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
I have more folders (multi-blade traditionals) and carry and use them more oft than a fixed blade.

I do keep a Mora number1 and 611 in the rollator (4 wheeled walker with a seat) under seat bag though.
 
I prefer fixed blades... but there are times that I can't, or don't want to, carry one. Luckily, I don't subscribe to the idea that one can carry only one knife. If I'm not working (this includes going to, or coming from - as side trips and errands may occupy me for a few hours on either side), I'll generally have a fixed blade, modern folder, and traditional.
 
EDC around town folders work better for me. SAK with tools. In the wilds I like to have a fixed blade around close. I haven't found much use for a fixed blade in town for what my normal ramblings are. Folders seem to be more universal in use.
 
Folders are convenient and more concealable, but fixed blades are my passion. If I could, I’d carry fixed all the time always.
 
Wowbagger said:
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.
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I get it what you mean, I usually wipe my blade with something before putting it back into sheath, but yes, you can't really completley clean it just like that sometimes, unless you give it some time, so it can be a hassle. But I'd also never fold a folder while it's dirty either (bit of OCD I guess) so it makes no real difference to me personally.
 
IMG_0294.JPG I like fixed blades, but to be honest, I use my folders because they are more convenient and accessible. But that led me to discover small fixed blades such as bird and trouts for small jobs and neck knives, but I do prefer a longer handle to grip and more effective handling. So I have experimented with how I carry it. I like the KSF leather pocket sheaths for a small fixed blade and folder, but that gets a bit heavy for front pocket carry. I also have kydex ones I can just slip into my pocket, but I want to try, but been too lazy to try, horizontal carry. Dave Ferry of Horsewright knife has some really cool leather options.
 
I like fixed blades. I carry and enjoy folders, but historically and ethnically
/anthropologically fixed blades have played a much larger roll. It is rare to find mention of ancient folding knives, and if any existed, they were usually relegated to opening packages from Amazon or whatever the equivalent was in the day.

Granted, there have been exceptions like the Navaja, some of which were sword size; but these exceptions are few. Even then, we are left with the impression that the user would have preferred to carry a fixed blade were that feasible. The modern folding knife is a product of the Industrial Age. It’s a stop gap solution until we come up with a functioning light saber.

n2s
 
No answer. I consider this thread a troll. For most of us there is no simple answer. Carry a folder for convenience, reach for a fixed blade when there is serious work to be done. Don’t need to write a book about it.
 
When in the city, folder in the pocket.
When in the woods, fixed on the hip and folder in the pocket.
 
I prefer folders. They're just way more convenient for me. That said, I carry a fixed blade when hunting or camping, which happens all too rarely these days.
 
not2sharp said:
I like fixed blades. I carry and enjoy folders, but historically and ethnically
/anthropologically fixed blades have played a much larger roll. It is rare to find mention of ancient folding knives, and if any existed, they were usually relegated to opening packages from Amazon or whatever the equivalent was in the day.

Granted, there have been exceptions like the Navaja, some of which were sword size; but these exceptions are few. Even then, we are left with the impression that the user would have preferred to carry a fixed blade were that feasible. The modern folding knife is a product of the Industrial Age. It’s a stop gap solution until we come up with a functioning light saber.

n2s
Click to expand...
I guess the modern folder was a by product of the Industrial Age (when would that time frame be roughly?), but I know that George Washington carried a small folding pen blade probably for making writing quills, and there are other 18th century examples. Was the French laguiole or slip joints used by soldiers or long hunters or mountain men? I also think the common patch knife was either a small folder or short fixed blade to cut the patch for loading a round ball. When were friction folders common?
 
The industrial revolution is generally said to starts around 1760-1820 (depending on the country)

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
The industrial revolution is generally said to starts around 1760-1820 (depending on the country)

n2s
Click to expand...
Thanks. I also think I heard that in Roman times, the soldiers would carry friction folders too. Any truths to that? Mostly utilitarian purpose. I also read somewhere that some folders were found from the Bronze Age.
 
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