Or waiting for the Junkoganza on the Bud K forum. Wow, I scored a Redneck Toothpick in 420J2!

Buck manages to get such incredible results with their 420HC because they have the heat treating down to a science. I am amazed at how good my Buck 119 is. They also know how to do a proper edge. Cliff Stamp says that the 119 did as well as the Chris Reeve Green Beret. Much to the annoyance of Chris Reeve fanatics.

I am of the opinion that the Buck 119 is one of the best fighting knives on the market. It can be modified to suit many styles ,is very cheap and easily available. It is also light and menacing looking.


Quote:
I would much prefer a good folder to the miniature fixed blades, though. Here is my thinking:

1. The handles will always be large enough for a good grip with any folder with a 3" blade or larger, and the overall length folded will be much shorter than a fixed blade of the same size.
2. Modern folders have improved locks and are strong enough for anything one could reasonably do with a small knife.
3. You can get a quality folder for less than $100.
4. They are very convenient for concealed carry, but are not limited to that. Belt pouches are available for those models too large and heavy for the pocket.

I know that a fixed blade is stronger than a folder, but how much force can I apply with a 3" handle on a 2.5" blade? I'm not saying I'm right and those who want a very small fixed blade are wrong. I'm just stating my own reasons for prefering folders in blades < 4".


I am of the opposite opinion, I think infi makes much more sense in a small EDC than a survival knife where toughness is paramount and Sr77 is just as useful.

Where infi really proves it's worth is in an EDC that can be used much harder than you would ever consider with a folder. If yopu are in the bush a little rust is not a big deal and since you use the knife a lot you will need to sharpen it no matter how good the edge retention. Sr77 can be sharpened to a usable edge with a smooth rock. Rust resistance is nice in an EDC that will often be used for food and put away wet or even with citric acid. I also like having my best most expensive and best looking nife the one I have with me most of the time. Honestly my big knives don't get nearly as much use as I would like.


Some of the main reasons I prefer fixed EDC's over folders have to do with Canadian laws so are not applicible in the US. Still a small fixed blade is faster than a folder to bring into play ,stronger and they look better.

I also like the Viking ethos of having your wealth and status shown by your quality of person gear and effects. If I am going to spend a bunch of cash on a knife it should be the one that I use the most and am most probably going to have in an emergency. On the other hand you could say that the knife that should be the most expensive and high quality should be the survival knife your life may deped on.

I also think fixed blades are better looking ,like a hardtail chopper.
A bike analogy would be Hardtail=fixed ,Softtail a folder based on a fixed like the Applegate folder ,a Dyna would be a fullsize folder and a sportster would be a smaller folder.

This is turning out to be a cool thread.

You guys yuck it up. A buddy of mine got drunk one night and ordered some random collection of knives. Of course when it arrived he was like, "I need to get rid of this crap and I will NEVER drink heavily and watch the shopping channels again". So he gives me one of his homely surgical steel knives. It's got about a 6" blade and some ugly fake wood handles. And a sheath with tassles, I kid you not.

The weird thing is that it just won't die. And it's still pretty darn sharp. I've batoned it, thrown it, chopped with it. The handles a little loose now but that's it! It's like the undead of cheap knives. I still have it..I won't give up!!

Sounds like my Colt (United) Jungle Commander. Its a chopping, batoning, tough knife. I have thrown it, beat on it and eveything else, but it just won't die.

Indeed. I just recently learned that the Vikings had folders, too. So is my Benchmade not high quality? BTW: I just found another Benchmade Blackwater Gear Combat Knife. I have one with the tanto point. This one has the spear point. These are really cool knives with a very good sheath system. And yes, Unsub, Its a fixed blade in 154CM.

I love Benchmades! You have high status with me Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Of the various Benchmade fixed blades I've always wanted a Nimvarus. I'm a big Allen Elishewitz fan but could never convince myself to let go of the cash for one of his customs. That is probably another one of my mistakes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Lots of great debate in this thread! I have no comment other than that though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Great points everyone.

Folders can be high quality and have some definite advantages but they will never be as strong as a comparable fixed blade. I have to admit though a lot of my preference for fixed blades is personal preference and the canadian legal systems insistence on charging people with folders capable of being flicked open with serious weapons violations. I did not mean to give Horn Dog a hard time I just disagree with 2 of his points. The first was folders versus small fixed blades for EDC and the second whether infi is more useful in survival knives or smaller EDC's. I think it makes sense to have the knife you carry be as good as possible but you could also make the point that a knife you are going to be using in a life or death situation like a survival knife deserves the best steel. I have a hunch most people on this site will err on the side of caution and get both.

One thing that makes a small fixed EDC better than a folder is a really first rate sheath.

I like the new Benchmade Red box line ,they use 440C for their budget knives.

Sorry to drop out of a hot discussion, Unsub, but our power got knocked out by a very impressive electrical storm. If it were socially acceptable, I would carry a light weight fixed blade at all times. It would not be a Busse Game Warden or Active Duty. Not enough reach. Not a Badger Attack or Yard Hook. They are too heavy and slow. They are great for wilderness survival and camp chores. My idea of a EDC fixed blade is something like the Buck Special, SOG Seal Pup, Ratmandu, Al Mar SERE Operator, or Blackwater Gear Combat. I even find the Scrapper 6 an easy carry and light in the hand with plenty of reach. But, while I can get away with it here on Blythe Island, except in the park, I would not take da yoots to the Mall wearing my S6, where I might actually NEED it. So I carry a folder. Sometimes a CS Voyager or Vaquero, Kershaw Speed Bump, or Benchmade Skirmish. Its hot down here. Most of the time, folks don't have enough clothes on for concealing weapons large enough to be useful. What would a miniature fixed blade do?

I like the Nimravus. Pretty nice design... not big on the over-complicated sheath, but the knife design is good. Another much lesser known knife designed by Allen was produced by Byron Knives. It came with a 4.375" blade or a 5.875" blade. Both are called "Lightning Strike". Both are great designs and feel great in the hand. I probably prefer the 4.375", but I have both. (*I don't know why the picture says 5.375". It is wrong, I measured. They are 4.375" & 5.875" if measured from tip to scales).

The handle scales were redone and can be found in about 2-3 flavors.







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One of my favorite Benchmades right now is the Rukus. Very tough. Large for a folder, but one heck of a knife and still smaller than most fixed bladed knife in a sheath.




- Use of word "comparable" probably negates statement as oxymoron....., but obviously I get your point and you are most likely right about 99.9% of the time, but there are a few folders out there that are very tough. And if you know the limits of a given knife, there are many good knives out there that can serve very well in many situations.

Of course there are the ultra junk Pakastini (or whatever) blades that will snap if you tap them on a table. (I have the Katana video saved from years ago - still makes me laugh). I would never really want an obvious cheap piece of junk knife.

On the other hand, there really are some surprising cheap knives that sometimes perform well - at certain tasks anyway! I have some Colt knives that have surprised and impressed me.





One thing that makes a good folder better than a fixed blade is a good clip on a knife that slips nicely into your pocket and not needing the extra bulk of a sheath!


I think there are merits to both sides when comparing folders vs. fixed for EDC. I would rather have and use a fixed bladed knife, but for social and just plain easier to carry purposes (at least for us down in the hot south who frequently wear shorts or jeans with light short sleeved shirts, folders have certain carry advantages.

It is like comparing carrying a Full sized .45 to a small P40 Kahr.

I would rather have the full sized .45 for shooting, but for practical carry purposes, the P40 Kahr offers pretty good performance and much better tote-ability.

Life is full of compromises - I tend to curse them often. But, we have to make choices and everyone will have different reasons or justifications for their choices.

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Hey HD - looks like we are arguing the same merits about hot weather and were you can and can't carry certain knives.


I don't think those Canadians dress like us southern coastal guys.

You enjoying 95 degree 105% humidity as much as I am? - ( NOT! ) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

It is almost enjoyable when it cools down in the evening here in North Houston to currently 82 degrees at almost 3:00 a.m. ( NOT! ) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />


I think those Canadians start thinking it is hot and shorts weather when they get WAY high up into the 50's or low 60's or something (?????). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/loopy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I don't mind the temperatures getting in the 90's (during the day....), but the humidity sucks! And I would much rather it at least cool off in the evenings, night and morning to somewhere at least close to or below 70.

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