How have your tastes in fixed blades evolved over the years? What I mean is, have you found yourself preferring thinner blades or shorter blades as you use knives more?

As an example, I used to think a fixed blade should be a big heavy blade that can chop and pry and be unbreakable. Now I feel that when a knife is large and heavy enough to use as an axe, it tends to give up some other qualities that I find more useful.

Never really developed a preference. If it serves a purpose and I can afford it, I'll usually buy it. I personally have always collected blades from 3" folders on up to the stuff that would make Rambo soil his underoos.

I would have to say quality is my taste.

I like big fixed blades for chopping, but I also like the smaller thinner blades for slicing too. I guess it depends on what my needs are. I usually carry a small folder with me at all times that can be used to small tasks.

I'd agree with that statement, but it doesn't keep me from buying impractically large Bowies in addition to puukko-sized blades.

I'm still attracted to big blades, but like Bruce said, I generally use smaller knives for my woods crafts. I'm narrowing it down to some pretty specific, uh, "specifics" when it comes to fixed blades.

If it talks to me I buy it.

It doesn't matter if it's thick, thin short, or long, the one requirement is quality (I'm still carrying the same old Buck folder I have for 30 years) and value in relation to price.

my tastes over the years have stayed the same. Whats changed is I look for value and quality.

I've become less critical of cheaper knives and more critical of the expensive ones.

A $25 Gerber will do well enough, and a $400 Chris Reeve is about $300 in trophy. My Busse's are the same way. Just the expensive brand I've come to love.

High value and quality, as Bors mentioned, are paramount for me. That's how I came to my favorite brands: Victorinox, Spyderco, Mora, and Himalayan Imports.

Scrap Yard, as a brand, is really upheld in my collection by two knives: the DFLE and to a lesser extent, the MPLE. If not for the DFLE, I probably would run to the RTAK or Trailmaster for best value bowie, and the yard would only attract me for the forum.

+1

I mostly use 3-5" blades but I still have several large, heavy blades and I usually end up buying more.

I like em all. But like Mag- I am also very attracted to Victorinox, Spyderco and Mora. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Toss in a few custom Trams that my buddy Jimmie ( Tolly) tweaks for me and I am all set <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. Plus- I love my Ranger stuff too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />.