Could you use just a folder.

udtjim

udtjim

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Sep 4, 2007
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I was looking at some old camping and hunting/fishing pictures today. These are about twenty year old pictures. while looking through them I realized that for at least two years, the only knife i used for outdoor activities was a Buck 110 that My mother gave me for Xmas one year. I used it as my only EDC knife and everything except filleting fish. We usually had my Estwing ax in the truck but on hikes and trail rides, Horse/Dirt Bike. All I ever had was the 110.

Could you do it all with a folder that you now own? I am sure I could do it again. It would probably still be the Buck 110 or the folding Omni Hunter. Until I get the Cold Steel Rajah that is.:D
 
I did growing up, I had a cheap china made knife, as well as a cheap coleman hatchet. I never needed anything more........ than I came here...... :rolleyes::D

BTW, I would use a spydie military now If I did use a folder.
 
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if that folder was any one of the following: Kabar Mule, or Emerson Utcom or Super Commander, or Bushman, or A100 or Spyderco large Manix, then yes I could.
 
thats a good question. i personally do not currently have any folders that fill the bill, but with a larger folder i could probably do it. if i were to pick a do-most-rational-outdoor-tasks folder, i think i would go with a large carbon sodbuster. i handled one made by boker, and i think it could really get most outdoor tasks done. but the main reason i dont own anything in this category is because i like my folders to be small. a medium stockman or opinel #6 is about the size i like for what use a folder for. but, non of these are really good for a one knife scenario, as they lack a good handle that you can really get a grip on, and the small handles arent really comfortable or safe to work with if your hands are cold, wet or gloved.
 
I still prefer to only use a folder when backpacking, albeit with a larger blade. I never felt the need for a fixed blade knife except for hunting or bushwacking. My first good pocket knife was a Buck Stockman, then moved a bit large to a Gerber single lockback, and eventually to my Benchmade axis lock 710. When going on longer backpacking trips into more remote areas I put a small fixed blade inside my pack, but I don't remember ever using it. I guess I only carried it for emergencies. However.... when going OFF THE TRAIL SYSTEM I ALWAYS carry a fixed blade. But again, it's inside the pack and rarely used.

Stitchawl
 
My Benchmade Pinnacle could definitely hold its own for the kinds of stuff I do in the woods. My Mora triflex and 2000 are just so much lighter...
 
Right there with you Jim. First winter survival school I went through, all I had was a Buck 110.

So yes, I think all you need is a mid-sized folder. It's just that I like a fixed blade so much more now. :D
 
i could get by with just the Case stockman that i typically EDC...fixed blades are mostly more convenient and i don't have to think as hard about what i'm doing when using them.

but if i were to specifically choose a folding knife to take the place of a bushcraft blade for me, i would go with my GEC pioneer trapper. it is a large, heavy trapper type slipjoint with springs that open with real authority. the blades both have half stops, so if they closed by accident somehow, they wouldn't close all the way to my fingers in most cases.
 
You could definitely get by with just a folder.

I have a two-bladed Buck alpha crosslock with a straight edge blade and combination saw + guthook. The blade holds a terrific, thin edge, and the saw is surprisingly effective at limbing fallen trees. I used to pack it all the time before I 'matured' into my current 'fixed-blade appreciation phase'. It's a really great design, and it's built like a tank.

Personal experience aside, I think that Anthony Hopkins demonstrated how effective a solid lockback can be in a survival situation. ;)

All the best,

- Mike
 
I have a couple of the Buck Cross Locks but right now I can't remember what combinations of blades they have. I did a lot of wood and Carpenter work with my Vic Explorer as well. It saved me a jillion trips to the tool box. I am sure I could also make do with just a good Multi-tool. Needless to say, I get completely carried away with trying out knives that I don't need.:confused:
 
I think a folder is just fine. I have got by fine with one. However, in a life or death situation, I rather have a fixed blade. For that reason I like to hike with a fixed blade and keep my folder in my pack for when my camp is set up:). Im pretty newbie when it comes to survival skills, but from my research, a fixed blade is the safer bet.
 
Still have my Buck 112

Still could use it for everything I used to.

Seriously, when is the last time a task REQUIRED a blade over 4" or so?
 
Most normal knife chores can be done with a quality folder.....there was a time when we knew the difference between knives and hatchets. :D
 
Fonly said:
I never needed anything more........ than I came here...... :rolleyes::D
Click to expand...

Same here, a Camillus Pilot survival knife and small Cold Steel Voyager tanto were enough for me.

I'd say that my SMF and SNG have two very reliable locks, but their blades are so thick. I am still afraid to really hard use my micarta Sebenzas. The 42 and 32 that I just got in the past couple months? Nah. I have a lot of respect for my Spyderco Military and Ritter Grips, and have faith in that liner lock (one of the best I've seen), and the Axis lock, but to depend on without a fixed blade? Out of all of them, I'd say either my large micarta Seb, or Ritter Grip, for the locks. After actually getting outside and using some knives, I'd go for a fixed blade.
 
I normally don't carry a FB while out on a short hike. I normally just have a Mini-grip, stockman, and multi tool.
 
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