Folder or Fixed?

[Barney]

Other thread gave me an idea for a topic. Which type do you prefer when it comes to knives: folding or fixed blade? What are the pros and cons, in your opinion, of both categories?

[Gondor]

Nothing can replace fixed blade knives (preferably with full tang) when it comes to durability. But folders are smaller and perfect for EDC and less demanding daily task uses. although some folders are just strong from beyond.

[Michael]

Both are good for different things.

Folders are good for your every day tasks. I use mine all the time as a box cutter or to cut string or such. They're more portable and practical for stuff around home or the office.

In general, folders aren't great for heavy duty work. I wouldn't want to use most of them for things like hacking branches or splitting wood.

There are exceptions, and the Cold Steel Bushman folder comes to mind. That thing is a frigging beast. Cold Steel has a video on YouTube where they subject one to a rather amazing amount of abuse.

Fixed blade knives are good for your average camping or wilderness tasks. As long as they have a good (or preferably full) tang on them, they can stand up to some serious abuse. These are generally what you want to process fire wood, hack small branches, and such things.

Fixed blade knives aren't great for every day carry, because in many places it's not legal to wander around with a big blade. In my area, for example, you can get into some serious trouble for such things.

In general, I like to have a little folder on me. My current pocket knife is a Kershaw Zing. There's a Victorinox in my pack for all of those random tasks that appear at random. And when I go into the woods, I bring one or more fixed blade knives (generally a Mora and a Kershaw Field Knife).

[oldsarge]

Speaking from a combative point of view, an EDC folder is great for using with the blade closed in a defensive mode, you can easily transition to an open blade if things escalate. Situation dictates! As far as a field knife, no doubt that a full tang fixed blade is the way to go.

[woodsman]

I usually prefer folders myself, the Zero Tolerances series locks for example make them almost on par with their fixed blade cousins. Either way when I need to chop I always have an axe handy.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by woodsman

Either way when I need to chop I always have an axe handy.

There's a phenomenon I've observed when checking out knife reviews, especially on YouTube. Some people seem to think that every knife needs to be able to split a log or chop down small trees.

It bugs me for exactly the reason you've stated here: If I need to do some heavy duty wood processing, I can just grab an ax or a saw. They're designed to do that.

A knife isn't crap if you can't chop down a sequoia with it.

[WalkingMan]

I have a little folder that I've used for years. It's a small Case knife and I've always kept it sharp and ready for use. It wouldn't be any good for the rough stuff but I use it almost every day for some task.

[bachse]

I prefer folders. I don't do anything exceptionally intense with my knives (like some hunting or diving might require), so I just prefer the practicality of a little EDC folder.

[Gondor]

As Michael said Cold Steel produces folders that are insanely strong. For example their Voyager's lock can withstand pressure of more than 600 lbs, which is a lot lot for a folder that size.

[Sammee]

I have both and they all have a purpose. I love my Bowie knife but it's usually more for show and I keep it polished up. I have several different sizes and makes of folding knives that I use most often.