I'm starting to realize something

Bungwrench · Mar 10, 2007

After trying to use and test some larger locking folders to the max, I'm finding something I should have known all along.

Use a fixed blade for very hard work, if you are worried about a lock failing. Use a slipjoint for everything else you would use a knife for.

I wish I would have figured this out a long time ago because it would have saved me a lot of money.

yablanowitz · Mar 10, 2007

I think it is something we each have to figure out for ourselves. I know that no one listens when I tell them that

I often think that lockblades should require a special license to purchase, and the training course to get the license should include a minimum four years of carrying and using nothing but slip joint folders. That way, people might learn that a lock does NOT magically transform a folding knife into a fixed blade, and they just MIGHT learn how to use a folder without hurting themselves. Once you figure that out, locks are like seatbelts - they might save you if something unforseen happens, but mostly they just chafe

Amos Iron Wolf · Mar 10, 2007

But, now the lesson will really stick with you.

I was explaining to a gung ho tactical (in a true sense) fellow I work with that I've gotten spoiled by my slippies. Those thin, nicely ground blades just slice through things. Even when my modern/taddykill blades are shaving sharp, the thicker blades have more drag and require more to slice. He was showing me a way to use a slippie in a fight, but for an ice pick grip would stick to a locker since he would also do locks as well as cuts with it. We figured out my Russlock would do a good job at that task, even though I have a assisted opening black knife. That's when I told him about being spoiled. I can take heavy cardboard, do a fast thrust from the bottom of the hand, followed by a push and that thin blade flies through that stuff in a fast cutting action. With the thicker blades, even hair popping sharp, it just takes more energy to make the same length of cut. And, it's a slower movement. We're also working with the cane and walking stick with movements even and old fart can do.

It's really hard to go back to those over thick blades after enjoying the power of real cutting. Like you said, it your doing something hard duty enough to be concerned about foldover, go to a fixed blade. If you need something to fell trees and split wood, get an axe. And in all cases, use your head so you can use what you have to the best use.

sunnyd · Mar 10, 2007

Bungwrench,

As Amos said, the lesson will stick. If your anything like me(one hard headed sob) you could hear it every day for many years and still not believe it. I had to find this out for myself as well and then and only then would it stick in my mind as fact. But thats OK, sometimes we have got to learn things on our own.

Bungwrench · Mar 10, 2007

Thanks gents. Yeah, the lesson will stick for sure. Now, I'm gonna go buy a new Queen slippie to celebrate my new learned lesson.

jackknife · Mar 10, 2007

Its a lesson that we each have to learn in our own time. Sometimes we arn't really ready for it, I know that at one time I was'nt. I just thank the Lord that there were some older men around with the patience of Job that went out of their way to teach me, and in some cases be a mentor for me to model myself after.

Yeah, in the real world a lockblade is kind of a solution to a problem that did not exist. If that stockman or trapper, or cigar jack is not going to handle it, then use a fixed blade. Men like George Sears knew what they were doing, and they had lockers available to them.

kamagong · Mar 10, 2007

I'd love to carry a fixed blade. Problem is that it's illegal to do so concealed around here, and I don't like others knowing what's in my pockets or on my belt. Hence I also carry a locking folder in addition to my stockman. At the end of the day though, I don't really care. I think it was jackknife who said that knives are male jewelry. Fixed blades, locking folders, or slipjoints, they're all good.

rzwieg · Mar 12, 2007

Alas, fixed blades aren't PC. I do have a Buck 110 but seldom use it. Slipjoints take care of my daily needs with few problems.

mnblade · Mar 12, 2007

Bungwrench said:
Use a fixed blade for very hard work, if you are worried about a lock failing. Use a slipjoint for everything else you would use a knife for.

True. But with that said, I am 38 and, aside from kitchen work and cleaning the occasional fish, I can't remember the last time I've had any sort of task at hand I couldn't safely handle with a folder.

I don't worry about lock failure on any of my locking knives because A) I don't own junk knives and B) I know how to use a folding knife.

The only realistic cutting tasks (meaning not "testing" or fantasy stuff) I can think of where I'd definitely prefer a fixed blade, are cleaning sizeable game (but I don't hunt), and chopping (but 99.999 times out of 100 I'd opt for a saw or hatchet anyway).