2019, Year Of The Fixed Blade!

Will You Be Looking At A Fixed Blade Due To Reported Lock Failures?

  • YES

    Votes: 9 10.3%

  • NO

    Votes: 78 89.7%
  • Total voters
    87
  • Poll closed .
There's still rock solid folders that lock up tight and will withstand hard spine whacking on solid surfaces. Even framelocks can. Plus there's loads of other type locks that take a beating and remain locked. I've tested them and I'm positive they're good for what I'd carry and use a folder for. That said I still like a good 4-5" fixed blade when I'm out in the woods, because they are of course stronger than a folder and I can use one with no fear for everything I'd be hesitant to do with a folder. I see both having a future with most people just as it's always been.
 
I'm just a newb, so what I know, but I just bought an overbuilt folder to replace my fixed blade for the woods. I can comfortably and safely deep conceal the folder but not the fixed blade, open carry does not fit in my lifestyle, and a fixed blade buried in a bag loses half its utility for me. No worries on the lock... I did my research.
 
SpySmasher said:
All these lock failures have changed my carry habits, for sure. Today I left my folders at home and carried my Prather War Bowie to work instead.
Click to expand...
That’s right, Nigel. And thanks to your War Bowie, Derek’s in ‘ospital, we got no bass player and we’re due on stage in 3 minutes. We said, “No bleedin’ War Bowies!” How difficult is that to understand?

David St Hubbins
 
Lock failure have almost nothing to do with my decisions as to what to buy or use unless it is a specific knife of some kind that I'm interested in. I doubt I would even be aware of the problem actually. I don't generally look for a consensus as to what I should buy in general. Something looks good or appealing for whatever reason, I look at the specs and think about it, and then buy. Or if I am in a knife store and something catches my eye, I buy it. If I buy something that doesn't get used, so be it. Doesn't bother me in the least.

This year has not been the year of the fixed blade for me. But I have purchased two new fixed blades and a machete this year (White River Backpacker Pro and Bark River Wilderness Explorer). Last year, 2017 > zero fixed blades; 2016 > 7 fixed blades of some sort > it was a big Condor year.

I use folders 10x more, maybe 100x more than a fixed blade. My SAK that I have had in my pocket for about 20 years has never had lock failure. :D
 
All of my knives are liner or frame locks, including 3 ZTs which, if you read some threads, are finger removers. Never had an issue and I have done the spine tap test. A small fixed blade, in my experience, is harder to stick in a pocket, and scary to most folks. I work in a mixed environment of office and plant floor, and a fixed blade would win me a trip to HR.
 
No all of my knives tend to work just fine.
Not much in the way of future purchases any more for me.
However
lately, again, I have had the hots for a little Buck fixed blade. Something like a 102 . . . I haven't really focused on the options. I've wanted one for thirty years; just cause. A bit thick at the spine but would be fun to have.
 
56650A94-669F-409A-AA6F-712A251D0872.jpeg

I’ve never had an axis lock close on me (unless I was throwing the knife into a tree stump). Small fixed blades are what I prefer (when / where I can ).

I have no idea what’s going on here right now. I’m caffeinated and felt compelled to post a picture of my favorite edc’s.

I apologize if this post is off topic as well as pointless.
 

Attachments

  • B36872DE-3BE3-4522-A554-EFCBDBA4AB98.jpeg
    B36872DE-3BE3-4522-A554-EFCBDBA4AB98.jpeg
    100.9 KB · Views: 6
  • 84C0590A-21A6-493C-A834-C1812F2FEC15.jpeg
    84C0590A-21A6-493C-A834-C1812F2FEC15.jpeg
    210.9 KB · Views: 5
Last edited:
The primary impact this issue is having on me is to skip to the end of yet another boring thread on lock failure and say: Can we agree to stop with this silliness?
 
It has just dawned on me that your year of the fixed blade WILL BE 2019, not this year. I have a pretty good assortment of various sizes of fixed blades. The big ones really appeal to me, but I almost never use them for anything. Hence, they are essentially a waste of money for me. But I still like 'em! We'll see what 2019 brings in terms of resources and interests. But I guess we all need some sort of justification to keep buying knives that we barely need. :D

Added: I want to get the Condor Ironpath fixed blade... sort of a BK-9 type knife. Certainly not a costly want. Don't need it for anything, but I want it. I got a very practical fixed blade this year with the White River Backpacker Pro. It is in my little bag I take to the woods at the moment. I don't keep it there in the woods; just keep it in the bag because I would probably forget it otherwise. If I decide I need more storage (larger pack) it will go in there or on my belt.
 
Last edited:
Tommy-Chi said:
I don't know, tell me what you think. We've been seeing an awful lot of well made and overbuilt folders fail without much pressure on the spine or in simple daily use.

Will this effect sales? There are some very well designed 2 inch to 4 inch fixed blades with outstanding steels to choose from.

I'm looking at fixed blades more and more as I wince at the stories of fellow Blade Forum stories about their folders cutting them or their near misses.

>> LOCK FAILURE
Click to expand...
Yes! Folders are done and the ensuing financial collapse is upon us. I recommend selling all folders and converting these assets to the fixed blade market immediately. Liquidate now before the folder knife bear market takes hold!!!
 
I'll be looking at fixed blades because I like fixed blades. Not because of lock failures. All of the knives I'm after these days are in the sub-$100 range and none of them are known for having bad locks. I always use folders in such a way that loads on the tip aren't forcing the blade into the lock face anyhow. It's just a part of practicing good tool safety. :)
 
ScooterG said:
Yes! Folders are done and the ensuing financial collapse is upon us. I recommend selling all folders and converting these assets to the fixed blade market immediately. Liquidate now before the folder knife bear market takes hold!!!
Click to expand...
Funny....I was considering two old adages today - "He who dies with the most toys wins" and "You can't take it with you" - and decided that I should sell off a portion of my fixed blades. (figuring that whoever gets stuck with the job of dealing with my pile of 'toys' could more easily dispose of the folders. Heck, the whole lot of them would probably fit in the last garbage bag to go in the bin before pick up)
 
Tommy-Chi said:
I don't know, tell me what you think. We've been seeing an awful lot of well made and overbuilt folders fail without much pressure on the spine or in simple daily use.

Will this effect sales? There are some very well designed 2 inch to 4 inch fixed blades with outstanding steels to choose from.

I'm looking at fixed blades more and more as I wince at the stories of fellow Blade Forum stories about their folders cutting them or their near misses.

>> LOCK FAILURE
Click to expand...
What??????
 
Tommy-Chi said:
I don't know, tell me what you think. We've been seeing an awful lot of well made and overbuilt folders fail without much pressure on the spine or in simple daily use.

Will this effect sales? There are some very well designed 2 inch to 4 inch fixed blades with outstanding steels to choose from.

I'm looking at fixed blades more and more as I wince at the stories of fellow Blade Forum stories about their folders cutting them or their near misses.

>> LOCK FAILURE
Click to expand...
:) I don't think overall sales will be influenced much by anything on BF , let alone the lock failure threads . Most of the non-knife knut , general public , doesn't give much thought or attention to knife selection .

Unless just starting out , most of us with great interest in blades have already formed opinions not easily modified .

Unless some bizarre new laws or fashion trend arises , folders are not likely to lose market share to fixed . They are just too convenient ,comfortable , and easy to carry . Generally more socially and legally accepted .

Most knowledgeable , experienced users will have already chosen fixed blades for hard work applications where lock failure would be a primary concern .

Or , the next best thing = Cold Steel Tri-ad . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
DocJD said:
....Most knowledgeable , experienced users will have already chosen fixed blades for hard work applications where lock failure would be a primary concern.
Click to expand...
Since my most used knife is a Vic SAK, lock failure really doesn't come up in my knife choices. That said, I want stuff to function correctly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top