Two related questions came to me this weekend (which, according to my wife is exceptional - for a man).   I was wondering ... 1) Why is there so much focus on producing tactical folders with blades that are generally too big and of a shape not ideally suited for the majority of everyday needs? Just a guess, but unless in law enforcement or the military 99.99% of us will probably never need to (or want to) use a knife for self defense.   Even if we did, it would probably be more a factor of our martial arts training,  high school track experience to run like hell, or ability to tell a joke so funny that the assailant drops his weapon from the embarrassment of peeing in his pants that would make the real difference in our one-in-a-million chance encounter. Are we so predictably testosterone driven that macho serrations and nija tanto _style_ blades will drive us to buy those _style_ knives over a kinder gentler version that functions better?  Judging from what I see I guess many custom and commercial producers think so.  No, we don't just want function.  Design, grace and craftsmanship are equally important.  There are now many high quality commercial tactical or faux-tactical folders on the market using near state-of-the-art materials and features.   And, it seems that most of the hottest new offerings are still of the same look-what-I-can-punture design that appeal to all of us Rambos.  Not that thats so bad, but how about some variety? Why don't we see the same quality go into production multi-blade pen/ trapper/ cigar type pocket knives?  My first was a cub-scout knife, second a boy-scout knife, third a Case, then a Buck...My grown up scout knives are a SAK and Leatherman.  Sound familiar?  All of those were/are some of the most useful and used knives that I've owned. Certainly capable, but none of which have blades that I would consider to be more than average quality.  For something comparable to a say a B.M. Emerson or Elishewitz du jour, you to need to go custom.  Now wouldn't you just love to see a really high quality production Shadley, Knipstein, or even a nice AT Barr design to replace that tired old Buck or Remington???  Wow!  Drool bucket on, I'm salivating like Povlov's dog just thinking about it! 2) Next question ... Why don't commercial makers just automatically release a new model in two sizes a manly 3.75-4 and a useful 2.5-3 so that we can (as we must) buy both of them?   The larger size is probably ideal  for true tactical or outdoors use (especially for those of us who might feel inadequate casually whipping out our latest mini in front of our buds on the weekend.) For an everyday carry, anything more than 3 is excessive.  The male ego has decreed that we must buy the big manly blade first (especially at a show with everyone watching.)   Then, when we realize just how damn annoying it is to carry to work everyday , we rush out to a neighboring county (never to our regular shop!) put on our Groucho mask and buy the smaller version.   Yes, I admit that just as my T.V watching, speed bump of a house dog still cannot resist the dna-_embed_ded instinct to bury her poops (usually attempted about one minute and 100 yards too late),  I still cannot resist the appeal of the bigger blade.   Not to pick on one of my favorite companies,  but it seems like that with a 3.5 blade the new Styker is an attempt to satisfy both demands.  But if thats the only size, I don't think it does - and a big chunk of the potential market is lost.  Hey guys, why make one when you know we just have to have two?! I guess I just have too much time on my hands,  Think I'll go sharpen something... Mike H.

   I will the second first because it's simpler: most knives are available in both sizes like the BM eclipse or AFCK, spyderco delicas/enduras/ladybugs, or gerber EZout.     As for pen knives, like a small case or buck that's so small you can hardly hold it, if you use it enough that blade hardness/quality is a concern, why not get a slightly larger knife that's more comfortable to hold?     And yes, we do like to get the tactical knives because they are interesting, impressive, and of high qualtiy.  I don't think it really is an ego issue, we men just like our guns and knives.  Maybe it's a male thing, but ask a woman why the heck she wants flowers. Carl.

wife is exceptional - for a man).   I was wondering ... 1) Why is there so much focus on producing tactical folders with blades that are generally too big and of a shape not ideally suited for the majority of everyday needs? Just a guess, but unless in law enforcement or the military 99.99% of us will probably never need to (or want to) use a knife for self defense.   Even if we did, it would probably be more a factor of our martial arts training,  high school track experience to run like hell, or ability to tell a joke so funny that the assailant drops his weapon from the embarrassment of peeing in his pants that would make the real difference in our one-in-a-million chance encounter. Are we so predictably testosterone driven that macho serrations and nija tanto _style_ blades will drive us to buy those _style_ knives over a kinder gentler version that functions better?  Judging from what I see I guess many custom and commercial producers think so.  No, we don't just want function.  Design, grace and craftsmanship are equally important.  There are now many high quality commercial tactical or faux-tactical folders on the market using near state-of-the-art materials and features.   And, it seems that most of the hottest new offerings are still of the same look-what-I-can-punture design that appeal to all of us Rambos.  Not that thats so bad, but how about some variety? Why don't we see the same quality go into production multi-blade pen/ trapper/ cigar type pocket knives?  My first was a cub-scout knife, second a boy-scout knife, third a Case, then a Buck...My grown up scout knives are a SAK and Leatherman.  Sound familiar?  All of those were/are some of the most useful and used knives that I've owned. Certainly capable, but none of which have blades that I would consider to be more than average quality.  For something comparable to a say a B.M. Emerson or Elishewitz du jour, you to need to go custom.  Now wouldn't you just love to see a really high quality production Shadley, Knipstein, or even a nice AT Barr design to replace that tired old Buck or Remington???  Wow!  Drool bucket on, I'm salivating like Povlov's dog just thinking about it! 2) Next question ... Why don't commercial makers just automatically release a new model in two sizes a manly 3.75-4 and a useful 2.5-3 so that we can (as we must) buy both of them?   The larger size is probably ideal  for true tactical or outdoors use (especially for those of us who might feel inadequate casually whipping out our latest mini in front of our buds on the weekend.) For an everyday carry, anything more than 3 is excessive.  The male ego has decreed that we must buy the big manly blade first (especially I for one agree with you almost 100%.  I want and use a small relatively lightweight folder which can be attached to a keyring. I open boxes, letters, cut string, and do not have the nature to get involved in a knife fight.  I want something small so I can carry it in all of my pants, dress-and blue jeans, and not feel the heavyweight.  I live near the city, and people do not use clips...

I guess I just have too much time on my hands,  Think I'll go sharpen something... Mike H. -h-

2) Next question ... Why don't commercial makers just automatically release a new model in two sizes a manly 3.75-4 and a useful 2.5-3 so that we can (as we must) buy both of them?   Good question, and as you can see, many are doing this. Benchmade is going to do 3 sizes of its very popular AFCK! Perhaps they wait until they see how popular the general design is going to be, and then they decide from there..

2) Next question ... Why don't commercial makers just automatically release a new model in two sizes a manly 3.75-4 and a useful 2.5-3 so that we can (as we must) buy both of them?   Good question, and as you can see, many are doing this. Benchmade is going to do 3 sizes of its very popular AFCK! Perhaps they wait until they see how popular the general design is going to be, and then they decide from there.. <snip Is BM releasing a new AFCK?  I thought the BM-800 AFCK and BM-812 Mini-AFCK were the only sizes available.  Are you perhaps referring to the Eclipse? It seems like I heard that it would be available in three sizes. Mike