Folding or Fixed for EDC

Folder.
Usually 4" Benchmade AFCK, or Axis-Lock of one sort or another.
Or a serrated Spydeco Rescue, or Delcia, depending on what I am doing that day.
But more recently, a Kershaw Leek.

They don't even get a second glance around here.
Everyone has a big folder clipped in thier pocket in Kansas!

Fixed blades do get a second glance, unless you conceil them.

Then you got some 'Splaning' to do if you get made by a cop or something.

rc

Bob Loveless told me years ago "You should make folders because that's what everyone carries". I never did but I myself have always carried a folder whether a SAK, 3 blade Moore Maker or a Strider or Benchmade.

If you go near the Strip in Vegas I'd much rather them see a clip of a folder than a fixed blade sticking out. That will draw attention. So, I stay under the radar.

Both.
Usually fixed since fixies are safer.

Today I carried a Hultafors GK... in my pocket. Pretty convenient.

Folders for me but I've seen plenty of ranchers come into town with smaller fixed blades on their belts.

Why a folder?

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Fits safely and conveniently in my pocket. My daily activity doesn't include skinning/gutting large critters, so a small folder takes care of just about anything I ever need a knife for. The Buck 55 goes into the watch pocket of my jeans and it's a very handy little thing with a lockback blade, which I prefer over a slip joint.

Folder because concealed carry of fixed is illegal in my state, and open carry is out because the urban/suburban areas are filled aichmophobic sheep. Only carry fixed (openly) when doing DIY work or outdoor activities away from the city.

Always a folder. I have very little need of a fixed blade outside the kitchen. I gave up hunting many man-years ago, so I don't process game in the field. I do fish, but when I go fishing, I take a dedicated fishing knife with me. For everyday life in the great American suburbs, I haven't found anything that a regular slip joint pocket knife can't handle. If I'm camping, Ihave a small machete along for any large cutting.

I don't carry a knife to use as a weapon, so that leaves out that aspect of it. Besides, the People's Republik Of Maryland does not allow the carry of fixed blades concealed, no matter how small. But under the start's "penknife" jaw, even a Opinel number 12 qualities as a "penknife". So I can carry a Case or Buck folding hunter in a pocket if I wished, but a tiny Buck Hartsook is technically illegal. That makes a lot of sense!!??

For the past three years I've been carrying a Case damascus peanut, and it's opened boxes, cut twine for the tomato plants out back, gut and cleaned pan fish for dinner, and opened my mail. For 99.9% of what I do, a to inch blade is plenty.

I have an inexpensive Kershaw Cryo on me all the time. It has a really nice assisted deploy, the clip can be mounted in multiple positions, and it sits in my front pocket in a perfect orientation for quick deploy. It's also "work friendly". Outside of work the Cryo is still in my pocket, but I add a Spartan CQB tool to my belt, strapped horizontally. It is very intuitive to use and it hides well right at my beltline. I tried carrying a ESEE3 and a Spartan Phrike, but I still prefer the Cryo and the CQB Tool.

9mmforMe said:

That CHEAP fixed blade that Sam took pics of looks like a great alternative with semi-baggy pants and seems just as utility minded, if not more, than a folder, given its full grip profile.

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It is what would be considered a "work" knife in Scandinavian countries. It makes good sense to use a fixed blade for contractor/construction type tasks rather than a more fragile, less safe, more expensive folder.

9mmforMe said:

BTW Sam, I love the orange laces!

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That is a safety thing. It helps me keep track of my feet.

For me it totally dependent upon what I am doing.

Always a folder for me, although I will "add" a fixed blade if I'm doing yard work, out hiking, etc.

Furthermore, unless I'm carrying a knife specifically for defensive purposes, I'll deliberately pick a folder that has a tool-like appearance rather than a tactical/military look; this is usually a Kershaw Vapor III or One Ton. I also usually carry a Leatherman Wingman in my back pocket, so a knife riding in my front pocket doesn't look out of place.

hso said:

So that's why you've not posted pictures of a foot wound?

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Two folders, because it's illegal to conceal a fix blade in the area I live in. when about the place mostly a folder (Spiderco native or CRKT M16-13) and a fixed (5" K-bar.)

Right now my preferred EDC's are the Opinel stuff. Nuff said!

Large Stockman

I daily carry a Buck 307 Large Stockman or a Case Large CV Stockman.

Accompanied by a S&W J-frame of some sort of course.

I carry an Ontario RAT-1 folder. 3.6" blade.

I carry a folder when around town because it's more convenient and easier for me. I do prefer fixed blades, however, and carry fixed blades openly when i'm outdoors.

SAK and a CRKT YEA-GO but, I carry a BUSSE BOSS JACK from time to time, but rarely. No reason to draw attention. Like most it depends on the day rural, woods, or city.

In addition to the Stockman knivess I mentioned in Post #22, I also have an assortment of Spyderco, Cold Steel, and other knives but the stockman ones usually win out. I can field dress and skin a deer with a stockman and use it for other daily chores well enough. I carry the Large Stockman knives in an open top vertical belt pouch.