Back in December 2024, I posted on Facebook about pocket-carry fixed blades. I predicted their popularity was going to explode in 2025. It was based on nothing more than gut instinct. It was interesting that the comments on that thread were very polarizing. People either loved small fixed blade knives or they thought the whole idea was foolish nonsense.
I don’t know that the prevalence of the pocket-carry fixed blade has truly exploded in the last 18 months. I do know that they’re still fairly popular, and that there are tons of great models out there to choose from.
If you’re on the fence about whether a small fixed blade might be the right EDC for you, here are some reasons I prefer them over folders.
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Fixed Blades are Stronger
All other things being equal, a fixed blade is a stronger knife than a folder. It’s one piece of steel from end to end, assuming full tang construction. It has no moving parts. Thus, there are presumably no weak points. If you routinely use your knife to pry things apart, a fixed blade is the safer option.
That said, your knife isn’t a crowbar; stop treating it like one. If you need a pry tool regularly, then carry a pry tool. There are tons of them on the market today.
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Fixed Blades are Easier to Clean
If you aren’t careful, it can be quite easy to foul up a folding knife. Even simple pocket lint can muck up the works. Sure, it doesn’t take a lot of time to clean and oil the pivot. But with a fixed blade, you don’t have those concerns. Plus, if you often use your knife for food prep, such as cutting up sausage or an apple at lunch, a folding knife can be more difficult to clean and disinfect. This is especially true if you close the knife and toss it back into your pocket before you wash it off.
Fixed Blades are Reliable
There’s really nothing to fail on a fixed blade, other than perhaps the steel itself. As Tim Ogg from 7Forge Knives says, “I’ve never lost a piece of my fixed blade, and I don’t have to worry about breaking it in most use cases.”
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Fixed Blades are Quicker to Deploy
Even though some folders can be opened in a flash, the fixed blade is still faster, all things considered. There’s no opening involved. Just pull it from the sheath, and you’re ready to go.
It isn’t just about speed, though. If you’re working in a tight spot, you might not have the maneuverability needed to open a folding knife, especially something like a slip joint model.
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Fixed Blades are Less Confusing
I know that sounds odd, but bear with me a second. My friend Christian Lishen from Lishen Knives brought up this point, and it makes a lot of sense. If you’re the resident “knife guy” at work who everyone turns to when they need to cut something, you may have run into this.
Many non-knife people are absolutely baffled by things like liner locks on folding knives. They’ll fumble around with the knife, trying to figure it out and potentially hurting themselves in the process. Hand them a fixed blade, and they won’t be puzzled about how to operate it.
One more reason to consider comes from Jacob Peterson at Exodus Knife and Tool. He says that it’s easier to keep track of a fixed blade and not lose it. “For some reason, still having the sheath in my pocket helps remind me to put the knife back.”
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