New Design - My Pocket Knife Replacement

I'm starting to dig the three finger knife idea myself over a folder... I mean I still carry my Leatherman just because it has 10 zillion uses... but for a EDC three finger I just picked up this little Busse HACK and absolutely love the little thing. It's the one on the bottom.
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Brian, that is a pretty knife. But with a folder you can have a longer blade and a bigger handle, and it will store more compactly in your pocket. So why is a small fixed blade preferable to a good folder? I am not criticizing, just trying to understand the popularity of the micro fixed blades.
 
Hey Horn Dog,

Outside of saks, I always carry a pocket fixed blade in place of a folder. You asked why?

Well - 1) aesthetics. I love a fixed blade knife and I don't really like folders. I recognize that there are people who are completely opposite to this, but this is what I like.

2) Trust. I just simply trust a fixed blade. There isn't any lock to worry about, you don't have to oil the thing or worry about pocket lint. You aren't going to accidently fold the blade on your thumb (done that already with my SAK plenty of times)

3) Speed. No matter how fast you can flip a thumb stud or spydohole. A fixed blade is just faster. Carry options are such that in a front pocket, the sheath keeps your knife oriented correctly. Draw and cut. Enough said. Some people are proud about how they flip their knives, or how waves do this or that. With a fixed blade, the only technique is "remove from sheath and use"

4) Do you really need a blade that big? Why would you need both a big blade length but sacrifice lock strength and robustness? If I really need a 4" blade or a 6" blade then I probably need a 4" fixed blade. I know this sounds argumentative, but it is really just turning your question around. On the other hand, if I only need a 2.5" blade, how much length savings do I get from going with a pocket folder? Personally I like to optimize 1-3 above in place of (4)

Those are just my humble viewpoints, but it is from somebody, who except for present day circumstances (finding himself in a foreign country) EDC's a small fixed blade on a daily basis.
 
Horn Dog said:
Brian, that is a pretty knife. But with a folder you can have a longer blade and a bigger handle, and it will store more compactly in your pocket. So why is a small fixed blade preferable to a good folder? I am not criticizing, just trying to understand the popularity of the micro fixed blades.
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Hey HD,

It is going to be a personal thing. So, keeping that in mind, there are a few reasons for me.

- I like tool and cutlery steels. Most folders are stainless of sorts and I don't dig that :thumbdn:
- Comfort - All folders have the gap where the blade goes. Even a bit of pressure starts to cut into your fingers. Couple that with a handy belt clip and you can't even really hold the thing.
- Multiple grips. The way the shape is of this knife, I have never been able to comfortably choke up on the blade of a folder. IMO, this is what a small pocket knife should be good at. You can do this with folders, but the handle does not allow as user friendly of a grip. If the blade gets too large to do this, you are getting into a different class of knife.....which of course I generally have also :D
- Blade size - for quick and basic tasks, the advantage of having a larger blade of a folder is not really an advantage for me. Most "routine" things that I do don't require much blade.

Anyway, those are my reasons. Not trying to talk anyone out of a folder or anything. I made this because it fits what I want.

Fiddleback said:
I love it. You have a nac for designing knives.
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Man Andy. That is a real compliment coming from you!!!

B
 
briangandrews said:
Hey HD,

It is going to be a personal thing. So, keeping that in mind, there are a few reasons for me.

- I like tool and cutlery steels. Most folders are stainless of sorts and I don't dig that :thumbdn:
- Comfort - All folders have the gap where the blade goes. Even a bit of pressure starts to cut into your fingers. Couple that with a handy belt clip and you can't even really hold the thing.
- Multiple grips. The way the shape is of this knife, I have never been able to comfortably choke up on the blade of a folder. IMO, this is what a small pocket knife should be good at. You can do this with folders, but the handle does not allow as user friendly of a grip. If the blade gets too large to do this, you are getting into a different class of knife.....which of course I generally have also :D
- Blade size - for quick and basic tasks, the advantage of having a larger blade of a folder is not really an advantage for me. Most "routine" things that I do don't require much blade.

Anyway, those are my reasons. Not trying to talk anyone out of a folder or anything. I made this because it fits what I want....

B
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Well it is a pretty knife for sure, and your points make sense. Maybe I need to get a small fixed blade and try it out for myself. I knew there had to be reasons for their popularity besides just looking good.
 
Horn Dog said:
Maybe I need to get a small fixed blade and try it out for myself.
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From some of your other posts, you look like you have some pretty big hands. You might need a "micro" fixed blade on steroids to work for you :D:D:D

The one and only knife I really neck carried was sporting some Rainwalker kydex.

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It ended up being a touch too large for that, and I stopped. However, I have to admit, just popping a knife out of kydex around your neck is pretty darn easy. Especially if you are sitting down, and can't fumble through your pockets, etc.

Another cool thing about neck carry is that it pretty much disappears. With certain style of pants (with vertical pocket lines) a clip knife looks really funny. Sometimes dropping one in my actually pocket, ends up getting all sideways, and looking funny too. I am speaking of being at work (unfortunately) and happens more with my "dress" clothes more than anything else :(

I have never been a huge fan of neck carry, but every choice has good things and bad things. Just another option is all.
 
Horn Dog said:
Brian, that is a pretty knife. But with a folder you can have a longer blade and a bigger handle, and it will store more compactly in your pocket. So why is a small fixed blade preferable to a good folder? I am not criticizing, just trying to understand the popularity of the micro fixed blades.
Click to expand...

Folders can and do fail... and when that happens... they're kinda useless. The only folding type knife I have come across whose locking mech I would trust 100% is a Balisong. Usually in a well made one... the blade will break before the lock.
 
I own a leatherman folder... But I mainly bought it for all the other things it can do... the blade is handy and I made sure to buy the one with a 154CM blade rather than just some junk stainless. But the main purpose behind it is having all the tools... it's the only folder I think I have right now.
 
Steel-Junky said:
Folders can and do fail... and when that happens... they're kinda useless. The only folding type knife I have come across whose locking mech I would trust 100% is a Balisong. Usually in a well made one... the blade will break before the lock.
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Folders are for cutting. I have seen few fail. Of course a fixed blade is stronger, but with a very small fixed blade, what, besides cutting can you do? They really aren't long enough for prying leverage or other things that might cause a folder to fail. I can see where the small fixed blades might be more comfortable to use, though.
 
Steel-Junky said:
I own a leatherman folder... But I mainly bought it for all the other things it can do... the blade is handy and I made sure to buy the one with a 154CM blade rather than just some junk stainless. But the main purpose behind it is having all the tools... it's the only folder I think I have right now.
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As a note, 420HC is Leatherman's base steel. Not junk, though their heat treatment is a bit soft for my tastes.

With small fixed blades I think the advantage is that you can have a blade/handle combination that would be unable to fold together in a harmonious way.
 
Beuatiful blade! Seems like it would be perfect for EDC needs around my area, at least.

+1 to making more!! :thumbup: :D
 
Brian great looking knife, When we were chatting on the phone and you were explaining it to me. All I can say is, it looks better than what my mind was coming up with LOL.
You have done it again, Great Job. You know I think Orange would look good on a blade shape like that:D.

Bryan
 
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