That is a very interesting way to put things in perspective, but I imagine the overwhelming majority of us fall into the "don't really use their knives for much" category. I say this fairly broadly but, barring being a cattleman or trapper, very few of us would use knives, daily, out of need, as you've described. I mean, how many of us are actively making shelters on a regular basis for reasons other than recreation? How many of us hunt all our meat year-round and are doing it out of neccessity? If you're building fires daily, I would suggest a chainsaw, wood splitter, or at least a good axe. I see where you're going with what you're stating, but the majority of us are using these tools(fixed blades) by some measure of choice. Even if you're spending time every day in the woods, if you're going home at night, it's still a pastime. I average over a hundred days/year in my kayak , year round, but I'm still just a paddler. I'm not living out of my boat.
Not trying to argue with you, but I sorta think your version of why someone carries a FB(or needs to) is somewhat narrow. I guess for many it really isn't about "need" at all. We're knife guys whom are also outdoors enthusiasts, but here are plenty of outdoors enthusiasts whom aren't knife guys.
For me, I just really dig my little J. Neilson BUK and it slips into my pocket with ease. But, for daily carry, I prefer a folder.
I agree - it certainly isn't about need. As I said, one doesn't need a fixed blade to survive most situations. One doesn't even need a folder. So how could it be about need? It isn't. What it is about is superior performance. When you're using something, be that a tool or drink, a whole lot, it makes sense to
want (not need) that which gives the best performance, because that saves your time and/or makes things more fun.
All tool use is about choice. People did survive well before even the most rudimentary tools were invented. And yet people keep pushing for better tools with better performance. Because that's smart.
So, that's why I carry a fixed blade. Not because I need to, but because I can, because it's a far superior tool in actual use compared to folding knives. If I was only carrying a knife for the purpose of having something in my pockets or to cut open letters with, I would then carry a folder, because then size and weight would be the only things that mattered. But when I'm hunting, or backpacking, or just working around the house or even plain eating something that requires cutting, a fixed blade just does everything plain better and is easier to clean up afterwards.
There are of course, as others have said, obvious "cons" to fixed blades. They're generally somewhat harder to conceal than folders. In some places, they're not quite as legal as folders. For me, neither is a problem. I don't carry knives to assassinate people with them, so it doesn't matter how easy they are to conceal. The law here makes no difference between a fixed blade and a folder, so that's not a problem, either.
Really, I've always found the whole folder vs fixed battle humorous. It's as much a battle as a fight between the USA and the autonomous province of Åland would be a war - there's just no comparison, and one is simply far superior to the other.
The one reason why I often bring up the rather harsh "folders aren't even real knives" argument is that a lot of people are stuck on folders these days, at least over there in the USA it seems, and are missing out on far better knives if they honestly never get to use a good fixed blade.
Ultimately, of course, it's a free world. A man can do whatever he wants, just so long as he faces the consequences. I have nothing against folks who carry folders and prefer them. Personal choice, different uses for different folk, and all that. I'll only have a problem when someone actually says a folder is a better knife. Because it factually isn't.
That's why I'm glad for forums like this where most of us are somewhat sane, knife-loving people. :thumbup:
I was thinking to my self today and i was wondering why dont more people edc fixed blades because theres no moving parts there stronger and just more capable than a folder so now im on the hunt for a edc fixedblade. So in your opinion what are the cons of carrying a fixed bladed knife?
I also think a folder is less likely, at least down here, to attract the attention of LE or someone else who would wnat to hassle you. I feel the same way about carrying knives and guns: the less people that know the better I feel.
