Beefy Folders vs. Fixed blades...

I carry both folder and fixed on a regular basis these days. I started out as a folder-only guy. But fixed blades grew on me really fast, and I'm now at the point where I kinda feel naked without one. I could care less about the "which one is stronger" argument. To be honest, I'm nice to my knives, and I have no fear about breaking any of them.

Speaking as a former folder guy, give a fixed blade a try sometime. I like to carry mine horizontally on the back of my belt. You may choose to carry something else. Izula, BK11 or 14, BRKT Bravo Necker, Spydie Mule are all good choices. Make yourself a nice set of handle scales. If you don't like it, all of those knives retain value quite well, and they're all quite inexpensive.
 
I failed to discuss one of the MAIN reasons I prefer a fixed blade.

I have handled some amazing folders that are ergonomically fantastic...but NONE have the ergonomics of a good fixed blade handle. If you think about it, it is really simple. The handle on a fixed blade is ONLY a handle and is not bound to any other tasks beyond fitting your hand well, and attaching to a blade.

If you have REALLY used a knife, no one needs to tell you about how important ergonomics are.
 
unit said:
If you have REALLY used a knife, no one needs to tell you about how important ergonomics are.
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Agreed.

But some folders feel really good in the hand.... plus you get more blade in a smaller package and can carry it in the pocket instead of having to wear a sheath on your belt..

But I re-iterate, when I need a knife to do really hard work, I carry a fixed blade. My woods carry is the two aforementioned fehrmans. Most of the time, a big folder gives you a big comfortable handle with a big blade, in a smaller package that you can put in your pocket. Which is often suitable for most daily chores (I consider work part of EDC so YMMV).
 
I think an important question to ask is, "Will I or do I ever use my knife in such a way that would require the added strength a fixed blade would have over my XM-18/ZT 302/whatever?" I think for many of us, the answer is "No." No, you can't ever be sure, but then again, you can't be sure that you won't need some tool other than a knife when life happens.
 
killgar said:
It's legal to openly carry a fixed blade where I live. And though it took my a while to overcome my aversion to doing so, I eventually started doing it (screw what people think), and do so where ever I can.
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That's where I am now... still worrying what others think. I've had some real strange looks. But I love my Kabars!

I have large hands, so I like big folders. Cold Steel Recon 1 tanto and Kabar Mule are my favs.

Rich
 
Although I've recently got into 3" and below beefy fixed, usually carry a folder in the city, but in the wilderness- fixed, usually in hand.

However, I am always drawn to looking at the Horton or Direwire frame lock folders when they pop up. Would like to get a feel of them in hand, one day - talk about beefy folders.
 
I have never needed the strength of a fixed blade. I have needed more, since knives ain't strong to begin with. I have had both fixed and folder break, and both in the blade, the lock and pivot not being an issue. Also had really cheap fixed blades have the handle fall off. Haven't broken any pry bars. Bent a couple wrenches, though.

BTW, I have as much confidence in a knife lock as I do in the mechanism of a 1/2" ratchet, which I use to apply respectable amounts of torque. A solid piece of steel is more sound than two pieces, but two properly fitted pieces are more sound than I am.
 
Razor said:
I like fix blades, but they can't do what a SAK can.
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I find that to be true, once you find out that a folding knife is way stronger then you really need, there is no practical reason to get something that is stronger.
I like fixed and folding knives, but for serious work that pays the bills and feed my family, I'm going with a small slip-joint each and every time.
 
I use large folders on a daily basis. For the things I have been doing over the last four years, they have proven to be the single most used tools during my daily activities. I tried carrying a fixed blade, but found that carrying an 8 - 10" OAL knife more trouble than it was worth, given the need to get in and out of vehicles, and make frequent trips to town for building materials and supplies.

A large, well built folder can do most of the same jobs a similar sized fixed blade can do, within reason. I can bring enough pressure to bear on the edge of a large folder to get most challenging cutting done without over-stressing the pivot. They can handle light prying while giving enough length to get both hands on the blade if necessary.

I tried using smaller folders such as slipjoints, but they usually aren't long or thick enough in the blade for hard use. I often need to use my knife for trimming of such things as OSB, heavy plastic frames, plastic pipe and electrical fittings, and many other jobs. However yesterday I put my large locking folder away in favor of my Case medium stockman for trimming the insulation from electrical wiring while installing some lights. That thin, extremely sharp, fine pointed wharnie blade is just so useful for slitting plastic insulation.....

A large, robust locking blade folder with a nice generous handle is so useful for so many jobs, but a smaller slippy for those finer jobs is also very welcome in the pocket...

These are my usual work knives..
IMG-20111230-01214.jpg


Andy
 
Anyone remember the infamous vid on YouTube, where ZT's knives where put through their paces?

Well, i remember the guy in the vid stuck the knives tip-first into a log, then gave them a sideways blow. Both the ZT fixed blades and folders broke at the blade. I kind of expected, that the folders would break at the pivot first, but that was not the case. I believe a heavy-duty folder is strong enough to handle most tasks.

My point is, that i have no qualms bringing a solid folder with me into the woods. Im perfectly sure they can handle any reasonable task i can throw at it. If i need to baton something substantial, then ill use my folder to make a wooden wedge and a baton, and go from there.

That being said, i still find myself opting for a fixed blade most of the time. Its easier to clean, more ergonimic and a i have no problem handling it with gloves on.
 
dark impaler said:
but in the wilderness- fixed, usually in hand.
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Dang - where do you go, running around like Rambo n stuff?

PropThePolecat said:
Anyone remember the infamous vid on YouTube, where ZT's knives where put through their paces?

Well, i remember the guy in the vid stuck the knives tip-first into a log, then gave them a sideways blow. Both the ZT fixed blades and folders broke at the blade. I kind of expected, that the folders would break at the pivot first, but that was not the case.
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Is this the one of the weak ZT's?

[video=youtube;Kyl2CGb2N38]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyl2CGb2N38[/video]
 
hardheart said:
A solid piece of steel is more sound than two pieces, but two properly fitted pieces are more sound than I am.
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Good point.

I think that the convenience of carrying a knife isn't just some little advantage, not something to be just shrugged off. I think it is a very BIG advantage of the folding knife. I also think that another advantage to a folder that hasn't been discussed here is the safety of a folding knife. The blade, when not in conscious use, is always enclosed by the handle. I feel like that is a major safety advantage for a folder, whereas if a fixed blade falls out of it's sheath or is in a soft/inadequate sheath and you fall, you might just get a boo boo.

I say buy the knives you enjoy the most, because that is why a lot of us are on BladeForums anyway -- to see which knives we like. I think that a nice modern locking folder is going to be able to perform cutting tasks that a any fixed blade could. I'm biased because I only have an old military bayonet as a fixed blade, and I rarely use it. I just don't really have any uses in which a fixed blade would work better than a folder. I think that if I enjoyed fixed blades, I would have at least a couple more. But I enjoy folders more, because in my eyes, I get more bang for my buck. I can carry that folder anywhere I go, even in the summer when I'm not wearing a belt.

jackknife said:
I still feel the same way, and never really understood the popularity of a knife that weighed as much as a small boat anchor. :D
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And jackknife, since you were picking on my favorite blade of all-time, I will take it as a compliment that you consider the Buck 110 as a multitool. Anyway, when you find that perfect fishin hole and the wind is strong, a Buck 110 and a rope may be all you got!
 
I think for hard work a fixed blade is a no brainer. They are stronger, and most importantly more comfortable than a folder. Also, hard work that requires alot of lateral stress will ruin the lockup on just about any folder.

My logic is that folders are a substitute for when a fixed blade can't be used such as EDC in metropolitan areas. I love a nice folder but they just aren't as comfortable as a fixed blade and most of the time don't perform as well over time due to problems with lock up developing, having to tighten screws etc...

Right now I EDC an ESEE 3 and its really easy to carry if you go with RFP carry.
 
PropThePolecat said:
It was one of several videos on KnifeDealsPlus Youtube account: http://www.youtube.com/user/KnifeDealsPlus/videos

[youtube]yTwK4els09g&feature=plcp&context=C3ae95d8UDOEgsToPDskI_j5nFfGswgvT1DKgvZd_-[/youtube]
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Holy crap!:eek: Now I had this little fantasy for a moment that the 0100 would survive the sideways smacking, mostly because I ordered one:D. Though in hindsight, it's probably not fair to expect that of any knife.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Holy crap!:eek: Now I had this little fantasy for a moment that the 0100 would survive the sideways smacking, mostly because I ordered one:D. Though in hindsight, it's probably not fair to expect that of any knife.
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I wouldn't worry. Remember he said that he had been cutting 1/4 and 3/8" bolts with it first. You'll love it! :thumbup:
 
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