Define the different size categories FOR YOU

[Wartstein]

When purchasing, I base my sizing upon both blade length as well as handle length. Everyone is different, but this works for me. But simplicity sake, I usually look at things about like this:

Xtra Small - Less than 2.5" (Lil Native, Lady Bug, Cricket, Manbug, etc.) - good for car console

Small - 2.5" - 3.0" (Native 5, Delica, Para 3, Sage 5, etc.) - good for LW shorts, backup EDC knife, or house carry knife

Medium - 3.01" - 3.5 (PM2, Stretch, Manix 2, Centofante 3, etc.) - good for EDC knife

Large - 3.51" - 3.99" (Amalgam, Stretch 2 XL, Manix 2 XL, Endura 4, etc.) - sometimes good for EDC knife (may be too big)

XL - 4.0" - 4.5" (Police 4, Native Chief, Military 2, Resilience, etc.) - good for outdoors

XXL - Greater than 4.5" (Nothing regularly available from Spyderco)

Not how it is for me personally, but I feel like this is about how the Spyderco product guide can be read (to be clear: Still just a subjective opinion!):

Knives like Manix, PM2, Endela: "Full size right in the middle" - and starting from there getting large(r) (Endura, Chief...) or small(er) (Delica, Native 5, Para 3)

(In my own personal use as said Endura-size is "regular", everything below it in size starts to be "small" for me).

[Netherend]

For folders

Small - sub 3 inch
Medium- 3-3.5 inches
Large - 3.5-4
Extra large- 4+ inches

Fixed blades

Small= sub 2.5 inches
Medium= 2.5-4 inches
Large= 4 inches are longer
Extra large= blade length 7 inches or longer

I wonder if preferences would change when blade thickness is considered. For example - does edge length preference change depending on blade stock/thickness - 4mm blade thickness on a 3 inch blade vs a 4 inch blade.

[TkoK83Spy]

[vivi]

There's been a lot of talk in different threads about this lately, so why not put the discussion in a dedicated thread?

Personally, I like how Cold Steel sizes their recon series

The Recon 1 Series is available with 2, 3, 4, and 5 ½ inch blades

Micro is 2" blade. It's tiny knife for me.

Mini is 3" blade. It's a small knife for me.

Regular is 4" blade. It's a regular sized knife for me.

XL is 5.5". Unlike the Manix XL, it feels extra large, not regular sized.


How do you define the different sizes for yourself?

Is there a reason you don't have the 3.5" size in your stack, when it's one of the most common sizes?

I don't see a need to create a different category for a size I never carry. 3.5" is a small knife for me, as it's smaller than what I consider a normal sized pocket knife.

[vivi]

I'm kind of surprised that I have only seen one person mention legalities so far.

where I live the knife laws are "carry whatever you want, open or concealed, just don't poke it into other people....without good reason."



I can, and have, whipped out an XL Voyager to open a box at work without anyone even commenting. I work with girls that rock balisongs and cold steel 4" luzons.

[Holland]

Small: Under 2.5”
Medium: 2.5”-3.5”
Large: Over 3.5”

I am sure I could break it down more but this is pretty simple way I look at sizing. I am sure I could add a XS and XL category too.

Agree with this breakdown

[kobold]

There's been a lot of talk in different threads about this lately, so why not put the discussion in a dedicated thread?

Personally, I like how Cold Steel sizes their recon series

The Recon 1 Series is available with 2, 3, 4, and 5 ½ inch blades

Micro is 2" blade. It's tiny knife for me.

Mini is 3" blade. It's a small knife for me.

Regular is 4" blade. It's a regular sized knife for me.

XL is 5.5". Unlike the Manix XL, it feels extra large, not regular sized.


How do you define the different sizes for yourself?

Is there a reason you don't have the 3.5" size in your stack, when it's one of the most common sizes?

I don't see a need to create a different category for a size I never carry. 3.5" is a small knife for me, as it's smaller than what I consider a normal sized pocket knife.

But you listed the 2" and 3" sizes, which are smaller than 3.5"?

[JoviAl]

I tend to think in tasks so…
Less than 3.5inch - EDC
3.5 to 4.5 inch - work
4.5inch or larger - “would this be quicker if I just go and get a chainsaw? ”

I own a lot of knives in the EDC and Work categories, but very few in the 4.5 inch ‘chainsaw time?’ Category that aren’t machetes. I would love a big utilitarian fixed blade work knife from Spyderco - sculpted FRN handle, kydex or boltaron sheath, 6 inch full tang cruwear or Magnacut blade… PHWOAR!

[vivi]

There's been a lot of talk in different threads about this lately, so why not put the discussion in a dedicated thread?

Personally, I like how Cold Steel sizes their recon series



Micro is 2" blade. It's tiny knife for me.

Mini is 3" blade. It's a small knife for me.

Regular is 4" blade. It's a regular sized knife for me.

XL is 5.5". Unlike the Manix XL, it feels extra large, not regular sized.


How do you define the different sizes for yourself?

Is there a reason you don't have the 3.5" size in your stack, when it's one of the most common sizes?

I don't see a need to create a different category for a size I never carry. 3.5" is a small knife for me, as it's smaller than what I consider a normal sized pocket knife.

But you listed the 2" and 3" sizes, which are smaller than 3.5"?

I own and carry knives of that size, like the paring knives in my knife roll for work, multitools etc.

either way you're putting more thought into my classifications than I did

[horzuff]

Micro/Extra Small - Things like a Dragonfly or a keychain victorinox, when light weight and small size AND/OR legality and social acceptability are the most important

(Too) Small (for my taste) - anything below 3,3", the Bugout is the absolute smallest I'd use

3,3"-4" - Enough for what I like daily, bulk of my knives, I'd almost always prefer them to be bigger, but it's enough

4"+ - My sweetspot, long enough to cut smaller bread, still fits into my pocket

Handle larger than 6" - too big to fit into most of my pant pockets, so I don't buy or carry them