these days if I am doing wilderness work, especially overseas, I nearly always carry a single-blade folder as my primary tool. the locking mechanisms on these knives are generally excellent, and so is the blade quality if you spend good money.

I used to carry fixed blades and have nothing against them - for purely wilderness or survival uses. I carry the folder because it functions as both a survival tool and a good self-defense weapon. fixed blades knives are long and cannot fit in your pocket. if you are overseas and carry one on a sheath on your belt, then you could attract the attention of policemen (generally after a bribe). a good locking folder, with a blade of 3-5 inches, will fit neatly into a pocket when folded, and is hardly visible. so it's a one-stop-fits-all solution.

Pete2