Why bother with folders at all?

M

mikemck

Joined
Sep 22, 2000
Messages
1,221
For all of my knife acquiring days, I have always shunned fixed blades. Not because I did'nt particularly like them, but I just assumed I could not realistically carry them on my 5'5" frame.

Well, I was wrong. I have been carrying my Strider MFS in my front pocket, without the tek-lok, and it's discreet and comfortable.
And never mind the feeling of confidence I get with a cold hard piece of Strider Steel locked in my fist :)

I have also been carrying my Busse Basic #5 on my belt, and it's also discreet and comfortable. I have tucked the end of the sheath into my front pocket for a bit of concealment, and have had no problems.

Fixed blades are quicker into "action", are easier to maintain and clean, and can be had in an infinite variety of blade lengths and configurtions, and they surely do pass the spine whack test :)

I am a fixed blade convert for sure now, because really, I can't see any drawbacks to carrying a fixed blade.
 
In Texas you can carry a FB in your pocket, out of sight. In NC it would have to be visible on my belt. If I was going to carry a FB, I'd go ahead and carry a gun on my belt. Both are legal for open carry in NC, but no one does it much. To much hassle.


Blades
 
I find them handier than a fixed blade and I enjoy the finely crafted mechanisms to be found on folders.
 
i don't for the most part. if the blade is any longer than 2 1/2" iwant a full tang fixed blade. i do carry a ken onion wharancliff 1500, around town. its small and you can drop it in your pants pocket when wearing slacks or other lite pants.
 
For two reasons which I've stated before
1. I don't CARRY fixed blades unless I'm camping, hunting, fishing, etc. Because they are, quite frankly, uncomfortable in any position. The well mades ones are decently comfortable, but get in the way all the time. Even a slip sheath in the pocket can make it uncomfortable to sit down and bend over if the knife's got any length to it. Those that are really comfortable(strapped to the thigh, shoulder and so forth require elaborate clothing to conceal the elaborate and very sheeple unfriendly sheathing systems.
2. The folding knife is just fun to play with. You get bored you can pull it out and start knifesturbating, as I've heard it described in one knife magazine a few years ago. A fixed blade has no nifty mechanism to keep the bored mind busy.

I love both fixed blades and folders, I just have not found a decent way to carry a fixed blade knife around on normal occassions.
 
Most of my clients are OK when I pull out a folder to perform a task. NONE of my clients would keep me on staff if a fixed blade appeared on my belt or emerged from a pocket.
 
I think there will always be a market and a need for folders. There are certain occasions were carrying a fixed blade is not acceptable or simply, not possible. A folder is therefore, easier to carry, easier to conceal and practical. You don't see many people walking the streets of large cosmopolitan cities with 7 inch bowie knives on their belts. Also, one must consider what the local laws are depending where you live. In some areas, it is possible to carry fixed blades openly, and in other areas, it is not.
 
Nothing can compare to the tactile sensation and auditory experience of a good quality folder "snicking" open.
 
For convenience, PC, and legality, some people need a folder.
For function, they have no advantages, IMO, which is why I've sold all of mine except my favorites, a couple that were gifts, and a couple that are too beat up to sell.
I frequently do things with my Nimravus and Basic 5 that I would never consider doing with any folder.
I'm wearing two fixed blades, right now. One on my belt, and a neck knife. Still have my favorite folder in my pocket, too, though. Pretty loaded down, today.

Folders are nice, but fixed blades rule:)
 
Okay, here it goes...
This is only MY opinion and I'm sure that the vast majority of other folks think differently but, unless you're in the woods, I think a fixed knife on a belt looks stupid.
This is not a flame toward anyone but the only people I ever see with a LARGE fixed-blade are people who very seldom use a knife (chefs and Soldiers exluded).
It seems to me that the more experienced knife users carry smaller knives (mostly pocket-knives like SAKs, trappers, and stockman knives).
I can see the usefulness of a small fixed-blade (say about a 3"-4" blade) but I don't think it is really BETTER than a strong folder. I suppose it could be deployed quicker--but only by about 1 second against a Spyderco. Besides, how fast do you need to draw your knife? If you're being attacked you can use your fist and feet even quicker than you can draw a fixed-blade.

Allen.
 
I have one fixed blade on me every minute of the day, except when I'm in the shower, a mini puukko 2 1/2" OAL) I wear in memory of James Mattis. I have two other neck knives I wear a lot, DDR Arclite and Carson F4. On weekends I will wear a Russ Easler 3" skinner in a belt sheath. I have taken my Ed Fowler Pronghorn for a couple of walks in the park. If I wear it on my belt I will get some looks, but if I slip the knife and sheath into the front pocket of my shorts it doesn't show at all. It does look like I'm glad to see you though. ;)

For my everyday needs I really don't do any heavy cutting that the three folders I carry can't handle. Lets admit it a folder is easier to carry and get away with.
 
Just really curious.

I have found that my friends react positively to my "gentleman folders". These are folders with very pretty finishing, such as mother-of-pearl scales, or patterned wood scales with a glossy finish, and mirror-polished blades. (Of course these friends don't react too well when I pull out a black-FRN handled folder)

Are there "gentleman fixed blades"? I know that there a quite a number with very beautiful handles, patterned etching on the blade, and even one guy who puts a small ruby in to all his blades (can't remember the guy off hand). But have they ever been referred to as "gentleman fixed blades" or something similar? And what about the response they elicit?

Personally, I found that my friends don't react as well to my fixed blades, but I only have two which are, IMO, pretty enough to possibly fall in this category. They have nice patterned wood handles and bright mirror polishing. But they don't have mother-of-pearl inserts or beautiful etching, so I can't really tell if my friends would really react as well to these pretty fixed blades as they would to my "gentleman folders".
 
Originally posted by Aphthartos
The folding knife is just fun to play with. You get bored you can pull it out and start knifesturbating, as I've heard it described in one knife magazine a few years ago.
Click to expand...

:D:D

Hi, I'm Bill and I'm a chronic knifesturbator. I love fixed blades and use them extensively in outdoor settings, but this does nothing to diminish the pleasure I receive from manipulating a solidly constructed and precisely finished folder.:)
 
I have to agree with this -

I love fixed blades and use them extensively in outdoor settings, but this does not diminish...
Click to expand...

The proper tool for the proper job, I leave Saturday for the BWCAW, I am taking two fixed blades (one is a tiny neck knife) and a folder. I could probably do without any one of them, but they each have their purpose. (The neck knife is great for cutting the new 'spyder' type lines while fishing).


Steve-O
 
So many years ago, I had thought there were no carry sytem(s) that would provide comfort, convenience, ease of access, and concealment (relative to individual) for a small/ medium fix blade. With the exception of legalities within different geographies, I have found that my Dozier fix blades in their near horizontal easy on/ off kydex belt sheaths have filled this need. They can be worn strong side or crossdraw near the abdomen areas. Sabre or reverse grip draw. They can be worn in the SOB position for a reverse cavalry draw as well. Your choice.

As for the need of folders? Well, I' ll agree convenience is a big factor here. There is also the entertaining factor where one finds so many ways to deploy a folder. Thumb it, wrist flick it, hole drop it, etc. Click, clack, thwack, ker- chunk! Again your choice. :)

Nakano

PS- neck knives are a wonderful way to carry a fix blade!
 
So that's the technical term for this condition. Cheers! :D

Originally posted by Aphthartos
... 2. The folding knife is just fun to play with. You get bored you can pull it out and start knifesturbating, as I've heard it described in one knife magazine a few years ago. A fixed blade has no nifty mechanism to keep the bored mind busy....
Click to expand...
 
I have to admit that fixed blades are always stronger than fixed blades but I love the convenience of folding knives. I think that folders have a refined, civilized essence that ficed blades just don't give me. Furthermore, I like to play with my folders just like everybody else!
 
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