Why I Like Folders

MHill said:
I learned it from my grandfather and my dad, but I always carry a slip joint on my front pocket. It's not tacticool but it cuts everything I need cut. I usually have a harness jack which has a substantial blade and a punch which comes in handy a lot more than one would think.

I owned one of those ZT monsters for a day. Damn thing kept pulling my pants down.
Click to expand...

You see how unused mine is. It is a heavy knife for sure. But it is built like a tank. It fits nicely in my water bottle pouch, but it is a bit much for EDC.
 
I'm probably in the minority here, but I carry a folder and a FB usually when I have knives on me. In my head the folder is a utility style blade meant as a tool. The FB is a weapon meant to complement my carry pistol.

If you've ever done any combatives you'd understand why - say you get taken to the ground and you're on top of where your pistol is...or someone is trying to take your pistol and you need something in the support side to assist in retention.

I generally wear my FB at 10-11oclock, horizontal, blade down.

Folder is usually in left pocket.

I hardly ever get all decked out with the full carry load anymore though...it becomes annoying some time to have all this extra crap with me....phone...spare mag...glock 19...two knives...flashlight...tac pen..Lately I've just been going folder, g19, phone.
 
Allthough! I got a leatherman surge I carry 24/7.


It's a great tool! I use it for everything, of I can't do it with my surge it can't be done!
It's all I ever use!
 
I go back and forth. Folders are more convenient but sometimes I just want a simpler knife that isn't mechanical. Right now I have a Spydie Military in my pocket and is usually the knife on me 90 percent of the time. Some days I just like to go old school and carry the Izzy though. It's not the strength I want but the simplicity.
 
KaosX said:
I'm probably in the minority here, but I carry a folder and a FB usually when I have knives on me. In my head the folder is a utility style blade meant as a tool. The FB is a weapon meant to complement my carry pistol.

If you've ever done any combatives you'd understand why - say you get taken to the ground and you're on top of where your pistol is...or someone is trying to take your pistol and you need something in the support side to assist in retention.

I generally wear my FB at 10-11oclock, horizontal, blade down.

Folder is usually in left pocket.

I hardly ever get all decked out with the full carry load anymore though...it becomes annoying some time to have all this extra crap with me....phone...spare mag...glock 19...two knives...flashlight...tac pen..Lately I've just been going folder, g19, phone.
Click to expand...

Wow, I'd have a hard time remembering all that as daily carry. I'm lucky if I remember my pants and a cigarette lighter.
 
I totally agree with you on the folder vs. small fixed blade ESEE-3 on down to Izula. Could not have put it more succinctly and with the photo comparisons as well.

I've been debating the Izula because of the relatively low cost and enormous forum appeal, but you just elucidated my case. That is why for fixed blades I believe larger is better (ESEE-4 and up or Becker BK2 and up).

Thankyou;
Vin
 
R.A.T. said:
After all the ups and downs of trying to do a folder and seeing good companies screw things up, we will not do a folder now unless Rowen builds it. Period. I compare Rowen to Chris Reeve when it comes to attention to detail and precision. I know when he does the ESEE-3 it will not have problems, and not need to be returned or recalled. It will either be right or it won't get shipped. We know Shon too well. Sometimes things just work out the right way even though we don't even realize it at the time.

As for what I'm carrying, it's a prototype of the ESEE-3 folder. Gianni did a good job on the protos of our design (Tom was a major part of the design). Anyway, Mike and I are carrying them to make sure we don't want any changes before Shon tools up to do this project. Once these come to market, everyone will be impressed. I can gurantee that.
Click to expand...


I'm holding off on the purchase of some other knives for this blade. I don't know when it's going to come to market, but we are all waiting anxiously for it.
 
Horn Dog said:
Thanks for giving your reasons and experiences, RJ. I knew there had to be some reason some people only carried fixed blades. I guess I never had to use my knives that hard in the course of my daily jobs and such. Folders have always worked out fine for me, especially the little SAKs with the other tools on them.
Click to expand...

What does suck about carrying a fb is the"freak out" factor. John Q Public is generally more tolerant of seeing someone whip out a folder than a fixed blade, so folders are more socially acceptable.
 
RJ79 said:
What does suck about carrying a fb is the"freak out" factor.
Click to expand...

Not in Gallant Alabama. Of course, around here a tractor is a legal, and sometime preferred, means of transportation to the local store to buy chewing tobacco.
 
I always have a folder on me, and it is usually what I grab when I need to get something cut. I also usually have a small fixed blade, but that is usually because I sometimes make impromptu trips to go on a short hike in the woods, or take the backway home and end up fishing in a creek.
 
Horn Dog said:
You see how unused mine is. It is a heavy knife for sure. But it is built like a tank. It fits nicely in my water bottle pouch, but it is a bit much for EDC.
Click to expand...

What in your opinion, is the best slip joint to get? A SAK?
 
R.A.T. said:
Not in Gallant Alabama. Of course, around here a tractor is a legal, and sometime preferred, means of transportation to the local store to buy chewing tobacco.
Click to expand...

Yeah, location plays a big part. Unfortunately, i live just outside chicago and have to deal with fancy pants people alot. I never fit in quite well in big cities, all decked out in camo 24/7, lolol. Ive been wanting to move to either kentucky or montana for the last two years, but job offerings are slim in those parts.
 
I've been a folder guy all my life and only carry one fixed blade in my BOB which is the Izula. Living in suburban areas most of my life I've never needed to EDC a fixed blade for doing daily activities.
I was looking to buy a few good fixed blades for a while and for over a year researched the various brands such as RAT, Fallkniven, Ranger, Busse Ka-Bar, etc. My first FB purchase was the Fallkniven F1 and then soon after various (back then) RAT Cutlery knives. I did sneak in a Spyderco Jerry Hossom Forester last year because I found it at a great price but for now, with my limited need for fixed blades, I'm sticking with ESEE because I know that in the event that I do have to use one really hard and it gets damaged or fails beyond repair, that I've got the awesome warranty to fall back on. I would never intentionally abuse a knife beyond it's intended purposes but it's reassuring to know that it's there if needed.
Rambling aside, I'm eagerly awaiting the Izula and ESEE-3 folders.
 
I EDCed an Izula for about 4 months...I was without a folder with a pocket clip at that point. Once I picked up the Emerson that is currently in my pocket; I went back and forth for about one week and then sold the Izula. The folder would do everything the Izula was asked to do and was easier to carry, had a longer blade and a handle that fit me better. The Izula is a great little blade though.

I teach CHL classes so I guess that makes me one of those guys...or even more of one of those guys. Recently, I have felt that if I am carrying(Glock 19) that I don't need a knife at all for self defense. So on those days I sometimes go with a SAK or old Boy Scout knife instead of the "tactical" folder.

My truck has an Old Hickory in the tool box so if I decided to clean a deer I hit with my truck it would handle that task instead of either folder.

As far as knives and guns go, a cell phone, seat belt, not smoking, etc is more likely to save your life.
 
The Izula has made me debate fixed vs folder a lot lately. In the woods, I definitely prefer the Izula to a folder with a similar size blade. I'm not suggesting that a folder cannot stand up to my woods use, but I just prefer the simplicity of a FB and the extra strength, just in case. It also carries well via molle on my bag.

My recent experiments have led me to conclude that a folder is just more convenient and easier to carry in my daily tasks (mostly light duty stuff). It just makes more sense. I spent some time trying to come up with a way to carry the Izula conveniently on a daily basis before concluding that a folder just fits the role better.

I still love the Izula and look forward to carrying it in the woods. And I still use it instead of a folder sometimes anyway, because it is awesome and I am hypocritical. :o

I am looking forward to an ESEE folder. Based on Jeff's comments and the quality I have seen on ESEE knives, I am sure it will be a fine knife. I am a Spyderco carrier, but I may venture to thumb studs again...
 
Carolina River Rat said:
Good God, Horn Dog, a Buck 110? My Grandpa and all his buddies use those things. You need to get with the times. This is, after all, 2011. Next thing you're gonna tell us that a 1911 is all that's needed in a pistol. The damn thing's a hundred years old!
Click to expand...


And it's still popular. I wonder why?
 
I have been carrying the ESEE 3 on my belt for a while now. It's light, small enough to be out of the way and leaves my pockets free for other EDC gear.
Do I need the strength of a fixed blade everyday? No but I LIKE this knife and trust it. I will continue to carry it until I find a folder I trust as much.

R.A.T. said:
Mike and I are carrying them to make sure we don't want any changes before Shon tools up to do this project. Once these come to market, everyone will be impressed. I can guarantee that.
Click to expand...

Maybe it will be this one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top