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You are so sick... But so am I. I will soon have more fixed than folders.
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Going from folders to fixed; locking to slipjoints
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You are so sick... But so am I. I will soon have more fixed than folders.
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Definitely YMMV territory.
I like the idea of fixed blades. I like using them. I never ever carry one. But then, I hate anything of any kind on my belt.
Around town, a fixed blade just offers no value to me. Way, way, way too much social friction. And I'm not going to even think of carrying a fixed blade with a blade longer than 4" around town and in that size range, just much easier for me to carry a large folder in my back pocket. Way, way, way less social friction. Way, way, way more comfortable. Just a win on every count.
In the woods, I only carry a 4"-5" fixed blade on the rare trip that I'm going to be making fires regularly and that is rare. More often than not, I just carry an EDC type folder and that's more than enough for everything I do.
As far as locking vs slip joint... I don't much matter to me. I carry traditionals *almost* exclusively. I pick knives based on other factors than locks.
This thread needs some pictures. Slip joint goodness in the rear pocket.
Case Large Sodbuster and Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr
You shouldnt be so vain nor feel the need to hide your hobby. Dont worry so much about what others think and/or let them control/dictate how you live your life. As long as its legal then do what you want to in life. Plus, if more people carried blades openly these days they would be far more socially accepted. Everyone used to wear them years ago and no one even batted an eyelash. There are also many ways to wear a fixed blade to make it blend in better and feel more comfortable if you feel the need. The fear mongering media has the sheeple so scared of everything these days its pretty sad:thumbdn:. I dont let it bother me at all. I have been carrying a small fixed blade all day every day, for a few years now, everywhere I go from the grocery store to the theater and have never had a single problem. Its a valuable tool for my daily life and I could care less about what others opinions are.
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You lost me at "shouldn't".
Knives are tools.
Knives are also weapons and some knives are more obviously capable for use as a weapon than others.
Big knives make people nervous not because of fear mongering and not because they're stupid but because they're smart enough to realize that when they see somebody openly carrying a fixed blade knife in a context where there is no obvious need for it, then something out of the ordinary is going on.
Sure, on the frontier of the 1800s it was common because there were common needs for it. Sure, 5:30 am in any village store in New England during deer season, you'll see hunters wearing a knife (maybe even me).
But in the subway in Boston? You'll get arrested and for an understandable reason.
We don't live in an "Hell on Wheels" fantasy land. Or at least I don't. Knives have been regulated in civil society for centuries.
It all comes down to context and local norms. If you can get away with it where you, more power to you.
But when you get the urge to tell me how to move through life and what I should or shouldn't do, then I'll cordially invite you to STFU.
Knives are tools.
Knives are also weapons and some knives are more obviously capable for use as a weapon than others.
Big knives make people nervous not because of fear mongering and not because they're stupid but because they're smart enough to realize that when they see somebody openly carrying a fixed blade knife in a context where there is no obvious need for it, then something out of the ordinary is going on.
Sure, on the frontier of the 1800s it was common because there were common needs for it. Sure, 5:30 am in any village store in New England during deer season, you'll see hunters wearing a knife (maybe even me).
But in the subway in Boston? You'll get arrested and for an understandable reason.
We don't live in an "Hell on Wheels" fantasy land. Or at least I don't. Knives have been regulated in civil society for centuries.
It all comes down to context and local norms. If you can get away with it where you, more power to you.
But when you get the urge to tell me how to move through life and what I should or shouldn't do, then I'll cordially invite you to STFU.
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I'll tell ya what though CM, you look like you'd be a handful in a fist fight. I enjoy a good fist fight, seriously, but you would make it less fun.
Love that shirt.
Didn't see your post until now...
This particular shirt is one I've been after for a while. I'm not as violent as I was 10 years ago but I still wear steel toes... Just in case.
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I'm with you on this. We don't all live, or work, in the same circumstances. What may be perfectly normal in one person's context may seem utterly ridiculous in another's. For myself, I'm an attorney in state government. I can assure everyone here that, if I suddenly showed up wearing a fixed blade on my belt, everyone would think I'd lost my mind, including myself! I dress, and carry, for the environment I'm in ,not for an ideal world. As the gun writer Tamara Keel (http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/) says, in reference to open-carry, "There's a difference between just carrying a gun, and carrying a gun at people." I believe that it applies just as well to knives.
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A big reason I switched to fixed is the simplicity. I'm usually wearing heavy welders gloves in the shop. Due to state laws against concealing a fixed blade, I have to carry a knife large enough that the majority of the handle (tip up carry) is visible while I'm wearing a jacket or vest (which is always... man-purse).
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Tis why I purchased a small Hen & Rooster stockman in deer stag about a month ago. I am a confirmed SAK user, but I wanted to try out a small slippie as a regular carry for my typical uses. I discovered that I can get by just fine with the H&R stockman if I want to. It's in my pocket right now and my regular SAK is lying on the desk in front of me.
I do like a fairly strong spring on a slippie to help keep the blade from folding back on my fingers. I have a large AG Russell Sowbelly trapper that has a weak spring and it folds back with just a slight amount of pressure. It is one I would need to be careful with if I carry it regularly. Generally I have few problems with slippies folding back on my hand, but I like the security of a bit of spring strength like my SAK.
Added: I tend to agree with Pinnah on the knife issue although I never liked Opinels and Mora's particularly. Yeah, I bought a few Mora's to try out and yeah, they work. They just don't make me feel good. I like to like my knife.
I have a number of small fixed blades that I could easily EDC. Of those, my Dozier wharncliffe/sheepsfoot Personal is probably my favorite. I just tend to bounce back into my folder rut. But different strokes for different folks. Be happy.
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Comeuppance, you have perhaps the best avatar in the world for a knife guy. :thumbup:
I recently took Craig Douglas' ECQC class (Extreme Close Quarter Concepts). I have determined, for me, that a fixed blade is most efficient, reliable, dependable, whatever if you actually plan on using it for self defense. I carry folders for convenience, fun, just because, normal cutting tasks, etc.
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I recently took Craig Douglas' ECQC class (Extreme Close Quarter Concepts). I have determined, for me, that a fixed blade is most efficient, reliable, dependable, whatever if you actually plan on using it for self defense. I carry folders for convenience, fun, just because, normal cutting tasks, etc.
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Knives are not weapons. Something being characterized as a weapon is based on intent. Can a knife be used as a weapon? Sure but, so can a pen or pencil. Its all about intent. I carry a knife as a tool and use it as such.
I didnt say big knives. I generally carry a 2.5-3.5" fixed blade for my EDC uses. No need for it? Now your just being silly. If there is no need for it then why do you carry a folder? I use my knives several times a day for various tasks from cutting an apple to cutting open a retail package to cleaning my nails and many more things in my job and personal life. A knife of a certain size/length can be used for the same tasks. Fixed blade or folder makes no difference. Its all preference and design. Carrying a fixed blade or a folder has no bearing on whether or not something out of the ordinary is going on.
I wasnt talking about the 1800's. Many people(most males) regularly carried fixed blades or belt sheaths only a few decades ago. It is less common now a days but, many still do depending on where you live. Again, if their is a need for a folder there is an equal need for fixed blade. A knife is a knife, design is merely a preference.
I dont know the laws in Boston but, where I live it all comes down to intent. As long as you carry it and use it as a tool and dont start waving it around at people you should be fine. I am sure if you can get arrested for carrying a fixed blade on a subway in Boston then you can for a folder as well. In fact, you will be more likely to have a concealment charged tacked on too vs a fixed blade on a belt.
Again, I dont know the laws in Boston but, it is well within my rights where I live to carry whatever kind of blade I see fit as long as I dont intend to use it as a weapon. It makes no difference what people think. The law is what matters.
It only comes down to context and local norms in your mind. Laws are the only thing that actually matters. As long as it is legal to carry a fixed blade where you live and you have a legitimate reason to carry it(tool) then anything else is vanity. I personally dont live my life by other peoples ideals or to make others more comfortable. If they have an issue with my choice of tool, that is their problem.
I wasnt telling you how to move through life. You can do as you see fit. But, I just wanted to bring to your attention that you may be curbing you rights for no good reason imo. And, that there is no difference between a 3" fixed blade or a 3" folder in the eyes of the law in many places, its all about intent.
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Tachead, it is not always intent. They changed the laws in my state to basically anything goes, and intent is the issue. But not everywhere (yet). Try carrying a switch blade or even a flipper in NYC and see what happens if you are caught?
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I would like to add too that I realize in some settings a fixed blade might not be the best choice. I dont wear one to a wedding while wearing dress pants for instance. I would imagine someone who wears a suit and works in an office might not want to run a FB either.
Another thing is the way you wear a fixed blade can effect both comfort and how much attention it draws(if you care about that). You can wear it inverted on a belt for instance and then only a bit of the handle is visible as it sticks out below the edge of your t-shirt.
Another thing is the way you wear a fixed blade can effect both comfort and how much attention it draws(if you care about that). You can wear it inverted on a belt for instance and then only a bit of the handle is visible as it sticks out below the edge of your t-shirt.
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I know laws vary in different places and that's why I said "the law is what matters" and "depending on where you live". In most places though, a fixed blade or folder will have no bearing on the law or the charge(I realize certain places like the UK, NY, exc. have strict laws but they are not the norm).
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That's how I carry most of the time as well but, I run blade forward for added comfort(for when sitting). Only the last inch or two of my handles show though because I usually EDC 2.5-3.5" blades. I dont find this method of carry draws much more attention then a clipped folder either(not that I really care anyway, I feel no need to hide my EDC tool).
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Before the law was changed in my state, the closest I came to a legal opinion was someone telling me that a 3" blade was the legal limit. As it turns out, it was actually 3.5". I find actually looking up laws to be really boring and only done if I have to. Some of the websites since the internet because popular are really handy for such things now. But I honestly always carried what I felt like regardless until I started hanging on BF.
Added: I am not someone who knowingly pushes the limits of the law, any law (except maybe the speed limit on freeways
) . I just live life and try to be happy with my choices.
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Before the law was changed in my state, the closest I came to a legal opinion was someone telling me that a 3" blade was the legal limit. As it turns out, it was actually 3.5". I find actually looking up laws to be really boring and only done if I have to. Some of the websites since the internet because popular are really handy for such things now. But I honestly always carried what I felt like regardless until I started hanging on BF.
Added: I am not someone who knowingly pushes the limits of the law, any law (except maybe the speed limit on freeways
Me neither and me too. I do like to know my rights and the laws though so I know I am abiding by them. I am also not someone who bases my decisions, any really(not just knife carrying choices), on other peoples opinions, irrational fears, exc. Personally, if I like doing something, using something, carrying something, exc. and it makes me happy and is within my rights and the law, I do it. Life is too short to constantly worry about what other people think. YMMV.
trevitrace
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Curious what your rationale is for not carrying one to a wedding. I'd think if you're trying to rid some people's irrational fear of knives being carried in the open you'd be more apt to acclimate people you know rather than total strangers at a grocery store.
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trevitrace
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There's no way I'd wear a suit to a wedding...
But you'd still undoubtedly carry a fixed blade.
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