"The strongest folder is a fixed blade knife, preferably with a full tang."
- Paraphrased from several respected knife makers
Obvious, isn't it? Of course, fixed blades aren't always the appropriate choice, so folders definitely have a useful role as knives, although one should be aware of their inherent limitations, as for a comparable size and mass they can't be as strong as a fixed blade knife.
Folder lock strength has become a hot subject, with some showing very impressive numbers against involuntary closing. In my opinion, some of these numbers are much higher than they need to be (which in itself naturally isn't harmful), as the rest of the mechanism cannot stand up to comparable forces in the blade bending and twisting directions. Thus one can get the impression the knife is suitable for tasks it really isn't. (And if you use it for something like that, it will fail, but perhaps not by closing. Some would say this is an advantage, I'm dubious.)
Likewise, some folders have absurdly thick blades for absolutely no good reason, as the rest of the knife is nowhere like strong enough, and a too thick blade is bad for cutting performance. (Clearly, they sell not on utility factors, but on cosmetics.)
I'm convinced that the important factors of folder locks, more than strength above a rather small value, is reliability and ease of use. You don't want the blade to develop play if subjected to high forces in the direction you apply it when cutting, you want it to remain tight after several thousands of times of opening and closing and after applying moderate bending and twisting forces repeatedly. The mechanism shouldn't be subject to inadvertent operation when you handle the knife or be in the way when you do. Also, a good lock can make it easier to open and close the knife.
Actually, I'm of the opinion that folder locks may not really be necessary at all, as you should always use any folder as a folder and not a substitute fixed blade knife. Although I agree they're useful sometimes.
"A survival knife is the knife you have with you in a survival situation."
- Common saying
Well, in a way this is of course true (provided you really survive). But then, by extension, every knife is a "survival knife", and the term looses all meaning.
I'm aware there are some relatively strong and sturdy folders out there (but not all you think are, really are!) which certainly can be useful in the wilderness. But I'm convinced none of them really stand up to the requirements one should be able to demand a real survival knife can handle.
A survival knife has to have utility, ergonomy and durability. A folder can have the first but has often difficulty with the second, and while it may not be impossible to make it durable enough, I really doubt such a knife would have lots of utility value and good ergonomics as it's highly likely to become too heavy and clumsy.
So I think it's wrong to pretend there's some kind of a lower class survival knife called a "survival folder", as this blurs the distinction of what a survival knife really is and hints they can be used for tasks for which they aren't really suitable for.
Folders have their place as they're convenient and practical, but let's not pretend they're better at other things than they are.
Document created 2000 Aug 27, last updated 2000 Dec 22, content last reviewed 2002 Feb 11 by