Seriously. I laid it out in the OP. Both knives have to be small enough to carry really easily. I even listed dimensions and gave examples.
Clearly people are buying "diminutive" fixed blade like Izulas and Ritter RSK MK5s for some reason, and I'm asking about that reason.
Thanks. We are talking about one knife and only one knife, like an EDC. I know people not Nutnfancy carry 4 knives, 2 multitools and a gun everywhere, but most of us have a life.
The scenario I'm thinking of is the unplanned walk in the park turns bad with a mudslide or a borrowed car breakdown when you're already lost. Street clothes and EDC. Not a planned hiking trip with pack and multiple survival tools.
What I think is interesting is that I have had a hard time finding references to broken folding knives. If you do a google image search, broken knives are usually tips, followed by tang failures. Google "broken lockback knives" and you get a bunch of spydercos. "Broken pivot knife" gets almost nothing. "Broken linerlock knife" yields one pic of a batoning failure.
While I appreciate the notion that simple is better, I'm wondering where all the broken folding mechanisms are. I realize that the hard core bushcrafters are generally using fixed blades, but there are more folders in the US than anything else, and a lot of them are getting abused.
I would just hate to short change myself on a practical knife for fear of a mechanism breaking that almost never does. A tiny fixed blade may never break, but makes taking care of business twice as hard.
(This reminds me of the revolver vs. auto debate among gun people. Autos are supposed to be less reliable, yet plenty of shooters have had revolvers lock up and also own autos that have never jammed.)
Anyway, I appreciate the discussion. These stoutly constructed folders just really get me wondering how smart I am bothering with toy-like fixed bladed.
I think I understand what you're really asking (kind of a simple question - you stated it clearly enough.....) Why some respondents are failing to answer in the correct context is "curious" (to say the least).
Anyway, were I in that position that I had to choose one or the other, I suppose I'd choose the small fixed blade. I have a CS American Lawman - it is an excellent mid-to-large size folder and I really, really like it. However, it's just a bit large to carry in my pocket - particularly in an EDC role.
I guess this is where the crux to the answer of the question lies - which is easier to carry in an EDC role and has the higher functionality/utility in a hard-pressed situation.
If I'm committed to carrying a small fixed blade, my mindset is already predisposed to being somewhat uncomfortable whereas a folder seems to presume easier in-the-pocket carry and so then the expectation is to be an easier carry. This expectation would be failed and I'm more uncomfortable carrying the folder.
Meanwhile, when carrying the Izula, I'd be slightly uncomfortable carrying it, but I knew ahead of time it would be uncomfortable and am thus not disappointed. In fact, it may carry slightly more comfortable than expected and I get a pleasant surprise with it's less than anticipated discomfort.
To me, a fixed blade has higher utility due to it's simplicity and lower potential for failure. I have used my Lawman for many tasks including helping with fire prep (kindling, batonning, etc). While Lawman has worked in these roles and is not broken in any way, the Izulas I've used promote a much greater level of confidence.
But that's just me.......
