Why carry a fixed blade knife ?

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FFK

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What are the reasons to carry a fixed blade knife ? What steel do you prefer ?
 
Strength, reliability, less working parts to clean out. You just throw it in your bag or pocket and you're good to go. I'm looking forward to reading other people's responses, as I have limited experience with carrying fixed blades.

Personally, I like 1095 and O1.
 
I am a big fan of O1 and D2, well tool steels in general make nice knives and force you to take care of them.
 
If I have an absolutely great small fixed blade knife which I consider to be the very best design that a certain great knifemaker ever made, and it is pocket friendly and very concealable, and I live in a state where people are still relatively free to carry tools of their choosing, and I prefer my knives to not be pre-broken in the middle, then why not?
 
I mostly carry folders. But I do rotate a couple fixed blades as EDC's from time to time. For a general purpose higher end fixed blade, I like D2 or CPM 154 both of which are Bob Dozier blades with his horizontal kydex sheath. I also will be carrying a Kabar Becker BK-24 (also in D2) when I get a better sheath for it.

Looking at the Blackjack 155 as another option as it comes with a kydex sheath rather than the glass impregnated plastic that comes with the Becker Kabars neck knives. Those sheaths dull the edge quickly.

Why a fixed blade? Convenience and something to change my routine a bit. I have carried a larger Dozier with his wilderness sheath (vertical belt) and nobody even notices the knife and it is quite a bit larger than my other fixed blades that I might EDC. I don't wander around "downtown" much and most of my carry is out in the suburbs doing routine errands and tasks. I absolutely would not carry the larger knife "downtown" as it is technically illegal from a blade length point of view, but out in the woods, no problem.
 
I don't around town. I used to but I realized a folder is easier to carry and better at cutting the things you would cut around town than a small fixed blade. In the woods I carry one to split wood apart for making campfires. I like most of the non-stainless steels but I'd have to put SR101 and 3V near the top.
 
I have always hoped that someone would come up with an untested folding knife with a overly complicated locking mechanism that would, in computer models, stand up to lateral stresses as well as a fixed blade! I have lots of prying I need to do. :D

Why carry a fixed blade? Simple. Because it doesn't fold, and all folders fold.
 
Generally speaking, a fixed blade is more economical than a similar folder.
 
FFK said:
What are the reasons to carry a fixed blade knife ? What steel do you prefer ?
Click to expand...


I carry a fixed blade everyday.

I carry them on my belt in a leather sheath.

Typical EDC knives have blades less then 4", but if I'm spending the day in the woods or a rural job-site I might carry a knife with up to a 6" blade, anything bigger gets in the way while sitting or driving.

Preferred steels vary a bit. Anything from the very tough A2 up to CPM steels like S30V and M4, I also have a CTS-XHP knife that I EDC often.

I carry them because I use knives hard, many tasks I would not attempt with a folder. Once you start using a lot of force a fixed blade shines, not only is is so much stronger then a folder, the handle shapes I choose allow me to apply this force with a fair amount of comfort, unlike the compromise handle on a folder (i.e., the ability to fold the knife into the handle forces the designer to make some concessions when it comes to the ultimate ergonomics of the grip area).

I generally also carry a folder, and have a few more in my truck, but I use them for the light duty tasks they excel at.

That said, I also always have some larger fixed blades stashed away in my truck or gear. :eek:




Big Mike
 
marcinek said:
I have always hoped that someone would come up with an untested folding knife with a overly complicated locking mechanism that would, in computer models, stand up to lateral stresses as well as a fixed blade! I have lots of prying I need to do. :D

Why carry a fixed blade? Simple. Because it doesn't fold, and all folders fold.
Click to expand...

Sigh maybe someday m I carry a fixed blade when i plan on prying.
 
I pretty much carry one on a daily basis. As John mentioned in post #2...strength and reliability rank at the top for me. Only because my fixed blades are ninety percent used on the job they can be exposed to lateral stress more often then not.

Working outdoors during the Winter months I always neck carry a small fixed blade just under my Carhartt bibs. For me it provides the most easy way to access a blade with all the obstacles cold weather provides.

In regards to steels I cover a wide spectrum.

1095
A2
D2
3V
 
I prefer a fixed over a folder for EDC. I carry a RAT 3 in D2. When I am hiking/camping I carry my J Garrison in A2. A2 is probably my all time favorite. If heated correctly it is perfect for me.
 
paulhilborn said:
I pretty much carry one on a daily basis. As John mentioned in post #2...strength and reliability rank at the top for me. Only because my fixed blades are ninety percent used on the job they can be exposed to lateral stress more often then not.

Working outdoors during the Winter months I always neck carry a small fixed blade just under my Carhartt bibs. For me it provides the most easy way to access a blade with all the obstacles cold weather provides.

In regards to steels I cover a wide spectrum.

1095
A2
D2
3V
Click to expand...

Good post, Paul :thumbup: I need to give neck carry a genuine shot. Never got into that.

LEGION 12 said:
Sometimes I carry both.
Click to expand...

Admit it, that Bark River is just for looks. I know the Jarbenza handles the real grunt work!
 
grownstar said:
Good post, Paul :thumbup: I need to give neck carry a genuine shot. Never got into that.



Admit it, that Bark River is just for looks. I know the Jarbenza handles the real grunt work!
Click to expand...

Can't deny the truth my good man.
 
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