SURVIVAL Question---FIXED vs FOLDER--Your opinion and WHY??

WILLIAM.M

WILLIAM.M

Joined
Apr 14, 2006
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SURVIVAL Question-

--Fixed VS Folder--

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE QUESTION AND ASNWER THE QUESTION IN RED
You are in a Survival Situation---you can decide what that is.

You find yourself with 1 Knife---either you brought it-or someone else did.

But there is ONLY 1 knife--Fixed blade or Folding.

(No axe,Multi tool,Saw,Swiss Army Knife,etc)


Lost in the woods,car broke down in the desert,back packing and get injured,small plane crash,etc--the situation is up to you.

THE QUESTION YOU NEED TO ANSWER

Is there ANY survival situation where your would RATHER have a Folding knife than a Fixed Blade???

-Your opinion and why??
I'll go first...

I would rather have a fixed blade due to it being stronger,easier to get access to,less chance of malfuction.

In fact---I can not see of ANY situation where I would rather have a folding knife OVER a fixed blade in a survival situation.(given both knives are of the same quality)

Your opinion and why??

There are NO right or wrong answers here--

OTHER THAN STATING YOU WILL CARRY BOTH

-Just post which 1 YOU would rather have access to and WHY :thumbup:

Remember-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-a lot of people might not have the experience you have--so list your reasons to back up your choice..

Sincerely

Dr.Bill
 
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Fixed. No moving parts to fail, and it is stronger by design anyway. If I had to rely on a knife, I rather it be as strong as possible and not be able to move around a pivot.
 
Is there ANY situation where your would RATHER have a Folding knife than a Fixed Blade???

Generally no. The only situation I can see this is if I did not have a sheath with the fixed blade, I might consider the safety advantages of carrying around the folder especially if extended travel was required. I assume I have pants and pockets in this scenario. This scenario would be offset if the environment allowed me to create a sheath, e.g. availability of birch bark and or cordage trees. But perhaps a desert environment might make this difficult. As whole, though, I generally don't like folders and certainly don't prefer them over fixed blades.
 
Well if its a "one knife scenario" then of course I'd choose a fixed blade, but the fact of the matter is, that I don't always have a fixed blade on me but I do always have a folder.

Given the choose and the fact no other tools (multi-tool, axe, etc.), I think you'll be hard pressed to find anyone that wouldn't choose fixed blade, but does that really say anything when no other tools are allowed? I'd choose a folder and axe/machete combo over just a fixed blade anyday.

-sh00ter
 
Fixed blade to be sure. However I can guarantee you that I would miss having a SAK or multi tool with me. Looking at the necessities of survival (whatever that situation might be) shelter, fire, harvesting or storing food/water, a fixed blade would be a better tool IMO.

One blade folder VS. fixed is a no brainier IMHO. However there are many instances were a SAK/multi tool would be more useful than a fixed blade. Thinking urban survival mostly.
 
In a situation where concealment does not matter, I prefer the fixed blade.
Inherently stronger and able to absorb more abuse than a comparable sized folder, no chance of lock failing and injuring me, etc...

If the need for concealment is an issue, a folder will be easier to hide for a given blade length despite the correspondingly increased chance of mechanical or structural failure. (for example, an escape & evasion scenario where recapture is a possibility)
 
Fixed blade.

That being said, I don't seeing it making a significant difference. I'm starting to think it might not being worth carrying over a folder, which I'm finding many times more convenient for my day-to-day woods tasks. YMMV

That being said, you give me the option to go into a "survival situation" with a 28" axe, or any knife and I'll take the axe every time. But that doesn't mean I'm going to be packing an axe with me whenever I go into the woods -- it just isn't necessary for me.

:thumbup:
 
1066vik said:
In a situation where concealment does not matter, I prefer the fixed blade.
Inherently stronger and able to absorb more abuse than a comparable sized folder, no chance of lock failing and injuring me, etc...

If the need for concealment is an issue, a folder will be easier to hide for a given blade length despite the correspondingly increased chance of mechanical or structural failure. (for example, an escape & evasion scenario where recapture is a possibility)
Click to expand...

Recapture??

As in running from the Police?

What type of survival situation are you referring to??

Got me very curious
 
1066vik said:
In a situation where concealment does not matter, I prefer the fixed blade.
Inherently stronger and able to absorb more abuse than a comparable sized folder, no chance of lock failing and injuring me, etc...

If the need for concealment is an issue, a folder will be easier to hide for a given blade length despite the correspondingly increased chance of mechanical or structural failure. (for example, an escape & evasion scenario where recapture is a possibility)
Click to expand...

Normally I don't like to assume, but I'll break my rule and assume your talking about a military scenario? If so...... I can see your point.
 
Fixed blade for sure, for all the previously stated reasons. I carry a fixed blade every day and have not found it to be any less convenient than a large folder.
 
Fixed blade no question.

Sturdier, takes more abuse, less parts to malfunction.

Now which fixed blade would be determined case by case.
 
In my opinion I believe 3 knives = 2 knives and 2 knives = 1 knife and 1 knife = no knife because if something goes wrong you need a backup. with that said I always go out with at least 2 blades on me. I like both fixed and folding depending on what needs to be done but in my Jeep I have a 6 inch ESSE
 
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Definitely a fixed blade. I can do anything a folder can with a fixed blade.It prepares a shelter and fire tender faster. I live in the big woods and swamps and always carry a fixed blade with a 8inch blade every time I set foot in the woods. A fixed is stronger and no moving parts to break. Extended time in the field and processing game to eat I do not have to worry about bacteria building up in the folder from not being able to clean it properly in the field. Just my 2 cents.


Mike
 
WILLIAM.M said:
SURVIVAL Question-

--Fixed VS Folder--
THE QUESTION YOU NEED TO ANSWER

Is there ANY situation where your would RATHER have a Folding knife than a Fixed Blade???

-Your opinion and why??
Click to expand...

Sometimes I just a stickler for details, but I can't help but noticed that everybody answering fixed blade (including Dr. Bill) violated the actual question asked. The question as I read it was whether or not any situation could occur where a folder is preferred over a fixed blade. To me that omits explaining why one would chose a fixed blade would be preferred. ;)
 
kgd said:
Sometimes I just a stickler for details, but I can't help but noticed that everybody answering fixed blade (including Dr. Bill) violated the actual question asked. The question as I read it was whether or not any situation could occur where a folder is preferred over a fixed blade. To me that omits explaining why one would chose a fixed blade would be preferred. ;)
Click to expand...

I see your point ;) I missed that but I guess I answered it to the best of my ability anyway below.

Cascade_mtn's said:
Fixed blade to be sure. However I can guarantee you that I would miss having a SAK or multi tool with me. Looking at the necessities of survival (whatever that situation might be) shelter, fire, harvesting or storing food/water, a fixed blade would be a better tool IMO.



One blade folder VS. fixed is a no brainier IMHO. However there are many instances were a SAK/multi tool would be more useful than a fixed blade. Thinking urban survival mostly.
Click to expand...

However I think the OP is talking about one blade folders (SAK/multi tool not allowed)....... in that case NO. There isn't any situiation were I would rather have a one blade folder over a fixed blade.

In the end this is a really hard question to answer. So much depends on the what, where, how, and when of the scenario. In the end, I would be happy to have any tool with me if a SHTF situation falls on me.
 
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I would lean towards a fixed blade. BUT...chances are higher I will have a folder on me, probably a slip joint...SO...I guess my survival blade would by probability be a folder. In any event I feel that I use a folder/slip joint enough to be proficient using it and not be hindered.
 
Ok, I'll provide some demonic advocacy.

I have carried and used extensively a small regular CRK Sebenza since 2002. I've snorkeled with it in the Caymans, had it as a primary knife on many excursions, sleep with it by the bedside, have it within arms reach in the shower, even used it at the Tracker Standard Class back in '07. To me, a survival knife is the one you have on you when the SHTF, to include those times when you don't have time to go home and pick and choose your equipment. Any other piece of equipment I own, including fixed blades and firearms, are merely compliments to my Sebenza, because more often than not, it is the ONLY piece of survival equipment on my person at all times other than my brain I suppose (and that's reaching).

When you know a knife the way I know my Sebenza, sometimes you'd prefer it. Would I like to have an ESEE6 and/or a GB hatchet to compliment it, heck yeah. But for me, I'll always start with my primary LPU (life preservation unit) and build on it from there.

I hope that made at least a little sense. That damned honey badger has been on my mind all day today, and it's difficult to produce cohesive thoughts, much less posts.

Prof.
 
kgd said:
Sometimes I just a stickler for details, but I can't help but noticed that everybody answering fixed blade (including Dr. Bill) violated the actual question asked. The question as I read it was whether or not any situation could occur where a folder is preferred over a fixed blade. To me that omits explaining why one would chose a fixed blade would be preferred. ;)
Click to expand...

Like I tell my wife--I never make a mistake:D

but to be clear--I see NO situation where I would ever choose a folding knife in a survival situation over a fixed blade knife


THE QUESTION YOU NEED TO ANSWER

Is there ANY survival situation where your would RATHER have a Folding knife than a Fixed Blade???

added the word survival to above and starting post
 
Well I wouldn't choose a knife if I had to choose 1 edged tool but to play along I can see some instances occuring in an urban survival situation where a folder would be better. Mostly this revolves around other people and how they'll react to a fixed blade. A case peanut is better than a confiscated fixed blade.
 
Fixed blade in any situation, unless maybe I had no belt to hang it on and no pack to put it in. Folders have convienience and concealability going for them, nothing else.
 
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