Isn't one of the issues that we should define first what the potential uses might be?

Urban sounds to me like self defense. Knives by definition aren't good SD tools in an open environment. They are more of a stealth weapon in the normal world, wouldn't really make sense to show off if you intend to use it. I do believe they had a couple of surveys done on how far somebody must be standing for another person to pull and rack a gun. In this case size doesn't really matter, you key concern will be to get close to the target.

Nature: again size is not that relevant, never really met anybody in the country carrying a huge knife unless it is a panga (I live in Africa). Actually the price of pangas went down in Nigeria after the last election, makes you want to think about what they mean with electoral support.

Summary would be that we should rather focus on smaller knives but then I think about putting a fat piece of steel between myself and some perp and I start rooting for a rapier.

It makes the draw cut more effective as pulling the knife back forces the "belly" deeper into the target. Some of the best choppers are recurves, too, such as the kukri. The recurve is fatter toward the tip putting more weight there for chopping.

Hmm, mechanical efficiency offset by harder sharpening?

yes i need to sharpen my yard guard

For some, Paul. With any stick type sharpener, I've never had a problem with recurves, but a flat stone can only catch the belly of the blade.

Back to my original question, I do have two "pure" survival knives. One is the Gerber LMF II with the built-in carbide sharpener on the sheath and just under 5" Sanvik spear point blade. The other is the standard issue pilot's knife. I consider the Scrapper 6 and Badger Attack to be superior to either.

you can diminish the burden on your knife drawer by sending the inferior lmf2 to me in NJ. I try to look out for my fellow JYD.

I appreciate your sincere concern, Magnum, but I still like it quite a bit. It's a very good knife. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

gotta love that sandvik. offer always stands, my friend.

I've made a couple of Dundee rigs, if done right you could conceal a Fatty... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

If you've got one that's about 5'8" that could work! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Has anyone changed their minds since this thread was first posted ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />