Touchy subject Folders & Survival

In the field, the fixed blade is king. Folders can be used exclusively, sure, but are best as backup knives kept separately from that fixed blade on your belt, such as on your pack or around your neck.

If I unwisely chose to take only one folder with me, a la Bear Grylls or Les Stroud, it would have to be a stain-resistant blade because, as mrostov said, it will get really dirty and must be cleaned regularly. And the only blade I'd take with me would have an AXIS lock, since I think its the strongest design and is known to lock even when fouled up with debris or with internal spring broken.

Best one-folder carry into the field: Benchmade Rukus, 940, 520 or the Benchmade/Doug Ritter RSK MK1.

My ideal carry: A stout fixed blade you can comfortably carry on your hip, a strong backup folder you can carry on your pack and a mini folder you can wear around your neck. The different sized blades, geometries and grinds should compliment each other as well so you can chop occasionally with the fixed blade and do delicate carving with the mini folder.
 
Codger_64 said:
And then there is this: When you are eventually found, would you rather them say "Oh look! He had a really neat knife!", or "Poor bloke. Not even a little SAK on him. Terrible way to go, just terrible!" :D

Codger
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hahahaha!!:thumbup:
 
The real problem with failing to carry around fixed blades is that Rambo never killed a boar with a folder.... never. And it has been scientifically proven that if you don't carry a folder you are either a child molestor, a communist, or someone who isn't well endowed.
 
jackknife said:
... If I have a nice sharp sak, or stout pocket knife, I'll get by if I have to. ... A fire steel or Doans mag block and a Victorinox farmer will get you by.
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Bullseye again! :thumbup: Equipment is no substitute for knowledge.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Kick back and have a beer, Don. You'll feel more comfortable about many things. :D
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I have a couple of Coronas that have been surviving in the back of the refrigerator for a few weeks now. I'm not much of a drinker, so it's easy for beer and other adult beverages to survive in Casa Don-Don.

I had two Screwdrivers reading this forum late last night, Gray Goose is good for insomnia...I still feel uncomfortable speaking about uncomfortable survival situations and debris huts too, I forgot to add that one... :D
 
nemoaz said:
The real problem with failing to carry around fixed blades is that Rambo never killed a boar with a folder.... never. And it has been scientifically proven that if you don't carry a folder you are either a child molestor, a communist, or someone who isn't well endowed.
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and the rambo guy was busted in Aus carrying banned erection enhancement drugs IIRC

does that mean that folk carrying rambo style fixed blade saw backed knives are not only under endowed but have problems getting what little they do have to perform ?
 
Myal said:
and the rambo guy was busted in Aus carrying banned erection enhancement drugs IIRC

does that mean that folk carrying rambo style fixed blade saw backed knives are not only under endowed but have problems getting what little they do have to perform ?
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Are you trying to tell us Rambo is carring a folder:D:D
 
Myal said:
does that mean that folk carrying rambo style fixed blade saw backed knives are not only under endowed but have problems getting what little they do have to perform ?
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No, no, no. Overendowed and more capable in bed too. Scientifically proven. Look it up.
 
Myal said:
OK , Im gunna be the sucker and ask , what do you all do with your fixed blades that would buggar up a folder ?

Why Im asking is because I have used / abused my folders ( the most basic of folder too I guess ) with no problems for years in hunting / camping , and yeah , a couple of " survival" / close call situations , and the things I did with them then didnt differ that much at all from what I do normally ..
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It is not necessarily buggering up a folder, but,

I mainly like a fixed blade in conjunction with a baton - used either to cut branches or trees and for splitting wood.

If I want to make a draw knife I trust the strength of a fixed blade, also I feel more comfortable hammering it in to something.

No moving parts to get gunked up.

Though many folders are now one handed I like the fact that I can get at the blade quicker in case I'm tangled in rope or something if or when I flip my canoe.

If I'm pressing down I know it's not going to accidentally fold on me.

Lastly, psycologically I feel safer with it when things go bump in the night.
 
Due to the Area I line in, I go hiking in Joshua Tree National Park alot. I usually go for only a day or two. I carry a Strider SNG in my trouser pocket. My Leatherman TiCharge on my Belt with FireSteel attached, around my neck I have a small fixed blade neck knife that I made from a hacksaw blade. I don't feel at all under equipped with any of one these, but if I had to choose only one, I would take the Leatherman.


Like many of you I believe the best knife for a survival situation is the one I have with me when the need arises.
 
If given a warning that a survival situation is imminent so I'll have the opportunity to get a fixed blade, I'll be somewhere else.

Typically when I go off-road one knife I will carry lately is a Fehrman Peace Maker, another is a SAK Trekker; but statistically speaking, that's a rare event.

My EDC is either a Benchmade 940 or a Ritter Grip, both folders.
 
Stryker D said:
It is not necessarily buggering up a folder, but,

I mainly like a fixed blade in conjunction with a baton - used either to cut branches or trees and for splitting wood.

If I want to make a draw knife I trust the strength of a fixed blade, also I feel more comfortable hammering it in to something.

No moving parts to get gunked up.

Though many folders are now one handed I like the fact that I can get at the blade quicker in case I'm tangled in rope or something if or when I flip my canoe.

If I'm pressing down I know it's not going to accidentally fold on me.

Lastly, psycologically I feel safer with it when things go bump in the night.
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I understand now , I think a LOT of what individuals feel comfortable with has to do with their environment . maybe what they learned with too has an influence .
 
Myal said:
I understand now , I think a LOT of what individuals feel comfortable with has to do with their environment . maybe what they learned with too has an influence .
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Yes, though automobiles all have the same basic components - it's still a matter of taste, preformance and $. A big influence has also come from those who taught us what we know and the presence/pressure of our peers.
 
In my urban jungle, I carry a .45 and a Spyderco Police.
I'm not that familiar with knives, and I am interested in y'all's opinions of this knife.

I would rather carry a fixed-blade knife, because I can get it out and "at the ready" much faster than a folder. I live in a very violent town.

I like the Beckers and some of the Ontarios, among many others.
 
Personally I think everyone should re-read Alco141's post again on page one of this thread and take it to heart, plus he makes plenty of sense that works when it comes to folders and Mini Kit. Notice how he is layering for backup...he has at least "THREE" folding style blades(probably has some kind of emergency blade in the Mini Kit also)

Having said the above I find it very easy to carry and conceal two comfortable handled/full tang five inch fixed blades made for woods/utility use every day and one SAK Rucksack plus a kit that is more complete than a Mini but still plenty small enough to have on the body always. The fixed blades are almost light enough to use as neck knives and the sheaths are slim lined.

I feel the fixed blade has way to many advantages to not ALWAYS have it on board. However being layered with a folder/multi-tool or two is just smart.

There have been many posts about how uncomfortable or how hard it is to always have a good fixed blade with you...I just don't understand, maybe it's a mental thing.

MTMM.
 
I love my 110, and even the Rucksack. But the main problem is getting gunk in them, I hate cleaning all the little cracks and craveses. Fixed blade for me, through and through.
 
Stryker D said:
Yes, though automobiles all have the same basic components - it's still a matter of taste, preformance and $. A big influence has also come from those who taught us what we know and the presence/pressure of our peers.
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This seems to be very true,while i to prefer a fixed blade for hunting and wood's walking i've used a Buck 110 & other folders on enough Deer Rabbits and other game to appreciate the true value of a quality folder the secret is takeing the time to learn it strength's and weaknesses and maybe that's the problem. is a fixed blade stronger? Definaitely.Is a folder harder to keep clean? With out a doubt. but a folder is what is gonna be on you 99% of the time in the woods and out. YMMV.
 
I will start by saying I like fixed and folders and own both. But a folder is what you will find on me 99% of the time for EDC. I have had no problems to speak on with a folder. All this business about keeping gunk out of them is true to an extend. I have cleaned and gutted many fish with folders and honestly I have not gotten any gunk in it that didn't take more than a couple of seconds to rinse off. I can understand the deer gutting element though. I guess it depends on how well a person can dress out game as well because some people do not gunk up their folders, with the exception of getting blood on it. I just prefer folders I like them, I am aware of their capabilities and mine as well as knowing my limits and innovations in the woods. I guess I may be even more odd because I like using a plain old stockman as well. I recently bought a small Ontario 12" machete and liked it alot for camping, but for general hiking I probably will take my buck 110 and small stockman. That is until I get my custom nessie!! I guess I fall in the camp of whatever you have on you is your survival knife or tool when the SHTF. I will concide that when I carry a fixed blade I feel a little more secure in the sense that if a mountain lion wants to attack I would be able to deploy my fixed quicker. But really I don't know how probable that is.
 
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