When is a short fixed blade better than a large/sturdy folder for bushcraft/survival?

I can't answer the question the OP posed for everyone. But for myself, I never depend on a folder to do anything but cut stuff. That's why I'm perfectly happy carrying only lightweight folders. I don't rely on a folder for defensive purposes. I don't use it for thrust cuts. I don't rely on locks to keep me from injuring myself . . . even Andrew Demko's. And I sure as hell don't use it pry stuff. For me, the ONLY reason to choose a folder over a fixed-blade is convenience . . . I can carry more cutting edge in a smaller package with a folder than I can with a fixed-blade. Otherwise, fixed-blades rule.
 
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I'm going to say preference and confidence.

Many people have different preferences and feel the same confidence while using both fixed and folders. Others have different preferences and confidence in their tools and abilities while using just fixed or just folders. It all comes down to the knowledge of who, what, where, why, when, and how you use your tools in your survival situation. I will not say one is better then the other because in the tasks that you would use a smaller fixed blade you could use any modern 'over built' folder for without any fear. Is there a chance of failure? sure, there is with any tool.

Give somebody with no survival knowledge a BK2 and set them off in one direction... Give Bear Grylls a case peanut and set him off in the other (to drink his own pee :D sorry I had to add that) and guaranteed the person with more knowledge and experience will survive.

I just happen to be one of 'those' guys who EDC's everything that I would need to survive in most shtf or disaster situations. Its just all part and parcel to my preference and confidence to be able to survive.
 
In all real world use, I can't see anyplace where a small fixed blade is not head and shoulders above any small to medium folder. If I could, I'd rather carry a small pocket fixed blade over any folder, all the time. It's only society and it's laws, both written and unwritten and enforced by social pressure, that rules us.

And small pocket sized fixed blade is going to be stronger, easier to clean and maintain, safer with no lock to foul with pocket lint or other dirt. In any kind of emergency, you can lean on the fixed blade a bit more, depending on the blade stock. I always carry a folding pocket knife because living in the Peoples Repumblik Of Marylandistan, I can't conceal ANY fixed blade knife. That makes even a ridiculously small knife like a Buck Hartsook technically illegal. But an Opinel number 12 in a coat pocket is okay.

For any kind of woods use, survival, bushcraft use, I can't think of one single reason I'd prefer a folder over a fixed blade. There are small Puuko's that have 2 1/2 to 3 inch blades that are outstanding for bushcraft whittling. I resent society and the bleating of panicking sheep that make it not viable form to have a small puuko dangling from my belt at all times.
 
bld522 said:
I can't answer the question the OP posed for everyone. But for myself, I never depend on a folder to do anything but cut stuff. That's why I'm perfectly happy to carry lightweight folders. I don't rely on a folder for defensive purposes. I don't use it for thrust cuts. I don't depend upon locks . . . even Andrew Demko's. And I sure as hell don't use it pry stuff. For me, the ONLY reason to choose a folder over a fixed-blade is convenience . . . you can carry more cutting edge in a smaller package with a folder than you can with fixed-blade. Otherwise, fixed-blades rule.
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I would add legality issues and social mores to the reasons folders can be a better choice, but otherwise I agree. An equivalent fixed blade will always outperform the matching folder.

The OP, however, seems to be talking about a more asymmetric situation. Most of us aren't willing to carry a 4-5" fixed blade on our belt all the time due to the previously mentioned social, legal and convenience issues.

Take the Izula given as an example. I don't mind the Izula 2 with micarta scales, but the original Izula is, for me, a big hotspot in the form of a knife. So my preference would generally go comfortable fixed blade > comfortable folder > blister inducing fixed blade > blister inducing folder.
 
I agree with the two or three blade cutting approach to a woods situation; Folder for most things (slicing or what might be termed whittling) and backup, Fixed blade for larger tasks that require more force and knife strength (light batonning, slicing, cutting larger live wood), and a folding saw for efficient cutting of normal sized wood for camp accessories, perhaps a shelter or longer stronger supports for a tarp.

Without a doubt I use a folder the most because that is what my brain is conditioned to reach for first in most any cutting situation where as many will pick up the fixed blade. In the woods, if had to choose one, it would be a 5-6" fixed blade, but folders are just so handy.

I really like using my GEC #42 traditional for outdoor use. Since I have two blades, there is a back up built into the knife design. But I tend to always carry my 111mm SAK because I like the convenience of having the tweezers, tooth pick, screw drivers and main cutting blade available. But, I don't want to due assisted cutting or splitting (batonning) with either of these unless it was a life and death situation. Of those SAK tools, I would miss the tweezers the most, so it would be very easy to carry a small SAK in you pack for just this purpose and have the GEC and larger fixed blade for real cutting.

In my experience, the folder has been all I have ever really needed unless I am playing in the woods. Even field dressing deer, the folder is all I needed, but I would prefer the fixed blade. I like the security of having the fixed blade available; so I will carry one. Yes, there is a lot of marketing hype involved with choosing woods-use tools as well as personal preference. Do what you like and feel comfortable with, but I think you're always better off having a knife with you in the woods than not.
 
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Insipid Moniker said:
I would add legality issues and social mores to the reasons folders can be a better choice, but otherwise I agree.
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I can't argue that point. You've always got to keep an eye out for the sheeple. :mad: Which is why I never clip my knives to my pocket. Seems to me you've got to use very special logic to carry a folder for concealment purposes and then let everybody know you've got one on you. :rolleyes:
 
collim1 said:
One thing I have noticed is I rarely find a folding knife as comfortable to use for extended periods of time as a fixed blade.

I carry a folding knife because it's convenient and concealed from view. When out if the city I have no use for a folding knife and usually have some form of Mora around my neck.
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This is my feeling also. I don't have a folder that is as comfortBle to use long term as one of my moras, Finn bear, or 16.
 
I guess my question would be "what is long term use?" Using for an hour in one day or using for minutes spread out over a period of weeks or years? There is little doubt to me that the fixed blade is more comfortable to use for the most part. But often the size is such that the user is more apt to cut himself than with a folder that they might use on a regular basis. That is pretty much me.... I use folders a lot, but use fixed blades only occasionally. But fixed blades probably amount to more than 60% of the dollars spent by me on knives in general just because I like them.
 
bld522 said:
I can't argue that point. You've always got to keep an eye out for the sheeple. :mad: Which is why I never clip my knives to my pocket. Seems to me you've got to use very special logic to carry a folder for concealment purposes and then let everybody know you've got one on you. :rolleyes:
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I was going more for the fact that people seem more comfortable with folders, particularly if most of it stays out of sight. Enough people carry modern folders in my area that it's not very remarkable to see a clip, seeing a fixed blade on your hip, though? That will get people talking and asking questions.
 
I apologize if this has already been mentioned, I simply read the title and the first thing that popped in my mind is WHEN YOURE DRESSING GAME. food is a rather important part of survival and anyone who has done their fair share of hunting knows just how much of a pita cleaning a folder vs cleaning up a fixed blade is. id pick my Izula II over one of my Buck 110s for whitetail, small critters, and even fileting fish any day of the week.
 
No question that cleaning biological materials from a fixed blade is easier and more certain than a folder with all of its design nooks and crannies where something could hide. But in survival, you are dealing with what works and both fixed blades and folders work for the cleaning game purpose.
 
Angus McGunnigle said:
This is my feeling also. I don't have a folder that is as comfortBle to use long term as one of my moras, Finn bear, or 16.
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And you carry a Mora, Finn bear, or BK16 all day every day?

In the spirit of the OP , if I were to be teleported into the wilderness this is what I would have on me right now...

mwa63a.jpg


I can say the Military would be more valuable than my little Swick 4. Would I rather have my F1? Of course, but I am not carrying it all the time.


Edit: Forgot to put my Fenix PD22 light in the pic
 
If I was spirited into the wilderness/woods, I would have two folders in all likelihood with me and is consistant with with what you said Todd.

If I were driving and then spirited, then I would have far more resources typically. But there is a small chance it could happen while driving my wife's car and then I would have two folders with me. :D
 
This is kind of like a trick question . There are so many variables that come into play here . A good quality , heavy built folder could well out last a cheap fixed blade that could break under hard use . As stated above , having the knowledge to accomplish many tasks with little or no need for a knife will of course extend the life of ANY knife . But put even a small good quality fixed blade and a heavily built folder into continuous use and the fixed blade will outlast ANY folder over time .

A lot has to do with the quality of the knife and it's steel .
 
so many of the words in this title clash. You don't need either, but a small fixed will always be better than a heavy piece of marketing.
 
B34NS said:
so many of the words in this title clash. You don't need either, but a small fixed will always be better than a heavy piece of marketing.
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So you'd rather go with a CRKT Minimalist wharncliffe than, say, a Cold Steel American Lawman?
 
CRKT is selling knives with what they call the "Lawks" lock, Walker Knife Safety System or simply Glide Lock and claim that once activated it is a "virtual fixed blade". I purchased a CRKT Folding Razel in the last month. It is a fairly big knife and the lock seems pretty sound. Whether it is a virtual fixed blade is another matter. But for a work knife, it seems strong and safe enough for me.
 
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B34NS said:
Sure! From my personal experience the size of the knife has little to do with my skillset. And anything but CS
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Skillsets don't have much to do with physics and your skillset would be no different with the folder than the fixed. What makes the CRKT a better choice? And why no CS?
 
Thank you, everyone, for the good discussion. I think my feelings are match up with this statement from Insipid:
the original Izula is, for me, a big hotspot in the form of a knife. So my preference would generally go comfortable fixed blade > comfortable folder > blister inducing fixed blade > blister inducing folder.
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I'd rather have something that's more useful, EVEN if there is a potentially higher risk of failure.

I do really wonder about that risk of failure with folders, though. I sincerely doubt that no Buck 110s haven't gotten the snot beaten out of them in the last 50 years. Chipping through a whitetail pelvis is no joke.


And I realize "survival" is nonsense. It is just a way of framing a discussion about the pluses and minuses of tiny fixed bladed vs. big folders with hard use thrown in. We all realize that we could forget all our knives at home and it wouldn't impact our day at all. They are fun, take-along tools, not necessities.


What really got me going was taking apart and using a large Sebenza after spending a fair amount of time sharpening and making sheaths and scales for a BK11 and BK24. They are okay, but neither shaped well enough to dress a small animal, nor heavy enough to chop. They aren't easy to carve without handles, but carry pretty darn big either way. I just had a hard time seeing the Sebenza breaking under any of the strains I could put a little fixed under.


Jackknife, I think if you carried one of those stubby, round handled traditional puukkos dangling from you belt, most people wouldn't even realize it was a knife:
129381098_eef9a58c6c.jpg
 
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