The point of fixed blades...

[Blackhair]

Hello all! It's been awhile since I posted anything here, and I decided I would jump back into the fray with the announcement that I am finally getting my first REAL spyderco knife. I've had a Byrd Cara Cara since June, but I just ordered two Delica 4's! One of them is PE, and one is SE, and according to the shipping tracker, they should be here tomorrow, I'm excited!

The main point of my topic, however, is in relation to fixed blade knives, as my title suggests. I was just thinking today about getting a fixed blade knife, and I suddenly had a thought. What, exactly is the reason for having a fixed blade knife? As I thought about various cutting tasks, I realized that the only two instances in which I would rather have a fixed blade knife than a folder are:
1. Self defense. Less chance of messing up the draw, less chance of something going wrong during the fight, more security.
and 2. Skinning/Preparing food. Nothing is worse than getting food gunk in the action of your folder with no way to get it out.

Granted, this is assuming that you're using your knife for cutting, and not as a prybar. Since even the tasks for which you would probably use a fixed blade for "hard use", such as clearing brush, would probably be better suited to a saw or hatchet.

Basically, as I thought about, I realized that in every cutting situation, I could stand to use a folder as opposed to a fixed blade, but not vice a versa.

So, the point of my topic is this. For those of you who use fixed blades often, what are your reasons? And do you feel that a folder could serve just as well?

[Dr. Snubnose]

Fixed blade for SD....cept for the Yojimbo or Chinook....just works better for me....don't care what I use for everything else as long as it's sharp....Doc:D

[The Deacon]

Probably 90% of my cutting is food prep and, as you mentioned, fixed blades are easier to clean after such use.

Then there's Murphy's Law - there are fewer things that can go wrong with a fixed blade.

[Tonie Nichols]

I've found from my training (10 years) that in defensive work when you are on the move under attack your body motions can negate or hinder kinetic openings, although they are less detrimental to thumb openings. I find that I can access both fixed and folders equally well, but that striking on the draw is more sure with the fixed. I still carry a SD oriented folder, right now it's the Chinook, but it's not my primary option.

[The Deacon]

I would also say I'm the opposite of you - I'd always "rather" have a fixed blade than a folder - it's just that most times I'm outside my home the "pluses" of a folder - ease of carry and legality - outweigh the "pluses" of a fixed - total reliability and easy of cleaning. Hunting and fishing would be the primary exceptions to that, because in both cases legality is not an issue and ease of cleanup is a major one.

[Blackhair]

I guess it really does come down to:

Folder - ease of use, concealment, legality
Fixed - reliability, ease of clean up

It really just depends on the situation that you're in.

Also, on the self defense issue, I just got a Swick, and now that I've been able to practice my draws with folders vs. a fixed blade, I can see the security of having a fixed blade. (it's a different feeling practicing it as opposed to just reading about it)

[Lostification]

Congratulations on the D4's! :D