Folding versus fixed blade knives
Similar to Serrated vs flat-edge knives, I'm wondering what the strengths and weaknesses are of folding knives versus fixed blade knives?
What are fixed blades good for? What are folding knives not so good for?
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I entirely agree with Timothy Strimple. Here are the advantages I have noticed for each type.
Fixed blade:
- sturdy - good for batoning, chopping, hammering with the handle
- reliable - there is no mechanism to get jammed, screws to fall out
- can be very cheap - a cheap folder falls to pieces in one month (in my experience). The only drawback of a cheap fixed blade (five bucks for example) is the lower quality steel. (Just sharpen it more often.)
Folding blade:
- discrete - much easier to carry around in the city
- compact - fixed blade on the hip could hinder movement; a folder in the pocket doesn't.
In conclusion I can say what I have chosen for myself: I carry a folder in the city and take an extra fixed blade when in the woods. Both are easy to arm swiftly with one hand and the folder is concealed. Carrying knives is legal in Bulgaria where I live, but it's still better not to freak people out.
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One point missing from the current answers:
Fixed blade is absolutely essential in any situation where seconds count in emergency life-or-death situations. For example, anything taking place in or under water where you might need to free yourself (or another) from an entrapment.
In these situations, you also want one with a secure but quick-release sheath.
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The big difference is that you will be able to get a good quality fixed blade knife for much less money than a folding equivalent.
Once you are in the mid-market the practical differences are really more about personal preference.
Ease of access is a bit of a moot point, a fixed blade knife doesn't need to be opened they take up more space when sheathed so you need to find a convenient place to carry them and unless you are going for an out and out emergency rescue knife with a dedicated quick release sheath this is a debatable advantage. There is also the converse argument that if you are upside down underwater a folding knife is less likely to accidentally stab you.
In terms of durability and reliability there is less to go wrong with a decent fixed blade knife as it has no moving parts. There is also the consideration that virtually all folding knife locks can potentially fail if they get excessively dirty which is potentially dangerous.
In terms of utility folding knives are a bit compromised by the need to fold which places limits on handle and blade shape.
Another consideration is that most folding knives are made from stainless steel as he folding mechanism is inherently more vulnerable to corrosion. The choice between stainless and plain carbon steels is largely one of personal preference but in general stainless blades are harder to sharpen and so carbon steel is often preferred by people who use their knives often, although stainless has obvious advantages if you are operating around water, especially salt water.
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The only advantage I see to a folding knife is its size when collapsed. I always carry a folding knife in my pocket, but when hiking I have a fixed blade strapped to my pack. I prefer to use my fixed blade for batoning, both for safety reasons, and the fact that it has a wider blade which can give you more penetration.
Here is my EDC folder:
And my fixed blade which has a paracord wrap and is strapped to my pack.
Here is an example of the paracord wrap I have on my fixed blade. this will give you a feel for the type of grip you have.
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