I find much to appreciate about a pocket fixed blade, as one can tell from my small collection.
Some of them are technically a bit "slower" to draw and use, but at the same time, I find them to be steadier. No studs, holes, buttons, flippers, rotating from a "tip down" carry, etc.
An example would be when ocean fishing for salmon. Sometimes, the weather is rough, my hands are ice cold from cleaning jellyfish off my line, etc. When using my knife to cut bait, line, gill a fish, etc. It's nice not to ask cold, numb hands to perform dexterity tasks, so the pocket fixed blade can be mighty handy compared to a folder. One can wear a belt knife, but I do appreciate the pocket as another layer of security so as not to get the knife stripped and lost due to...the nature of boats. Many of the same elements apply in my simple canoe out in local rivers and lakes. They are awful handy for everything from a small picnic to cleaning trout and Dolly Varden. Big bonus points also for not having holes, gaps, and moving parts to accumulate blood and goo.
Knives to me have become prohibitively expensive in many instances. Carrying a small fixed blade in the pocket allows me to carry a quality US handmade fixed blade for much less money than many expensive folding knives. It's hard to justify, but a nice small fixed blade has a very appealing level of simplicity and class.
A long time ago, I was involved in an auto accident where the cop on scene saw fit to strip me of the legally carried fixed blade I had in my side pocket. He didn't strip me of my Benchmade folding knife that was clearly clipped to my pocket. I actually used that knife on the scene as well. Not hatin' on the Officer, but I hated the situation. Because of that incident, when I carry a fixed blade around town, I AlWAYS have a folder around also. It does have the benefit of carrying two blade styles, such as a particularly fine polished edge as well as a more toothy edge for more aggressive cutting tasks.
To be honest, I usually prefer a horizontal IWB carry right about half between 12:00 and 1:00ish. It's usually accessible with either hand from nearly any position. It conceals well under a T shirt or flanel. But...sometimes, I just dog gone feel like pocket carry. Like when I have to dress nicer (tuck my shirt in) or when I carry a larger revolver and my belt real estate gets more heavily occupied by holsters and speed loaders.
The first pic is a few knives by David Mary-A Canadian Covid times success story. They're mostly AEB-L except one that's 15N20 carbon steel. Left ones are all "Speed Weasels" or close variants thereof. Right hawkbill/ Wharncliffe style one is called a River Hawk. Might be the least attractive but most useful of the bunch.
Second pic is simply some Mora Eldris...knives...errr..."Eldri" for plural?
Among my favorites for foraging and canoeing. Friendly little knives with big knife attitude.
Third pic is just a handful of miscellaneous. Bark River JX6, White River ATK, Arno Bernard, etc.
Fourth pic is a more aggressive selection. Primarily intended for Pikal (Reverse grip, edge in) styled grips for defensive utilization. The brown handled Tops El Pionero is very all around useful though. The black Kopis designs is a bit more of a one tasker. Emerson La Griffe, and finally a Victorinox paring knife. It's super light, easy to carry, and not a big deal if it needs to be disposed of while carrying in a non permissive environment. It's well suited for protection, but also very practical for say...slicing the apple in a lunch box...you know...paring knife stuff...
While it's clear this small selection isn't all currently being utilized for pocket carry, I can attest that they all have been carried in that fashion, and served well.
My apologies if my post is a bit girthy. It's just a topic I very much enjoy and appreciate.
