What's your preffered choice of knife? Fixed, folding or something else?

Fixed blades vs Folders vs Balisong vs Switchblades

  • Fixed blade

    Votes: 25 41.7%

  • Folders

    Votes: 34 56.7%

  • Balisong

    Votes: 1 1.7%

  • Switchblade

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    60
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Nov 21, 2019
Messages
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I've always been more fond of fixed blade knives, they are simple, strong and easy to use.

That being said, on most posts online I see people mainly talking abot folders, so I assume that folders might be the most popular. And considering real life, one friend of mine has multi tool like Leatherman, which he mainly uses because of the knife. One other guy has basic folder. So I do assume they are popular.

Fun thing that happened to me recently was the fact that there were 2 girls, and one of them mentioned knives as a topic, and it turned out that they both had balisong knife, simply because they find them cool.

I'd like to hear your opinions tho.
 
I used to prefer a large folding traditional like a Stockman and carried all the time. When camping, hiking, or hunting, I always carried a medium sized fixed blade to go along with it.

With the advent of heavy duty folders with pocket clips that allow me to carry them in a semi concealed position inside my pocket, I carry large folders that I use at work everyday. I still carry a traditional pattern as well, just one that is a lot smaller.

Unless I am doing something that makes more sense to carry fixed (think long camping/hiking, hunting) I only carry folders these days.

Robert
 
Folders by a longshot for me. They're all the knife I need normally, more convenient for me than carrying a fixed blade, more options than autos, and I love balis (they got me into the hobby) but I only keep a few around and they see little if any use.
 
I could not vote.
I have to have both folders and fixed blades.
All day everyday there's a slipjoint on me working or not, but at work there's a traditional belt knife on me most days.

When a one handed knife is needed I absolutely choose fixed blades, no balisongs autos or modern one handed folders for me.
None are as good as a small belt knife if you ask me.
 
I would prefer a fixed blade in whatever size I need at the time ... but sadly in today's world that isn't always a viable option ... so folders are what most prefer.

Both have uses and times ... and many times or places make a folder the only option ... but if it were just choosing the best tool for the job I would almost exclusively reach for a fixed blade of appropriate size and style.
 
i prefair a fixed blade folders have there place and I own a few but I own a lot more fixed blades and use them more
 
My question is what its use is. Folders for convenience but fixed blades for hard work.
 
Dogdrawz said:
Folder = urban
Fixed = rural
Katana = SHTF
Click to expand...
Don't know about the Katana. But I can go with that characterization. But it could get you killed. I mean who carries a sword in real life?
There is a big grey area in terms of regular use knives whether they be fixed or folding and it isn't quite as simple as "rural vs urban". How urban.....?? Taking the subway or light rail to work every day?
 
22-rimfire said:
Tend to agree, but I'm learning that a fixed blade can be convenient too.
Click to expand...
I've personally found fixed blades to be more convenient than folders.
That being said I never face situations ( besides being sick in bed ) where no fixed blade is convenient to carry, nor do I face situations where they are specifically not permitted.
 
In my humble opinion, if you can conceal a large enough fixed blade, there's no need for folder. Which is also why I'm looking for smaller fixed blade currently. I honestly wish I could carry my Recon Tanto around everywhere, but that would be a bit crazy.

But folders do have their own joy to people who appreciate them, and I respect that.
 
For any serious use I prefer a fixed blade, usually something between 4 and 5 inches. Having said that, I always carry a Laguiole folder but grab a Mora HD or a Terävä puukko on a sling when I step outside for yard work.
I suppose the large number of discussions on folders is because there are so many of them, and there is more to discuss: various mechanisms, locks, etc. that fixed blades just don't have.
 
My preferred EDC is a fixed blade, currently 4-1/2 inches. But I always have a folder in my pocket as well. Which gets used depends on the job, and my mood at the time. It's a rare day when I only have one knife.
 
In the kitchen or at work a fixed blade is fine; where I don't have to put it in a sheath but leave it on the work surface etc.

I used to EDC fixed blades but between the sheaths dulling my crazy sharp edges and putting blades that had just cut up trash back into a sheath and having to try to clean out the sheath and the blade when I got indoors I gave up and went back to folders.

With a folder the dirty blade does not touch the sides of the handle until I can clean it. Once clean it stays cleaner because again it does not touch anything and the edge is unaffected unlike a sheath (mostly the fiber reinforced crap that passes for a sheath on knives that I like).

I would enjoy designing a sheath that folds open for cleaning and when in use suspends the blade so as to not touch the edge (or even the sides of the blade). I don't think it would be that hard to make actually. I mean a folder already does most of that how hard could it be.
 
Folding, simply because it's the easiest way to carry a knife, and meets my daily needs. I do have fixed blades, and ways to carry them if I need to, but I've never felt justified enough to try and come up with a comfortable on-body rig.

God, I just referred to a sheath as a "rig". Tacticlol, here we come.

If I'm forced to be realistic, a folding knife is part of a set of tools for me, including fixed blades, and bigger, more ignorant pieces of metal, if need be. I would like a folding knife that can be a demolition bar, axe, and bread slicer, but some considerable advances in technology are going to be necessary. Until then, I'll have to compromise.
 
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