Looking back on it all.

The way the world is made. The truth is all around you, plain to behold. The night is dark and full of terrors, the day bright and beautiful and full of hope. One is black, the other white. There is ice and there is fire. Hate and love. Bitter and sweet. Male and female. Pain and pleasure. Winter and summer. Evil and good.” She took a step toward him. “Death and life. Everywhere, opposites. Everywhere, the war.
George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords

vive la difference!





 
slyraven said:
So what is the general consensus that a folding knife should be used for? Nothing more than cutting twine and cutting tape off of packages?
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In terms of typical EDC cutting tasks, there is minimal if any difference between a small fixed blade and a folder other than ease of carry. They should both cut well and be adequate for virtually any normal task. With proper use, both should be safe.

Most people don't use their knives particularly hard and even the most basic slip joint is perfectly adequate. It's still nice to have a stout lock if you choose to go the folder route though.

As for absolute strength, a fixed blade will always win. It's largely irrelevant though, as strength generally isn't an issue if you are using a knife for its intended purpose: cutting soft materials.

That said, I usually carry a slip joint, a locking folder and a fixed blade. I like having options and use them all without issues.
 
MyLegsAreOk said:
While I DO NOT IN ANY WAY recommend batoning or wood splitting with a knife this is cool. Gotta give you props. I also want to find something creative to dispute his point about "if a knife folds it's already broken", because again that adds utility in the design it's not something silly like it has a pivot so it's broken as in destroyed.
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Yep.
It is not broken, it is just different.
It would be like me calling my fixed blades broken because they would NOT fold, and I have to carry them around with the blade stuck into another thing that keeps it from cutting unintended items. ;)
 
jackknife said:
I'm not against some advances in technical innovation. But I am against the dumbing down of the consumer by an industry that sells over hyped products.
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The consumer was already dumb.

My dad at age 73 remembers plenty of people from his youth with scars on their hands from their slip-joint knives folding on their fingers...because THEY were dumb.

The older brother of a girl on the block I grew up on had one eye missing, because his knife slipped when he was carving wood, pulling towards himself.
That's pretty damn dumb.

People were dumb tens of thousands of years ago.
People were dumb thousands of years ago.
People were dumb centuries ago.
People were dumb decades ago.
People are dumb now.
I have full faith that people will continue to be dumb-asses as long as we remain un-augmented biological beings.

Long live stupidity! :D
 
I like knives.....all different kinds of knives (or is it "knifes" :D) old ones, new ones, fat ones thin ones....to each their own I say and (unless someone is doing some really stupid crap like spine whacking a CRKT CEO to test the lock :confused: ) I am really not critical of other's choices. I was a teenager in the 80s, big black knives were the done thing :D Simple, to each their own.
 
Mitchell Knives said:
OTF knives are the exact opposite of a knife that would be described as a "weapon".

They are primarily toys for people who appreciate technology and knives. Many are rarely used or carried.

Most are $400 plus and would likely be the last thing anyone would choose as a weapon for a variety of reasons.
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I appreciate the viewpoint, esp from a knife enthusiast.
I guess I was coming from the point of law enforcement or anyone (non-knife people, a victim's family, etc) who could see these as nothing more than modern switch blades. Push a button and a dagger is deployed, etc. Not a positive association that has the potential to make all modern pocket knives guilty by association.
I think the same has happened with automatic firearms causing problems and scrutiny for law-abiding folks.

Shotgun said:
Why not stick a piece of flint wrapped in leather in your pocket? It was good enough for your grandpappy’s, grandpappy’s, grandpappy’s...grandpappy.
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That's a good one! Made me laugh. And I guess the flint won't fold on you ;)
 
MyLegsAreOk said:
While I DO NOT IN ANY WAY recommend batoning or wood splitting with a knife this is cool. Gotta give you props. I also want to find something creative to dispute his point about "if a knife folds it's already broken", because again that adds utility in the design it's not something silly like it has a pivot so it's broken as in destroyed.
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Batoning a knife thru wood to split.... for me it just depends on the knife and the situation. But normally I don't need to do stuff like that with a knife. I have knives I would baton with in a second, just for the hell of it, and I don't care if they break. But I wouldn't use a knife I like to do that unless it was an emergency... possible life or death from exposure and the need for fire is absolute.

The broken knife comment is just for fun. Most of us love folders. We use what works for us, broken or not. :D
 
slyraven said:
So what is the general consensus that a folding knife should be used for? Nothing more than cutting twine and cutting tape off of packages?
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I don't have fun pictures but here is what I often do with a folding knife. Notice that all of these involve using the knife in the intended direction to cut things against or along the blade edge. None of these require much force. (If the job is tough or I feel like I need more tool, I'll switch to a fixed blade.)

- Open mail or packages
- Cut up cardboard or plastic to fit in bag/receptacle
- Make long trailing cuts on materials like wrapping paper
- Light carving, shaving, or planing cuts on wood or plastic
- Severing twine, zip ties, etc.
- Removal of annoying loose threads from garments
 
J jackknife Well said, Carl. :)

Like you, I still "get by" with a simple slipjoint or friction folder, and a sheath knife if/when needed.
(Though I tend to favor a 4 inch or larger slipjoint like the Buck 301, or a Trapper, or a Moose, over the peanut size/class.)
After 60 odd years I've yet to obtain a "serious" cut, or lose a finger or more from using a knife with no blade lock.

As for the "Tactical" aspect that is so popular today ... As a civilian, I've never had need to "take out" an enemy sentry, and I've never had need of prying open the hatch on a tank; not even when I was in the military.

I don't know of any civilians who have had need of doing such, either.
Nor have I had need to fell a tree, make a hole in a concrete block or other wall, trim paving stones, or other such nonsense with a knife.
There are much better tools for those tasks than a knife. I've never even had cause to stab some poor car or pickup, or need to pry one of their doors open.

I've never been in a rush to open a knife, and have no need of one hand opening, flippers, or assisted opening. I find a pocket knife more comfortable laying in the bottom of my pocket compared to held upright in my pocket, so have no need of pocket clips, which can also cause a "hot spot" during extended use.

My favorite sheath knife is a Mora "Classic Number 1". If you ain't doing anything stupid, you don't need a guard, (which can get in the way while skinning critter.)
I do have a "couple" Buck 110's. I treat them like a slipjoint.
"Trust no blade lock" is an excellent way to continue having ten (or however many you were born with) fingers. :)
 
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To me there obviously was a major knife phobia back in the 50's, otherwise they would have never passed the Federal Switchblade Act in 1958 and other major BS laws.
 
slyraven said:
So what is the general consensus that a folding knife should be used for? Nothing more than cutting twine and cutting tape off of packages?
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Nope.
You can use a folding knife (yes, even a slipjoint with a sub 3 inch blade) to build shelters, make feather sticks, whittle tent stakes, and a bunch of other stuff the self appointed "expert" "bushcrafter's" (note quotes) who rely on brute strength and have never heard of "Finesse", claim you need a knife with a minimum 1/2 inch thick blade that you can wantonly baton with impunity, and use to fell a tree, before you have a "useable"/acceptable knife for a "survival" situation.
(unquestionably they have never been in such a situation. Using their methods, many would likely not have survived the experience.)
 
cbrstar said:
To me there obviously was a major knife phobia back in the 50's, otherwise they would have never passed the Federal Switchblade Act in 1958 and other major BS laws.
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Thank Hollywood and Broadway for that. They villainized the switchblade.
"Only Criminals and thugs carry a switchblade, so lets outlaw them!"
Typical Brainless D.C. political response. :rolleyes:
 
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afishhunter said:
Thank Hollywood and Broadway for that. They villainized the switchblade with garbage like 'West Side Story' and BS movies about motorcycle gangs and the Mafia.
"Only Criminals and thugs carry a switchblade, so lets outlaw them!"
Typical D.C. progressive socialist liberal response. :rolleyes:
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Please keep the political opinions and statements in the appropriate forum.
 
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