Moving away from folders towards fixed blades

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Ebbtide said:
Some of mine that have withstood the test of time.

The IJ Aito. A little laser cutter. The birchbark handles are a treat. Not sure if the still make the knife with them. The sheath is meh, keep meaning to make a flap top pouch like I did for a friend.
So many knives, so little time.
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Arno Bernard. Spiffy little coupon cutter. If point work is your thing, this is the blade shape. Handle is a little skimpy, but then again it’s a nimble, detail oriented knife not a hard use survival item. Not a fan of the sheath at all. A standard pouch with the blade edge facing the fold :(
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My absolute favorite small fixed blade.
Dozier K-9 Personal Utility.
Great size, blade shape and handle ergonomics.
Dozier’s kydex horizontal sheaths are without peer. Push down on the belt loop with your thumb while lifting the handle. The death can be put on and removed from your belt without opening your belt buckle.
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Then if ya wanna dress it up a little the Dozier Slim Outdoorsman
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Enjoy the hunt!
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I have carried a slim outdoorsman so many days/miles. Great little knife that can do so much. It usually gets clipped to my wader straps when fishing. I have some other favorites (like the Volunteer Knife mod 3 and 4), but the Dozier will always have a home with me.
 
There are treatments for this syndrome. In my vast cutlery experience, fixed blades are for people who can't open & close folders without getting cut. I'm thinking of starting a Folding Knife Fundamentals Zoom course. 2 weeks at $2000 a week. Graduates will learn how to manipulate folders without injury. 🤪
 
I’ve toyed around with the idea of switching to a small edc fixed blade, but never fully made the swap. I will say I do find myself carrying a sharpfinger on my belt on a regular basis in addition to my usual folder when I’m riding further than just around town, but otherwise it resides in a saddlebag.

Those skeleton handle “neck” knives never did it for me too uncomfortable in use and I don’t like having stuff around my neck. Boot carry is questionable with the laws in my state so I’ve avoided it.

I like fixed blades a lot, I have the sharpfinger on my motorcycle, a spartan blades horkos in my duramax and a cheapo in my work tool box. I acknowledge there advantages but no I don’t carry one daily.
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Welcome to the forums! and thanks for signing up as a Gold member too, great to support the site when you are able.

One knife that has become a favorite and I wear as a neck knife because it is very light weight with thin blade stock, razor sharp as well, made by @Joe Calton

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

The black parts on the handle are things that I applied as I wanted a tad thicker handle and still able to insert the knife into the kydex sheath that he made.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
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While I like the idea of a neck knife, I simply can't stand one due to some whiplash injuries I sustained when I was stopped to make a left turn and a lady drove right into the back of my much smaller car going about 65mph (according to the KY State Police) - it knocked my car 140' according to them. Since then Arthur Itis has come there to camp, and I think he's put down roots, thus anything of much weight around my neck is a real nuisance.

TN has relaxed their knife laws and I'd love to carry a fixed blade, but I'm having a hard time finding a place. I have a "GTF OFF ME!" little blade, but so far that's about as much as I can carry concealed and it's a bit "iffy" unless I keep checking that it hasn't moved forward or back - there's only one "sweet spot" that it conceals well.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
There are treatments for this syndrome. In my vast cutlery experience, fixed blades are for people who can't open & close folders without getting cut. I'm thinking of starting a Folding Knife Fundamentals Zoom course. 2 weeks at $2000 a week. Graduates will learn how to manipulate folders without injury. 🤪
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Look up "essential tremors". I can only safely open some flippers and certain Spyderco knives. A thumb-button is a no-go for me.

Welcome to my world.
 
Whatever!

Just use the tool that best does the job while being convenient to your way of doing things.

When I worked in the oil patch during the late 1970s nd erly 1980s, I always carried a Buck 110 in a belt pouch.

Years later, I worked in a hospital setting. Gabe up the big Buck for a handy Letherman Waqve s my EDC.

If I was a professional game guide out wet somewhere, by daily carry might be a substantial fixed blade knife.
 
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The plan is loosely like what you described, change in times and work requirements. For some reason lately it's heading towards just relying on a small fixed blade.
we'll see how that pans out ;)
G2
 
VorpelSword said:
Whatever!

Just use the tool that best does the job while being convenient to your way of doing things.

When I worked in the oil patch during the late 1970s nd erly 1980s, I always carried a Buck 110 in a belt pouch.

Years later, I worked in a hospital setting. Gabe up the big Buck for a handy Letherman Waqve s my EDC.

If I was a professional game guide out wet somewhere, by daily carry might be a substantial fixed blade knife.
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Might want to spell check before posting…I can read between the lines…but come on…
 
There is a lot to prefer in use for a fixed blade but the larger EDC footprint is a thing.

It isn't just raw size versus a folder either. For instance, a smaller fixed blades with good sheath retention can just be dropped into a pocket. However, there can then be an issue of smoothness in unsheathing and resheathing. In contrast, I can easily draw a folder from pocket, snap it open with a finger, use it, close it with a finger, and slip it back into pocket; all with one hand and little thought. Nice and easy. If a sheathed fixed blade has just been dropped into pocket, it's more to do.

They work best for me when the sheath is fixed to my belt or at least clipped to a pocket, and such a need adds to the EDC footprint. So too does balancing that with either concealment or at least not melting snowflakes at the grocery store. It's okay once committed, but it's still a consideration. A small but real consideration beyond that is some extra thought or care in guiding the blade back into the sheath.
 
DocJekl said:
Video on this subject 4 days ago - well, about how to easily EDC a fixed blade.

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Nice video. One other consideration I'd add is that I like full grip on the draw. That rules out a bunch of sheath types and some clip or mounting types.

Full grip on the draw is a concept borrowed from the gun community. The reason for this in the gun community is that, in an emergency situation wherein you need to draw a gun, every step between realizing the danger and needing to have that gun ready is both more time and additional chances for failure. So both the extra step of needing to reposition something in your hand or not having it firmly in hand during the transition are problems. This presents an obvious crossover for people who carry a fixed blade as a defensive tool.

Personally, the only time I carry a fixed blade for defensive purposes is if I'm traveling to states that violate my right to carry a gun. That's pretty rare. However, having been married to this philosophy keeps it in mind. I've also come to appreciate the convenience with a properly cut Kydex sheath.
 
I’ve been carrying both a folder and a fixed blade for years now. I don’t limit to just one or the other. Truthfully, the folder gets used the most and the fixed blade is more of a backup or dirty job role. But I enjoy having the option. If I could only carry one I’d choose a fixed blade all day everyday. I’m still on the hunt for the perfect one for me but I think it’s really just a reason to buy and try new knives.
 
I still carry folders when I'm required to, such as in my work office. A fixed blade there might get me in trouble.

Whenever I have a choice, I pocket carry a fixed blade though. Carothers performance knives (CPK) are what got me to switch. Their DEK series (dek1, dek2, dek3) are excellent if you're looking for around 4 inch blades. However, I have fallen in love with their EDC models. I have the edc1 (see pic) and it's nothing short of superb. They're expensive and hard to come by, but they are worth it. In my opinion, it simply doesn't get any better than CPK. Their ergonomics are completely unmatched, their designs are just fantastic.
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Sharp & Fiery said:
Might want to spell check before posting…I can read between the lines…but come on…
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Thanks for that. I am convinced that your remarks are genuinely well meant.

I have never had a talent for correct spelling. It has been an obstacle all my life.

In 2023, I became visually impaired. Today my best corrected vision in one eye is around 20/150. The little wiggly line from spellcheck is often not noticed.

Now that I am 73, my fingers seem much fatter than in my youth.
 
VorpelSword said:
Thanks for that. I am convinced that your remarks are genuinely well meant.

I have never had a talent for correct spelling. It has been an obstacle all my life.

In 2023, I became visually impaired. Today my best corrected vision in one eye is around 20/150. The little wiggly line from spellcheck is often not noticed.

Now that I am 73, my fingers seem much fatter than in my youth.
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Sorry to hear about your vision. That is no fun and I think that it becomes reality for most.

I can also relate to the keys on the phones being too small. 😉

I always go back and re-read my post before I post it. (I hope there are no spelling errors in this one!)

Carry on sir! 👍🏼
 
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