Dependable knives and survival?

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Wildone39

Joined
Dec 17, 2007
Messages
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I have over a hundred knives and I love them all. Knife collecting is a passion of mine and I carry at least 2 every day. I have been looking over them and checking the torque screws on alot of them. Some of them have loosened up and made the blade have side to side wiggle. It seems to me that if I were in a survival situation, that is not what I would want. I dont carry torque bits around with me and as we all know anything can happen at anytime and you may need a knife in a survival situation. So what I have come to a conclusion is that I would rather have a Fixed blade on me all of the time or at least a knife that is Pinned such as a SAK or Buck 110 or some sort. Even on some of my high dollar knives the torque screws became loose ( handle and blade). I know about the loc tight stuff that is available but just think about it. What if you had to totally depend on that knife and there was no way to tighten a screw. Just a thought. From now on, for me at least, I will just buy knives that are pinned or fixed blade. I love my Izula and all of my SAKs, but my one handed openers with the torque screws or other kind of screws that may become loose over time. I just dont see the reason for buying them anymore. Please dont flame me for this because it is just something that has caught my attention. Im not going to name a particular brand because all of them have the same problem, high dollar or not. What are your thoughts?
 
That is smart really, a knife that you can stake you life on really would be a fixed blade or should I say a high quality fixed blade.

Folding knives are already broken before you ever start. ;)

Personally I would take a fixed blade over ANY folding knife made hands down. :D

There are some very strong folders out there, but they are NOT as strong or a replacement for fixed blade, that's just the way it is.

That is my opinion based on over 32 years of using knives.

If anyone doesn't believe me just send me that folder and I will do a video field test on it comparing it to a fixed blade and send you the pieces back when I am done. ;)
 
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Why would that change anything Hatchtjack? Its still a screw and it still can loosen up from opening and closing over time. Just a thought.
 
I do have a Leatherman wave that I would keep but as far as other screw type knives, thats about it.
 
I believe folders are made for lite use. I have never understood the whole tactical folder thing. If your life depends on your knife you need a fixed blade. That being said, i would not stop buying folders. They have their purpose as do fixed blades. I think people have come to expect far too much out of a folding knife and they are just not designed for abuse. I must say i still love em.
 
Im not talking about folders verses fixed blades here. Im talking about pinned verses screws in your knife. I agree that a fixed blade is the best but read my first post to understand. This is just my feelings im not asking or telling anyone else to feel the same. Those screw loosen over time. Pinned knives dont as much.
 
At least with a folder that has a tightenable pivot pin it can be re-tightened if and when it ever gets loose. I've seen knives like the Buck 110 for example with the pinned pivots get very loose over time and there is really no way of re-tightening them. Thats my two cents.

I do agree with fixed blade is stronger than the folder theory. Thats a "no brainer!" But, why not carry both? Keep a good strong fixed blade on your side for the really tough jobs and a good quality folder either cliped to your pocket or in your pocket for more delicate and precise ones?
 
Wildone39 said:
Im not talking about folders verses fixed blades here. Im talking about pinned verses screws in your knife. I agree that a fixed blade is the best but read my first post to understand. This is just my feelings im not asking or telling anyone else to feel the same. Those screw loosen over time. Pinned knives dont as much.
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The problem with pinned folders is they also loosen up over time. ;)

It's still a folding knife in the end.
 
What do I think?

Getting "caught in a survival situation" is a popular fantasy that we use to justify buying all kinds of things we don't need. It's fun to day dream about it, and it's possible, but it's not likely. Remember:

1. It's a FANTASY
2. A thread-locked pivot isn't likely to come loose.
3. If it does come loose, it's not going to become loose enough to matter.
4. You own 99 other folding knives if it does come loose (or melts for some unexplained reason) and it least one of these knives is going to be in your pocket, car, or house.
5. The type/brand of knife you are carrying is going to be the least of your problems.
6. You don't need a reason to buy a fixed blade knife if you want one.
 
vwb563 said:
I do agree with fixed blade is stronger than the folder theory. Thats a "no brainer!" But, why not carry both? Keep a good strong fixed blade on your side for the really tough jobs and a good quality folder either cliped to your pocket or in your pocket for more delicate and precise ones?
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That's what I do, I carry a fixed blade (at least one) when in the field and a folder just in case. I found I hardly ever use the folder though, they end up just being added weight in the end.
 
i've carried a benchmade 940 for almost 8 years now, flicking it open, using the thumbstud for a "wave", and i've never had to tighten the pivot. i have an older zytel ti-lite that i no longer carry, but when the pivot would loosen on it, i'd just use my boxknife to tighten it back up. i'd suggest getting a blue box so you could tighten the screws. maintenence of your knives would be important for survival, too.
 
gwlee said:
What do I think?

Getting "caught in a survival situation" is a popular fantasy that we use to justify buying all kinds of things we don't need. It's fun to day dream about it, and it's possible, but it's not likely. Remember:

1. It's a FANTASY
2. A thread-locked pivot isn't likely to come loose.
3. If it does come loose, it's not going to become loose enough to matter.
4. You own 99 other folding knives if it does come loose (or melts for some unexplained reason) and it least one of these knives is going to be in your pocket, car, or house.
5. The type/brand of knife you are carrying is going to be the least of your problems.
6. You don't need a reason to buy a fixed blade knife if you want one.
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It's not really a fantasy. ;)

Things can and do happen at the worst times and people die because of them, no it isn't a daily thing, but it can happen. ;)

All we can do is be prepared as we are and pray something really bad doesn't happen. It's not something people should dwell on though IMO.

If a person is going out Camping or hiking etc they really do need to take some quality things with them just in case.
 
Ankerson said:
That's what I do, I carry a fixed blade (at least one) when in the field and a folder just in case. I found I hardly ever use the folder though, they end up just being added weight in the end.
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Well my thinking is what has worked for me in my past camping scenarios. A large fixed blade like a Scrapyard Dogfather or Busse Battle Mistress will take care of the chopping firewood and shelter building chores. Then a smaller folder like a Sebenza for the smaller, more delicate chores like cutting and slicing up game, making roasting sticks, and fire tinder. It would be kinda hard to slice up game meat or spread mayo with a Battle Mistress! ;)
 
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I think the common solution is to carry more than one knife which a lot of members here do. Covers simple loss, blade breakage, premature dulling, and even the evil loose screw.
 
Personally I don't like folders for anything except cutting string, tape, clamshell packages, etc. They're ALL too weak for anything tougher. That's why my main knife is always a fixed blade, backed up by a folder for little jobs.

As far as screws loosening up, I've had that happen, too. And it annoys me.
 
vwb563 said:
Well my thinking is what has worked for me in my past camping scenarios. A large fixed blade like a Scrapyard Dogfather or Busse Battle Mistress will take care of the chopping firewood and shelter building chores. Then a smaller folder like a Sebenza for the smaller, more delicate chores like cutting and slicing up game, making roasting sticks, and fire tinder. It would be kinda hard to slice up game meat or spread mayo with a Battle Mistress! ;)
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I like to carry 2 fixed blades, one like a Battle Mistress and a smaller one with a 4" blade or so for the smaller stuff, yes even a paring knife will do. :)

The folders like I said hardly get used.
 
Ankerson said:
I like to carry 2 fixed blades, one like a Battle Mistress and a smaller one with a 4" blade or so for the smaller stuff, yes even a paring knife will do. :)

The folders like I said hardly get used.
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Yep! I can see how this would work just fine! Personally I just like the convience of a folder in my pocket over a small fixed a litte more. Ain't buying and using knives just, well,,,FUN! :D
 
vwb563 said:
Yep! I can see how this would work just fine! Personally I just like the convience of a folder in my pocket over a small fixed a litte more. Ain't buying and using knives just, well,,,FUN! :D
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That's why we are here. :D :thumbup:
 
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