Folding Knife vs Fixed Blade? That is the question we all have. For daily carrying which one do you prefer?! Most people will say they prefer a fixed blade over a folding knife for their day-to-day use, for running errands. Again some people prefer a folding blade for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or while being in nature.
In this blog post, we will be discussing which one you should choose for outdoors and bushcraft and In the wilderness setting and which one makes more sense to carry, which one you should choose if you are thinking about running a secondary blade to complement your primary and do some of the more fine tasks that a primary fixed blade might not be able to do. So let’s dive into it!
Pros and Cons of a Folding Blade vs a Fixed Blade
Fixed Blade
Fixed Blades are a type of folding knife with a blade that remains fixed to the handle throughout the cutting process, but the handle of a fixed blade is not attached to the blade; it has been said that they look like a knife in a sheath.
A fixed blade knife inherently by design is going to be stronger than a folding knife which literally folds in half.
Pros of a fixed blade
- It’s typically going to be stronger than a folder. Although there are some cheap fixed blades out there for the most part your fixed blades are going to be stronger. It is also going to be easier to keep clean because there’s no folding or moving parts to worry about.
- The designs are simple and basic. It is stronger and tougher. Easier to use.
- A longer blade allows you to make a quick and accurate kill, whereas a shorter blade gives you a greater range of motion. If a fight is unavoidable, the longer blade will allow you to get in as close and strike as many times as you can.
A lot of people gravitate towards large bushcrafting knives or survival knives when they go outside. Knives that tend to lend their hands better to camp tasks as opposed to maybe more field tasks, so a lot of people go towards much larger knives.
Cons of a fixed blade
- There’s no denying that a fixed blade can be a bit bulky, but that doesn’t mean they’re not easy to clean.
- A fixed blade knife is also not a good choice for a day-to-day household utility knife, as it can be quite cumbersome or even dangerous.
- Another disadvantage of fixed blades is that they can be heavier than folding knives.
Now the downside of a fixed blade is going to be solved by a folder and the same goes in reverse, the downside of the folder is addressed by fixed blade construction.
Folding Blades
Folding knives have a blade that can fold into the handle at one or more hinge points.
This will protect the knife while in your pocket and keep the sharp edges away from you. The most common reason you’d want to do this is that the knife is too bulky to carry around with you in your pocket and doesn’t allow for any maneuvering.
Now the main argument for carrying a folding knife is it’s small, it’s discreet, you can put it in your pocket and it’s not going to stand out. No one’s going to care if you pull it out to open a box or something such as that. Whereas if you carry a large blade on your hip or if it’s visible you are going to freak people out and on top of that there are laws in some states where you can not just walk around with a knife on your hip. As laws for concealing folding knives vary from city to city.
Pros of a folding blade
- Folding knives are far more versatile and easier to use than fixed blades. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to control the blade with a single hand and you can easily get two blades in and out of your pocket or sheath.
They’re great for many different tasks around the house and even the backyard – and that’s why you should always have one in your pocket. - It is more compact, as it can be folded in half. Less threatening on social occasions. They are a little bit more strict when it comes to laws than a fixed blade.
Cons of a folding blade
- The key problem with folding knives is that the hinge allows for slight lateral movement of the blade. This can lead to the blade weakening and eventually the knife becoming unusable.
- Folding knives are not suited to harsh outdoor conditions. You need a sturdy knife that will not bend or break if exposed to the elements.
Fixed vs. Folding Knife: What Is Better for Camping?
Now that you have a basic understanding of what to expect in both these knives type, you need to decide on whether to use a fixed or folding knife for camping.
For a fixed blade knife, it’s better suited for camping, as it’s more durable. The fixed blade knife is one of the best all-around knives for camping. It is lighter than a folding knife and easier to stow away than a fixed blade knife.
A fixed knife is superior for camping to a folding knife because it is more reliable, more precise, and easier to use than a folding knife.
Although both have their advantages fixed knife is strong and won’t break, while folding knives can fit into a pocket or backpack easily. For most camping tasks, though, a fixed knife will be the tool of choice.
For a folding blade knife, the main benefit is being able to easily close it.
But before deciding I would suggest you look at everything that you will use a knife for. You must also consider your camping experience, how many knives you already have, and what types of tasks you will be performing.
When it comes to knives, there are many ways to go about it. For me, a fixed knife is perfect for camping. With this knife, you don’t have to worry about it coming loose or breaking. In addition, the knife is great for cutting wood or other tasks while the other knives would be better suited for tasks such as carving or slicing meat.
Fixed or Folding Blade: What’s The Best Survival Knife?
For a survival knife, a simple pocket knife like a Spyderco Pocketknife with a 3.25″ blade or less is perfect for any situation where you need a small fixed blade knife.
However, for many knife enthusiasts, fixed blades are the knife of choice. They are good for opening things, slicing, and chopping. They can also be used to cut with precision if you know how to handle them well.
Fixed blade knives, however, do have their drawbacks. Some include carrying the knife in a sheath. That can be cumbersome, and even more so when it’s a bigger knife. The blade, too, is generally thick, and there isn’t much flexibility in the blade for sharpening it. It is also much harder to keep clean.
I agree with this. I prefer the dependability of a fixed blade over the convenience of a folding knife in outdoor camping and survival situations. Fixed blades will hold up in anything, and even if they don’t, they can be used for so many things.
But don’t get me wrong, some folding knives are amazing. In fact, there are even some folding blades that are just as strong and even more powerful. The truth is, you don’t always need a fixed blade when a folding knife will do just fine in the long run.
FIXED BLADE VS. FOLDING BLADE: What is Better for EDC KNIVES
In this case, folding knives would be the best for EDC. There are a couple of things that make folding knives popular for EDC.
Folding knives are the ultimate in the art of knife skills. The blades fold into the handle for ease of transport. Folding knives also tend to be cheaper than their fixed counterparts. Folding knives are great for EDC.
Folding knives are a handy, lightweight way to carry a knife, especially if you want to go camping or hiking or just need something easy to bring along. However, when left out in the open, a folding knife is susceptible to accumulating dust, dirt, and debris, which can make it difficult to open and close properly.
Folding knives are also a great choice if you want something to go with your kitchen. They can be easily taken from their closed position and then put away when not in use. You don’t need to worry about them moving around and causing injury.
Final Verdict
Both styles of knives are useful and carry their own unique benefits and drawbacks. There’s no single answer as to which is better suited for urban environments or everyday carry. Some people use fixed blade knives to prepare meals, some prefer folding knives for slicing, and others favor a knife suited for specific tasks. You have to make your own decision based on what you want and how you plan on using your knife.
Hi, my name is Taras Kulakov and I’m a knife enthusiast. I have been collecting knives for over 30 years and I’ve owned literally thousands of different models over that time. My goal with this site is to share some of what I’ve learned about knives. You can find more info about Taras Kulakov here.
