Four inch, too small.

[HillBill]

Hi all,
The general rule of thumb with regards to knife blades is that they don't want to be big, the smaller 3 to 4 inch blade seeming to be the most popular.

My problem, I'm a big lad with big hands. I'm used to using bigger blades than what i have now. I went with the overall opinion. I have a Mora clipper and an F1(both good tools). The handles fit me ok i have no problem there, i just can't get on with so short a blade. It feels dis-proportionate. A four inch blade may well be perfect for your average person, i though am above average so, to me, it makes sense that the blade length should reflect a persons overall size. For someone 5'9" with a regular build, a 4 inch blade will feel different than the same blade in the hand of someone 6'3" with a heavier build, who may need a 5 inch blade to get that same feel.

Which brings me to where i am now. In the market for a new knife, with a 5 inch blade.I've been scanning through various sites and i have a few in mind for your opinions please.

Helle Brakar. I do not like Helles sheaths. So having one made will be a factor to the price.
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/Helle/Helle-Brakar/p-92-150-1115/

Helle Jegermester
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/Helle/Helle-Jegermester/p-92-150-1116/

Kellam Fang. I like the look of these Kellam knives and the sheaths look better than Helles.This is a tad under 5 inch though
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/Kellam/Kellam-Fang/p-92-205-1246/

Kellam Tracker. Nice, but 5.7 inch
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/Kellam/Kellam-Tracker/p-92-205-2581/

Mora 2000, Cheaper option, don't really want another mora. I do like them though.
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/K.J.-Eriksson-/K.J.-Eriksson-Mora-2000/p-92-304-1277/

Zlatoust Hasky wood. What is 95x18 stainless steel?? These knives look well made, this one is a little unusual but i like it.
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/Zlatoust/Zlatoust-Hasky-Wood/p-92-204-3317/

Zlatoust Lissa "fox" Again what is 40X10C2M steel. I Like this knife also.
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/Zlatoust/Zlatoust-Lissa-Fox/p-92-204-1742/

Zlatoust Polyarny. Not sure about this one. It seems to me that the edge sweeps up towards the tip too swiftly
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/Zlatoust/Zlatoust-Polyarny-/p-92-204-3318/

Finally, R.A.T Cutlery RC6. Maybe a little too long, too expensive, too tactical looking and i'd need a sheath making. I still like it though.
http://www.heinnie.com/oYo2p81100445/Knives/R.A.T.-Cutlery/Rat-Cutlery-RC-6/p-92-421-3629/

So they are my options as i see it. If anyone has any other suggestions then i'm open to them.

Thanks
Mark.

 

[gzornenplat]

95x18 stainless steel has 0.95% carbon and 18% chromium (or thereabouts) and in the same way 40x10 has 0.40% carbon and 10% chromium - I don't know what the C2M means, but is probably refers to something else - it might be manganese, but that's only a guess.

 

[Draven]

I'm 6'4" and get on great with the E. Jonsson 4 1/4" bladed knife, though the handle is a bit thin, I'll be rehandling it when I get some leather to make a new sheath to fit. I'm not trying to criticise, I'm just wondering, what is it you don't like about the 4" blade? Not enough forward weight?
To be honest, I'd go for the Mora 2000, at first at least - just because it's cheaper than all the rest, unless you have money to throw around you might as well see if you like the 5" blade before buying a more expensive one - you might find it too unwieldy compared to a shorter blade and find a big/small knife combo to be better, or maybe you'll prefer a larger still blade. I've known people who get on great with a large bowie and I'm often amazed by what one can do in the hands of a skilled user - some people prefer a sub-4" blade for general use. If, after the Mora 2000, you like the blade size but don't want another Mora, you could probably sell it on and get most of your money back - if you do that, feel free to drop me a PM and I'll take it off your hands if I have the money, I've been thinking about getting a Mora 2000

I do love the look of that Zlatoust Lissa "Fox" and the Helle Brakar though, I might need to get me one when funds are fatter.
Hope that helps mate, best of luck with your knife troubles!

 

[robin wood]

Yeh I know what you mean about relating knife size to stature, I always thought that maybe knife length might be inversely proportional to the length of certain other body parts.

 

[HillBill]

I'm just wondering, what is it you don't like about the 4" blade? Not enough forward weight?
!

I don't think it's a matter of i don't like the 4", more i just don't get on with it. I am used to using bigger blades, the knife techniques i have developed over the years are those which are used with a bigger blade. A 4" just doesn't "feel right" to me and as a result does not inspire confidence. The only time i have ever cut myself with sharps was with a Fallkniven F1.

Even in the kitchen i always reach for the larger blades first. They are more familiar and hence, easier for me to use. I don't need to try a bigger blade to see if i like it. I know that i prefer one, from experience.

Thanks so far guys, keep 'em coming.

 

[SimonM]

Did anyone else read the thread title and think it was leading up to Chubby Brown gag.

No....just me going to hell then!

Simon

 

[HillBill]

Yeh I know what you mean about relating knife size to stature, I always thought that maybe knife length might be inversely proportional to the length of certain other body parts.

In many cases i'm sure you are correct. Although the bigger the blade means you have more chance of lopping "it" off..

 

[DoctorSpoon]

Look chaps, it's not what you've got it's what you do with it that counts
Nicola

 

[Enzo]

If you decide on the mora 2000, you can get them from the bay for under £20 delivered.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mora-2000-Sta...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

 

[novembeRain]

Look chaps, it's not what you've got it's what you do with it that counts
Nicola

Thank god for women who think like that

Anyway, I'm in the process of making myself a 5 1/2" bladed knife for much the same reason, the difficulty I've found however is in splitting logs - I tend to collect logs that are about 4" dia, which leaves no blade to batton once the spine's flush with the top of the split. I do think I'll be happier with the slightly longer blade for other purposes too, I just can't think of any at the moment

 

[sam_acw]

I like my Leuku, I've got a 7 inch one and buidling one that is slightly narrower to see how it works. They are not at all clumsy as have some of the best designed handles I've ever come across.

 

[Minotaur]

Speaking as a short bloke, I have big hands too, and I think you problem might be handle related, not blade.

One of the reasons I am rehandling my Moras is I cannot get on with the thin handle. Also I want a bit something between my hand, and the blade. I have enough scars.

 

[NatG]

the kellam knives are top drawer mate- really good stuff

 

[Native Justice]

the kellam knives are top drawer mate- really good stuff

+1 for the Kellam knives, especially the Wolverine. I'm also 6'3 and find this knife perfect for my larger hands. This knife seems to be very lively in my hands and can handle whatever you throw at it for a very reasonable price, and the steel/build quality is top drawer!!!!

Be safe.

NJ

 

[HillBill]

Speaking as a short bloke, I have big hands too, and I think you problem might be handle related, not blade.

One of the reasons I am rehandling my Moras is I cannot get on with the thin handle. Also I want a bit something between my hand, and the blade. I have enough scars.

It's not a handle issue. The mora fits very nice, the F1 is a little slim though.

 

[Chris the Cat]

Do I take it that the Fallkniven S1 is too pricey?
Failing that the Helle range are a lot of Knife for the money!
Good luck.
C da C.

 

[HillBill]

Do I take it that the Fallkniven S1 is too pricey?
.

Not really, i want something a little different though, than what i have now. I'm geared towards the Kellam knives so far, Helles sheaths look a little thin and weak and I am unfamiliar with the steel in the Zlatoust blades.

 

[Nat]

I know what you're saying HillBill, i'm not fond of short blades either. I've a couple of Mora's which are fine for small work, but i prefer a larger blade so I had a custom made by Bernie.
It's got a 5.5inch long blade, 3mm thick, and 1 inch wide with a full tang and a nice comfortable handle

It looks big and it is but i find it's better than a small knife.

So you're not the only one who likes them big

 

[HillBill]

That is a nice knife Nat, i bet that set you back a bob or two?

 

[Nat]

Aye it did, but well worth it.