My personal carry knife, and most of the knives I make and sell are 3 to 5 inch bladed, drop point or spear point knives, geared toward wilderness utility and survival. They usually are arount 0.150 inches thickness. Under modern circumstances, that's what most need.

If you were traveling a long distance, in the 1700's, with limited carrying capacity, and limited ammo, and had to fight off hostile natives, a large knife with better martial qualities and the ability to better process wood might be more practical.

Whatever one's circumstances are, a person's life is generally less difficult, if they're smart enought to adapt.