Are small fixed blade useful ?

Head on over to the Traditionals forum and take a look at the Bird & Trout thread, and also Horsewright's threads (he's both a very talented fixed blade maker and a rancher).

My feeling is that a folder is a convenience, either to conceal it or to break it down into a more convenient carry. If you can forego these needs a fixed blade, large or small is preferable.

These are two of my customs that get a lot of time out of the stable.
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There are threads where people say that the only thing that they take to their hiking trips is a folder.
Then there are threads where some people say they wouldn't take a folder even to an office.
Apples and oranges. :)
 
OP, your question is like you'd ask:
Is a knife useful?

Answer: It is.

Some likes folder, other likes fixed blade.
Fixed blade is always sturdier than any folder.
And it carries as well as any folder.
 
mwhich50 said:
I really, really like my TDI. The sheath is so loose, that I don't feel it is safe. I heard they are all loose. Maybe I should spring for a custom sheath?
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My sheath is pretty secure. There is a drop of rattle if I shake it but it snaps in there good.
 
Hickory n steel said:
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.
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They are, but there is not "no downside." The down side is the obvious one, that for a folder and a fixed of the same OAL, the fixed will have a shorter blade.
 
Adam Buttry said:
"Are small fixed blades useful?".........Absolutely! Some of my favorite blades to make, use and carry!

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Damn that's nice! I'd use the crap out of it!
 
Smallish knives are useful for practical reasons.
Notably when there are restrictions or PC considerations.
As for real usage, IMO it had better be sharp knife and wide...
And best leave the all the chopping motion to others if it's the only knife available.
 
AntDog said:
Chopping and batoning? I'm sorry but I lol'd. (This IS still a 3.25" blade we're talking about)
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I forgot to add three words: "in a pinch". Yes, my belt-knives (wish I'd had my Strongarm then) would have done better but the BK11 was all I had at the time. And the small size of the branches I was working with helped as well. Plus, I choked down on the butt end which gave it a little chopping power. I do agree with a normal grip of the entire handle portion, chopping of any kind would get nowhere. I'll be honest, I LOLed at the idea before attempting it.
 
There is one reason for EDC'ing a folder. its convenience. Youre making a compromise in other areas just as with anything else in life there is no free ride. its sure is a lot easier to just clip a folder to your pocket and for most people the compromise in strength is acceptable and never really noticed as a loss. plus folders are fun to play with and have a coolness factor especially nowadays with so many choices out there.

carrying a fixed blade takes more commitment and planning as an EDC just like carrying a firearm everyday takes commitment that most cant be bothered with .
 
I exclusively carry small fixed blades. My Tops MSK or Bradford Guardian 3 are always with me. Sometimes I am in places where a knife clipped to a pocket would be frowned upon so a knife hidden in my pocket is ideal.
 
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I'll be the first to admit that while I always liked small fixed blades, I hated carrying them. I just don't like anything attached to my belt and couldn't find a convenient way to carry one.
A few years ago I found a leather pocket sheath and now I carry small fixed blades all the time.
An Izula ( with the handle scales) fits perfectly in this one and you don't even know it's in your pocket.
The beauty of this particular sheath is that you can put folders like a Buck 110 in it too.


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I personally don’t care for fixed blades under 3” but I have given three Izula2s for graduation gifts and the guys absolutely love them.
Two of the three knives went on a week long backpacking trip in the Rockies before heading off to college.
 
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