Extreme "Hard Use " Folders vs Fixed for same purposes . Pros , Cons , and Personal Preference .

[DocJD]

Did you just quote the movie Tommy Boy?

To the OP…I like to tandem carry a fixed and a folder. Thin folder for slicing and a good fixed for everything else.

Makes good sense !

 

[MolokaiRider]

Well, whenever I drop a folder of any type in sand I usually kinda have to clean it up before it will operate smoothly again.

 

[DocJD]

One of the primary advantages of fixed blades over folders that is not often mentioned is the handle. With any folding knife, the handle is almost always a compromise because it has to accommodate the blade when closed and generally it needs to be flat-ish to be pocketable. With fixed blades, you can design and build the handle to provide better comfort and grip for the user.

How very true !

Some folders are better than others for handle comfort / control for hard extended work .

The CS Bush Ranger is my best for this . But the handle might not fit very large hands as well .

Spyderco Shaman is supposed to be great , but I don't own one .

 

[kobold]

This is why I keep a Ruike Hornet and a DC4 in my backpack. Even when I have just the Minichamp on my keychain, I am not underknifed.

 

[kobold]

wrong thread. pls delete.

 

[Chronovore]

It all depends on what we mean by "hard use". A determining factor for me is which way or how force might be applied to the blade. Reaching back to the philosophy thread, here are some good rules:

1. Always be mindful of what you are doing with a knife.

2. Treat all folding knives as if they are just that: folding knives.

3. Any task that would test the strength of a lock is not a job for a folding knife.

So for instance, a defensive knife may be subjected to the rapid application of force from different angles and abrupt changes in the angle of applied force. Therefore, a fixed blade is the right choice. Of course, there are other reasons to choose fixed over folding here. This is also assuming that a knife is your best or only choice as a defensive tool.

 

[Drop bear]

A fixed blade will always be stronger than a folder. That is an indisputable fact.

A folding knife ife will fold better though.

 

[DocJD]

A folding knife will fold better though.

But hopefully , ONLY when told to !

 

[scdub]

Deleted my original reply - sorry Doc I mis-read your post.

I like both hard-use folders and fixed blades, but I tend to only use my fixed blades for heavy tasks that might strain/weaken the mechanism of a folder. I want my hard use folders to be as strong as possible in the unlikely event that they have to be used in an “extreme“ situation.

 

[Drop bear]

Just because a fixed blade is stronger doesn't mean a folding knife will fail.

So if a folding knife can do the job good enough. And for whatever reason you prefer a folding option.

Then that is the knife you use.

I don't think the risk of these knives breaking and exploding shards of metal on to my eyes is enough of a threat to have to have the strongest tool available if I can't conveniently carry it around.

I will let you guys in on a secret. Scissors cut a lot of stuff better. But I bet there are not anywhere near the number of people loosing their minds over people using knives for those jobs

 

[King of the Cheese]

…and people have a real hard time accepting it.

 

[Boru13]

What can I say that wouldn't be wrong ...somehow ?

No right or wrong, just a difference of opinion.

 

[Boru13]

I challenge anyone’s fixed blade up against my cold steel 4max. The difference isn’t so great as some believe.

You're being ridiculous.

Ah ah ah! Fixed blades aren’t all “full tang”

Let’s start with a rat tail tang and take things from there.

Now you're moving the goalposts.

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…and people have a real hard time accepting it.

When you post pictures of your 4 Max doing this and still functioning, I'll be impressed.

 

[Sbs1974]

For me it depends on where I am and what I have available. If I’m out in the field and have a task to do that requires a knife and it’s “hard use” I will usually grab a fixed blade even tho I have a folder available. If I’m in the house and a knife is required then usually it’s a folder, as it’s what I have on me.

 

[353]

You're being ridiculous.

Now you're moving the goalposts.

When you post pictures of your 4 Max doing this and still functioning, I'll be impressed.

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Right on!

 

[craytab]

You're being ridiculous.

Now you're moving the goalposts.

When you post pictures of your 4 Max doing this and still functioning, I'll be impressed.

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For the win.

Infi or SR101? I've had a custom shop RMD in SR101. Easily top ten knives in that size range. The handle for extended use is phenomenal. I couldn't justify keeping the RMD after getting into CPK. It would just see no use. Lorien designs the most comfortable handles.

 

[King of the Cheese]

For the win.

Do you be like:

 

[Blues]

Boru13

You have the patience of a saint. (And good knife sense, too.)

 

[353]

Do you be like:
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Nice grammar

 

[shinyedges]

Is this dude really saying the 4 max is comparable to a rmd in any variety? LOL

I had the 4max years ago. Probably before he knew what the 4max was lol used on my farm and know the knife well. I sold it on the forum here. So it is verifiable.

You have lost your damn mind King of the Cheese

Come back to reality. I free'd my chainsaw from a large maple tree that pinched my saw, by PRYING WITH A BUSSE SOB.

The 4max would be destroyed. Hands down. No question. The only one here who doesn't understand that is you.