Question- Fixed Blade or Folding Knife?

[Bill Harsey]

Straight up question, not a test:

When you guys are in the field, do you prefer a fixed blade sheath knife or folding knife for your primary edged tool?

[Team Sergeant]

Both in the field, a fixed blade on my LBE and a folder in my pocket.

[The Reaper]

Both, and usually three or four of them.

TR

[CPTAUSRET]

Bill:

Can't carry much in a Cobra, but I had a fixed blade on my survival harness behind my seat, my 45 positioned in front of my nuts. Also carried a dayglo orange switchblade (Army issued with a sharpened hook on one end to cut through risers).

Terry

edited to add

And a Car15 behind my seat, the Cobra being only 36 inches wide there wasn't much room for long guns.

[Roguish Lawyer]

TS and TR:

So you don't consider any of them "primary"? :munchin

[NousDefionsDoc]

Both in the field, a fixed blade on my LBE and a folder in my pocket.

+1 - me too plus a Leatherman

[Ambush Master]

Mr. Bill,
Are you starting to hear an echo from an earlier conversation ?!?!?!

Fixed Blade on your gear, which makes the accessability of a "pocket knife" unaccessable, but a good folder to have if you need to dump your gear and also for use when you're not "saddled up", as in around the camp or while working on your gear !! I really wish Leatherman would put an S30V blade in his tools !!!

Later
Martin

[The Reaper]

TS and TR:

So you don't consider any of them "primary"? :munchin

Depends on what the task is.

Primary for chopping down a tree is not the same as the primary for removing splinters.

What is your primary communications device?

TR

[The Reaper]

Mr. Bill,
Are you starting to hear an echo from an earlier conversation ?!?!?!

Fixed Blade on your gear, which makes the accessability of a "pocket knife" unaccessable, but a good folder to have if you need to dump your gear and also for use when you're not "saddled up", as in around the camp or while working on your gear !! I really wish Leatherman would put an S30V blade in his tools !!!

Later
Martin

I have asked for the S-30V blade in the New Wave, Tim said that he would make me one.

Still waiting, though. Maybe several people should ask?

TR

[Roguish Lawyer]

What is your primary communications device?

E-mail

[The Reaper]

E-mail

For voice commo?

TR

[Roguish Lawyer]

For voice commo?

TR

Telephone.

[Razor]

Telephone.

Land line or cellular?

[The Reaper]

Telephone.

So the primary commo means depends on what you are trying to do with it?

Kind of like blades.

I will say this. You can make a big knife do small tasks a lot easier than you can make a little knife do big work.

If I could only take one, it would be a Leatherman or a big knife like the TR.

I usually have a Reeve Large Sebenza or the Harsey Tactical Folder and a Leatherman Wave or a Swiss Champ on me.

In the woods, I add an intermediate size knife on my second line, like a Yarborough knife or a Al Mar SERE Fixed Blade.

On my ruck, I will have either a machete, a camp axe, or a Harsey TR, and an E-Tool.

Can you really call one a "primary edged tool"?

TR

[Roguish Lawyer]

Land line or cellular?

In the field, cellular. On post, land line. :rolleyes:

[Roguish Lawyer]

So the primary commo means depends on what you are trying to do with it?

I see your point, but I think primary means the one you use the most. Alternatively, the one you would pick if you could only have one.

Perhaps Blademaster would be kind enough to clarify his question . . . :munchin

[Ambush Master]

I see your point, but I think primary means the one you use the most. Alternatively, the one you would pick if you could only have one.

Perhaps Blademaster would be kind enough to clarify his question . . . :munchin

Blademaster doesn't need to clarify anything !!

What WE are saying, is that what is needed, is a "Suite" of edged devices. Each of which has it's own niche and will fulfill the requirements of various phases of a deployment and or need !!!

As they say in the Barbershop...... NEXT!!!!

Later
Martin

[The Reaper]

In the field, cellular. On post, land line. :rolleyes:

Your law firm has a field site and a post for you to work at? :rolleyes:

Has the cold snap damaged your mind, Sir?

TR

[Roguish Lawyer]

Has the cold snap damaged your mind, Sir?

No, my mind was damaged before it started. :D

[The Reaper]

No, my mind was damaged before it started. :D

Exhaust fumes from your old car driving you to make a new purchase for health and safety reasons?

TR

[Roguish Lawyer]

Exhaust fumes from your old car driving you to make a new purchase for health and safety reasons?

TR

LOL

Nah, but it is starting to break down once in a while and I'm tired of taking it into the shop. :)

OK, back to your regularly scheduled thread . . . :munchin

[The Reaper]

I think that we are in agreement that as AM said, all tools have their place and value.

Primary tool while making an emergency repair on a vehicle is probably different from what tool you would need to fell a tree for a shelter.

HTH.

TR

[Ken Brock]

I almost always carry a fixed blade, both on duty and off.

I generally have a folder tucked away too, but the fixed blade is my favorite.

[brownapple]

Let's see...

A fixed blade of about 7-8" length, a Leatherman, and a Swiss Army Knife. That's what I have carried as long as Leatherman's have been available.

[Team Sergeant]

I see your point, but I think primary means the one you use the most. Alternatively, the one you would pick if you could only have one.


The question was “when you’re in the field” and I take that as being in uniform, combat or training, with full kit.

It’s like the difference between a .22 and a .45, while the .22 would kill, if the need arose, I’d rather use a .45 for serious work. Same with the knife, while I could utilize the folder a 7 inch Yarborough knife would be my first choice for serious work.
Swatsurgeon wrote something concerning a knife blades length vs. damage inflicted. I don’t think I need to go into the reasoning for a long blade.

To answer your question, I require more input, am I in the field, say at war?


TS

[Bill Harsey]

Team Sergeant,
Yes, in combat or possible combat.

I'll assume that one would train with the same gear your going to fight with.

[Team Sergeant]

Team Sergeant,
Yes, in combat or possible combat.

I'll assume that one would train with the same gear your going to fight with.

If I can only have one it would be a fixed blade.

[brownapple]

Bill,

For what it is worth, when I have been in the field, the fixed blade has always been the BLADE that gets the most use. The other two tools are much more likely to be used for their other tools than their blade (tweezers, scissors, pliers, can opener, wire cutter... you get the idea).

[Eagle5US]

I love my fixed blade in the field, but when you whip out the "Mississippi blacksnake" for the small tasks it just doesn't feel right-my dummy corded swiss army knife with attached bic lighter gets more DAILY use hands down. My leatherman is also closeby.

That being said, I can force my big knife to do almost everything my little one does.

If there can be only one-it's going to be the biggun.

Eagle

[brownapple]

Eagle,

You supposed to be staying away from knives these days...! ;)

[SF West]

I just got a folding gerber,
I'm not in the military yet,
but I keep it on my hip for self defense purposes.
I like folding knives for fighting, but they do have their drawbacks.
As a martial artist who has learned how and when to use knives as
a weapon, this is my take.
Pros
-----
-Small
-usually legal
-can be used to make your fist harder by clasping it.
-decent blades (not restricted to folding, just want to make
it doesn't show up or thought of in the cons as having bad blades)

Cons
------
-Usually heavy on the handle (bad for fighting)
-Not as strong as fixed blade sometimes.
-YOU HAVE TO OPEN IT

I have a folding on my waist at all times though,
and I am just as comfortable with a good folding as I am with a good fixed blad..
If it's quality, you have nothing to fear either way.
Although, military fixed blades, i.e. bowie knives definately show some superiority over most fixed blades.
My weapon of choice though, heavy on the blade, sturdy, 6 inch blade (curved), fixed blade, blade on front and back of blade.

A knife like this when held in the normal "stabbing" grip can come down and slice a mans chest open with little effort. With the curve it makes for a good slash, and easy stab on the way back, if your stab on the way back is parried, all you have to do is turn the blade and you can slash at the arms or neck, and come in at a stab to any major organ. Very effective if you know how to use it. Knives usually win when they meet guns, keep that in mind.

[The Reaper]

I just got a folding gerber,
I'm not in the military yet,
but I keep it on my hip for self defense purposes.
I like folding knives for fighting, but they do have their drawbacks.
As a martial artist who has learned how and when to use knives as
a weapon, this is my take.
Pros
-----
-Small
-usually legal
-can be used to make your fist harder by clasping it.
-decent blades (not restricted to folding, just want to make
it doesn't show up or thought of in the cons as having bad blades)

Cons
------
-Usually heavy on the handle (bad for fighting)
-Not as strong as fixed blade sometimes.
-YOU HAVE TO OPEN IT

I have a folding on my waist at all times though,
and I am just as comfortable with a good folding as I am with a good fixed blad..
If it's quality, you have nothing to fear either way.
Although, military fixed blades, i.e. bowie knives definately show some superiority over most fixed blades.
My weapon of choice though, heavy on the blade, sturdy, 6 inch blade (curved), fixed blade, blade on front and back of blade.

A knife like this when held in the normal "stabbing" grip can come down and slice a mans chest open with little effort. With the curve it makes for a good slash, and easy stab on the way back, if your stab on the way back is parried, all you have to do is turn the blade and you can slash at the arms or neck, and come in at a stab to any major organ. Very effective if you know how to use it. Knives usually win when they meet guns, keep that in mind.

Hey, hero, thanks for the expert advice. You ever stabbed anybody? With a real knife?

You need to drop out of site and lurk for a while.

This will save you a lot of pain here.

TR

[NousDefionsDoc]

I will be happy to change your user name for you as soon as you pick another one, just PM me with what you would like it to be. You have an hour to decide, then will assume you couldn't decide and I will do it for you with one of my choosing.

[brewmonkey]

originally posted by CPTAUSRET

Army issued with a sharpened hook on one end to cut through risers

I would have figured the blades of the helicopter would have taken care of any issues with your risers. :D

[CPTAUSRET]

I would have figured the blades of the helicopter would have taken care of any issues with your risers. :D

Brew:

That's funny.

I kept that particular knife because I thought it was cool that the Army would issue me a switchblade.

Terry :)

[swatsurgeon]

hijack or new direction.....for folders, auto vs manual open????
I'll start....on our last practice, one of our operators had to cut through something he got tangled in. I was right behind him watching from 8-10 feet away. He deployed his very expensive "CDI" (chicks dig it) auto folder and the blade hit the rope he was stuck on, didn't fully open hence no lock back and he then has to take more precious time to manually open it fully. All of this took <10 seconds but he's out of action concentrating on the knife instead of his environment......great debrief, he got his ass chewed for not avoiding the tangle and 2 for remaining a potential target alittle too long while playing with a non-deployed knife.
So, stick with manual deployment or 'double-action' rather than auto openers? someone up for this one?
IMHO, the positive manual maneuver is trusted, reliable and not prone to breaking or non-deployment, no loss of spring tension, etc. My Harsey T-2 folder isgreat as a manual and I think would be a 'slightly' less perfect folder had it been auto (no offense Bill...it's with me everywhere!!)

[Bill Harsey]

Swatsurgeon,
Not to be smart but speaking directly, If I wanted the T-2 to be an auto (switchblade), it would have been an auto.

You gave me something to consider that I'd never thought of before, the auto knife blade being stopped during opening and not continuing to full open and locked position. This is an interesting reason against the auto in an emergency situation.

Auto openers are very popular. There are makers who are very good at building them. In the state of Oregon where I live it is legal to manufacture, own, sell and carry NOT concealled an auto opening knife. It is legal to sell an auto opening knife to confirmed members of the police and military. This is a problem unto itself. How do I know that some guy or gal didn't borrow someones department letterhead? I don't have the resources or time to do confirmations on police or military.

It would be against the law for me to ship an auto opening knife to a citizen residing in a state that bans auto opening knives. Same goes for Canada. Personally, to date, I have never wanted to make them for several reasons and the legal ones are the least of these.

An auto opening folding knife with a good strong spring that opens smartly is also hammering on internal components every time the button is pushed. Springs break, internal shear pins wear and then the knife just doesn't work at all.
This is the main reason I don't custom make auto openers, it is the dependability over long period of time issue. They don't fail gradually, if they do it's all at once and I don't want an operator in a life critical situation to need a knife and find the one on him just decided to quit working.

[Bill Harsey]

Post script on auto openers,

On some auto opener knives, if the button was pushed to swing the blade to the full open position and the blade hits something and was stopped like Swatsurgeon described, the blade would just flop freely until it was "re-loaded" by compressing back into the handle frame and the switch was pushed to open again. This of course takes two hands to do. On some auto designs you could not just manually rotate the blade full open and have it lock.

Other types of auto opener designs called "double action" can be either opened manually and lock just fine or the button (or other switch feature) can be pushed to open "auto."

I'd always thought it curious to have a fast opening mechanism on an auto with a little tiny button that was hard to locate in a hurry.

The manual opening folding knives can often be opened faster than an auto because of the "find the button and push it" time.

[swatsurgeon]

Bill,
the meaning of my statement was that the manual is my prefered mechanism and that I was glad it was not an auto...so the 'no offense' was so you didn't think I would speak negatively if there was an auto on your list of offerings
quote from previous post :"My Harsey T-2 folder isgreat as a manual and I think would be a 'slightly' less perfect folder had it been auto (no offense Bill...it's with me everywhere!!)"[/FONT]

[mumbleypeg]

The gadget factor on auto's is very high. In shtf situations where I need to deploy a tool fast, the less I have to worry about the better. There are all kinds of threads here about fine motorskills and the way they diminish under stess. Finding the button or manipulating the scale is one more thing to worry about, and remember.

Cold or injured hands, stessful environment, I want simple.

I have never been convinced that Manual or even Assisted opening knives offer advantages at those times when something needs to be cut right now.

While I would prefer a fixed blade most of the time, my work and social activities necessitate a knife that bends at the waist. I don't want it to be so fancy that it malfunctions and I can't use it when I need it.

[ZoneOne]

Question about Fixed Blade

Looking for opinions
_____________________

http://bugei.com/product_873_detailed.htm

James Williams, the designer of the Hissatsu, is a former Army officer and martial arts practitioner/instructor with over 40 years of experience. He knows cutlery as President of Bugei Trading Company, producer of fine Samurai swords. As one who has trained tactical law enforcement and military forces for the Surefire Institute, he has developed a unique and powerful approach of unarmed combatives. His system of defensive tactics, known as The System of Tactical Strategy has its origins in the ancient Samurai military systems as well as the Russian military art of Systema...

Hissatsu in action (http://www.bugei.com/images/hissatsu-plywood-web.jpg)

_______________________

Basically, my question is to see if anyone has seen this knife or heard anything about it.

Constructive criticism is appreciated b/c it could save me time and money in the long run.

Thanks in advance

Back to lurking

[Razor]

You're going to carry a 12" OAL knife around campus?

[The Reaper]

Question about Fixed Blade

Looking for opinions

Basically, my question is to see if anyone has seen this knife or heard anything about it.

Constructive criticism is appreciated b/c it could save me time and money in the long run.

Thanks in advance

Back to lurking

I have one and know James, what specifically are you looking for?

TR

[DanUCSB]

Call it instinct, but red flags pop up as soon as I hear about a knifemaker who makes "Samurai swords", "fine" or not. I know that there are some craftsmen out there who do make quality katanas, but the -vast- majority are junk made for kiddies and wannabes. All of the knifemakers that I have personally experienced as making quality product tend to stick with knives.

Mr. Harsey?

ETA: Disregard. Experience with the craftsman trumps natural suspicion. :D

[ZoneOne]

I have one and know James, what specifically are you looking for?

I'm looking for the quality of the knife in all aspects.
The steel, the grip and how it feels in the hand.
Overall, I'm hoping for someone's "review" on this knife. But anything is a help.

plus - anyword on the "folder" version?

all it instinct, but red flags pop up as soon as I hear about a knifemaker who makes "Samurai swords", "fine" or not. I know that there are some craftsmen out there who do make quality katanas, but the -vast- majority are junk made for kiddies and wannabes. All of the knifemakers that I have personally experienced as making quality product tend to stick with knives.

Mr. Harsey?

Exactly your point is why I came here seeking some advice and opinions.
plus everyone on Bugei forums seem a little biased - but still good info.

[The Reaper]

I'm looking for the quality of the knife in all aspects.
The steel, the grip and how it feels in the hand.
Overall, I'm hoping for someone's "review" on this knife. But anything is a help.

Exactly your point is why I came here seeking some advice and opinions.

I am not a big believer in civilians carrying a big knife for self-defense. It is very hazardous legally, and tactically, if you do not have the requisite training to use it.

This is not a utility knife for field use. It is only made for killing another human, and your carry of it will be viewed as packing a concealed weapon.

The Hissatu is made by CRKT, a great economy knife company. It costs about 30% of what a mid-range custom costs, and must be reviewed in that respect.

It appears to be well-made blade of AUS-6, which is a decent inexpensive steel.

It balances and cuts well, though the factory edge could use some improvement for serious work.

The grip is made of Kraton, and once the release coating is removed, it is VERY grippy.

It would appear to work well for its intended purpose, and be an especially good penetrator.

TR

[ZoneOne]

Thanks for the Info.


Been looking at other forums about it too and they all seem to agree with your statements.

From Bugei Forums,
Edge retention with this metal is more than adequate to the task the Hissatsu is designed for. If you DO manage to dull this knife using it for its intended purpose, you should have called for CAS (Close Air Support)

I have been looking at this knife as a collectors piece and NOT a utility knife.
I have had some experience with Tanto's but barely enough to be labelled as an amateur.


Also - i have read of a "folder" version coming out in the near future.

again - thx

[The Reaper]

At this price range, it is hardly a collector's item, but it is very good for what it does.

Bugei does sell collector grade swords, if you are into that.

TR

[Air.177]

For Collectibles of this sort, Check out Paul Chen's Hanwei series of Swords/Tantos etc. Very nice stuff at affordable prices.

One of my Coworkers bought one of these CRKT Hissatu Tantos and it is an interesting knife, but as has already been stated, it is good for one thing and one thing only. For a general purpose civilian, it would make a very fine letter opener.

[Rotor Strike]

Hey, I know James. Good dude. Sitting at his display at the SOCOM shot last year listening to his video replay over and over and over....got real old though. Good thing I had the Strider and Eagle guys keeping me sane.

As to knives, I usually carry a Simonich Raven as my large knife, Dwyer D-AL as the mid-range fixed blade, and a Strider SMF as the folder. Then add the Victorinox multi tool to the mix for good fun. This is at work. At home I find that I am able to present and use most effectively a small fixed blade knife like a Strider SA of DB. Quicker for me to deploy than a folder and more stout as well. I think that a lot of folks overlook the small fixed blade knives...to their loss. But, I still carry the HAK and SMF just about everywhere nowadays, so the DB went to a new home.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Dwyer D-AL as the mid-range fixed blade

Saw another Dwyer you have on eBay . . .

[Rotor Strike]

Saw another Dwyer you have on eBay . . .

That's the one I'm talking about. Have to unload it and an early AR to finance a new computer that can run all my CAD/Photoshop/Architecture stuff programs faster than the dinosaur I currenlty own. Feel free to chip in... ;)