Surprised at what I am carrying, nowadays

[Doc Dan]

The older I get the less I need a larger knife. I have noticed that my trend has been to ever smaller knives. I was surprised, however, when I got to noticing what is actually in my pocket day in and day out, even if I have something else with me.



The Ladybug Hawk stays in my PJ's. One of the other two is always in my pants pocket when I am out and about. These knives are constant companions. I live in a society where knives are looked at suspiciously and can even get a person arrested, even though the knife is not illegal. Weird, I know. But really, that is beside the point. I find I do not need to cut large things any more. The most I cut is string or open a letter or package. I might peel an apple or cut the skin on an orange. More than that I am around a drawer full of good options. So, I simply don't need a larger knife and do 95% of my tasks with one of these.

I am likely in the minority, but I noticed my own father following this trend as he got older, as well.

Now, where are those Manbug LC200N knives?

[on_the_edge]

I don't think you ARE in the minority in the sense of using increasingly smaller knives as you get older; I actually think that is very typical. My most used Spydie is a Ladybug Hawkbill. It punches well above its weight.

[VooDooChild]

For me the manbug and ladybug are A.O.K.
(Always On Keys)

[James Y]

I don’t think it’s unusual at all. Small knives are generally more popular with the mainstream public that still do carry knives. In decades past, “the old man with the little 2-blade pen knife” was very common. Someone who only carries a small Spyderco is merely continuing that tradition. And nowadays, the most-bought and carried pocketknife in the world is the Victorinox Classic SAK, that has a smaller blade than a Ladybug. Most people don’t need much of a carry blade on a daily basis. “It doesn’t have to be big; it only needs to be sharp.”

The only problem I can see with that is if someone has extremely thick fingers from a lifetime of physical labor, like my dad had; or if they have arthritis. That would make using a tiny pocketknife very difficult, if not impossible for them.

I like little knives, but I still prefer to also have a mid-sized Spyderco on me.

Jim

[Naperville]

Au contraire. I got rid of my EDC, which was a a 4 inch Bradford in M390 for a Spyderco Native Chief. The Native Chief has a better profile for thrusts and I carry for self defence. Small knives just don't cut it for self defence.

When mid to late Winter settles in and I need to penetrate Winter coasts with layers of shirts I'll be carrying something even more formidable.

[z1r]

I always have a Ladybug with me. I usually carry several knives. In those rare events that I don't have more than one knife, I typically carry one of my Chaparrals.

[Manixguy@1994]

No problem here , I do two knife carry daily. Salt Dragonfly is always in my right pocket and flavor of the day in my left . I’m outside a lot and versatility is nice when far from house . Nice engraving Doc . MG2

[Manixguy@1994]

Doc , have you ever considered finding a C39 Dyad Jr. frn if you don’t already have one ? Just a thought . MG2

[nerdlock]

I'm not that old yet, but it's been a pleasant surprise to find myself obsessed with Lil' Natives the past few months.

[Bolster]

I dunno if it's an age thing or not. MATURITY maybe. And since I don't have any of the latter, I'm staying in the 3-4" range I've been in for the past 2 decades!

Small knives just don't cut it for self defence.

A case where bigger is usually better.

[Doc Dan]

I'm not that old yet, but it's been a pleasant surprise to find myself obsessed with Lil' Natives the past few months.

Obsession or need? I can understand it.

[Doc Dan]

Doc , have you ever considered finding a C39 Dyad Jr. frn if you don’t already have one ? Just a thought . MG2

If they brought this knife back out, again, I would certainly buy one. A Salt version or a VG-10 version, either one, would be great. No Black FRN, though, although if that was the only color, it would not be a turn off.

In fact, a Salt version with a yellow handle and LC200N or something would be a great knife to have and maybe we should lobby for it.

[Soanso McMasters]

I love small knives. I wish Spyderco had a bigger selection in “premium” materials on their locking and non-locking models. Wood scales, better steels, etc. Not exclusives or sprints, but standard production.

[Brock O Lee]

3-4 inch is still my comfort zone.

[Manixguy@1994]

If there ever was another Dyad run , a Salt version would definitely draw a lot of interest . Doc another Spyderco that may work for you would possibly be a Meerkat . I also agree that it would be nice to see some smaller knives in the lineup. I still occasionally carry my Kiwi in a William Henry clip pouch that I had modified to close the bottom of sheath . It’s a handy little setup, I can go both ways to carry .

[Doc Dan]

I think an original sized Kiwi with FRN scales would be nice. I like the texture of the Maniago scales (but please don't let them make the knife!). If it had a good, modern steel and a linerless FRN scale like on the Squeak and etc. I could be happy.

[Haunted House]

Doc, I’m in the same camp.
I’ve carried larger knives my entire life.
These days, a Cruwear Delica lives in my pocket and I find the smaller size just about perfect.