making the move from folders to fixed blades

shootist16

shootist16

knife law moderator
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Is it just me or do fixed blades seem to be gaining in popularity. I know they are with me anyway. Lets face it, there are only so many 4" folders that one needs. Thats not to say that I am not interested in folders, I just believe I will be shifting my focus to fixed blades.

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"Those who trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
 
I have been thinking this myself. A professor of mine carries a Grohmann bird and trout knife- a slim 3.something inch blade. I was really intrigued by it. I carry my AFCK daily, but I really liked that small belt knife. Consequently, I am making myself a few small belt knives and I imagine I will produce one that will replace my AFCK.
Its not that I don't like my AFCK, but fixed blades are stronger...

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"Come What May..."
 
Fixed blades have ALWAYS been popular with knife USERS.
If you get your knife stuff from the Web, it is gonna be skewed. We are, largely, armchair knife people.
Folders are for people who don't have the room (or need) for fixed blades.
Given the choice, real knife users, will use a fixed blade.
Think about it.....a folder is, simply, a fixed blade with a hinge to make the knife more portable.

Can't wait for the responses....
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BrianWE

I don't want to be right all the time......I just want US to be right more often.
 
Nah, Jerry.....LOTS of escape clauses there.

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Here's another one :



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BrianWE

I don't want to be right all the time......I just want US to be right more often.
 
I have noticed this too but I havent coaught on yet I still stay with folders I just love em.....
 
Brian,I fish for a living and use knives daily.Often for uninterupted hours on end.They fall into 2 catagories,seafood processing and everything else.The first catagory is all fixed blades and too specialized and/or cumbersome to carry.The second catagory is why I always carry a knife,up till now always a folding knife,for safety reasons.Falling down is not uncommon on a fishing boat.Just this last monday a friend of mine was airlifted off of his boat with a ruptured spleen,a large wave hit the boat and he fell into a doorknob.I am new to this site (and the internet in general) and I am learning a lot.2 months ago I had never heard of neck knives or kydex.A stainless neckknife with a kydex sheath might be right up my alley.Regards,mad cow
 
My feelings exactly, and I actually started to carry fixed blades on a regular basis about a year ago -- often I'll have both, a larger fixed blade and then a smallish folder or even a small fixed like a Kerver. There is nothing like a fixed blade.

I love folders too, and they sure appeal to the both high tech gadget and the nostalgic side of my tastes; but I am always drawn to the fixed blades.

I forgot to add that I think those Grohmann knives are great pieces, both the R1 and R2 (bird and trout).

Tom

[This message has been edited by Tom Marshman (edited 02-11-2000).]
 
I've gone through precisely the reverse process. I've always favoured fixed blades because of their superior strength,[no lock to wear out or give out or adjust] not to mention the fact that they look and feel great and are more readily available at better prices than folders with roughly similar features. Some great bangers rarely if ever do folders now [eg, Wally Hayes]But a person needs and can use only so many fixed blades, as my wife never tires of telling me. Worse, it is tough to justify [to others] carrying a fixed blade in the city, and those designed for convenient carry, like neck knives and IWB carries, although effective, leave me uneasy because they risk the serious ire of the constabulary if they are revealed or discovered, whatever the actual law might be. Folders are more convenient and justifiable (maybe) so I've gone back to acquiring or ordering some select Gent's folders. Plus, advances in locks and materials {Talonite, Infi maybe) mean something new may be available in a nondress folder, so I'm waiting on those.
But the lines of those fixed blades, the temper line, the incredible variety available...they'll always be a temptation!
 
I wouldn't say that "Fixed Blades are Hot". I would say that "Function and Usability is Hot".

The strongest most useful of folders and fixed blade knives are very hot, because they are very functional.

However, I think fuction will always be important to serious knife users. Therefore I predict that the strongest most useful folders and fixed blades will always be hot.



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Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

BG-42 is now an option

griffithknives.com
GriffithKN@aol.com
Griffith Knives Forum
 
While I carry folders for the convenience of carry and the sake of Sheeple(BLASPHEMY!!!
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), I like the idea of a small to medium belt knife for daily carry.
There are some really great knives in this category to be had with first rate carry systems that make them viable choices.
God, I would love to carry some of these great fixed blades like the Spyderco Moran or Fallkniven's S-1 and F-1 or the Nimravus' to work and out in urban type settings, but nowadays all it takes is one hoplophobic or Belenophobic jerk to call the police and it's hassle time. I don't need that, so I stick with folders until I get into a more rural setting. Of course one of my folders is now a Sifu, but ya gotta draw the line with these Sheeple somewhere, now, don'tcha?
Sad, but true.
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If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid!

[This message has been edited by misque (edited 02-11-2000).]
 
I agree, FB's get a lot of press lately. I'd love to start buying them. My big issue with them however is it seems that you can't carry them in public most places. I'm in Mass and the law, I think, says any blade carried in the 'locked position' is illegal. Double edges are illegal, and with all the swedges and spear points etc, it would easy for the LEO's and sheeple to misinterpret the law, again leading to hassle. I may be saying the same as everyone else already did, but I am paranoid about getting hassled in public.

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A knife is by default a tool, it's only a weapon when a human chooses to make it so.

 
I've recently seen some very nice FBs on custom makers websites. Not only does the FB provide greater strength, and quick draw, but they are also much more affordable. As mentioned by Kellster, I am worried about laws and such. In Seattle one cannot carry a FB. The only time I would be able to carry a FB is if I went camping or something, outside of the city. That leaves me with folders...but damn there are a lot of nice folders out there too!

~Mitch
 
Taking stock, I see that nine of my last ten purchases have been fixed blades!While I do not think folders are in a "slump", there is so much variety out there in fixed blades that it is a natural refuge when we begin to get a little jaded.Examples: Finnish Marttine Puukko, Bruseletto (Norway), Fallkniven F1, Wolf Pup,CS Culloden and Peacekeeper II, Big Country Kampr.When something I can afford comes along in the way of a folder that strikes my fancy, I'll jump back in a flash, but for now I'm happy! I do think manufacturers of folders need to look at the prices on some of their better stuff,to see if they fit the average guy's wallet (the Kampr was $99, the others less).BTW, I do carry most of these fixed blades occasionally on the weekend,discreetly. It's not that big a deal here, if you use a little care.

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AKTI Member #A000934
"Always just one knife short of perfection!"
 
The 350+ employees at my full time job provide me with plenty of usefull feedback with my knife designs. Many of these people are outdoor enthusiasts and testing and evaluating knives of this type has proven VERY usefull!
Lately, feedback from the non knife, gun banning, anti-hunting, OH MY GOD what is that on your belt crowd has been very usefull!!
I have found that just by adding some colorfull handle material, and otherwise intimidating knife can suddenly become very politically correct!
I see a growing demand for non tactical looking tacticals, fancier utilities, and just and all around upscaling of these types of knives.
Since the sheaths are what shows the most with these knives, I also see the demand for those materials changing. I am getting more requests for colored Kydex and Concelex. It also seems that customers are more concerned about the apearance of my leather sheaths, I havn't made a simple, plain one in a long time!!
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Neil

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Blackwood Knives
More knives in stock soon!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
That's a fantastic idea those knifephobes had!! Why didn't we consider that before? Maybe BF can help those of us who'd love to carry our monster bowies etc by issuing amiable stickers to dress up the handles: how about these?
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, Reminds me of Ghostbusters where they were menaced by a giant smiling marshmellow man
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Actually, Doc, I think you're quite right. The more decorated and fancy the knife the less threatening or dangerous it's likely to be perceived as being. That applies to folders too, which is why when I think I might have a problem in the city I don't wear the "black tactical efficient ripper sucking wound killers" but instead the "exquisite elegant it's-a-work-of-art" type. Dressing up a folder not only makes it more palatable to the public, it really is artistic. But there is also, at least to me, great art and elegence in the design and execution of a great "tactical-killer" knife, like a Polkowski or an Elishewitz, to name but two. But you may be in trouble if you wear one. I'd rather wear a neck knife than a necklace, not because it's my intent to attack someone, but because I think the knife itself, from the heat treat to the sharpening, is an expression of art, craftsmanship and history too: a beautiful creation,
I have a miniature damascus tanto on order from Michael Sheppard so I'm putting the Dr.'s theory to the test. Now I'm hoping that the Sheppard won't land me in jail, because it's very pretty and even the sheeple should be able to appreciate it. But if I wore a little unadorned neck knife by Hayes or Polkowski in the City, which are also beautiful, but not in a way sheeple would appreciate, I might be practising law from inside a jail cell for a while.
 
Mad Cow -

Having been riding bikes on and off road for the last 12 years - I always had the same problem with guns.

carrying a big gun IWB - can be very dangerous if one falls off - mainly because you are very likely to hit the road back first - i.e. on your behind - and having a gun at the impact point can result in severe trauma to the area including a fractured hip bone - not nice.

then I found out about shoulder holsters - great solution and also allows accessibility while sitting, lying and in all kind of positions.

there are many knife carrying methods that include the shoulder / under the arm pit position via a harness

try them - and you will find out a whole new way of using your blades in a safe way.

hope this helps.
 
In the urban or office setting I'm usually in, I carry a folder. I usually carry a really small folder like a Victorinox Classic because with the cellphone, pager, id badge, etc. I just don't want to carry extra weight. On occasion, I will carry a larger knife like a Spyderco Wegner. In a more rural setting, I will carry a multi-tool, maybe a folder, and typically a 3.5-5 inch fixed blade. For food prep, fish cleaning, etc. fixed blades are easier for me to keep clean. I agree with the comments regarding the lower threat factor of folders vs. fixed blades and think this is particularly true in urban settings but find it less a factor on camping or canoeing trips. While on a daily basis I carry a folder much more frequently than a fixed blade, I have more fixed blades - I just like them. I like their simplicity and find that for me, in general, they have larger and more comfortable handles for the times I really get to use and enjoy a knife.
 
I have to admit all my purchases for the last six months have been fixed blades. I went through the process of finding the "perfect" folder which to me is one with the a sure grip and reliable lock -- in other words similar to a good FB. Now, with the RL Carnivore, BM pinnacle, SpeedTech Synergy, I don't see a folder in the horizon unless Spyderco releases it's secret "in-house" lock sometime around Blade.

Fixed blades definitely have advantages -- besides being less costly -- ease of access and generally greater strength and reliability (no folding parts).

However, like my fellow Bostonian, Kellster, a FB is a no-no. However, I have chosen to push it a bit by carrying a small FB that can be pocket carried or discreetly IWB. But being sub 3" blade length knives. I think I can "explain" it away.

I also agree with Dr. Lathe that different scales may help reduce the automatic antipathy of some non-knife folks. For this same reason, I have been pushing/asking for "other than black" scales for tactical folders all last year. (The Blue BF Native was great example.
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)

So far this year, it's been small FB's for me. Some have nice (non-black) scales. These have not attracted the "shocked" looks that I get when I open a big folder.

Of couse, if I pull out a Millenium Bowie from my jacket, I doubt anyone can be passive about that one.
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sing

AKTI #A000356
 
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