Advertised VS Actual Blade Length

[Rotten]

Picked up a couple of new knives from a well known American manufacturer recently that both had short from the factory blades compared to the advertised blade length.

Before I get to worked up about it I'd like to see what others feel is acceptable

[Railsplitter]

It depends on the overall size of the knife. I chose 1/4". Generally speaking, I would rather receive a blade shorter than advertised than longer than advertised unless the knife is tiny to begin with.

[Stanwade]

I chose 1/8" ..In this day and age retailers shouldn't have a problem providing accurate specs..

[Paladin]

I think we need to define terms on this question. From where to where are we measuring? The tip is one obvious point for measurement but are we to measure to the end of the cutting surface or to the choil? To the bolster? Those all introduce some variation to the mix. Measure to the pivot pin maybe?
It seems better to go by the closed measurement of the knife and then I want to see a well that is pretty much 'full of blade'. Using that measurement there are no variables other than the increments on your measuring device. Most of mine break down into 1/8th inch increments so I try to stick by that. I rarely use 1/16th inch increments.
Well, opinions are like noses or that other body part and we all have one.

Ray

[Rotten]

I think we need to define terms on this question. From where to where are we measuring? The tip is one obvious point for measurement but are we to measure to the end of the cutting surface or to the choil? To the bolster? Those all introduce some variation to the mix. Measure to the pivot pin maybe?
It seems better to go by the closed measurement of the knife and then I want to see a well that is pretty much 'full of blade'. Using that measurement there are no variables other than the increments on your measuring device. Most of mine break down into 1/8th inch increments so I try to stick by that. I rarely use 1/16th inch increments.
Well, opinions are like noses or that other body part and we all have one.

Ray

Folder blade length measurements as I have always seen defined is from the tip of the blade to the closest part of the handle with the knife fully open.

To be clear I am not focusing on the length of the sharpened edge which may or may not be the same as the blade length.

[jerryd6818]

The accepted legal definition of blade length is:

Where a statute, regulation or ordinance refers to knife blade length, the measurement shall be the straight line extending from the tip of the blade to the forward-most aspect of the hilt or handle.

[edge213]

To me. Blade length very important. I I purchased a knife and the blade was shorter than advertised, I would send it back.
A blade slightly longer than advertised would be acceptable.

[peanut740]

If it's a new knife,none.

[RevolverGuy]

It's never mattered to me. I think what the manufacturers do is list the blade length of the steel before the knives are sharpened. Since many require sharpening by hand, there will always be a slight deviation.

[Steve Warden]

I've never measured blade length on a new knife. Just something that never occurred to me. That said, if length was so far off that I noticed it, I'd have an issue. Don't ask me what that "so far off" length is. I have no idea. As I said, I'm not into measuring blade length. But that's me, so I didn't vote.

[Mumbleypeg]

Same here Steve. I didn’t vote. I can’ recall ever measuring blade length with a ruler or tape, nor paying any attention to the manufacturer’s specification. I do give it the eyeball test relative to the blade well, especially on used knives. If it is noticeably short I don’t buy it.

I suppose if I lived some place where maximum blade length was a legal requirement I would pay more attention. Thank God I don’t, at least not yet anyway.

Ken

[bighomer]

Well like Sarge and Ken said I've never measured a new knife but I voted none, but I could probably live with a hair or two, really can't understand a manufacturer not keeping the tolerances to a bare minimum. Ymmv.

[btrwtr]

On a new knife I don't know that I would care or worry too much about it up to the point that the blade does not appear to be full length. If it is noticeably short when closed I wouldn't want the knife and would consider this to be a quality defect.

[jerryd6818]

I couldn't vote. There wasn't a category for "I don't give a flying fig".

[peanut740]

I couldn't vote. There wasn't a category for "I don't give a flying fig".

Jerry

[Rotten]

I couldn't vote. There wasn't a category for "I don't give a flying fig".

Jerry, I would respectfully disagree with your 'I don't give a flying fig' statement. Maybe I'm wrong but I think that if you purchased a new folding knife and it were to arrive with a blade that was only half as long as the images and descriptions said it was supposed to be you might 'give a fig'.

In my case the blades aren't half advertised length but was definitely notable on inspection which is why I measured them. I will say that I have no other knives in my accumulation that have blades as drastically (at least drastic to me) as these 2. Which is why I was interested in others thoughts.

[marinaio61]

I only measure for blade length vs. local knife laws so I take the longest measurement which is from the end of the handle to the blade tip. My knives are all inexpensive brands, Victorinox and Buck, and I believe machine stamped blades are less likely to vary as much as hand crafted blades.

[Rotten]

I only measure for blade length vs. local knife laws so I take the longest measurement which is from the end of the handle to the blade tip. My knives are all inexpensive brands, Victorinox and Buck, and I believe machine stamped blades are less likely to vary as much as hand crafted blades.

Stay tuned, both my knives are from one of the brands you mentioned. Going to try and get some pics up after work depending on when we get done.

[jerryd6818]

I couldn't vote. There wasn't a category for "I don't give a flying fig".

Jerry, I would respectfully disagree with your 'I don't give a flying fig' statement. Maybe I'm wrong but I think that if you purchased a new folding knife and it were to arrive with a blade that was only half as long as the images and descriptions said it was supposed to be you might 'give a fig'.

In my case the blades aren't half advertised length but was definitely notable on inspection which is why I measured them. I will say that I have no other knives in my accumulation that have blades as drastically (at least drastic to me) as these 2. Which is why I was interested in others thoughts.

Trace, I'm sorry if I offended your sensibilities. I didn't get specific enough, plus I was under the impression we were talking about new knives. I do care on used knives. A variance of 1/8" on a new knife would go un-noticed at this house.

[Rotten]

I couldn't vote. There wasn't a category for "I don't give a flying fig".

Jerry, I would respectfully disagree with your 'I don't give a flying fig' statement. Maybe I'm wrong but I think that if you purchased a new folding knife and it were to arrive with a blade that was only half as long as the images and descriptions said it was supposed to be you might 'give a fig'.

In my case the blades aren't half advertised length but was definitely notable on inspection which is why I measured them. I will say that I have no other knives in my accumulation that have blades as drastically (at least drastic to me) as these 2. Which is why I was interested in others thoughts.

Trace, I'm sorry if I offended your sensibilities. I didn't get specific enough, plus I was under the impression we were talking about new knives. I do care on used knives. A variance of 1/8" on a new knife would go un-noticed at this house.

No sensibilities offended here ex wife got all my feelings (well most of them anyway)in the divorce years ago. If I hadn't had both of these side by side I probably wouldn't have noticed. Going to try and get some pics posted shortly.

[Rotten]

For starters I am not bashing Buck Knives.
I actually like these a LOT more than expected to, especially the micarta handled Pro version.

These are both Buck 110s. A Select version and a Pro version. Buck specs listed on their website state they both have 3 3/4" blades. But you can see below that is not the case for my 2.

Had only one of them had a short blade I probably wouldn't have cared but both of them, really. The Select was purchased while on a road trip last Saturday and the Pro was purchased online and arrived yesterday. I have reached out to Buck and am awaiting a response, I know they are busy and probably short staffed and I will be patient.

The original intent of the poll was to see if I was just expecting to much from the manufacturer in that their products meet the listed specs.

[edge213]

For starters I am not bashing Buck Knives.
I actually like these a LOT more than expected to, especially the micarta handled Pro version.
20210105_181636_HDR~2.jpg
These are both Buck 110s. A Select version and a Pro version. Buck specs listed on their website state they both have 3 3/4" blades. But you can see below that is not the case for my 2.
20210105_181549~2.jpg
20210105_181531~2.jpg

Had only one of them had a short blade I probably wouldn't have cared but both of them, really. The Select was purchased while on a road trip last Saturday and the Pro was purchased online and arrived yesterday. I have reached out to Buck and am awaiting a response, I know they are busy and probably short staffed and I will be patient.

The original intent of the poll was to see if I was just expecting to much from the manufacturer in that their products meet the listed specs.

I would definitely send both of them back to Buck.

[KLJ77]

Yep...I would question Buck's criteria on those blade lengths too. Either Buck does not follow the "legal definition" of blade length, as Jerry posted, or they have their own factory blade length measurements. Either way...this is a criteria I will now be looking at and evaluating.

Good thread....

[FRJ]

I would keep them and let Buck know that they have been greatly exposed and that knifers don't tolerate such deviation from advertised length in new knives.

[KLJ77]

I have reached out to Buck and am awaiting a response,

Be sure to send them the photos of your measurements, if you haven't already done that.