Folders

Fixed blades are boring. They're almost all the same. Folders are much more diverse and interesting. In every aspect.
 
RedLynx said:
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I'll tell you one that I don't get the popularity of, and that's small fixed blades. Like the little fixed blades with 2.5" blades, in their tiny little sheaths. Cannot understand the appeal at all. Carry a smaller folding knife or carry a big dang knife on your belt, c'mon. But to each their own.
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There's applications for every type of knife. A small fixed blade could be useful for someone that is only opening boxes but doesn't want to be fumbling with opening, unlocking, and closing a folding knife each time he needs to open a box (or any other task). Or maybe the person lost their thumb and can't open a folder easily.
 
simioh said:
There's applications for every type of knife. A small fixed blade could be useful for someone that is only opening boxes but doesn't want to be fumbling with opening, unlocking, and closing a folding knife each time he needs to open a box (or any other task). Or maybe the person lost their thumb and can't open a folder easily.
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That's a good point, and when considered that way I myself would probably find good uses for them, as if I am standing one hand is usually taken up with a cane. Just I find most of the smaller fixed blades I've handled hard to grip (big hands) and awkward for me to hold, even more so than similarly-sized folders, alas.
 
Also, you can put a handle on a storebought blade fairly easily and have something "your own". Folders are a little more complicated. Plus, sturdy, take it out and it's ready, etc..

A bigger fixed blade could be even nicer sometimes of course. I just wonder why a small fixed blade with a blade smaller than many folders seems to be viewed with more alarm.

I carry slipjoints normally. It's a big hobby. I know what you mean about a short handle though. Sometimes a short lanyard with a thick, longish knot or braiding can effectively lengthen a handle.
 
davek14 said:
A bigger fixed blade could be even nicer sometimes of course. I just wonder why a small fixed blade with a blade smaller than many folders seems to be viewed with more alarm.
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It's a weird phenomenon I don't really understand as well but I've noticed quite a bit among acquaintances who do like to carry the small fixed blades. Seems you can carry the biggest scariest-looking folder and somehow people see it as less scary than this very small traditional fixed blade. I don't know why either. I guess somehow a fixed blade of any size seems more like a weapon or killing thing than a folding knife that's a tool. I think in some people's minds folding knives remind them of the good old SAKs or their granddad's knives, and a fixed blade is this hunting thing that serial killers use. I don't know... can't claim I understand it.
 
i prefer folders because I like being able to carry my knife in my pocket. I appreciate the smaller footprint. The cutting tasks my knives face on a day to day basis by no means require a fixed blade. And where I live fixed blades are highly frowned upon for carry. A folder in your pocket is much more low key and for me just more convenient. I also really like gadgetry so Im really into bearing flippers and autos. That void simply cant be filled by a fixed blade. To tell you the truth I only have one fixed blade and that is only because I got it dirt cheap. Otherwise im all about folders.
 
A fixed blade is a real knife, a tooth/claw that we were not born with. Every culture on Earth has a knife. Man needs a knife, and a good knife will save a man. Man has outlawed the Knife, so we break it in two and make ways put it back together again, both in defiance and compliance. The knife and Man live on. When the laws of Man fail or are irrelevant, you will know it is a real knife when you can lash it to your hand and you are not afraid of the darkness or the fire. That is your knife.
 
To a large extent it's a matter of demographics. The 1920 census was the first in US history where 51% of the population was urban. That figure has gone way up since then.

As we move to cities, the tasks for a knife are lighter, unless you use it for work. Also the clothing changes. A folding knife is more compact.
 
It's just convenient.

I've never actually needed a fixed blade other than camping or working the sushi bar...
 
bigmark408 said:
I can't picture John Rambo with a folder.
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I can't picture John Rambo in any setting or place where there are more than 5 people around, so his gigantic knives are perfect for him in most any setting where he's likely to be. ;)
 
HwangJino said:
Maybe we should all wear giant Rambo knives then.
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Oftentimes, I'd honestly love to EDC my larger fixed blades. Problem for me is (and just speaking solely of myself here) if I go out in urban areas all the time, especially with the larger ones strapped to my leg, I feel like kind of an obnoxious donkey, even if I don't get any weird looks. As a knife knut I of course would not find anyone else doing this to be obnoxious, far from it, but I know that I would certainly feel kind of like an obnoxious jerk if I did that all the time. I wish I didn't, though.
 
I think the biggest difference between the two for a knife enthousiast is that folders are still fun when you're not actually using them.
 
It is quite simply not practical to carry a fixed blade all over the place here in the city. Nobody gives me any strange looks when I take out my folder, even when I'm at work. If I start reaching for fixed blades I'm going to get looks. I don't live in a rural area. Folders are just more useful. I can pack a larger blade in less space with one.

I do carry fixed sometimes. Neck Knives in particular. I carry larger fixed blades when I backpack. But it just doesn't make sense for everyday situations in my life. A folder does.
 
Why folders? The answer is pretty easy. There are a few reasons, firstly they are more fun. The snap of a knife opening never gets old, just like how revving the engine in your beefy V8 is always fun. Secondly you have convenience. Easier to deploy, easier to carry, more legal (generally). Thirdly you have far more variety. In fixed blades, you have size and grind. In folders you have size, grind, lock, more customization, and just more opportunities to show the real you (are you an in pocket traditional or beefy overbuilt framelock guy?).

Folders do have a few problems, though. Way more maintenance, with oiling, pivot adjusting, pivot cleaning, and washer polishing. Then you have the chance of lock failure, or lock complications like sticking or not fully engaging. A properly designed and built folder should never have lock complications, but it can happen when designs become more complex. A fixed blade only has a problem of breaking, and a folder likely wouldn't survive what breaks a fixed blade. I guess the sheath could get loose.
 
I agree that it's 1) practicality and 2) here ( like some places) place fixed blades in a different category than folders and have more and different regulations.
 
bigmark408 said:
I carry fixed on a regular basis.

Fixed blades are down and dirty tools....folders double as worry beads.
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Great quote I'll have to save that one

bigmark408 said:
That's what most people do...the open & close them, take pictures and post them on the Internet and sell them.

' Worry Beads " came from the Mouth of Chris Reeve in a conversation we had once and I never forgot it. :) :thumbup:
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I don't agree, folder get used more I think because of the people who carry knives regularly, the majority carry folders, I'm even willing to bet the guys that carry a fixed blade regularly, have a folder in their pocket too.

bladeboss said:
Fixed blades are boring. They're almost all the same. Folders are much more diverse and interesting. In every aspect.
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This couldn't be farther from the truth, there's a lot of beauty and functionality in fixed blades, with so many different patterns

davek14 said:
... I know what you mean about a short handle though. Sometimes a short lanyard with a thick, longish knot or braiding can effectively lengthen a handle.
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I do this often with my shorter folders makes them easy to retrieve, easy to retain and can also add to the beauty of the knife I've seen some gorgeous lanyards.
HwangJino said:
It's just convenient.

I've never actually needed a fixed blade other than camping or working the sushi bar...
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HwangJino said:
Maybe we should all wear giant Rambo knives then.
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They did, they all bought those $19.99 cheap POS, I never bought one but was given many from friends an family who thought they were giving a great knife that I had to have, (according to the guy on the tv)

NetshadeX said:
I think the biggest difference between the two for a knife enthousiast is that folders are still fun when you're not actually using them.
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:) so true :thumbup:
 
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