Hi guys,
Disclaimer I: This is a very long post, perhaps too long for some, so I apologize, but I hope you'll stick with me and we can have a great discussion if you can spare a few extra minutes.
So, when I first got into knives, almost 11 years ago (which outs me as still very much a newbie, I know
) I was mostly into just fixed blades. Probably because a fixed blade for my birthday from my dad, and at that time I had only limited experience with folding knives. Fixed blades were the sturdy knives, the old world time tested things. Of course I've since come to realize folders have been around quite a long time too, but still.
I guess this is sort of a two-pronged post meant to ask about opinions and feelings on carrying a larger (which for me personally is 4" blade or more, I tend to like fixed blades around 5" which non-knife people would likely see as humungous) fixed blade for an EDC, as well as a sort of "philosophical debate" about doing so.
Because of my disability/use of a cane in everyday life, a fixed blade is perhaps the easiest of all knife types for me to EDC. Of course, a regular one-hand or assisted opener works very well and with practice I can usually close them one-handed as well. But there is no denying simply pulling a knife ready from a sheath and replacing it there is quick and easy, especially if you have issues like mine. I realize that is specific to me and most people here aren't going to need that sort of thing for that sort of reason though.
Back in the early days, I used to EDC fixed blades, usually a Schrade or an old Craftsman that my grandfather gifted me shortly before his passing, bless his soul. Funny thing is, in my area, even in the urban environments, no one really cared (which was doubly odd when I look back on it, considering my relative youth at the time). Picking up a pizza from Dominos or shopping at Wal-Mart weren't really problems. I have a feeling they probably would be today, but I haven't EDC'ed a fixed blade in an urban environment for years, and obviously everyone here has different environments with different kinds of people and we each know best how they would react.
There's also the question of work environment, etc. My usual job is in a high school, and even if was totally legal to carry a larger knife on your belt there, I still don't think I would. I think it would just look too strange/be kind of a weird distraction for students for no reason, although that may lessen over time. Maybe this reluctance means I am somehow bowing to societal pressures or something, I don't know, I guess reading this you'll have to decide for yourselves. I often wish it was just that easy for me to go back to fixed blade carry, but for some reason it just isn't. Yes, to be honest I do worry about public opinion in this regard, can't help it.
In addition, there's really not a lot I use a knife for that a good folder can't do. I just feel fixed blades are easier for me but other than that, I don't have a ton of arguments that make them "better" in my normal life. Extenuating circumstances are a different matter of course.
Part of me likes the idea of less moving parts, less screws and pivots and all the other stuff, and would really like to move to fixed blades to get away from that (although again, no real issues with a well-made folder, so there's that).
I guess in the end, the issue is although I think it would be easier and more convenient for me, there really aren't very many other great reasons (that come to mind for me) to try EDC'ing a fixed blade again, and for better or worse I am at least trying to be considerate of public opinion in this matter, while taking into consideration things like work area, etc, which are a must for me.
In closing, I guess I'm interesting in other users' "Fixed blade philosophies" and how they view fixed knives as not only a tool, but a tool whose perceptions have admittedly largely changed in the eye of the general public, in these modern times.
Is it a form of overkill these days? A sign of greater preparedness and self-aware/assured-ness? Something else entirely perhaps?
Whether you EDC a fixed blade or not, I'm interesting in discussing your thoughts on this matter. Maybe somewhere in here I can learn to EDC a fixed blade again. Either way, I'm hoping for an interesting discussion.
Disclaimer II: Really not looking for this to be some kind of flame war between folders and fixed blades. Most of us have and love both of these, and I'm not trying to discuss why one is better than the other. Simply looking at the fixed blade on its own merits, and how its perception in modern society may at times dictate its carry. Please no arguments between those who prefer one to the other. I think most can agree they're all knives and they're all awesome in their own ways.
Disclaimer I: This is a very long post, perhaps too long for some, so I apologize, but I hope you'll stick with me and we can have a great discussion if you can spare a few extra minutes.
So, when I first got into knives, almost 11 years ago (which outs me as still very much a newbie, I know
) I was mostly into just fixed blades. Probably because a fixed blade for my birthday from my dad, and at that time I had only limited experience with folding knives. Fixed blades were the sturdy knives, the old world time tested things. Of course I've since come to realize folders have been around quite a long time too, but still.I guess this is sort of a two-pronged post meant to ask about opinions and feelings on carrying a larger (which for me personally is 4" blade or more, I tend to like fixed blades around 5" which non-knife people would likely see as humungous) fixed blade for an EDC, as well as a sort of "philosophical debate" about doing so.
Because of my disability/use of a cane in everyday life, a fixed blade is perhaps the easiest of all knife types for me to EDC. Of course, a regular one-hand or assisted opener works very well and with practice I can usually close them one-handed as well. But there is no denying simply pulling a knife ready from a sheath and replacing it there is quick and easy, especially if you have issues like mine. I realize that is specific to me and most people here aren't going to need that sort of thing for that sort of reason though.
Back in the early days, I used to EDC fixed blades, usually a Schrade or an old Craftsman that my grandfather gifted me shortly before his passing, bless his soul. Funny thing is, in my area, even in the urban environments, no one really cared (which was doubly odd when I look back on it, considering my relative youth at the time). Picking up a pizza from Dominos or shopping at Wal-Mart weren't really problems. I have a feeling they probably would be today, but I haven't EDC'ed a fixed blade in an urban environment for years, and obviously everyone here has different environments with different kinds of people and we each know best how they would react.
There's also the question of work environment, etc. My usual job is in a high school, and even if was totally legal to carry a larger knife on your belt there, I still don't think I would. I think it would just look too strange/be kind of a weird distraction for students for no reason, although that may lessen over time. Maybe this reluctance means I am somehow bowing to societal pressures or something, I don't know, I guess reading this you'll have to decide for yourselves. I often wish it was just that easy for me to go back to fixed blade carry, but for some reason it just isn't. Yes, to be honest I do worry about public opinion in this regard, can't help it.
In addition, there's really not a lot I use a knife for that a good folder can't do. I just feel fixed blades are easier for me but other than that, I don't have a ton of arguments that make them "better" in my normal life. Extenuating circumstances are a different matter of course.
Part of me likes the idea of less moving parts, less screws and pivots and all the other stuff, and would really like to move to fixed blades to get away from that (although again, no real issues with a well-made folder, so there's that).
I guess in the end, the issue is although I think it would be easier and more convenient for me, there really aren't very many other great reasons (that come to mind for me) to try EDC'ing a fixed blade again, and for better or worse I am at least trying to be considerate of public opinion in this matter, while taking into consideration things like work area, etc, which are a must for me.
In closing, I guess I'm interesting in other users' "Fixed blade philosophies" and how they view fixed knives as not only a tool, but a tool whose perceptions have admittedly largely changed in the eye of the general public, in these modern times.
Is it a form of overkill these days? A sign of greater preparedness and self-aware/assured-ness? Something else entirely perhaps?
Whether you EDC a fixed blade or not, I'm interesting in discussing your thoughts on this matter. Maybe somewhere in here I can learn to EDC a fixed blade again. Either way, I'm hoping for an interesting discussion.
Disclaimer II: Really not looking for this to be some kind of flame war between folders and fixed blades. Most of us have and love both of these, and I'm not trying to discuss why one is better than the other. Simply looking at the fixed blade on its own merits, and how its perception in modern society may at times dictate its carry. Please no arguments between those who prefer one to the other. I think most can agree they're all knives and they're all awesome in their own ways.
