plus, they're adorable! Like little newborn puppy knives!

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:bug-red-white
twinboysdad
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#18

Post by twinboysdad »

That is why I like the LBHB for an understudy. SE in a uber small package that cuts 2 weight classes over its head. I use mine for 1. Large groups 2. And more importantly, plastic and all the other things I don't want to use my PE on. So I have an expendable if lost, high performing, plastic eater, that I have carried in my swim trunks in the Gulf and our neighborhood pool for years and I can run through the dishwasher if needed. And it can ride on a keychain!
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Joris Mo
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#19

Post by Joris Mo »

EDC a Gayle Bradley folder, PM2 or lightweight Manix but in public usually do everything with a SAK, Squeak or Roadie. (looking forward to the Urban)
This is also in an urban environment, in a country that doesn't have much of a outdoor/ hunting culture so a lot of people are easily scared by knives.
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spyderg
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Re: Smaller knives.Just can't warm up to them.

#20

Post by spyderg »

I too prefer larger knives for the most part but having kids around gave me a good reason for a smaller blade as not to scare the wife, or have a little hand get in the way while opening new toys for example. Dragonfly, Techno, and Lava are all great in this role while my Gayle Bradley stays in pocket waiting for any larger tasks. Note on the Techno, it's a great knife for a big knife guy who needs to carry a smaller blade for any number of reasons. It has a big knife feel to it. It seems indestructible in your hand while still being small enough to carry most anywhere.
If you're wielding the sharpest tool in the shed, who's going to say that you aren't...?
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