My opinion regarding large knives is quite different from yours. You forget that knives are also used as weapons, and in countries were guns are allowed only for hunting or target shooting, a large knife is something you depend upon for defense against two-legged or four-legged critters. Probably you don't have to face it in the USA but down here, running into cimarron dogs or pumas or, God forbid it, boars, is a distinct possibility. I agree with you that large knives are unwieldy and heavy, but sometimes that weight can be mighty reassuring!
Different strokes for different folks but IMHO a knife wouldn't be my first choice for any of that. A 3" to 4" blade works fine on humans. Poking holes, even just random stabbing, tends to back off any but the most motivated attacker. For wild animals, four legged or two, I lean more toward a good stick. Five foot of stout hardwood helps maintain a safe distance as we negotiate the relationship.
Given that you need to be close to use it as a weapon I wouldn't think a knife, even a large knife, would be the best option. But then again if it is all you have go with what you got.
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