Standards / expectations, factory production belt knives vs pocket knives

Fit, finish, and action- yes
Weight and length can be much higher in a belt knife. For example, I like to belt carry a Buck 112 or 110 but would never pocket carry one.
 
Sometimes for me, there are limited carry options. I'm left handed
I can carry a pocket knife in any pocket I choose
While many times belt knife sheaths are only offered for right hand carry
Of course, some pocket knives intended for belt carry come with an ambidextrous sheath which is bonus
But to answer the question ... yes. Either way, they must fit and function
 
In the realm of factory produced traditional cutlery do you have the same standards and expectations for belt knives as you do pocket knives ?

How do your preferences differ between the two , and would one get a pass on something the other wouldn't ?

There are typically more elements to consider with a pocket knife, but for me as far as function is concerned I have equal expetations.
Ergonomics do matter more in a belt knife than a small pocket knife though, and an overall length I consider large for a pocket knife could be perfect for a belt knife .


Also my preferences aesthetically are a bit higher with belt knives.

A pocket knife may have bolsters and a shield to make up for very bland cover material.
A belt knife may not, so if it's just a very simple plain blade and handle I'd prefer a more appealing handle material.
Not as much if theres a little something else, maybe handle fittings, or maybe a fuller and or swedge.
 
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I will not bring as much force to bear on slip joints as I will on fixed blades. Particularly when I’m using power cuts for hogging off wood. I don’t want to stress out the joint more than I have to.
 
This is a very interesting question and you raise some things I have not considered before. I think for many aspects of knife build (assembly gaps, blade grinds, finishing of work marks, etc) I have mostly the same expectations for both belt and folding knives. However, the things that bother me the most when done poorly on folders do not apply to belt knives, blade rap and wobbly blades. In my mind, wobbly blades are inexcusable and are merely there (in new knives) because someone did not take the time to do the job right.

I became interested in knives because of belt knives and they were the first kind of knife I started buying. But these days I own way more folders than fixed. And while I carry a folder every day, I seldom carry a belt knife; in truth my belt knives tend to be safe queens. I use them while camping, and that's about it.
 
The main thing I’ve noticed myself is that with fixed blades I tend to want a more secure handle, or guard of some short to avoid coming up on the blade. With folders, I don’t even seem to notice, most of my traditionals have more neutral shapes (cigars, barlows, serpentine), but I dont use slipjoints in the same way I do belt knives.
I tend to pinch the back end of the blade, in a way to prevent putting too much force on the joint. With belt knives, I usually have oil or other slick liquids on my hands and need a better grip. The roach belly I have is the exception, though I really wish it had a thin guard of some sort.
 
I forgot to mention that I'm not really using my belt knives any different really.

In the " EDC " capacity that I'm using them these 2 knives are for all intents and purposes the same, I just like both and that's all there is to my choice of them.

If my other hand is full I will draw the belt knife ,but otherwise I just make the cut with whichever I feel like at the time.
 
Rhinofly said:
I became interested in knives because of belt knives and they were the first kind of knife I started buying. But these days I own way more folders than fixed. And while I carry a folder every day, I seldom carry a belt knife; in truth my belt knives tend to be safe queens. I use them while camping, and that's about it.
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I fell into that same habit; but I still preferred, and bought, fixed blades...the thing was, since I wasn't carrying them, I kept buying knives I wouldn't carry. Eventually I noticed, and started buying fixed blades that I could - and would - carry. Now, I carry one most of the time.
 
Good queston. I'm not sure how to answer.

I think I look for the same over-all quality, useful (for my needs) blade profiles, reasonable blade length, comfortable handle/grip, etc.

I probably pay more attenton to the sheath. Aside from the plastic Mora uses, a hard/plastc sheath is a deal murderer for me.
Call me "old fashioned" if you want, (I won't deny it :D ) I want leather or worst case nylon.
I wipe off/clean my knife before putting it in the sheath. Therefore, I don't have to worry about having to clean blood n' guts from the sheath.
 
afishhunter said:
I wipe off/clean my knife before putting it in the sheath. Therefore, I don't have to worry about having to clean blood n' guts from the sheath.
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I generally do too, but when you're night fishing for catfish or striped bass with sardines and chicken liver things happen so I like a plastic sheath for a knife I intend to take fishing.
 
hhmoore said:
I fell into that same habit; but I still preferred, and bought, fixed blades...the thing was, since I wasn't carrying them, I kept buying knives I wouldn't carry. Eventually I noticed, and started buying fixed blades that I could - and would - carry. Now, I carry one most of the time.
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I was also kind of doing the same thing.
I had acquired a number of belt knives I simply thought were cool.
And most were cheap junk too because I figured with no moving parts certain aspects of quality didn't matter as much.

When the affinity for carbon steel came with the love of traditional knives that changed things for me.
The carbon steel naturally brought better quality with it ( China is only using SS ) and that brought the thought of practical carry and use.
 
Sheath/belt/fixed blade knives are much harder working tools for me than folders are. As such, I pay attention to blade steel and edge geometry, plus ergonomics, way more than I do for folders. I have several <$10 folding knives that I actually enjoy carrying and using, but all my serious fixed blades (mainly for hunting and outdoor work) are much more expensive, if not customs. As long as the walk & talk are good, I'm OK with most traditional folders, and just buy and carry what peaks my fancy. I'm much more analytical when it comes to choosing a fixed blade.
 
BrotherJim said:
Sometimes for me, there are limited carry options. I'm left handed
I can carry a pocket knife in any pocket I choose
While many times belt knife sheaths are only offered for right hand carry
Of course, some pocket knives intended for belt carry come with an ambidextrous sheath which is bonus
But to answer the question ... yes. Either way, they must fit and function
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I completely spaced on sheaths, as a lefty myself I buy or usually make a left handed sheath so I really make little to no considerations of the factory sheath included with a belt knife.

I started making sheaths for myself as a teenager because I just couldn't let a wrong handed society😉 keep me from using certain knives I quite loved.
 
When I think belt knife I think fixed blade. I also think that pocket knives, that is, folding knives, are altogether more fiddly to make, and make correctly, compared to a fixed blade knife. The pocket knife needs to have matching covers, covers well integrated to bolsters, centered and snappy but not wobbly blades, backsprings and liners that are flush with no gaps, springs that are flush open and closed, shield inlaid precisely and set flush…. so I think a fixed blade is probably easier to make, and make well, all things considered. It’s also usually a no nonsense work knife so little fit and finish imperfections might be more overlooked than with a slipjoint. I personally am more critical of slipjoints, but that’s not to say I wouldn’t prefer my fixed blades to be well-made and not sloppy.
 
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Heres something I just thought about.

I can make or rehandle a belt knife myself and be happy regardless of the minor imperfections that are always present, if I don't demand perfection of my own handiwork should I demand it of anothers ?

Even if a knife company should know better, is it right to be demanding when I know hand work was involved and I probably would not have done any better just because the person doing that work was payed to do so ?

No I'm not gonna pay for a belt knife that looks like I made it, but I have learned to be a bit less demanding I guess.

I know you can't be too complacent with poor quality or it'll just get worse, but I also feel it's important to be reasonable and not act entitled.
 
If I make it myself I paid 0, so I’m willing to overlook a lot. If I pay less than 50 I can overlook much. If I pay 75-200, from a factory or craftsman who makes these things every day… there shouldn’t be many fit and finish issues.
 
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