wich knife steel will be more dependable

I did read his whole post.

I realized my point was not clear and editted.

I think he should replace his smaller knife (a folder) with a smaller fixed blade.

Why does he need a knife that folds?

He is looking to replace his folder with a folder. That is what I was refering to.

Thanks.
 
The UPS man just dropped off my fixed ritter just now. I dont like the S30V blade material but the shape is great. I'm having a hard time finding small fixed blades with utilitarian blade shapes and comfortable handles. It may just be the short time I've been persuing this style. I want simple and effective. This ritter deliveres that in a reletively nice package. I should have an outbounder in D2 here next week and I can do a comparison between it, the fixed ritter and the benchmade H20 in X1. I like the utility of a small fixed blade more than any other styling since it does everything but chop.

At some point I'll probably end up with a Dozier, queen and benchmade Nimravus all in D2 to compare. D2 is my choice blade material these days only behind ZDP. I've been VERY happy with my outcast in D2 and it keeps a very polished edge for much longer than any other machete style chopper I have.

Now if Sal would only release a fixed SALT I could die a happy man. I should probably pick up a temperance here soon as well.
 
I wouldn't have a problem with carrying a folder, in this instance. He already has a fixed blade, and a folder can be a heck of a lot more convenient, under certain circumstances. I know that I'd find two sheathed knives on my belt to be a bit uncomfortable. Or if I were just sitting around camp in my shorts, I'd prefer not to deal with a sheath getting in my way all the time.

If the fixed blade were smaller, or not with him, then I would feel entirely different.

Then again, If I were choosing a 6" fixed blade for woodcraft/campcraft, I wouldn't be going with a D2 Impact. I'd most likely opt for a more weight forward knife, with a carbon steel fixed blade. Something that would chop reasonably well, with a tougher steel.
 
Hair said:
I did read his whole post.

I realized my point was not clear and editted.

I think he should replace his smaller knife (a folder) with a smaller fixed blade.

Why does he need a knife that folds?

He is looking to replace his folder with a folder. That is what I was refering to.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm willing to guess he wants a folder for a backup since its better to have 2 than 1. I usually carry a folder in a pocket so I have something when I leave my fixed blade back at camp accidentally. Its convenience for the most part.
 
I don't think a folder would be a "problem". But I have become very... anal.

I just use knives to cut stuff at work. I am no outdoorsman, nor an "operator". But even I have started to strongly prefer the reliability and performance of a fixed blade. So for such bare-bones camping, I think he should be just as demanding as I am.

I have found that a well-designed kydex sheath is actually as comfortable to carry than any folder. You do not notice it until you need it. If wearing shorts and no belt, I opt for a neck sheath (which I admit does get noticed).

Now that I have been using good fixed blades with well-designed sheaths, I see no reason to carry a folder to work, let alone in the woods.

A good belt sheath with a small fixed blade has never gotten in my way. I have never noticed them until I needed the knife. This has amazed me and been a huge eye-opener. Months ago I would have said that sheath knives are very uncomfortable and that a folder is worth the slight disadvantages of strength and reliability. Now I have found that if the knife is not too large and the sheath is smartly designed that it is not noticable, and thus, as comfortable as a folder in the pocket if not moreso.

Even if a sheath will get in the way 'sometimes', I think that is better than the obvious disadvantages of a folder, especially when camping.

Your milage may vary, but this is how I feel.
 
Sorry for the double-post, but the edit feature is not working in my browser right now.

LHD- Why not use a small fixed blade on your belt as backup? It is no easier to forget than a folder.
 
I have never found a way to carry an 8 inch long fixed blade, that is as comfortable as carrying a folder.
 
LHD said:
The UPS man just dropped off my fixed ritter just now. I dont like the S30V blade material but the shape is great.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'd buy one in a heartbeat, if the steel were different. Everything else about the knife looks awesome. But even with the S30V blade, it should make an excellent general utility knife.
 
Hair said:
Sorry for the double-post, but the edit feature is not working in my browser right now.

LHD- Why not use a small fixed blade on your belt as backup? It is no easier to forget than a folder.
Click to expand...


I usually only carry 1 fixed. A SALT, delica or 960D2 disappears into your pocket much easier than a second fixed. I dont mind carrying 1 but 2 is unnecessary since the only reason Id be without my primary is if I took my belt off. At that point both of my fixeds would be on my belt, back at camp and it would be a moot point. My primary is already small in most circumstances so a second small fixed would be more of an inconvenience.
 
Buzzbait said:
Agreed. I'd buy one in a heartbeat, if the steel were different. Everything else about the knife looks awesome. But even with the S30V blade, it should make an excellent general utility knife.
Click to expand...

Having owned an earlier s30v knife I just cant get excited over the steel. I didnt have a good experience with it. It drives me nuts to find a great production or semicustom thats a good design but in a less than desireable material like this. I realize a lot of people like it, but I've been soured. I dont even want anything new in 154CM/ATS34 anymore. I've been too spoiled by properly heat treated tool steels.
 
I'm not soured on S-30V. All of my S-30V experiences have actually been quite good. I love the steel for my general utility use. Not as much as tool steels like D2 or M2, but for my normal use, S-30V is plenty good enough. I certainly wouldn't kick her out of my bed. :D

But for a 4 1/2" long blade, it just seems like that may be going beyond S-30V's capabilities. It has to do with intended use, of course, but my intended use of larger fixed blades usually goes beyond the toughness of stainless steels.
 
Buzzbait said:
I have never found a way to carry an 8 inch long fixed blade, that is as comfortable as carrying a folder.
Click to expand...
Have you tried a Bob Dozier Type A sheath? Or a good sheath with a TekLok that can be set to carry horizontally?

Different people will find different things more or less comfortable, but I honestly find carrying my ~8in. OAL Dozier Model 6 to be totally unnoticable, and as comfortable as any folder I have ever carried.

I don't notice a SAK in my pocket. I don't notice my Model 6 on my belt.

I have also used some verticle sheaths that are not noticed, but the knife will have to be smaller than 8in OAL, which I consider near the max of what I would EDC.

I have also used many fixed blade/sheath combos that were very uncomfortable for my body. They soured me to carrying fixed blades until I happened to try something new and loved it.

Like I said, YMMV. But for me, a folder offers no advantages, or superior comfort, or better practicality.
 
ginshun said:
Take a $65 dollar knife and substitute S30V or M2 for 154CM and now all of a sudden its a $120 ro $130 knife? Sorry, no.
Click to expand...

All "name" knives are like that, you are essentially paying for the association.

allenC said:
I doubt that you would notice any difference in actual use.
Click to expand...

Assuming the steels are reground to optimal profiles you will notice a difference even sharpening them. S30V and similar steels have pretty much the exact opposite set of properties required for wood working blades because what you want is a very high push cutting sharpness and this isn't achieved by lots of primary chromium carbides.

-Cliff
 
Hair said:
Have you tried a Bob Dozier Type A sheath? Or a good sheath with a TekLok that can be set to carry horizontally?
Click to expand...

Yes, I have. I'm a bit of a Dozier collector, and consider Bob to be a friend. I believe that I have every model sheath that he produces. He makes the best Kydex sheaths in the business, as far as I'm concerned. I have also used TekLok's on both my Camillus Talon and Anso Hybrid.

I love fixed blades, but have never found them to be as comfortable, or versatile for carry, as a well-designed tactical folder.
 
I know that you are into Doziers as I have seen you post on the Dozier forum (a long time ago). I am just getting my Dozier collection going. Wasn't sure if you actually had worn a Type A sheath, though.

Folder versus Fixed is a never-ending debate. It is obviously very subjective.

For me, though, folders are totally worthless and offer no actual advantages. That makes me feel strange to say since up until recently, I strongly prefered folders.

I know that I am in the minority, but I think everyone should keep an open mind to fixed blades because if I hadn't, I would never have found out that a good sheath system is superior to a folder in my pocket (for me).
 
If it's "chore time" for me, I usually prefer to strap on a fixed blade for the afternoon. Also, I usually carry a fixed blade instead of a folder, while day hiking. This fixed blade is usually a Dozier, a Blackjack, or a Marbles. Fixed blades just make a whole lot more sense to me, for such days.

It's the sitting back and hanging out positions where the fixed blade turns me off. Unless they are extremely small, they always manage to either stick me in the gut, or catch on something next to me. It's a convenience and comfort thing.

Grab as many Doziers as you can. They're just about the best general utility fixed blades you can find. An absolute steal for the price that Bob charges.
 
My dad had a saying:

"You can always spot the inexperienced campers....they usually have the biggest knives."

I have found this to be true in most instances.
 
allenC said:
My dad had a saying:

"You can always spot the inexperienced campers....they usually have the biggest knives."

I have found this to be true in most instances.
Click to expand...


hehehehehe. I love it!!!! :thumbup:
 
I prefer the blade profile of the Ritter Grip over the regular Griptilian.I'm not knocking it,I'm just saying I prefer it.I have the M2 Mini Grip and love it.M2 takes a wicked edge and holds it well but I like s30v also, so you would do well with either.I think the extra money is worth it for the blade profile of the Ritter.To each his own.:jerkit:
 
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