Large folder vs Fixed blade

[cadjak]

I have a number of folders and I keep eyeing these massive, heavy duty ones; ZT, Extrema Ratio, Strider etc. They mostly seem to appeal to me based on cool factor. But, as a usable tool, wouldn't a good fixed blade with comparable blade steel and length be superior?

 

[red96ta]

be superior?

I'm sure that reliability would be superior to just about any folder...but other than that quality, they'd be about the same.

Now you have to weigh the fact that while the folding blade may not be as reliable as a fixed blade, you may not want to walk around town with a bowie knife strapped to your leg. Alas, if you're in the woods, you may not want to bring that folder if you have a good FB

 

[powernoodle]

Like everything else in life, you engage in a cost-benefit analysis, whether its done consciously or not. Since carry-ability is a (or the) primary consideration from an EDC perspective, folders tend to win out. But there is no question that a fixed blade won't have a lock fail and accidentally fold on your fingers.

There is no wrong answer, really. It just comes down to which factors you find more important.

 

[Curse]

I personally prefer fixed blades. Folders IMO should be kept smaller.

 

[fudo]

I like fixed blades, even for the urban environment, but hey must be small or you'll spend all of your time talking to the local police. It helps if they are sheeple friendly.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Big folders are quite decent tools for urban self-defense purposes. You can't always carry a Busse FBM around town...

 

[HoB]

I'm sure that reliability would be superior to just about any folder...but other than that quality, they'd be about the same.

Now you have to weigh the fact that while the folding blade may not be as reliable as a fixed blade, you may not want to walk around town with a bowie knife strapped to your leg. Alas, if you're in the woods, you may not want to bring that folder if you have a good FB

+1 :thumbup:

 

[JTR357]

Depending on what you're using it for & your location....for instance out & about town a folder would be more prudent,but in the woods,camping or hunting I'd always opt for the fixed blade,because NO LOCK is 100%.Some are better than others,but they all can break,then your screwed....just my .02

 

[JTR357]

Occasionally I'll carry a small FB around the town,but I prefer a folder(3.5"-4" blade) in an urban environment.....especially where I live.There's sheeple as far as the eye can see & around every corner.:grumpy::thumbdn:

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I will only carry a fixed blade of any size concealed if I go to town. I often carry smaller FBs openly, normally 3" blades or less.

But I'm currently considering a larger utility oriented folder, the ZT MUDD.

Andy

 

[Roger999]

For use in an urban environment I prefer folders, but if you're gonna carry a knife for self defence, a concealed fixed blade may work better, if you're going camping or hiking, take a fixed blade with you.

 

[avidknifeusersf]

I have a couple heavy duty folders. Theyre great. An emerson frame lock, an SmG and a Seb.

I prefer a FB to it all day long. I had to use a seb the other day to clear out some wood from a small hole in a door frame. I was deathly nervous of putting too much latteral pressure on it and having it fold back on me.

I never have that worry with a good FB. I'm not sure who all makes small FB's but I'd pick up a Swamp Rat HC LE. I keep one in my back pack and one in my car.

Just more versatile in my opinion. I really only feel secure using my folders for slicing.

I feel like I can rely on a fixed blade for all sorts of other things in a jam. The Extreme Ratio seems like its about as close to a fixed blade folder as they come.

 

[JTR357]

The ZT0121 is a good choice IMO,small enough to hide,nice size blade

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

The ZT0121 is a good choice IMO,small enough to hide,nice size blade

I was really considering getting one of that for urban EDC (concealed). That is one tough little knife and it looks damn nice to boot! Gotta love those Ken Onion/Strider collaboration designs...

 

[JTR357]

I was really considering getting one of that for urban EDC (concealed). That is one tough little knife and it looks damn nice to boot! Gotta love those Ken Onion/Strider collaboration designs...

I'll get one eventually.It's just the price tag that's holding me back.

 

[sodak]

I don't care for the large folders, they don't fit well in my pocket. We also have a 3.5 inch blade limit here for concealed carry. I don't know if a folder with a clip is concealed or not (I would think not), but I don't want to push it. I like the fixed blades better for larger knives, although they're for garden and woods work.

The big folders do have a cool factor, there's no denying that!

 

[Capt. Carl]

I prefer my street beat to large folders. it carries better than any fixed blade i've seen!

 

[SIFU1A]

imho its a lot easier to carry a folder (most a ny size folder too) vs a FB, & i have a couple of nealys and a polkawski which are imho the very best edc FB's around, the folders are just easier to live with on a day to day basis.

why? lotsa reasons, ya bend over the blade cants out and prints, ya really need either a jacket or wear a shirt not tucked in (i dont carry non concealed, just too "cowboy" for me lol, though perfectly legal in my neck of the woods ie TX), the clip on the sheath will catch on/tear stuff (i have scuffed a leather coach and a leather seat in a corvette FWIW), when ya unbuckle pants the sheath is something else to deal with, gets uncomfy on a long drive, etc et al.

of course ya can draw them and deploy a lot faster, and no chance of lock failure, of course with the frame locks/compression locks/well fitted liner locks not much chance of this one imho anyway.

for me a good folder is a lot easier to deal with, and i wanted to prefer the FB, but i always go back to a folder after a week or so.

 

[fujita yuji]

Both has its own purpose, feature, beauty, and limitation.
We can make our own comparison based on our own purpose and style
but it cannot be considered as a general law.

After all, they are two different kind of animals.

 

[Elen]

I have a number of folders and I keep eyeing these massive, heavy duty ones; ZT, Extrema Ratio, Strider etc. They mostly seem to appeal to me based on cool factor. But, as a usable tool, wouldn't a good fixed blade with comparable blade steel and length be superior?

Yes, far superior, and not only in reliability, but also ergonomics (unless the fixed blade was designed by a complete doofus and the folder by a genius).