folding vs fixed

J

j.man

Joined
May 1, 2012
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67
I have been looking around and have come across a para2 that I really like. I also have my eyes on the Rat3 and ESEE3. I am going to use this knife for a every day edc and I like the smaller size of the para2 but I like the durability of the fixed blades. Any sugestions? Do these knives compare to each other in any way (blade steel, handel material, overall make). Which would you choose and why?
 
For EDC, the Para 2 hands down. More compact, better blade steel, and it is plenty tough. Unless you are going to pry with it, you shouldn't have any issues at all with durability. You will also find that it slices better due to the thinner blade and also since it is un-coated. Overall, it's just the better fit for EDC. This is just my opinion though.
 
I would choose the one with the most carbides in the steel and the most ergo engineering. Also , which one had the "feeling " when it touched my hand to let me know it was the "one". Just kidding. I say get the one you like the best. It will cut stuff. I promise. I gotta Spyderco Military I have carried everyday for a couple of years now . No complaints.
 
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My advice would be to ask yourself what you're trying to accomplish, then pick the appropriate tool.

What is your EDC environment? What do you expect to use your knife for? What unexpected uses will you train for?

I like folders for urban use and fixed blades for non-urban use. Folders are more people friendly (in my experience and in my local legal environment) for urban carry and for non-urban carry I have no qualms about carrying a sheathed knife and prefer full-tang large-sharpenable-beveled blades. In other words I don't have an EDC, I have EODC (every other day carry) knives, as my weekends are spent in very different environments than my weekdays.
 
Can't go wrong with either, really... for EDC purposes, the Para 2 will naturally work better, and it's one of the most durable folders around.
 
Tactical usage: esse or rat
Slicing: paramillitary
Price: esse or rat
Steel: I like 1095 quite a bit, if you oil it!!!

Go with the Esse or Rat!!!
BTW if you remove the coating and maybe polish it, the esse or rat will slice very nice.
 
Kinda apples to oranges, but still it's a worthy discussion related to an almost timeless agrument of Folder Vs Fixed. If you are not breaking any state or local ordnances by carrying a small fixed blade IMO it's the more practical choice. I've found that with these smaller "neck knives" such as the Izula, Bk-11, and SKYCO Scrapivore plus a million more, that they are more comfortably (for me anyways) carried in a leather pocket sheath or on the belt rather than around the neck and really in my experiences anyhow they don't stirr up a whole lot of negative attention in public when displayed on a belt like one would figure, however I do live in a more rural area so that may not be an accurate acount of what one should excpect when openly carrying a fixed blade .
 
No doubt - Para-2. I bought one about 3 months ago and now wish I had bought one years ago - The P2 is an outstanding EDC.
 
whetrock said:
Kinda apples to oranges, but still it's a worthy discussion related to an almost timeless agrument of Folder Vs Fixed. If you are not breaking any state or local ordnances by carrying a small fixed blade IMO it's the more practical choice. I've found that with these smaller "neck knives" such as the Izula, Bk-11, and SKYCO Scrapivore plus a million more, that they are more comfortably (for me anyways) carried in a leather pocket sheath or on the belt rather than around the neck and really in my experiences anyhow they don't stirr up a whole lot of negative attention in public when displayed on a belt like one would figure, however I do live in a more rural area so that may not be an accurate acount of what one should excpect when openly carrying a fixed blade .
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If I carry a fixed blade in public, it's always a necker
 
i like fixed blades more... but feel the esee 3 is too big for edc carry.
i prefer the range of 6 inches to 7.5 inches total length for fixed blade EDC.
of course folders are much easier to carry, but for actually use... fixed blades get the nod.
 
I edc a Buck vantage pro and an ESEE 3 everyday one in my pocket one on my tool belt. The folder is nice to keep on me at all times, but that esee is built like a tank I have pryed open the door of my truck and snagged my keys out of it with a fish rod when I locked my keys in it once. Im a cable installer and I beat on that ESEE alot and it just keeps on taking it.
 
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