Pros and Cons of a Fixed Blade Knife for EDC

ByBlair Witkowski

The range of knives that can be considered “EDC knives” is incredibly broad, and it’s growing all the time. There are no firm guidelines or definitions. If you carry a knife on your person every day, it’s your EDC knife. 

But it’s safe to say that the majority of people who carry a knife on a regular basis carry a folding pocket knife. Fixed blade knives, often considered standard for hunting, bushcraft and self-defense, are a relative minority when it comes to everyday carry. 

Still, there are plenty of folks whose primary EDC knife is a fixed blade, and they have some pretty compelling reasons. I’ve dabbled in carrying a fixed blade myself, though I generally land in the pocket folder camp when it comes to everyday carry.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably at least a little bit on the fence, so let’s take a deeper dive into the pros and cons of carrying a fixed blade for EDC. 

Pro: Fast Deployment

One of the big advantages of a fixed blade knife is that it’s faster and easier to access than a folding knife. No opening and closing required. So if you feel the need to be able to grab and deploy your knife in the blink of an eye, fixed blades definitely earn their keep. 

That includes self-defense scenarios, but there are also a lot of other reasons you might need speedy knife deployment. In an emergency, you may need to cut a rope, cord, seatbelt or an article of clothing without a moment’s hesitation, and you don’t want to be fumbling in your pocket, purse or pack for a folding knife. This is where fixed blades really shine.

Con: Sheath Required

A folding knife is easy to carry with no accessories required. Simply slide it into your pocket with or without a pocket clip and you’re good to go. You can’t do that with a fixed blade. You need a sheath, and you need to figure out the right location and configuration to carry that sheath that feels most comfortable and convenient. 

Is this a huge obstacle to overcome? No. Belt, boot, shoulder harness, waistband and ankle carry are all options. But it can be a major adjustment if you’re not used to the size and bulk of a knife and sheath, and it’s important to make sure you get comfortable and learn how to safely deploy a sheathed knife without mishap. 

Pro: Fixed Blades Are Strong and Durable

Good fixed blade knives are built like tanks. They typically have larger, thicker and stronger blades than pocket folding knives, and can be used for heavier-duty tasks from prying to batoning. With no locking mechanism, hinge or other moving parts, a good fixed blade can be nearly indestructible. 

Be sure to get one with a full tang! With the blade and handle being one continuous piece of metal, there’s basically nothing to break.

Con: Not Every Job Requires That

A big, sturdy knife is an advantage in some situations, but it’s overkill—perhaps even a hindrance—in others. It’s easy to forget that the idea of everyday carry is to be prepared not only for unique and extraordinary circumstances, but also the kinds of ordinary situations that one typically finds themselves in on a daily basis. 

That means you need a knife that’s good for opening boxes, slicing apples, removing a splinter, cutting the tag off a shirt, and cleaning your fingernails. Most of us don’t need something that can split a log and field dress a deer, at least not every day.

Pro: Low Maintenance

Fixed blade knives are simple and straightforward. Not only do they have comparatively fewer parts that can fail, they also have fewer parts that require maintenance. Other than being periodically sharpened and kept clean and dry in their sheaths, typical fixed blades need almost no care.

Con: They Attract Attention

Most people who carry a knife everyday don’t do so because they want to attract attention. Quite the opposite, actually. And while some fixed blade knives are small and compact enough for concealed carry, many are not. Carrying a big knife openly in public will not go unnoticed, and not all of the reactions you get will be positive. 

It does tend to make some people uncomfortable or fearful, and you may even face some judgment from folks who will see you as some kind of Crocodile Dundee wannabee. Should that deter you from carrying your knife of choice? Maybe not, but be prepared to have a lot of eyes on you.

Pro: There Are More Options Than You Might Think

When we talk about fixed blade knives, it’s easy to forget what a huge category of knives that is. Hefty blades like Bowie knives and Ka-Bar combat knives are just one end of that spectrum, and it’s important to keep in mind that carrying a fixed blade for EDC doesn’t necessarily mean carrying one of these beasts. 

Many brands including Gerber, Morakniv, Boker, CRKT and even Spyderco make small, lightweight fixed blade knives for everyday carry. Quite a few have blades that are rugged and versatile while also being non-intimidating and small enough not to get you into any legal trouble, no matter what state you live in. Speaking of which… 

Con: More Legal Restrictions

Laws vary from state to state when it comes to what kinds and sizes of knives you can carry in public, and whether they can be carried openly or concealed. But in general, laws regarding pocket folding knives are lax-to-nonexistent as long as they aren’t automatic or switchblades. 

Most states (but not all) have some restrictions on fixed blade length. More often than not, the maximum allowable length is between 3 and 4 inches. Connecticut and Massachusetts have some of the strictest regulations, prohibiting fixed blades longer than 1.5 inches to be carried in public. Georgia, bless their hearts, allows fixed blade knives up to 12 inches.

Pro: Affordability

I’ll toss one final consideration in the “Pros” column: price. You can spend any amount of money you want on a knife, but as a general rule, a fixed blade knife will cost less than a folding knife of comparable size and quality. 

It mostly comes down to how simple and relatively easy they are to make. You can absolutely pay top dollar for a truly excellent fixed blade knife, and it would be money well spent. But without complex locking mechanisms and deployment apparatus, you won’t have to shell out as much as you would for a premium folder.