Fixed Blades Vs. Folders.

**Mischief** · 05-24-2009, 02:00 PM

A knife's purpose, in the wilderness or on the streets does not differ.

**Chris** · 05-24-2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by remy

I don't believe that my comment was irrelevant.
I think that cops have a pretty good grasp on survival and the tools pertaining to it.

A knife's purpose, in the wilderness or on the streets does not differ.
After that, it comes down to preferences.

I think cops have a very good idea about fighting crime.

If I'm heading into the wilderness fighting crime is not what I'm worried about.

I think there is a dichotomy between what people are talking about here. Are we talking about an everyday carry type knife, or a knife for our survival kit, BOB, or otherwise that we'd carry when in the wild?

Obviously I wouldn't carry an 8 inch fixed knife concealed on my person 24/7. It'd be illegal, for one, and to carry it unconcealed would invite unwanted attention. In this case the swiss army knife multitool type device would be better.

But if I were going for a long wilderness trek, I'd take both, having two pockets, but really, the one I'd most want, is the large fixed blade knife.

**trax** · 05-24-2009, 03:13 PM

Personally, I have a knife for pretty much every occassion, because there aren't really too many occassions where I need it. I carry a folder daily and it gets used for huge jobs like opening packages or envelopes, but there's often some little chore around the office where someone's asking to borrow a knife. Outdoors, in the bush, I always use a fixed blade, I've never used a gut hook, some people swear by them, some people swear at them, I just don't bother, I know how to gut what I kill.

I don't agree with the statements "A knife's purpose, in the wilderness or on the streets does not differ" A knife is a tool designed to do many jobs, the environment you're in will determine what those jobs are. An EMT might have to cut somebody out of a seatbelt, I'll never have to do that in the bush I don't imagine.

I also don't agree with "if you lose your knife, you lose your survival kit!" If that's the case, why do you bother bringing anything other than a knife to begin with? There should be plenty of good use for all the items you carry in a survival kit and you can start looking at ways to create a knife if you've lost yours. Ask Frank.

**crashdive123** · 05-24-2009, 03:35 PM

Not to beat a dead horse, but as has been said countless times by many people....the right tool for the right job. Sometimes folders are the best tool for me to carry and sometimes a fixed blade is the best tool. Most times I will have more than one with me. When I'm out in the wilderness fixed, folder, multi-tool, folding saw, ax...

Chris - I'm not a big fan of the hollow handled or Rambo knives for wilderness use. Display, conversation piece, whatever are fine. If that is all I had in the wilderness (just as if all I had was my Leatherman) I would be comfortable and do fine - you just have to know the limitations of the tool.

As far as Sarge's survival kit comment - I think he was referring to the contents of the hollow handled knife.

**Sarge47** · 05-24-2009, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

As far as Sarge's survival kit comment - I think he was referring to the contents of the hollow handled knife.

Yes I was, & if that's all you had you run the risk of losing it. I'm also not a big fan of the "hollow-handled Rambo specials", but, like Crash, I'd do okay if that's all I had. I just don't recommend them.

**Sarge47** · 05-24-2009, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by remy

Well here is something we can agree on.

Yep! Weird, isn't it?

**crashdive123** · 05-24-2009, 04:29 PM

Hmmmm.....progress?

from this -

to this -

**Sarge47** · 05-24-2009, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Hmmmm.....progress?

from this -

to this -

Don't ask, don't tell! I'll bet you were wondering why I had only guys on MY list, huh?

**Sarge47** · 05-25-2009, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Mischief

A knife's purpose, in the wilderness or on the streets does not differ.

The problem here is that you are "painting with too broad of a brush." Try carrying an Ontario RTAK 2 into your local Wal-Mart, or other local buisness & see how far you get. In an urban environment I carry a folder. Even when I camp out for a week at the cornerstone festival I carry a folder & have a kitchen knife or two back at the camp kitchen, although this year my Mora will replace that. Knives are created for different uses. Comparing 2 obvious types, the common "hunting knife" vs. the common "Fish Filet knife" illustrates my point. Both have different blade factors in materials, thickness, & most importantly, the angle of blade grind. I can tell your inexperience in such matters by your post. There is a wealth of study material on this subject here on the forums.

**aflineman** · 05-25-2009, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by remy

That just proves how much we really pay attention to what is being said, how it is being said, and for what reasons.

What? I guess I was busy drinkin' coffee and missed it.

**laughingbeetle** · 05-25-2009, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Sarge47

You can't go wrong for only a buck! I've noticed a trend on some of the top-name knife manufacturers; they're starting to skimp on steel towards the tip of the blade, at least that's my impression. Which Buck knife do you have?

119 fixed blade. The bugger is kinda big though, I am going to pick up the next size down eventually. (Mind you, I use the blade no problem, however bigger is not always better.) But I still have to put in an order with Rick. Just have to double check on shipping laws for New York State. They are VERRRY fussy about what can be shipped here. Off the main subject... As far as everyday folders go I have been carrying a small 3 blade by Schrade. I honestly don't remember where i got this one, but I am pretty sure it is older than I am.

**Sarge47** · 05-26-2009, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by laughingbeetle

119 fixed blade. The bugger is kinda big though, I am going to pick up the next size down eventually. (Mind you, I use the blade no problem, however bigger is not always better.) But I still have to put in an order with Rick. Just have to double check on shipping laws for New York State. They are VERRRY fussy about what can be shipped here. Off the main subject... As far as everyday folders go I have been carrying a small 3 blade by Schrade. I honestly don't remember where i got this one, but I am pretty sure it is older than I am.

Hmmm, Wal-Mart sells the #119 Special for $40; $60 & up elsewhere, not a bad deal! I'd still contact Buck, they could probably grind that down a bit to make it better. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

**laughingbeetle** · 05-26-2009, 12:15 AM

I bought the Buck at Gander Mtn. $50.00. They have a full line of Buck blades, both fixed and folding. I love the Buck blades...they stand up to everything except prying up a paint can lid. I didn't do that, mind you...that was my dad...no knife sense in him at all. I still love him though.