When camping, why are fixed blades a "must"?

J

JohnW

Joined
Sep 11, 2000
Messages
144
Every time I read about outdoor or camping knife suggestions, most people (who respond) seem to think a folder is only good as a secondary carry.

But what's the big deal about fixed blades for outdoor use? I ask because I'm considering whether to get one for camping, but just can't imagine when my large Sebenza wouldn't fit the bill. It's simple to clean, strong enough for any slicing chore, lightweight, etc.

Assuming I don't hunt animals, chop firewood off trees -- and that nothing is going to attack me where I'll be -- where's the need?

My philosophy these days is to buy after the need proves itself (except in the case of Sebbies
smile.gif
), but I was just wondering what people's opinions were.
 
Nothing wrong with a folder. Lot's of people in Africa get by perfectly fine in the bush with a non-locking cheapie.

A fixed blade is perfered because it does offer more of the options you listed. But if you're camping family style -- pre-designated camp sites with a car parked near by -- a Swiss Army Knife is all you need.


[This message has been edited by tallwingedgoat (edited 10-09-2000).]
 
I don't think a fixed blade is really a "must" for camping, although you should certainly carry some kind of knife.

The argument for saying that a fixed blade is a "must" is probably that a fixed blade is better than a folding knife in all areas except for social acceptance. An unconcealed fixed blade is easier to access, more comfortable to carry and use, and won't close on fingers. However, fixed blades are not as socially acceptable as folders; they're more visible and even illegal in some places.

When you're camping though, social approval of your knife is not much of a factor. If you camp in a good spot, there won't be many people around, and the few people that you do see probably won't care that you're carrying a fixed blade. So, the main advantage of a folder is no longer present when you're camping.

[This message has been edited by cerulean (edited 10-09-2000).]
 
Gunk. When you camp or hunt, your knife will get all sorts of gunk on it day in and day out. The fixed blade is easier to clean. Do you REALLY want to spread peanut butter with your Sebenza? Folders will do the job and do it well but a fixed blade will make life a little easier. I've cleaned lots of deer with a folder but I prefer a fixed blade 'cause it's easier to keep clean.
 
The only advantage offered by a folder is convenient pocket or concealed carry. Since that isn't normally a requirement while camping and since the fixed blades is better in every other respect, then a fixed blade would be the obvious choice, wouldn't it?



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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
I have to agree with cerulean. I prefer fixed blades but would have a hard time wearing one around town or into work on a daily basis. When I'm camping, no one cares if there's an 8" knife at my side. I also agree with the cleaning issue - I've cleaned deer with folders and with fixed blades and I'm still pulling "gunk" out of the folder.
 
I like the fixed blades because, well, they don't fold, so a lock can't fail. Especially while hammering with the pommel, cutting strips of bark, or other things that make me think that my fingers are safer if i'm using a knife that can't fold.

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
I believe the fixed blade has very few advantages over a strong folder. I do get alittle gunk and lint in my folder but never to the point that it would not lock solidly. Besides, it's no big deal to clean it (which you should do no matter what knife you have). I don't hammer with my knife either, why would anyone? It would be better to sharpen a branch and hammer that or use a branch or rock as a hammer. The same with the peanut butter: carve yourself a wooded butter-knife.
There are two disadvantages I have personally experienced with a fixed blade: It gets caught on vines and branches more than a folder, and there is always the chance of falling on the knife.
But I will also add, try both and see which you like better.

[This message has been edited by allenC (edited 10-09-2000).]
 
With a pack on, the waist strap will dig a hip carried sheath into you, and block access. It also blocks access to a pocketed folder. For this reason, I keep a fixed knife (Talonite Wegner), inverted (Tek-Lok - Yeah, baby!), on my left side strap. I also carry a pocketed folder for when the pack is down just temporarily, or I haven't broken out enough to have moved the Wegner sheath to my hip.

I don't see many folders that are of adequate size for hacking through thicket. For this, I carry a large camp knife - inside the pack for use as needed. When he's full grown enough for me to have the harness made, this will move to my dog's harness.

For most camping type tasks, I would simply prefer to have an open knife, with a larger (4-6") blade, readily accessible with one free hand. A pocketed folder, or a knife that requires opening, is often just too much hassle. Additionally, my hands often have a lot more gunk on them than I want to leave in my pocket. Before you give the obvious response - If you're going to carry your folder open in a sheath, you're carrying a fixed knife, but keeping all of the disadvantages of a folder.

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AKTI Member #A000832

"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, the bear eats you."
 
A major fact of camping life is DIRT. It gets on your hands and clothing. It's there when you sit down. You track it into your tent. It gets on and into things you drop. Plain dirt is everywhere. Compounding the issue is the lack of sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines. Dirt gets onto things and is so inconvenient to remove that it hangs around. Fires are sooty, cooking grease refuses to go away, the grime is out to get you.

There are two ways that folding knife can be inconvenient in this environment. One is the obvious dirt collecting in the knife. If you drop it on the lawn at home cleaning is trivial. If you drop it in the dust and sand of your campsite where you don't have a water tap and sink to work with cleaning is a significant pain in the A. Another issue is that frequently reaching your dirty hands into your pocket to grab your knife gets your pocket dirty. Dust and sand build up in your pocket and your pants get soiled. Often you have sap, grease, soot, oil, fish guts, blood, or other obnoxious fluids on your hands when you decide you need your knife. You can't easily wash your hands before reaching into your pocket. This isn't a life and death issue, but you can start to lower your social presentability when you get that stuff on your pants. A sheath knife is outside of your clothing proper and you can get it with less dirt and slime getting on you.


[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 10-09-2000).]
 
Ditto the plusses mentioned before. And to reiterate something referred to by Cerulean in passing, any decent fixed is "more comfortable to carry and use." Esp for the moderate-to-hard use a knife may see while on the trail, for example, even most of the moderately priced small fixeds will be far more ergonomic than a Sebenza. (And yes, I say that as a "Sebenzanista.")

As someone who prefers smaller knives while backpacking and camping, I think the 3.5" drop pt on the Sebenza is just fine. But a similar-sized sheath knife (3.5" blade/8" OAL) will not only be more ergonomic, it will also be significantly tougher and possibly even lighter (in a much less-expensive package, to boot), esp. if you consider a "non-stainless" carbon steel. For comparison, handle a Chris Reeve small fixed (e.g., a Mountaineer I, 4" blade/8" OAL) alongside a Sebenza, and the former’s all-round advantages become immediately apparent.

(Among "stainless" varieties, compare with Fallkniven’s F1, etc.)

On the trail, I find it much easier to keep a "non-stainless" fixed corrosion-free than a "stainless" folder dirt-free.

Glen
 
The only reason to carry a folding knife instead of a fixed-blade is because you cannot carry a fixed blade due to social influence (i.e. your wife tells you she won't be seen with you if you wear that sheath knife to the party).

Camping, there is no reason not to carry a fixed blade which is inherently stronger, safer, and possesses a better handle to blade ratio.

One could argue that certain folding knives are more fun than fixed blade knives, the butterfly knife for example, but there is no reason not to take one of those along on your camping trip too.
 
Originally posted by JohnW (emphasis added by Joe T):
Assuming I don't hunt animals, chop firewood off trees -- and that nothing is going to attack me where I'll be -- where's the need?
Click to expand...

Need? There is none. I've gotten along just fine with just a folder, given the constraints you outline above. I'm assuming you're also not planning on doing any bushwhacking.

Fixed blades do have advantages over a folder, however. So, whether or not it's technically a need or a desire, it's worth looking at a fixed blade.

Joe
 
Fixed blades aren't a "must have" to
go camping. A folder will do most everything you need a knife to do. A fixed blade will chop and split wood for your campfire. A machete or the outstanding Cold Steel Bushman will serve just fine, and at a good price.

Paul
 
Why not get yourself a relatively small fixed blade (3.5 - 5" blade) in addition to your Sebbie? What's wrong with both?

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Champions make improvements as fast as losers make excuses.
 
Another reason not to carry a fixed-blade is weight.
I also think the "dirt problem" has been blown way out of proportion. I was in the Army and carried a folder on many a 30-day field training exercise(FTX). During those FTXs I was literally in the dirt much more so than when I camp now days, and not once did my folders fail me because of dirt. At various times I carried a Schrade LB7, a Gerber Gator, a Leatherman, and I always carried a SAK.
Unless you're gutting animals, I just don't see how you guys are fouling up your folders so much.
I also don't consider a machette as a fixed-blade knife. It's really a different tool altogether (and an extremely useful one too).
Good luck on your decision.
 
Um, a fixed blade generally weighs less than a similarly-sized folder. That lower weight is one of the reasons why I do carry a fixed-blade in the woods.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
My simple cruddy old stockman knife has been on many camping trips with me and has managed to fulfill most of my camping requirements. I carry it in my front pants pocket just fine, and it does about 85% of what I want to do. For the rest of the stuff I carry a SAK in my backpack and a Buck 110 in the waiststrap pocket. This is more than enough for a short trip using modern camping equipment, and the weight and bulk are easily manageable.

On longer trips, week long canoe trips etc., I like to add a good fixed bladed knife. The fixed blade is larger, more efficient, safer, more ergonomic, and easier to use.
 
A fixed blade IS a knife. A folder is a compromise knife to accomodate sheeple and limited carry situations.

A fixed doesn't fold, fail, foul or require much care compared to a folder. Pick the blade length and weight that is appropriate for your intended uses and definately go for the fixed blade. If, and only if, social or other situations require compromise, then a folder has it's place. But when I am afield, my folder takes back-up role or second seat to the real knives, be they small or large.

When camping I go with a Chris Reeve One Piece, P-1 or Shadow IV, a folder for food prep and clean slicing chores (Sebenza, Buck 110), a multi tool (always a Leatherman, usually a SuperTool) and, the ubiquitous SAK. I'm covered. Give me enough natural resources, a beautiful women along with the aforementioned implements and I could not only survive, but probably begin a civilization!

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 10-10-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 10-10-2000).]
 
I'm in general agreement with everyone else. You can camp with a folder, especially one as rugged as a Seb., and that remains true even when you are doing more than just camping in fixed sites with the car parked next to you, especially if you carry also a light weight portable saw for any wood cutting chores that might come up.

That being said, a fixed blade is far more convenient for just about everything because there's only one step to deploying it, the draw from its sheath. You don't have to open it, and then you don't have to close it again when you're done with it, its that simple.

If you add to that an occasional need to split wood, something ill suited to a saw, but not at all uncommon especially in wet conditions, the fixed blade begins to really outstrip the folder in utility as well as convenience. Get further into the bush where you need possibly to prepare a camp site by cutting away brush and the typically longer fixed blade (my typical camp carry blade is 5"-6" long) becomes even more valuable. If I'm going to have to clear trail as well as camp, then I'm going to bring a machete, and as someone else pointed out, that's a whole different tool class.

This being said, I do carry a backup folder, usually a SAK. I'll save the ultra sharp blade for potential [hopefully minor] medical emergencies, and use the fixed blade for everything else.
 
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