Fixed bladed knives are knives where the blade does not move in relation to its position with the handle. Because the blade would otherwise be exposed, a fixed blade knife will have some type of sheath or scabbard to store the knife in and are frequently carried attached to your belt or a strap on your pack. Larger and more durable than folding blade knives and multitools, a fixed blade knife is the best suited for heavy uses.

2025 Fixed Blade Knife Recommendations

Folding blades, on the other hand, are knives with a blade that can move and be tucked into the handle of the knife. This makes them easier to store and carry in a pocket, leading to them commonly being referred to as pocket knives. The folding mechanism makes these knive less durable than a fixed bladed knife usually, but they have the edge when it comes to concealability. Some folding blade knives will also come with other tools that fold into the handle like the knife blade, earning the name multi-tool. A multi-tool knife is still easier to conceal and carry than a fixed blade knife while also adding a degree of tool versatility a fixed blade knife cannot match.