Why do we use "single blade folders" instead of old style slipjoints?

For me, full day out (not going to the city- Boston), I carry 3 knives at least. I like to have fixed, locking folder, and slipjoint. I know I've said this before, but there are honestly times when it would work better to have one of each. I don't trust locks necessarily- even framelocks-, so for hard use I still prefer a fixed- and you can get SO many smaller quality fixed blades I don't know why you'd not carry one if you legally can. For all other tasks where I won't get the hairy eyeball from the local crowd I like the locking folder for convenience. However, for those times when you're around skiddish people its a good idea to have a slipjoint- even if it takes longer to get to it. There's something paranoid people find comforting about the fact that you have to fish in the bottom of your pocket for a knife, and then have to slowly open it up with two hands. Just my .02; although I want to get a LM Charge XTi for christmas and carry it along with an Atwood BOB.


Sincerely,
Anthony
 
For me, the question is not about locking vs. slipjoint. It's about 1 blade vs. 3 blades. (or more) I have absolutely no use for a one-handed pocket clipped single blade slipjoint. Why bother when I could get the same deal with the added benefit of a lock? (I don't have to worry about silly laws against lockers)

To me, several edges are gonna be better than one. The popularity of single bladed knives makes me think people just don't use knives as much as in days past. (or they're carrying several different knives) I often use my blades for things that actually dull & damage them quickly. Then, a while later when I need a really sharp blade, I'd be out of luck with a one hander. It's nice to have one blade you don't mind abusing, because you always know you've got more sharp blades waiting in reserve. It's nice to have a bigger blade for bigger tasks, and also have a tiny blade for delicate work.

My solution is to carry a one hander in the right pocket for quick deployment, and a multiblade slipjoint or three in other pockets for other tasks.

I think a better solution would be to make more knives that have the pocket clip, strong lock, quick opening device such as a thumbstud or hole, and several blades. The Buck crosslock was a great example, and I think Benchmande did one, but I didn't really care for any I've seen. -Very little selection.
 
When I carried the Tinker model SAK I found the small pen knife blade that came with it very handy. Because is was so thin it was great for slicing heavy cardboard or plastic like trash cans. It would be handy to have a couple sort of box-opener pen knife blades on a heavy duty locking folder.
 
i think you are right that multi-tools being what they are, multiple tools, are much more handy then a regular folder. the reason why wouldnt carry a leatherman is becasue it tends to flop around in my pocket and i really, really do not like things on my belt, not even sheaths, the only thing you will find on my belt is a maglight. and back to the pocket thing the folders no are nice and slim. then just slide right in and dont get in the way. and also i think the overall quality of multi-tools, saks compared to a folder is drastic. i mean you can get a high end production knife for over 100, i dont think you can get a multi-tool for that price.

and about the woods i dont think you would be better of with a multi tool becuse the quality of the blade is not as good therefor not holding an edge as well and not being as tough. but if they were high quality multi-tools then i think you would be much better off with one.
 
The only reason I carry a knife is to cut something. A single blade that is as sharp as a razor, easy to open and close, made of durable, edge-holding steel that locks up tight (for safety's sake, not to try and make it as strong as a straight knife) is as simple as it gets. Open, cut, close. Like the Fisher, I don't carry a knife as a weapon--it's a cutting tool. Simple. I like simple.

At work, I have a small tool kit in my desk. In my vehicles, at home and in my RV, I have full tool kits. And when I'm not near any of the above, I have a tiny little Leatherman Micra.
 
I think a lot of people who carry tacticals (or any knife clipped to their pocket) exclusively are really missing out.

Yes, a tactical is faster to deploy, yes they are one handed, yes they have a clip, yes they have a lock. No, they don't have cutting efficiency.

I will match even a moderate grade slipjoint up against an "all-of-the-above" knife in almost any daily cutting task you can think of. They are gound much much thinner and have the ability to cut much more effectively.

You name it, boxes, food, leather etc... thinner is better.

Tacticals suit me best for extremely heavy cutting that does not require precision, and times when I will need one handed access.

Why worry about speed anyway, we pay a lot of money for our "toys" why not savor the act of using them by taking your time ;)
 
I started with a Tinker all by its lonesome. Then I got myself some one handers and moved the sak to the left pocket with a locking blade clipped to the right. After thinking I had lost a Vic Mechanic, I got a PSTII to replace it. On my second Wave (plus a few other saks and multitools) now. And until I get my stuff from home shipped out here, it's the only blade/tool I carry, but I will move the sheath to the other hip and add a one hander back in when I get my baies back :) My only other knife right now is a Pocket Hobbit that really wouldn't work for utility use. I have a micarta SERE Attack II coming in, which may see some carry time, but I'm not sure if I want that in a sheath along with the Wave and cell phone on my belt. I had been carrying multitools in pocket w/my keys for a few years, so I may go back to that.

I have in my collection an Uncle Henry mini stockman, Queen D2 Texas toothpick, and an Opinel #8, but I don't carry those as a multiool/sak is just as accesible and more useful, and my locking blades are stronger and faster/more convenient to place in hand.
 
allenC said:
I carry a single-blade folder because multi-blade slip-joints with pocket-clips and one-hand-opening-ability are few and far between.
Click to expand...

Bingo! (Add locks to that.)

Knifemakers need to mix it up a bit.
There's the:
CASE Midhunter with clip and stud,
Victorinox one-handed Trailmaster
Buck Crosslock with multi-blades
Spyderco Dyads
S&W Cutting Horse
but other than that... :confused:

I would totally buy multi-bladed "tacticals" if more makers made them.

.
 
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