I Know You Carry And Love It... But Why?

[bladechick777]

Alright, So This Is Maybe A Dumb Question. But I'm Not The Only Knife Nut Here.
And I Carry A Knife For A Few Specific Reasons...
1.) Why Do You Carry Yours?
2.) Why Do You Prefer Either Fixed Over Folding Or Folding Over Fixed?
3.) Does It Have To Be Good Blade Steel?
4.) And Must It NOT Be Made In China?
4a.) If So... Why The Hate On China's Products?
5.) Do You Prefer Modern Over Traditional Or Traditional Over Modern?
6.) Why Do We Carry Both A Knife AND An SAK?
7.) And Our Multi-Tools Or Most Of Them Have Knives.... So Why Do We Need Both?

1.) I Carry Mine Because I Need It For Opening Things And Cutting Things In A Fast Timely Manner.
2.) I Prefer Folding Mostly Because I Can Pocket Carry It, And It's More People Friendly, And Over All, I Just Don't Use A Fixed Blade.
3.) Not Really - As Long As It Cuts And Holds A Good Edge, I'm Good. I Also Have No Issue Sharpening My Knives A Lot So That Probably Comes Into Play.
4.) China Products Don't Bother Me. Mostly Because They Come Up With Good Knives Too. Like The China Made Kershaws, And Spyderco's Economy Line. Or The SOG Twitch.
5.) I Prefer To Carry A Modern Knife As Most Of These Are One Hand Opening And Just More Convenient.
6.) I Carry A Knife And An SAK As I May Need A Smaller Blade For Something, Or A Tool That Obviously My Knife Does Not Have.
7.) The Reason I Carry A Multi-Tool With All Of The Other Stuff I Carry Is So I Can Have Pliers Handy, Or At Least Something Heavy Duty That I Know Will Get The Job Done.

So How About You?

[2xTap]

For me........

1.) Because there is always something to cut!

2.) For general use I prefer folders. I have carried a FB both EDC and outdoors. But for EDC folders are more practical.

3.) Yes, it has to be a decent blade steel (for me this starts at 420HC). I'm not a steel snob but I do have preferences, A decent blade steel with a good heat treat is essential though.

4.) For some makes I don't have a problem with China made. My preference is for American, but if built right I'd carry, and have carried, Chinese stuff.

5.) I prefer traditional over modern, I love slippies. But, I do carry both.

6.) Only at work do I carry both a knife and a SAK, a Vic Classic SD. Hardly ever use it though but it has come in handy from time to time.

7.) I don't carry a MT, but have plenty in the house as well as keep one in the car as well as have one at work. Never know what you might need at any given moment.

2xTap

[bladechick777]

I Don't Particularly Prefer American Made.

If There Were An American Made Tenacious And A Chinese Made Tenacious - Both Still Economy - I Wouldn't Pick And Choose.

The Chinese Would Probably Cost Less Although It May Have The Same Steel, Still Has Black G-10, Etc.

So... Obviously I'd Go The Chinese Route.
Really It's Like This With A Lot Of Products.

You Could Buy A Spyderco Cat For $40+ With 440 Blade Steel, Or You Could Find A Folder With The Same Steel And With Decent Quality(Although It Will NEVER Be A Spydie) For $25 Less.

Really Brands Just Push It Up A Notch Lol.

Now Of Course I'm A Spydie-Nut And Believe Their Quality, Craftsmanship, And Materials Are Top Of The Line. But I Would Not Hesitate To Pick Up An Economy Knife Or Byrd Knife.

Hope This Makes Sense.

[dks]

1.) Why Do You Carry Yours?
Because I can and to cut bigger/harder material
2.) Why Do You Prefer Either Fixed Over Folding Or Folding Over Fixed?
Both really. Folding is more convenient especially in public places or when you do not want to carry something twice the size of the blade (pocket) but fixed for all tasks at home, outdoors (usually in a sheath) etc
3.) Does It Have To Be Good Blade Steel?
Good enough is good for me. As long as it is not really soft I could not tell the difference in everyday use
4.) And Must It NOT Be Made In China?
I think this is something that tends to worry US people more, mainly for political and sentimental reasons. If I am happy with a product i do not care if it is Chinese, Japanese, American, German, British etc
4a.) If So... Why The Hate On China's Products?
Beats me..
5.) Do You Prefer Modern Over Traditional Or Traditional Over Modern?
I like both, though usually I carry a modern folder (SRM763) for the lock, toughness, bottle opener.
I also sometimes carry some small buck or my one hand opening SRM Slipjoint.
6.) Why Do We Carry Both A Knife AND An SAK?
The knife is for cutting, the SAK/Micra is for the rest, with the possibility to also cut if needed.
7.) And Our Multi-Tools Or Most Of Them Have Knives.... So Why Do We Need Both?
My usual multitool is the LM Micra (keys) so I need a bigger blade.
Also knives tend to be easier to use and if you damage them you just damage the knife; If you damage the blade of your wave than you have actually damaged the whole tool.

[AimlessWanderer]

1.) Why Do You Carry Yours?
2.) Why Do You Prefer Either Fixed Over Folding Or Folding Over Fixed?
3.) Does It Have To Be Good Blade Steel?
4.) And Must It NOT Be Made In China?
4a.) If So... Why The Hate On China's Products?
5.) Do You Prefer Modern Over Traditional Or Traditional Over Modern?
6.) Why Do We Carry Both A Knife AND An SAK?
7.) And Our Multi-Tools Or Most Of Them Have Knives.... So Why Do We Need Both?

1) They're useful and no bugger else carries anything, so if I ain't got it I'm/we're stumped
2) Slipjoint folder for most jobs - ease of carry and use. Fixed blade for heavy tasks or food chores. Locks are superfluous, frustrating and not to be trusted. All folders should be treated like slippies
3) I'm no snob. I don't care what the grade so long as it holds an edge reasonably and I can sharpen it easily. I often tend to go for lower grades due to the second point
4) If it works, I don't care who built it - it's good
4a) If it doesn't work, again I don't care who built it - it's bad
5) I like both - function is foremost
6) If I want/need OHO or clip - otherwise happy with one or the other
7) I generally don't use plier based MT blades - all too often they lock which is slow, frustrating and more dangerous (especially in the case of locks that make you put a digit under the line of travel to release), plus a SAK or folder handles better

[Zed]

1.) Why Do You Carry Yours?
because i usualy need a knife to cut something and if i dont have one im stuffed lol
2.) Why Do You Prefer Either Fixed Over Folding Or Folding Over Fixed?
cant carry a fixed in the uk so non locking folders as legal, although sometimes i carry a locking knife in my backpack if camping etc,
3.) Does It Have To Be Good Blade Steel?
i like a steel that is easy to sharpen but other than that ive no preference
4.) And Must It NOT Be Made In China?
nope as long as its well made im fine,
4a.) If So... Why The Hate On China's Products?
5.) Do You Prefer Modern Over Traditional Or Traditional Over Modern?
i like both, but for me as most know it needs to be usefull, 
6.) Why Do We Carry Both A Knife AND An SAK?
I generally dont, although i usualy carry a combo of a MT with a blade and a SAK,i feel i prefer tools with more than one use.
7.) And Our Multi-Tools Or Most Of Them Have Knives.... So Why Do We Need Both?
for me its because sometimes i carry one or the other so always need a bladed tool, simple 

[bladechick777]

I'm Loving All Of The Replies.
Paul, If You Have Anything For Trade I May Be Able To Help You Out In The Non-Locking Knife Department.

Also, I Believe If I Had A Fixed Blade I Would Use It For Light House Duty... In The Kitchen, Taking Care Of Moms Plants, Cutting More Heavy Things.

And If I Were Out And About In The Woods.

Great.. Now I Want A Fixed Blade.

[sawman]

I like to carry what I consider a more traditional knife, the Vic Pioneer:

It's compact, it features all the implements I use most.

It comes with a nice black leather snap enclosure sheath which clips onto my belt.

I especially like the size, shape, thickness (overall profile) of the blade for most general purpose cutting.

I make often use of the awl for boring belt loops, light scraping, or where ever a fine pointed implement can be handy.

I make often use of the screwdriver and can opener.

To me, this is the perfect knife and it's been in my EDC for a long time now.

BTW, if I'm doing outdoor work, I may substitute for a Farmer or Harvester.

[bladechick777]

My Favorite EDC At The Moment Would Be:
Spyderco Paramilitary 2
SOG Twitch II
Custom Made SAK

[Mr. Whippy]

And I Carry A Knife For A Few Specific Reasons...
1.) Why Do You Carry Yours?

Cutting duties on the farm.  At work I carry a Vic Exec and have an small Atwood blade for lunch prep

2.) Why Do You Prefer Either Fixed Over Folding Or Folding Over Fixed?

It's not a clear preference.  A fixed blade allows me to do cutting jobs that require more forceful effort or in tight spots.  Folders are more convenient, but I don't like rapping on the back of a folder.

3.) Does It Have To Be Good Blade Steel?

Well yes.  Crappy steel means I have to stop mid job when the edge goes flat.  But that doesn't mean it needs to be a "SuperSteel"  The steel in the Leatherman Wave is quite good imo.

4.) And Must It NOT Be Made In China?

Don't care.  Quality of construction is prime.


5.) Do You Prefer Modern Over Traditional Or Traditional Over Modern?

I don't like the look of "Tactical" blades.  I like a tanto blade shape. OHO is preferred in folders.  More important to me is a stout blade geometry.

6.) Why Do We Carry Both A Knife AND An SAK?

I don't particularly like the SAK spear point, but the saw, can opener and awl on my Farmer are fantastic.

7.) And Our Multi-Tools Or Most Of Them Have Knives.... So Why Do We Need Both?

I don't need both.  The Charge blades are fine.  My dedicated folders and fixed blade are just better.

[bladechick777]

I Currently Carry 2 Knives Usually, One Larger, One Smaller.
Lately The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 And SOG Twitch II.
I Carry My Custom SAK Which Has Everything I Need But Pliers.
I Carry A Classic Just In Case I Need Tweezers/Toothpick.
And I Carry My Leatherman Squirt P4 For The Pliers.

Once I Get A Larger MT The Squirt Will Probably Retire To Keychain Duty.