I also prefer a fixed blade.



Couldn't have said it better if I tried.

I love reading these arguments.

It's like "is a folding 9mm better than a fixed .45 ?" <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As the saying goes, a .22 in your pocket is better than a .45 at home.

As I normally EDC a folding knife, that's my first choice.
But when specifically going "outdoors", the social/legal possibilities change and I then always try to bring a fixed blade along.
Both have their usefulness.
And anyhow, redundancy is a key in preparedness...

Versatility/flexibility/options and weight are two categories that come to mind for discussion on this topic. First, we talk a lot about multi-use tools, and some on the forum wouldn't even consider carrying a tool unless there were at least a half dozen things they could do with it. The other side of that coin - maybe you need more than one tool (knife) to do all the possible functions for which it was intended (or not in some cases). It's clear from the postings on this topic that there are many functions that are best left to a "knife". (Of course we all knew that.) It is also clear that some functions would be better performed by one type/style of knife over another, which brings me to the second category. Knives for any reasonable survival use should all weigh less than a pound. So let's not limit ourselves to too few useful tools by thinking that an extra pound may be the difference between life and death. Carrying one good folder and one good fixed blade knife should be SOP. Maybe a slightly larger BOB is in order.

Nice post!

Adam

I'm wondering how many of those posting to this thread have those fixed blade knives within reach right now? If so, what do you do for a living? I know that if I walked into my corporate cube with a fixed blade knife - well, I'd get stopped by security. They don't even blink at the folder. Its just the reality of my life.

Certainly, if I go out camping or hiking, away from my usual day-to-day rut, I will bring a fixed blade along (Becker BK10), but that is heavy and less likely to follow me where ever I go.

I can't help but notice that the Benchmade Rant, SOF Field Knife, and Fallkniven knives are much lighter. Are they suitably strong for a primary field survival blade? For chopping and splitting?

Im at the office at my desk and I have mine! CRK Shadow III on belt with condom, 2 mp1 tabs, ferro rod, sas compass and a couple tabs of tinderquik in the hanlde. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As I seem to very often do with your posts Burncycle... I agree with you completely. You said what I was thinking! Great explanation!

I think theres a couple butterfly sutures in there too. Have to check that out later. It's packed pretty tight so I'm not going to mess with it right now.

Remember that a folder is a compromise for portability. It will always be, as they are not as strong and simple in operation. Sure, in most situations a folder is fine. What happens when your out in the jungle and need to get through the underbrush or if you need to chop a larger branch off then what you usually use for fire (one for making shelter, a raft, bridge, ect) and you don't have your saw on you. I wouldn't say it is a huge loss having a folder instead of a fixed blade, but a fixed blade is more capable and is the less complicated tool. Therefore, it is technically the better of the two to have. Like you said though a fixed blade isn't always the easiest thing to carry, which is why folders were invented.

As a long time member of the “Sharpened Pry-bar” school, I get a funny feeling if I am not carrying a fixed knife when I go into the “back country”. Normally I carry a 3” benchmade on my belt. But the axis lock has some small springs and such so I don’t consider it more than my “gentlemans” knife. Good for around town so as not to frighten the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER..

But when I step out of civilization, I carry a larger old benchmade with the frame lock. It is rugged, easy to clean and probably won’t break. I also carry (at the moment) a Becker Crewman. This is my sharpened pry-bar. Granted, it is heavy, but it is worth the freight. Over the years, one such knife or the other has been used to;

Break into a cabin when the lock jammed and it was getting cold, dark and rainy. Without the large metal object we would have had a bad night.

Rip the fastener off of a fence post when (again) the lock malfunctioned. It was that or a bolt cutter. You carry a bolt cutter???

Cut holes in an abandoned car door to make a sled.

Cut holes in an ammo box to use for an anchor. (filled it with rocks)

Punched holes in a 55 gal drum to make a fire “ring”.

Many many times, used it to pry rocks out of the way when I needed them “gone”, like enlarging a “seep” or level the ground under me.

The more common use, dig a “cat hole” to bury human waste.

And of course, many split logs.

Then there is the general hammering, prying and cutting that just come easier with a fixed knife. I really like my old benchmade and try not to abuse it if there is something bigger around.

I could go on a bit more, but you get the idea. It is more than a knife and I have done serious damage to several of them. But it was always worth the doing.