Are small fixed blade useful ?

C

Chapp

Joined
Mar 28, 2018
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I've just watched several breakdown and reviews of the Izula, probably one of the best small fixed blade in this category (and one of the most visually appealing) and I still fail to understand their purpose and place on the market, outside of collecting.

Why would you use a knife like that instead of a solid folder or a cheap opinel ? Do they satisfy a particular need I ignore ?
 
Chapp said:
I've just watched several breakdown and reviews of the Izula, probably one of the best small fixed blade in this category (and one of the most visually appealing) and I still fail to understand their purpose and place on the market, outside of collecting.

Why would you use a knife like that instead of a solid folder or a cheap opinel ? Do they satisfy a particular need I ignore ?
Click to expand...

Why would someone want a small fixed blade over a folder ?
A fixed blade can be faster that any folder ever could, a smaller fixed blade can be stronger and more compact than a folder of the same weight, and of course a small fixed blade is still a small sharp knife so if you like it then there would be no downside.


Yes small fixed blades are useful.
 
I find all kind of uses for my Izula2. Sure it won't split 8" logs but anything else I've thrown at it its excelled at; from kitchen prep work to campfire chores to processing deer, etc.
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Chapp said:
I've just watched several breakdown and reviews of the Izula, probably one of the best small fixed blade in this category (and one of the most visually appealing) and I still fail to understand their purpose and place on the market, outside of collecting.

Why would you use a knife like that instead of a solid folder or a cheap opinel ? Do they satisfy a particular need I ignore ?
Click to expand...

For one a fixed blade will never have a lock fail on you. Edc small fixed blades are actually a great choice and can be very comfortable to carry. Also as a defensive knife the in the vast majority of cases they can be accessed faster than a folder.

A folding knife will never be as strong as a fixed blade. A small fixed blade can do alot more tasks than you might think. They can also be very comfortable to carry depending on the knife and the sheath set up. A folding knife is a compromise when it comes to strength, even the heaviest duty folders will never be able to handle tasks a small fixed blade can manage with ease.
 
If you've never owned one, then you don't know if they're useful for you.
For me, it's a matter of convenience using a small fixed blade over a folder. There's times when a fixed blade is a better choice using a knife.
 
While I'm not prone to carrying a small fixed blade everyday, I do prefer my folders in that respect, I still have many uses for my smaller fixed blades. For example if I go on a quick walkabout through the forest with my pup, my Tops Mini Scandi tends to be my go-to. Small Scandi ground knife for woodwork? Perfection.

Or if I'm going to friends/family's place that I know I'll be helping out or if I'm just doing a job around the house it's tough to beat the Guardian 3 for reliability. Having a smaller fixed blade gives you the strength that most fixed blade offers, while being compact and comfortable enough to carry without any issue.
 
I need to find an aftermarket (kydex) sheath that covers more of my Esee Izula2 than the stock sheath and has an extended clip to use for pocket carry . Just say'n.
 
Quicker and easier to deploy or put away especially with gloves on.
Doesn't trap muck in the handle (no groove).
Easier to wash muck off (see no groove above).
Stronger joint between handle and blade; incase you need to hammer it into a wall with a brick to use as a step to climb said wall.
Does not require endless opening and closing to smooth out a pivot that the manufacturer wisely decided to leave off.
 
Love small fixed blades, especially my CRKT Minimalist wharncliffe. Fits my hand very well, even if it is a three finger knife. I like small knives in general, so the strength bit isn't a factor. But, the aesthetics, the form factor, the deep choil and finger grooves, light weight, just do it for me.
 
I sometimes carry my southern grind jackal pup and it is one of the smallest fixed blades I have seen.It is very strong and useful where a folder might not hold up.
 
As far as what I see as the advantages to a small fixed blade, I think you can get better and safer deployment under adverse conditions, yes, re-sheathing some can be problematic, but that's a sheath design problem more than anything else, and can be remedied. With cold, tired, gloved or injured hands, some folders can be very hard to use, and the design features that make a folder easier in those conditions tend to make it bulkier, or have other downsides.

Yes they are also more robust overall, and I think that leads to a better value proposition. You can more easily customize a blade and grip shape with a fixed, and time spent designing a lock can go into things like F&F, steel and heat treat. Also, so far I've not met a folder that is as easy to clean as your average fixed blade. Not always a concern, but one worth thinking of none the less.
 
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