Airkat Hunting Knives

T

tfc111601

Joined
Jan 10, 2003
Messages
28
Being an avid outdoorsman as well as a soldier I would like to express my extreme satisfaction with my recent purchase of a custom knife by Oklahoma City knifemaker Dwaine Carrillo of Airkat Hunting Knives. I have used many different configurations of knives over the years and I believe this rig to be the best thought out and well made knife and sheath system I've ever used. Not only is the knife top quality with a killer sharpened upper swedge, but the leather sheath is a work of functional art for anyone who spends time in the woods. It has a built in ceramic sharpener, detachable military style lenstatic compass and removeable magnesium firestarter. I also like the multiple attaching points that are incorporated into the sheath. It will rig easily to backpack, belt or tactical vest. The HK rifle sling clip at the bottom allows for convenient attachment in the inverted carry position. I rubbed a generous amount of Obenaufs LP grease into the sheath and its working like a champ repelling water and other grit from field use. I've even jumped this knife attached to my tac vest. I highly suggest any outdoor enthusiast to check out Dwaine's knives on www.arizonacustomknives.com they are the only one's I know of besides TAD that carry Airkat knives. I have posted threads on other knives I've owned so this is in no way an advertisement for Dwaine but I'll tell you from first hand experience he's a hell of a nice, down to earth guy who loves to make knives and it shows in his work.
 
I checked out one of the first AirKat 10s and didn't find it too remarkable.

However, the newer versions that are available on arizona's site look pretty good. I like the fact that he replaced the anemic compass with a full size lensatic one and built a belt loop into the sheath.
 
I checked out his knives, and find them very interesting, but also very expensive. The sheaths look very well made but over loaded and bulky. I prefer not to carry all the extra items attached to a sheath since if you lose the sheath you also lose valuable gear. I do not like a sharpened back edge to any blade because in many jurisdictions they are illegal, and more importantly, it makes using a baton to beat on the back of the blade impossible to do.
 
They definitely look interesting. I really like the sheath and the survival gear it contains.
 
I like the big 1/4" Apache 11 with the saw teeth. But at $600, it will stay in the "want" list.

It would be awesome if Dwaine did custom sheaths. I would want to put my Strider MSC7.5 and Camp Tramp in a rig like that. I called him and he said that it would cost a hell of a lot of money to do a fully custom rig.
 
First, I agree on the earlier model 10's being not nearly as good of a knife as the present 10's. Not only are the present blades more versatile they are taller as well. I love the design of the model 11 with the saw teeth (looks just like a damn chain saw with self cleaning channels built in) but I feel its more of a collectors piece and the model 10 would be more appropriate for use. I'm not sure I'm following why a sharpened upper swedge is illegal in some places, what kind of commie states do some of you live in? And why would you beat on the back of the blade with a baton? A sharpened upper swedge is designed for cutting or chopping chores when you want to save the sharpness of the primary edge. I think it's a great design and it's on alot of other knives besides Airkats. True the sheath is bulky and heavy compared to others but its pretty much bulletproof because it is thick and well-made. I carry on average around 70 lbs of gear and an extra pound or two which includes my compass, sharpening rod, knife and sheath doesn't faze me that much. I understand some are very much weight conscious but for me this is the toughest rig I've ever seen or used and the weight just doesn't ruin it for me. I tie down all my gear with 550 cord so I'm not worried about losing the sheath, it ain't goin nowhere. As for the expense it's a custom sheath and a custom knife. Airkat is a one man operation. Let me point out that Strider, Simonich, Busse, etc. all charge fairly hefty prices for their knives which by the way are pretty much semi-production now, and the sheaths to be frank suck compared to an Airkat sheath. Hell, I even like the sheath better than the knife. Find a better sheath out there, I dare you. I just wish everyone could handle one. I'm just giving my opinion here and definitely don't mean to step on anyone's toes. I love talking knives and am a user and not a collector. Thanks very much for the replies.
 
The sheaths are by far the most interesting feature to me. I have to admit that I like all the bells and whistles on a sheath(so long as everything including the knife have no play) but NOT on a blade. I find too many features on a blade take away from its functionality.

I do however like some of his blade profiles.


As for the prices :barf: Who can afford to use a survival knife that cost more than your plane ticket??
 
I hear you. The package is quite appealing. However, I believe Dwaine needs some to publish more info about the knives and less on the sheath.

I think it is silly to buy a rig because you like the sheath better than the knife. You should like the each for it's functionality.

You can always have a custom sheath made for your knife. It's kind of hard to have a custom knife made for you sheath, you get my meaning?

Anyway, Volvie is batoning the spine of the knife to split wood. Commie states like NY does not allow edges on top. They call them "dirks", a stabbing weapon with no utilitarian value. Not that it is that, but if they had their way, we would all live in plastic bubbles.

Dwaines Airkat's have been calling me since January when they poped up on TADgear. Julie from Arizona brought one out to NY for me to check out during the ECCKS. I didn't buy it because, I didn't like the size of the knife, the small cheesy compass, and the lack of a lower belt loop. Lacking any published field tests of the knife, it was difficult to determine it's value proposition. (The inherent problem of having the sheath as the primary sales motivator.)

Overall, the construction is great. The knife handle design is good. I don't know if the stabilizer ramps really make a difference. I do know that if anything is getting gooped up or stuck on the blade, it will hang out around the ramps.

That said, I really like the Apache 11 with the saw teeth and 1/4 inch 154CM blade. It calls, and calls............
 
Dwaine doesn't publish any info on his knives or sheaths to my knowledge, I heard about him by way of other users. So what do you mean he needs to publish more on the knives? He doesn't just try to push his sheaths! I assure you I didn't buy this knife for the sheath, did I ever say that? No, I didn't. I don't appreciate being called silly either. Let's be kind, okay. I respect everyone's opinions, but in turn please respect mine. What do you do with your knives? You sound like a collector. Mine see hard use. You stated that you asked Dwaine about a custom sheath for your Strider and Swamp Rat, why? Did you not consider the sheaths your knives came with before your purchase? Obviously if your asking Dwaine for a custom sheath you are not happy with what you've got. Why have a great knife and a crappy sheath? They are a package set. You're being hypocritical, take your own advice. If you look at some of the other knives mentioned in that way then they are way more expensive than Airkats because the sheath isn't worth a crap. You pay for all knife and no sheath. Personally I own a Strider and it's a very good blade however as I stated before the sheath sucks and I hate bead-blasted blades. Bead blasting is a good way to cover ****** grind work. (Not that Strider has ****** grind work). The finish wears terribly and provides nice little minature craters for rust. I can take a bead-blasted blade out to the field for one rainy overniter and it's got rust on it. I much prefer the hand-rubbed finish on Airkats and other knives with a similar finish. It can stay wet for a week and not rust. Finish has just as much to do with corrosion resistance as metal type. Swamp Rat knives just don't float my boat at all. I agree the handle ergonomics on Airkats give you an excellent lock up, and the knife blade is one of the more useful fieldcraft designs I've ever used. As I stated before, I love the whole rig, but to each his own. Not everyone is gonna like the same stuff. This KNIFE and sheath are quality.
 
Hey man, you have to get a grip. Sounds like you are mis-reading a bunch of stuff and taking it as a personal insult.

I said" I think it is silly to buy a rig because you like the sheath better than the knife. You should like the each for it's functionality." So, if you like the knife as much as the sheath, you are not silly, get it?

I want Dwaine to get a write up about his knives. How they perform, etc. Nothing wrong with that. Right? I've check out his rigs up close, and I can tell the sheaths are really solid. I didn't get a chance to give the knife a work out, so I can't really comment on it. So a write up would be good.

Just because I own a strider knife and a camp tramp does not mean I am just a collector. Even if I collect knives, it does not mean I don't use them. And even if I don't, you wouldn't know, would you now? Got it?

I've seen your posts in the now defunct Strider forum. In fact I am similar to you, everything I own gets used. Everything that doesn't see action, gets sold.

I can ask Dwaine to make sheaths for me because I like them and think they will work well. It does not mean I don't like the sheaths that my knives are living in now. Get it?

Sounds to me that you don't like Strider and Swamp Rats. Good for you. You don't have to buy them. You really shouldn't get so indignant just because I have reservations plopping down my cash for Dwaines rig.

You see, I never said his stuff sucks. I just said that there isn't too much info out there about his stuff and I am not going to buy it based on the sheath.

So do me a favor read a little slower and chill out.
 
I'm done here, think what you like. I know after the comments I made your comments seemed insulting. Like I said before Dwaine doesn't publish any info on his stuff so I still don't get the knife comment. You're saying it like he's already published stuff on his sheaths. I'm further confused if you are a user as to why you would choose the model 11 with saw teeth over the model 10, that seems like a collector's knife to me. There's a hell of alot better things to saw with than a knife unless you got a few hours. You know what, I KNOW I use my knives more than most people out there including you. I too remember you from the Strider forum, as much posting as you did there you've got to have alot of time on your hands, got it? I know you prefer Striders among others, I don't, you got that? Keep spending your money there, you never know who's making your knife and that's a fact. There was way too much drama over there on that forum. Do me a favor and don't buy an Airkat. It's a shame this thread headed down this road. I'm done posting. Go read your Bruce Lee while I defend your right to.
 
Hey guys, we can have a friendly discussion and debate about knives. It's just differing opinions. Airkat, Busse, Strider etc. all have their great qualities, but also some qualities that some folks won't like.
 
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