Small Fixed Blades

I tend to agree with you. The safety issue mentioned by neeman is something to consider. From a practical point of view, if I am carrying two knives out in the woods (fixed and folder), I almost always reach for the folder if I need to cut something. But that is mostly habit as I normally carry a folder every day. I'd like to use the fixed blade, but I tend to choose the tool that you have the greatest comfort level and experience with.

I have become more interested in short stiff machetes as choppers in the last couple of years. I am not afraid to really use one of these. If I chop into a rock; that's the breaks. If I can't repair the damage, then I'll buy another. But usually I do repair the damage sufficiently for me to feel comfortable and not picking the blade up as seeing a big nick as my first thought.

I keep trying with fixed blades however. New ones keep arriving at my door step.
 
neeman said:
You cannot fold fixed blades

That is a safety issue that is of vital importnce when you are in the woods
A folding blade has mechanical part that can fail, the concequences are dramatic.
And Murphys Law say they will fail at the worst possible time

I carry a slipjoint and and use it knowing it is not a fixed blade
Click to expand...

Agreed, and in extreme cold with numb and fatigued hands this can become even more of an issue.

I carry an SAK in the woods a lot of the time, mainly for the saw. If I have a folder in my pocket and a fixed on my belt I have a tendency to always reach for the fixed blade. That is, as another mentioned, out of a long time habit. My earliest folders were small slip joints like a stockman. Spending so much time in the woods, from a very young age, being involved in commercial trapping and fishing it was usually just quicker to grab the belt knife than fish the folder from the bottom of my pocket. I know not everyone is comfortable cutting small things or whittling with a knife the size of a Trail Master Bowie, but I am just out of so long of doing so. Mainly I carry a folder just because it gets less odd looks in public, but I prefer pocket knives that don't fold.
 
It looks like to me that folding knives and folding bikes share some of their benefits and limitations.
There's no place where we cannot go with folding bike if the place can be reached with unfoldable one.
 
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