fixed vs folder

My main reason to prefer a fixed blade over a folder is the fear that the lock will fail and do serious damage to a digit, or worse. Although I'm pretty careful with my liner locks, they aren't foolproof, and the rolling locker I do have from REKAT is too scary looking to carry in the city. In fact, that's the major drawback to carrying any fixed blade. I love my neck knives, which can also be carried suspended from an inside pocket or on a belt. Bud Nealy's 5" damascus[Meier's] Pesh Kabz is beautiful and very easy to carry; Brian Tighe makes a beautiful neck knife in ATS 34, and I also have a little Hayes tanto in O1 that is so well balanced it's weight seems to disappear. But heaven help you if a policeman stops you and finds you with a "tactical" fixed blade. The only one I think wouldn't lead to my immediate arrest is a small damascus by Christoph Deringer, a master smith out of Quebec. Although it's beautiful, it really couldn't do the same work as an Elishewitz Phantom or a Lightfoot Predator backup. Those would be my favorite carries, except that being stopped with one of those or a BM CQ, probably wouldn't be much better than having a fixed blade. My solution is a BM Pardue, and I'd love to be able to afford a small Davis or Schwarzer work of art. I can dream. Anyway, in the city: a folder; in the country: a small fixed blade - neck knife size. In the field, nothing smaller than a 6" fixed blade, with a tactical folder for backup.
HJK
 
I like both a lot.

I have been impressed by the utility of small fixed blades which I have been introduced to by Fred Perrin, Sean Perkins, Ray Kirk and Rob Simonich.

They are appropriate for neck or pocket carry and are of sufficient size for most chores.

I usually have a folder, neck knife and pocket fixed blade with me and don't find it bogs me down at all. I could get by with only one, but why?
wink.gif


Blues

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Live Free or Die

 
I'm ready to swith to a small fixed blade instead of a folder (I believe in the small concept). I'm picking up a new Chavar Saucon II satuday. 2.75 wharncliff satin, 7" oal, canvas micarta(buffed), thong, kydex horizontal belt sheath.

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Regards,
Ron Knight

Yeah I'm crazy, but what do you want me to do about it
 
I guess I (typically) overstated my first response. A small, covert, fixed blade does have its place. A hidden neck knife or ITWB fixed blade can indeed be a handy tool at times. My gripe is with fixed blades that are worn openly in an urban environment. Knives get enough bad press already. Who need a sheeple stampede?
 
I love small fixed blade designs and they really and while a folder is more convenient..a fixed blade isn't a major hassle. BUT unfortunately most folks in Law Enforcement frown on folks who carry a fixed blade....It happens to be illegal in my area. After a near miss w/ and LEO at a public event I had to reavaluate my carry strategy...I leave my concealable Fixed Blades at home and carry my Folders!
 
In use, the folder has no advantages over the fixed-blade. "In use" is not, however, how most knives spend their time. For daily carry it's always a folder for me.

For fixed-blades, belt sheaths offer fast, easy access under nearly all conditions - they're also very unfriendly in most circles. Neck sheaths limit you to a fairly small blade and require you to mess up your clothes every time you want the knife quickly (unless wearing an unbuttoned or untucked shirt is your norm, I suppose). Other concealments require a variety of "rigs" that are generally compromising between being uncomfortable or hard to get or not very well concealed. Of course, you can carry a really dinky fixed-blade, and this has its place, but there are a lot of tasks it won't perform.

To realistically carry 4" of blade in an urban setting, it's not hard to see why a folder is the most popular choice. Hardly anyone gives a clip a second glance, yet it can allow you to have a good-sized piece of sharp steel with a full grip in-hand very quickly. That's a substantial advantage over the fixed-blade that is left at home on the dresser because it's uncomfortable, or taken by security because it's "menacing," or which requires 5 minutes and a partial strip-show to access.

-Drew
 
new Chavar Saucon II satuday. 2.75 wharncliff satin, 7" oal, canvas micarta(buffed), thong, kydex horizontal belt sheath.
Click to expand...
Great knife. I would ask him to put a satin or blasted finish on the Micarta though. The buffed micarta is kind of slickery.

Here is what the micarta looks like blasted.
Sniper.jpg

 
There's certainly a lot to be said for the quicker drawing characteristics of a small fixed blade, especially with a kydex sheath. I have a weakness for the classics, and find myself camping and hiking with a leather-sheathed, stag-handled Puma bowie.

For everyday carry, however, I really prefer folders. They're certainly going to cause you a lot less hassle if you're ever shaken down, especially if they're under the legal blade length to be concealed in a pocket (I suppose, come to think of it, that a legal length fixed blade would keep you out of hot water too, just seems more threatening in terms of potential reaction of the sheeple). The other appeal for me is the "gadget factor;" the idea that a blade can be produced from something half it's opened length is amazes me, and folders are only getting stronger and more reliable these days.

Both have their place, as was mentioned above. I wouldn't dare go into the woods without a fixed blade (usually a Kukhri for that matter), but there's always my backup LPU (life preservation unit) folder present too.

[This message has been edited by Professor (edited 17 September 1999).]
 
Seems that everyone pretty much agrees on this one. A folder is very convenient to carry. A fixed blade can't be beat though when it comes time for serious use. I carry both. A 1 blade slip joint folder I made a year ago. Also, a 7" Multi carry position fixed blade. I carry the fixed blade in various positions to fit my mood, or current enviroment.

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Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of "Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning "Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military


 
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