Can a knife be both a REAL folder and a REAL fixed-blade?

Can a knife be both a REAL folder and a REAL fixed-blade?

  • Yes

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I don't know

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I like turtles

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
Status
Not open for further replies.
medcommander said:
Why does a knife have to be either a fixed blade or a folder? It seems like you have created a false dichotomy and by doing so have already defined your own parameters on what is or is not a folding or fixed blade knife. If a knife consisting of a solid continuous material than it is a fixed blade knife. Putting a pin through the handle or rotate the hand grips to cover the blade as a quick attachment method also allows it to be considered as a folding knife, for a folding knifes defining characteristic is its ability to confine part of the blade when not in use.

So yes a knife can be both a folder and a fixed blade, and these two concepts are not mutually exclusive of one another.
Click to expand...

This, in my opinion, is a pretty intelligent answer to a pretty dumb question. No offense intended to the op, as I believe it was assumed from the beginning that it was a rhetorical question. I am enjoying some of the thought it has provoked though! :)
 
Surfingringo said:
What about if you use red loctite on the screw?? ;)
Click to expand...
Really. Reductio ad absurdam. Maybe I should have added "and a company whose business is making knives actually manufactures". :rolleyes:

Folding knives are designed to fold and fixed-blade knives are not. You guys can spin on the head of a pin if you want to but that definition will not change. And 85% of the people who voted (not including turtle lovers) agree with it.

Next!
 
Last edited:
bld522 said:
Really. Reductio ad absurdam. Maybe I should have added "and a company whose business is making knives actually manufactures". :rolleyes:

Folding knives are designed to fold and fixed-blade knives are not. You guys can spin on the head of a pin if you want to but that definition will not change. And 85% of the people who voted (not including turtle lovers) agree with it.

Next!
Click to expand...

I'm astonished. I've never seen someone hijack their own thread before. Wow. Just wow.
 
I read the first post and was going to vote "no" but after reading the entire thread I went ahead and voted yes. I think it comes down to how rigid we are with our definitions of "folder" and "fixed blade". Ok, don't roll your eyes, of course we can be completely literal, but lets be open minded here.

Lets take the drawing that Goosy put up and use that as an example. If we look at that knife in its "bolted" form, it is absolutely 100% a fixed blade. One might even buy the knife and use it for years, not even realizing that bolt can be removed. To that person, the knife would be a fixed blade. Surely we can all agree on that.

So what if another guy bought the same knife because he liked the idea of being able to remove that bolt and cover the blade with the handle should the need ever arise. This guy also uses the knife for years but the need never arises, and he never removes the bolt. Is his knife a fixed blade or does his knowledge that the bolt can be removed make in not a fixed blade even if he never removes it?

Guy number 3 buys it for the same reason as guy number 2 but actually uses the feature twice over the years to pack his knife up to go camping. Is this the point at which we no longer call it a fixed blade?

Like I said, I think the question (regardless of its intent) has fueled some innovative ideas and discussions. No need to stifle that. FWIW, I have no real use for a knife with this feature...I just enjoy watching the results of creative thinking.
 
What would you call it, if I took a slap bracelet, affixed a handle over the first 1/2 of it and sharpened the remaining 1/2?

It's a single continuous blade that 'folds' (around a radius) when not in use.

AJ
 
One might argue that a fixed blade could be defined as a knife in which the blade and the handle ("user interface") remain in consistent spacial relationship throughout all stages of its use and carry. That is to say that they are fixed in space relative to one another and no part of its operation breaks that spacial relationship.
 
stabman said:
I have pivots at elbows and knees...
Am I a folder? :confused:
Click to expand...

While you Can be a folder (or folded), that is generally Your decision to make.
So while you may not want to hear this as the answer, as the saying goes around these parts, "it depends".
 
AJPeacock said:
What would you call it, if I took a slap bracelet, affixed a handle over the first 1/2 of it and sharpened the remaining 1/2?

It's a single continuous blade that 'folds' (around a radius) when not in use.

AJ
Click to expand...
I'd call it a concept, not a product, as no manufacturer to my knowledge has ever made such a thing.
 
I tried to vote for two things on the list but could not so here is my other vote, I like turtles!
Frank,
P\s, I voted no.
 
Surfingringo said:
Lets take the drawing that Goosy put up and use that as an example. If we look at that knife in its "bolted" form, it is absolutely 100% a fixed blade. One might even buy the knife and use it for years, not even realizing that bolt can be removed. To that person, the knife would be a fixed blade. Surely we can all agree on that.
Click to expand...

The only thing I'd be willing to agree on is that the guy didn't understand what he bought. Now if he put a dab of red Loctite on the bolt . . . ;) :D

I know this is really driving some of you guys nuts, but think about it. Name a single manufacturer of fixed-blades who claims that their fixed-blades can be folded. Now name a single manufacturer of folders that claims that their folders can't be folded. See where I'm going with this? Some of you may not understand it. But with one notable exception, people who manufacture knives for a living seem to be able to distinguish between folders and fixed-blades without confusing them.
 
Last edited:
AJPeacock said:
What would you call it, if I took a slap bracelet, affixed a handle over the first 1/2 of it and sharpened the remaining 1/2?

It's a single continuous blade that 'folds' (around a radius) when not in use.

AJ
Click to expand...

Under the definition I proposed in the post below the quoted one, such a knife would not be a fixed blade because the blade and handle would break their spatial relationship when rolled.
 
marcinek said:
I came up with nothing, since a fixed blade is not a folder, so I must be even dumber! :D Welcome to Blade Forums, BTW.:thumbup:

I suppose while we are on the subject, can a knife with a lock be a slipjoint?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's called the Spartan Nymph ;)
 
No. Even the strongest triad lock on my rajah does not make it a fixed blade. I have chopped small trees down with it, but given enough beating the lock could probably be damaged, even though itd probably never accidentally close it my get blade play.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Under the definition I proposed in the post below the quoted one, such a knife would not be a fixed blade because the blade and handle would break their spatial relationship when rolled.
Click to expand...

I like your definition, 42. Might be a little too heady for some folks to grasp, but I get it! :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top