The old timers used folders as they did not like anything dangeling from their belt, especially down in the SE US where the "jungle growth" has a habit of snatching a fixed blade knife out of the sheath. Most of these gents, my father included, put a lot of time on foot in the thick stuff when traveling the swampy regions. Another reason is if you take a fall, the knife often cuts through the sheath and jabs one in the leg, especially if the sheath is secured in the frontal area of ones belt. Another reason is lightweight cotton coveralls were often worn in the hot swampy areas, coveralls are much cooler than pants with a tight belt. Coveralls have no belt for a sheath knife. Another reason is travel to reach the hunting often was by small boat ("jon boat or bateou") and a sheath knife just gets in the way when sitting on a small boat plank seat.
Many of my hunting friends back then said a big sheath knife looked somewhat foolish dangeling from a belt. Even today, if I am carrying a sheath knife while hunting, it is securely stowed in my pack, out of sight and not prone to dropping out of the sheath or being "snatched" by the heavy brush in the rain forest elk country I frequent.
I guess it all boils down to area habits.
Last edited by Altamaha; 02/06/10 10:58 AM.