Fixed Blades Knives
Fixed blade knives are a solid piece of metal that can pretty much handle any major task. However, the thickness of the blade and weight of the overall knife can make finesse cuts a bit more challenging. Unfortunately, when you say fixed blade, most people immediately think of a Bowie knife but the small fixed-blade knives available today shouldn't be overlooked even when used as an Every Day Carry. The smaller versions have strength that folding knives often lack and still provide the precision needed for a more delicate task. After all, no matter how great the blade locking mechanism, a folder just doesn't have the solid feel and safety of a fixed blade. Regardless of size, a key factor in choosing the best fixed-blade knife is to pick a handle that is easy to hold and one that doesn't compromise your grip when additional pressure is applied.
Originally made from rock, bone, flint, chert or obsidian, Oldowan blade tools evolved more than 2.5 million years ago in Tanzania and allowed early hominins to chop, scrape, pound, pierce and slice. Even though fixed blade knives today are often called hunting knives or fishing knives, modern man is still using the tool to accomplish many of the same campsite tasks like building a shelter, chopping firewood, skinning game, or simply surviving in the wilderness. When compared to spearheads or arrowheads, hunting and fishing knives are seldom used to directly kill game. Instead, their main purpose is to prepare the food and build the fire. One thing is for certain, when you're surviving in the wild, a quality fixed blade knife is a crucial tool whether it is carried in a belt sheath or toted in a jacket pocket.
Made from a single piece of metal that runs the length of the knife, fixed blades are typically more durable than a comparable folder. If the blade tapers at the end as it reaches the handle, it is called a half tang or partial tang knife. In a full-tang knife, the blade does not taper and is covered on either side by a two-piece handle. Most fixed blade knives are fashioned with a straight-edge adding to the knife's versatility but a serrated edge, whether it runs the full length of the knife or just along a section of the upper blade, can be quite useful for sawing thru bone or wood. A traditional drop-point blade (where the spine slopes to the tip along a convex curve) is still the most popular blade type but the clip point's tapered edge makes it ideal for piercing, slicing and opening cans. The tanto blade has a thicker spine that bevels from the point in multiple directions, which limits its versatility but makes it ideal for heavier tasks like jabbing.
Folding knives may be ideal as an everyday carry, but with a handle anchored to a solid piece of steel, fixed blade knives hold up to the elements and are easy to trust for tougher tasks. Since they don't require additional steps to open and lock in place, fixed blades are more accessible as well as tactical. With no moving parts, they are easier to keep clean and less likely to break. Although fixed blade knives are most often carried in a side sheath or calf holster, compact-sized versions are easily toted in a pocket and offer many of the same advantages. Many first responders, fire fighters, police officers and soldiers carry at least one fixed blade knife to tackle bigger tasks and defend against the unexpected. If you have questions about any fixed blade knife or would like our expert opinion, contact us toll free at 1-800-454-7448.
