My post was really hard for me to do. I LIKE larger blades and wanted to specify a 7 inch range blade, and do still think that is one heck of a good length. BUT I was trying to be realistic and list something that most folks would have on them, not in or on a pack or in their vehicle. Yes things (some anyway) will be more difficult or even impossible with the shorter knife, but it is a knife that I feel folks would actually tend to carry on them and not leave behind because they are only going to be gone for an hour or two.