Why bring a folder into the woods?

H

Hang_them_later

Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
116
I have been thinking about this:
I carry a small folder in my pocket every day. It is small, practical and doesn't scare anyone because I can keep it in my pocket. It is the perfect tool for every day use and my "survival knife because I carry it with me" if I find myself in a difficult situation.
But why do some people bring a folder or even several folders into the woods?

When I go hiking I bring the following tools:

1) A fixed blade knife (a standard mora for example).
2) A multi-tool
3) An axe or a heavy chopper

Is there a reason other than testing to bring a folder if I'm going into the woods for a day hike or longer?
 
My favorite 'woods-walker' folder of all times is a Buck 110... what a knife! I do admit to a great feeling of completeness with it in my pocket... even with so many newer examples. That #419 Kalinga Pro (S30V) is a great one, too... gotta go a ways to displace the 110 - the best ~$26 + s/t you can spend on a knife at Wally-World - an American-made classic.

Stainz

PS I have started carrying smaller fixed blades in my pocket as 'woods-walkers' lately...
 
There is a very good reason and a lot of other people that like folders will say something along these lines: Cause we can and cause we like them :).

I prefer my folders over my fixed blades because I am used to handling it and it is almost a reflex to reach down for that knife clipped onto your pocket. I usually have (from now on since I put a "wave" on it) my Benchmade 551 Griptilian. This is a good size knife and it won't scare people. The website says it's 3.45, but it measures out to about 3.6 if you ask me. That is plenty of knife for whatever I'm planning on using it for. I also carry a multi-tool, either my one-hand trekker or my SOG powerlock.

In the end it's all about preference. There isn't any knife out there that is perfect for everybody, or knife X outperforms knife Y. It just depends on your experience and preference. Since I was raised in Scouts (since I was 5 going on 6), I was always taught to use folders, so the habit has stuck with me. Hope this helps, J.
 
I carry a Vic Farmer into the woods for a back up. It's always in my pocket and that's the first place I'll go if I lose my fixed blade.
 
I really don't see any reason why a folder would not suffice, especially when accompanied by a camp axe, or heavy chopper.
 
lately I've only been carrying a folder (usually a vic farmer or a large stockman) I carry a heavy knife or axe in my pack...but for the most part a folder can do everything I need in the woods...I'm not splitting logs or building a log cabin mostly I'm cutting paracord making shavings for a fire or prepping some food, so that's all I need....today I went out for a hike with the Mrs. and the line up was a boker large stockman in my pocket an opinel folding saw on my belt, and a kabar heavy bowie in my bag.
 
Ok, this is the list so far for reasons to bring a folder when going on hikes:

Cause I can
Completeness
Back up

more.....?
 
Sometime I feel the same way. I carry the same trio that you do. I know that if I just carried a SAK or multitool (wave) with a small hatchet(fiskars) I would be fine. I'm used to it since I have done it a lot before when camping or hiking. I find that sometimes that I don't even use my Mora at all, but when I need to use it. It is on my person just in case, Since I carry the hatchet in my pack and I get separated from it. I guess it's just a comfort thing for me.
 
smitty0331 said:
I really don't see any reason why a folder would not suffice, especially when accompanied by a camp axe, or heavy chopper.
Click to expand...

It may be sufficient but a fixed blade knife is stronger than a folder and in the woods there is no big need to hide a knife in your pocket.
 
Hang_them_later said:
Ok, this is the list so far for reasons to bring a folder when going on hikes:

Cause I can
Completeness
Back up

more.....?
Click to expand...

It's that knife that is always there for you even when all you use is a fixed blade. When I do carry a fixed blade I'm always reaching for my folder just out of habbit because I always carry a folder wherever I'm at.
 
I carry a small folder in the woods because it is small, practical, doesn't scare anyone and because I can keep it in my pocket. It is the perfect tool for every day use even in the woods. I also carry a Puukko made by AK. I only own 1 straight knife because after I bought the puukko I just have not found anything better.
 
To paraphrase - Beware the man with only one knife, he probably knows how to use it!

I know the above doesn't apply to hardly anyone on this forum, myself included, but it does make a point. For the past 16 years I've EDC'ed a Vic Rucksack. We have gone around the planet, under the sea, into the bush, into the depths of the earth. It is a trusted and valuable friend. I've never felt underknifed. I've also never tried to baton or pry open anything tougher than a beer bottle or a paint can with it. It works for me. It may not work for you. That's why this forums exists. We all have different ideas of what our needs, wants, and desires when it comes to knifedom. I choose to carry folders. You are free to make a different choice.
 
Forgot to add:
Sometimes carrying a folder can be a PITA in the winter time because you have to take your gloves off sometimes.
 
I am buying more folders now rather than fixed. In fact I sold the bulk of my tactical folders and have been buying more of the traditional folders. They seem more practical for my uses. Folders are indeed great.
 
This is a good thread so far :thumbup:. By the time I log in next time there's probably going to be 5 pages to read before I get caught up :D.
 
It may be sufficient but a fixed blade knife is stronger than a folder and in the woods there is no big need to hide a knife in your pocket.
Click to expand...

You can go on about sheeple and all, but out on a trail, a lot of people are made really nervous by strangers approaching with a big knife. (I carry a Spyderco in my pocket and a becker in my pack) Hell, it made me a little nervous when two hairy strangers stopped by my camp with USMC knives on their belt, and I had the same knife under the jacket next to me.

I can clean a trout easily with my small fixed blade, but it IS heavier than my SAK Rucksack or trekker both of which I will carry as the mood strikes me... (though I will admit, not THAT much heavier, and a small fixed CAN fit in the front pocket).

There, did that post ramble back and forth enough?
 
I look at knives as tools and no one tool can do all jobs well, a folder hardly weighs any thing and gives you a few more options or in the case of a stockmen knife a few more blades in case somthing happens to your main cutting tool.
then you get the fact that if you carry a folder or a sheath knife for that matter long enough they become like old friends and who wants to leave there friend home when your having a good time:)
 
Tonight I'm going to try to get a Buck 110 into the house, but I've got to get it past the wife. Where there is a will, theres a way. She thinks I'm buying too many knives. It's part of my folder binge. I tell her I'm just another misunderstood knife nut.
 
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