Fixed vs. Folder Brand Loyalty (Production Knives Only)

fulloflead

fulloflead

Joined
May 3, 2002
Messages
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I've noticed that my favorite brands of folders don't neccessarily make what I consider to be my favorite fixed blades. In contrast, I've noticed that my favorite brands of fixed blades don't neccessarily make what I consider to be my favorite folders.

Some examples:
I LOVE Benchmade and Spyderco folders. Some of my BM or SCs are my favorite knives, but I'm just not that crazy about their fixed blades.

I think SOG and Cold Steel make some pretty decent fixed-blade knives but, with some exceptions, their folders don't turn me on very much.

In my opinion, Microtech makes the best autos in the world, but I wasn't crazy about their Medallion Neck knife.

Sometimes the low-end knives like Buck or CRKT make both fixed and folders that are decent for CHEAP money.

But, for the most part, I tend to have different favorite brands between fixed-blades and folders.

It seems that most (production-knife) companies are really good at one or the other and that very few are REALLY good at both.

I'm sure there are some production-knife companies that make good folders AND fixed blades but, from my experience it must be more of an exception than a rule.

Sure, some make good knives in both formats but most, in my opinion, are exceptional at one or another but not both.

Opinions?
(If I'm wrong, feel free to let me have it. I've been drinking and I'm just thinking out loud off the top of my head in hopes of starting an interesting thread. I can take it.:D )
 
Humans aren't supposed to be specialized animals, but we do tend to do some things better than others as individuals. But when you go to high-end knife companies, you should find good fixed and folders.

Chris Reeve has outstanding design and manufacture on both. Strider has, too. Both companies are semi-custom to some extent.

How about Buck and Camillus? Long-time reputation for many models of fixed and folding knives.
 
fulloflead,

My friend, you are NOT wrong... Oh, there are exceptions to the "rule," and I think Cold Steel and Ontario are two of them... Today we live in an age of extreme specialization. Matters not whether it's firearms, vehicles, computers, or blades... Most manufacturers major on a particular style or design, making that, their "bread and butter." In my case, I like Benchmade auto knives, but am not impressed with the rest of their line. Ontario's Bagwell Hell's Belle is my favorite blade of all, but they also make great field and combat blades that are affordable for anyone desiring a great blade for the price. Their SP-18 Frontiersman and SPAX also come to mind. They are the largest supplier of knives to the U.S. Military. My favorite folders are from CRKT... The other exception for me, is Cold Steel... I like their Voyager folders, Gurkha Kukri, their San Mai Magnum Tantos(II and XII), and their swords (Imperial Double-Edged Katana and Grosse {Langen} Messer)... If you want weapons that are slightly outside of the box, their War Hammer, Battle Axe, Mace, Bad Axe, and Spetsnaz Entrenching tool, are a true delight. As far as I can tell, Cold Steel really can do it all... But as I said, they're one of the few exceptions... Gerber, I think, makes the best multi-type tool, the 800. I guess it boils down to five blade companies for me, and I'm a happy camper: Ontario, CRKT, Cold Steel, Benchmade and Gerber. If I can't get what I want from those five companies, I don't need it.

Have a great weekend.

Regards and Respects,
Carter, oldpaladin, out...
 
For folders, I pretty much stick to Spyderco (their stainless models), with a Cold Steel Vaquero Grande, X2 Voyager, and 5 inch Gunsite tossed in for good measure.

For fixed-blade, I like the Spyderco Temperance alot, but I like the Camillus CUDA CQB-1 even better...Now if only Spyderco would make a larger version of the Temperance or the Fred Perrin model...
 
Folders : only Sebenza and SNG, they have proven themselves to me

Fixed : Busse, Dozier and Strider

I have some other brands to mention, but those I mentioned are the ones I know I would trust my life with.
 
Camillus:
fixed- OVB/Fisk Bowies
Folder- CUDA Maxx 5.5, Aftermath, Dominator

Yeah, I know that they are collaborations from noted knifemakers, but bang for the buck, they cannot be beat.
 
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