When do you HAVE TO use big blades?

jumbo · #1

First post: I got a Persistence as my gateway Spyderco last year. I got my wife a purple Delica for Christmas, she loves it (gave my father-in-law a Tenacious too). That "forced" me to upgrade to a ZDP Stretch, which I loved but was too much knife for me, and exchanged for a G-10 Dragonfly.

To the point, I'm loving the Dragonfly, and can't imagine feeling conspicuous to whip it out any time -- and still be suitable for the very simple slicing tasks I have day to day. So, outside of food prep and hunting, what specifically do you cut that could not be cut with a 2-inch blade? Or is it more about handle ergonomics for your particular task? When people say little blades cover 80-90% of their needs, I'm curious about the remainder they need (and believe me, I FEEL a "need" for a Military) more knife for.

Sequimite · #2

I cut up an apple most days, need 3 1/2" minimum blade length for that. I often use my Temp 2 in the kitchen, and generally it has replaced my Mules for most uses. I use a Forager to cut up Alder whenever I BBQ.

A light knife like a Military works well cutting up potatoes and removing the eyes. Ideally I'd use a smaller knife to clean up potatoes but the Military works so well I'm not temped to go get a small blade for that task.

DRKBC · #3

For me it is often the handle, I don't need a huge blade 3" to 3.5" is perfect for me but I find on smaller knives my hand runs out of handle. Where as on say a Para 2 there is plenty of room and there are a few options of how to hold the knife (because of the choil) making it more versatile.

The thing I also like about some of the bigger knives is the blade stock is a little heavier which keeps tips from getting broken etc. I cut things like, rope, webbing, cardboard, vinyl, plastic, wood etc. and I feel the larger handle is advantageous for most of these tasks because the knife feels more secure in my hand than it does with some of my smaller knives.

Comeuppance · #4

For me, there are functional and mental benefits to a larger knife.

Mental:

Confidence - I feel much more confident when hard-using a large knife. I'm always afraid I'll break a smaller one.

Hm. I really thought I would be able to come up with more mental aspects. Anyway...

Physical:

Reach - Small blades mean your hand is very close to what is being cut. That's not always optimal.
Stockier blade - Bust out a large voyager, chop down a tree. Need large wood chips or shavings? Manix, PM2, etc... One can't do that nearly as easily with a 2" blade.
Weight - A heavier blade is easier for me to control and get a steady cut. Also, a heavier knife will chop with ease.
Larger handle - I have large-ish hands. Tiny knives can be hard to hold and use comfortably.
More cutting surface - if some of the edge becomes dull or damaged, you still have plenty of blade left.

I do have some small knives, and they're great for fine cutting. Most of my cutting tasks, however, are not fine cutting.

Half Sack · #5

Rope is one of the only things that you may need a larger knife, food prep usually has a minimum size.
Your correct though and it takes using a little big knife to realize it covers you most of the time. Most people carry smaller and a larger for the 'just in case' times but a Dragonfly is great for most tasks (not that I have one yet).

I would say handle ergonomics/blade shape determine what you can cut, when those two don't cut it (see what I did there?) then you need to go bigger.

APS · #6

To answer your question, nothing outside of food. The larger knives like the Sage, Delica, etc are quite a bit easier for me to open than a Dragonfly which is the only reason I prefer to carry them.

Evil D · #7

Define big?

If you mean length wise, then you need a long blade when you must cut something that is longer/wider than your blade is from tang to tip.

If you mean thickness wise, then you need a thick blade when twisting or lateral force must be applied to a cut, like when you're cutting in a circular direction through thick/tough material. A thicker blade also means a thicker tang which usually means a thicker pivot and sometimes a stronger lock.

I also like thicker blades because the spine is thickest, which makes thumb ramps much more comfortable to use, as they won't dig into your thumb as much as a thicker blade does. With the right grind you can offset some of the slicing inefficiency of a thick blade.

The Deacon · #8

Probably very few where a "big blade" is an absolute necessity, but there are some where it's more convenient. Cutting a decent size piece of fruit or a sub in half, whether to share or simply for the sake of neatness, come to mind. Sure, you could cut halfway through from one side, then cut from the other side, but who needs the bother. By the same token, while larger blades can be used for just about any task, there are some where a smaller blade offers better control or just seems more appropriate. I'm sure I could sharpen a pencil with a Military, but a Kiwi does it quite nicely.

Blerv · #9

For most tasks (besides apple slicing) I would prefer a smaller blade. That said, since everyone is so heck-bent on edge retention (for some reason) for their daily carry they should consider that a 2" blade will dull about twice as fast as a 4" one of the same geometry.

I'm sure the 'twice as fast' is disputable with math and science but logic holds a longer blade will process more work and more efficiently.

Holland · #10

Welcome to the forums!

its all about the handle for me. for tasks that require heavier and prolonged cutting, like breaking down boxes and recycling (and also at work), i love my para2's. however for school and just general edc, my dragonfly2 receives most of the pocket time,

Onionman · #11

Working out in the yard, a big blade is essential for cutting out vines, roots and other grasses out of my bushes and in the garden. A bigger blade is better not only for reach, but also to cut more in less strokes.

CaptainTim · #12

My "small" EDC folder is a Delica4 FFG (I have two of them). My "large" folders are an Endura4 (I have two), and a ParaMilitary2 (again, I have two). I lusted after a Military, so I got one, but after a year of not using it much I gave it to my son (an Army vet), who now carries it as his primary EDC. The Military is a great large folder, but I discovered that I very rarely need anything larger than the Endura or the Para2.

chuck_roxas45 · #13

"When do you HAVE TO use big blades?"

When a small blade won't do. :D

Milkman · #14

If I had to decapitate a zombie, I'd take a Rock Salt over a Ladybug.

Fred Sanford · #15

I have used a ZDP Dragonfly on a number of occasions to cut up an apple. It's not hard either. One you "half" the apple you don't need anything more than a Dragonfly.

It sorta makes me laugh about the need for large blades when I know for a fact that my grandfather who was a farmer could get by with a 2.5" blade on a pen knife.

I like a 3" to 3.5" blade but not for any reason that I need. Just because. In fact, I have found that larger blades are usually too thick. These days I think even a Paramilitary 2 is too thick. 2mm or 3mm blade is fine. The thinner the better.

BAL · #16

There is more cutting surface to use on a large blade. A 4" blade had the cutting
length of 2 - 2" blades. If you sharpen often, it might not matter as much, but if
an area of a large r blade gets chipped or dull from cutting, you have more blade
that is sharper.

I also use a Military to dig down deep into the ground to cut out thistle and other
weeds as deep into the roots as I can. much od it has to do with the handle size,
especially in the winter when you have gloves on.

The Deacon · #17

Not so much down here David, but back in upstate NY we had some apples that my Kiwi couldn't cut halfway through and the Dragonfly's blade is virtually identical to the (Moki) Kiwi's in both OAL and cutting edge length. And, while the bread used by almost all the sub shops there could best be described as hot dog rolls with delusions of grandure, there was one that used a real Italian loaf.

chuck_roxas45 · #18

David Lowry wrote:I have used a ZDP Dragonfly on a number of occasions to cut up an apple. It's not hard either. One you "half" the apple you don't need anything more than a Dragonfly.

It sorta makes me laugh about the need for large blades when I know for a fact that my grandfather who was a farmer could get by with a 2.5" blade on a pen knife.

I like a 3" to 3.5" blade but not for any reason that I need. Just because. In fact, I have found that larger blades are usually too thick. These days I think even a Paramilitary 2 is too thick. 2mm or 3mm blade is fine. The thinner the better.

Feeling pretty superior about that, are you? :p

Brock O Lee · #19

I prefer a larger knife for food and fruit prep.

Also, its nice to know I have a larger knife in pocket in the off-chance that I (or my family) get attacked by a stray dog, or mountain lion. :)

Thread: Caly 3.5 vs. mountain lion

gph · #20

I carry a Dragonfly most of the time when I'm not at work. At work I have to have a full size knife about 20% of the time for reach and a single, square slice through various materials. My present work knives are an Endura Wave and an Emerson Gentleman Jim.

Even on tasks that can be done with a small knife it's easier and quicker with a full size knife. Picture opening 20 foot long material wrapped in poly by walking down the length of it backwards in a reverse knife grip. Or the same material on the floor walking forwards with the blade in front of you and facing up. A small blade will work but it will need to be more precisely aimed which makes it more difficult and slower.