Transitioning from fixed to folding EDC

pinnah said:
Regarding my suggestion for an Opinel N10, stonproject opined....


For hard cutting, lateral stress and even battining, the Opinel 10 is the toughest folder I've ever used.

And if the OP wants a folding knife that can be dropped in the dirt or sand and still function correctly and safely, again, the Opinel is the most reliable and dirt tolerant folder I've ever used.

But I f the OP wants to stab or pry down (closing force) on a folding knife, any folding knife, then he's rolling the dice and begging to loose his fingers. I don't even consider that as a reasonable consideration folders. Folders are not fixed blades no matter whose writing the add copy.
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not familiar with battining can you elaborate?
 
stonproject said:
not familiar with battining can you elaborate?
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I'm assuming it's a autocorrect misspelling of battoning, as in striking the spine of the knife with a wood batton to split small pieces of wood.

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How about the RAT 1? It's quite sturdy for a liner lock, there's a D2 variant now, and for the price of a Military you can get about 4-5 of them. I've been beating on my AUS-8 ones and they just keep going. Even if the liner breaks, it will get stuck in the open position. Check out this video for a hard use test of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0dfBH3cW7k
[edit: And if you want to class it up, there are wooden scales available for it from a lot of makers]
 
If you want something really solid for less than $200, I'd look around for good prices on the ZT 0801 and 0620 / 0620CF. They're being discontinued and can be found at very nice price points.
 
Regarding my suggestion for the Opinel 10, Craycray opined:

craytab said:
So? That doesn't mean that it is actually tough.
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I think we'll need to agree on what is meant by "tough" to make any progress.

I outlined 4 aspects of toughness: ability to withstand hard cutting forces, ability to withstand strong lateral forces, ability to be used safely when fouled with dirt and the ability to withstand strong closing forces. No need to repeat what I wrote regarding each.

Perhaps you could share what qualities you think are important in a tough folder and then, based on your experience with the Opinel 10, how it stacks up?

I'm assuming that since you commented on the Opinel 10, you have a fair bit of experience with that knife, yes?

And as for " Risk Compensation", that doesn't mean all people do what you described. There are some very stupid people in this world and they do dumb things.
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I've no idea what you're referring to, as neither Risk Compensation theory nor my representation of suggest such a thing. You are falling into the Strawman Fallacy, by arguing against something that hasn't been asserted.


Raging agreement on the existence of stupid people, Fwiw.

So guess what? In a study meant to measure stupidity, stupid people get measured. There are also plenty of bad studies "published". Without knowing actual things about them it is worthless to use them as evidence. If you care to get into specifics, post some links to the actual peer reviewed empirical studies. Wikipedia doesn't count.
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My business card says "scientist" so I guess that's what I am. But the evolution and global warming deniers have taught me about the futility of discussing the validity of science on forums. If somebody doesn't understand or accept results, forum banter won't change that and I will no longer try.

Google is your friend. The papers can be found and are a good exercise for the interested reader. Discussion of them is way, way, way off topic for this forum.

Steering this back on topic, Risk Compensation predicts that people who buy knives with strong locks, as a group, are more prone to push the limits with their folders. Given that the OP has essentially said so much himself, it's hard for me to see that this is at all controversial. (Unless of course, that is your goal. ;)
 
pinnah said:
Regarding my suggestion for the Opinel 10, Craycray opined:



I think we'll need to agree on what is meant by "tough" to make any progress.

I outlined 4 aspects of toughness: ability to withstand hard cutting forces, ability to withstand strong lateral forces, ability to be used safely when fouled with dirt and the ability to withstand strong closing forces. No need to repeat what I wrote regarding each.

Perhaps you could share what qualities you think are important in a tough folder and then, based on your experience with the Opinel 10, how it stacks up?

I'm assuming that since you commented on the Opinel 10, you have a fair bit of experience with that knife, yes?



I've no idea what you're referring to, as neither Risk Compensation theory nor my representation of suggest such a thing. You are falling into the Strawman Fallacy, by arguing against something that hasn't been asserted.


Raging agreement on the existence of stupid people, Fwiw.



My business card says "scientist" so I guess that's what I am. But the evolution and global warming deniers have taught me about the futility of discussing the validity of science on forums. If somebody doesn't understand or accept results, forum banter won't change that and I will no longer try.

Google is your friend. The papers can be found and are a good exercise for the interested reader. Discussion of them is way, way, way off topic for this forum.

Steering this back on topic, Risk Compensation predicts that people who buy knives with strong locks, as a group, are more prone to push the limits with their folders. Given that the OP has essentially said so much himself, it's hard for me to see that this is at all controversial. (Unless of course, that is your goal. ;)
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I won't address the childish personal insults.

I will address the glaring issue of a claimed scientist failing to provide the evidence he has used as a basis for a hypothesis. Again, Wikipedia doesn't count and nor does just saying "go look it up bro". You said you've seen these papers. You used them as evidence. Why not proved the reference so we can all see what the hell you are talking about. The only controversial thing is just saying stuff, then saying you have scientific evidence, but then refusing to provide said evidence. Is that what counts as good science these days? While you are at it also provide the reason global warming (politics) and evolution deniers (religion) has anything to do with knives.

Other than handling, I have no further experience with the beloved opinel. Not tough enough for me :thumbup: There is clearly no reason I would want to argue with you over your favorite knife since you won't change my mind and I won't change yours. The only thing I will add is that I would rather take no lock over that thing.


On topic, I carry a fixed and a folder nearly every day. I wouldn't want to transition from one to the other. Both have their place and use for me. When I do go to NJ I don't carry a fixed though nor can I take my firearm. Luckily PA is a lot more free than nearly all the north east. If you want an unbeatable lock, cold steel has likely the best. The BM axis lock is very good too so I would say you have a very confidence inspiring folder already.
 
The Benchmade 940 is very popular.

What might you use a fixed blade on the job for that a folder can't handle? If you are in forestry, I would assume you are in the field a reasonable amount of time and the fixed blades work for that.
 
I'm actually in the transport field currently, there's not much that I'd NEED a fixed blade to accomplish, for that matter I probably wouldn't need much more than my leatherman squirt. Im just accustomed to having more than enough knife to deal with whatever might come up. And I should clarify that I love my mini grip, I'm just hung up on downsizing my carry. That and I guess I'm trying to find an excuse to buy another blade haha.

As for the heated discussion over the Opinel and personal risk associated with use and abuse. I'd like to reiterate that yes, the ultimate safety mechanism that we have is our own head, however I would like to state that I'm intentionally not taking a "side" in this discussion.

And thanks to everyone that responded with a suggestion I certainly have a lot of strong contenders to consider

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TheWambo said:
I'm actually in the transport field currently, there's not much that I'd NEED a fixed blade to accomplish, for that matter I probably wouldn't need much more than my leatherman squirt. Im just accustomed to having more than enough knife to deal with whatever might come up. And I should clarify that I love my mini grip, I'm just hung up on downsizing my carry. That and I guess I'm trying to find an excuse to buy another blade haha.
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I don't of any/many knife people who don't prefer using a fixed blade.

But most of us carry a folder.

I've found that folders are easier to carry, especially in and out vehicles. I also find they create less social friction. Just my experience presence. The first rule of not being under knifed is to have a knife and I can carry a folder more places under the radar than I can a fixed blade.

Another way to deal with the downsize is to cache fixed blades. Kitchen. Car/truck glove box. Tool box. Day pack. Emergency kit. Buy more fixed blades and store them where you have ready access, as needed.

For your folders (plural), I would recommend focusing on:
- comfort in hand
- comfort in carry
- pleasing aesthetics (YMMV)
- grind, blade shape, and steel that you like

Regarding the tool between our ears, Carl (aka Jackknife) often advocates carrying the diminutive peanut. When doing so, he suggests that the small blade of the Peanuts forces you to stop and think about cut before you make it, which is a good thing. The Peanut is way, way too small for my big hands (or tastes), but I agree with the thrust of his advice.

Brains will help compensate.
 
pinnah said:
I don't of any/many knife people who don't prefer using a fixed blade.

But most of us carry a folder.

<snip>

Regarding the tool between our ears, Carl (aka Jackknife) often advocates carrying the diminutive peanut. When doing so, he suggests that the small blade of the Peanuts forces you to stop and think about cut before you make it, which is a good thing. The Peanut is way, way too small for my big hands (or tastes), but I agree with the thrust of his advice.
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I actually prefer using a folder over a fixed blade outside the kitchen. Why else do I seldom use the fixed blade that I carry in the woods and usually grab the folder for most tasks?

I think you have Jack knife's advice a bit distorted. He doesn't only carry a peanut for one thing. But the reason he advocates a small folder is because for most of us, that's all we need. Why have a big lump in your pocket when you don't have to? I also tend to like larger traditional knives (over a peanut), but honestly, a small peanut sized traditional is all I really need for 90% of what I use a folder for. I usually carry a SAK, a large 111 mm one at that. But, I am trying to see if I am comfortable with the small folder (modern or traditional), because honestly, that is all I need and I would be carrying less of a lump in my pocket or a less noticeable clipped knife in the pocket.

We all like what we like. Those that carry a knife become accustomed to a general size range for whatever reason, but a small knife will handle most normal tasks.
 
It's been said already, but I'll say it again.

No folder would give the same confidence of a fixed blade.

That said, backlocks are traditionally the strongest locks, and cold steel makes one of the strongest locks around in their triad lock. They also make a bunch of larger models, so I would suggest Definitely giving them a look...

Nothing wrong with liner locks, frame locks, axis locks, etc. I haven't had one fail on me personally, but the overall consensus seems to be that they can be less reliable, especially under extreme conditions and overly hard use/abuse...

If you want something less tactical looking, I'd suggest the Viper Start. Nice design with multiple handle mayerial options.
 
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22RF, I didn't mean to suggest that being forced to think about a cut is a reason to carry a small knife. Wambo is asking about adjusting to having less knife. All I was trying to suggest is that through thought, you can a lot with less knife and that's a way to help with the adjustment.
 
I just picked up a two blade GEC #14 Boys Knife. Gosh. What a nice little knife! You see I am trying the small ones. This one is a smidgen over 3" closed. Compare this with my usual GEC traditional (two blade #42 at 4.25" closed) which has about a 3" blade. I think knife size (blade length on a folder) that we choose has more to do with the kinds of things we cut, what we're used to, and the kind of work we do.

If I am cutting things using a lot of force, then I want a larger knife or one with a large handle. But this really isn't all that often any more for me.
 
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A guy I know went to Rhode Island School of Design (the talking heads went there, I guess) and he did a project on knives and what they said about a culture (or so he claims, he made a bunch of stuff up).

His thoughts...

The Mora - Simple and elegant, like the Swedes.

The Victorinox SAK - Efficient and cold...

The Opinel - Beautiful, dangerous and good with cheese...

The Buck 110 - Big, brash and capable of skinning a deer, or at least pretending like you might, like the Americans.


I tell myself and others that I like a big knife because I have big hands and like a knife that will reach the bottom of the peanut butter jar but truth be told, I like to pretend that I might skin a deer or some other crazy thing that demands a big knife. You're right, of course. I could get by with a much smaller knife. I just don't want to right now. I have in the past and things might change again.

Carry style has a big influence. The OP has settled on a Mini-Grip, which is small for my tastes. I like back pocket carry (currently) as it allows me to carry a 110 easily and an Opinel 9 like it's not even there.
 
There are a lot of knives I would prefer to carry over a Buck 110 or Opinel #9 in my pocket. We're all different and we change preferences. I never got into the Opinel thing at all. Looked at one a couple of weeks ago that was almost as big as a machete. Cool, but something you just buy for the heck of it.

The Mini-Grip is an okay knife. I recently purchased a Mini Barrage. It was my first Benchmade knife.
 
The mini grip was my first Benchmade and likely won't be my last, my only gripe with it was the handle material the FRN just felt cheap, which is a concern with a knife that frequently runs over $100 retail.

In hindsight I think I would have been better suited with the full sized Griptilian, maybe I wouldn't be having the itch to buy another blade right now if I had.



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Most of us get itches all the time even when we just bought new knives two days ago. In the vein of your post, I am also considering a regular Barrage since I like the Mini.
 
TheWambo said:
The mini grip was my first Benchmade and likely won't be my last, my only gripe with it was the handle material the FRN just felt cheap, which is a concern with a knife that frequently runs over $100 retail.

In hindsight I think I would have been better suited with the full sized Griptilian, maybe I wouldn't be having the itch to buy another blade right now if I had.



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How about the new full sized with g-10 and 20cv? I have one and it is impressive.
 
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