Bark River vs Dozier

D

DanMan4142

Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
62
I just got a bark river higland for 59.00 at AG Russell yesterday. From what I can tell Bark River has the best deal going on fixed blade knives. A-2 steel, micarta handles, convex grinds, and good prices.

Does anybody know how these compare to Bob Doziers knives? How does A-2 compare to D-2? I know that Dozier knives are handmade customs so I understand the price differnece, but functionally It seems to me like a bark river could go stride for stride for stride with a dozier. However, I have never used a dozier so if anybody has used knives from both makers and could give a comparison that would be great. I am just curious because I had been wanting a dozier for a long time but I just couldnt afford one, and the highland is such a great knife I wonder if isnt right there with a dozier. I could be way off base here but I am just curious, thanks for the input

Dan
 
I have Bark river Highland, it is great deal small fixed blade. For lighter uses D2 can give better edge holding, however A2 is tougher, also Bark River edge is convex which is better for tough uses than flat grind or hollow used in Dozier. Their is some overlapping uses in Bark River and Dozier, fr tougher chores like chopping & prying I think it is safe to say A2 is better.
martin
 
A2 is a tougher steel then D2 but lags behind in edge holding department but it comes down to what you expect out of a knife and the price you are prepared to pay. A2 is not that far behind D2 but it really comes down to Dozier Vs Bark River not the steels or type of knife (Bob has been making convex blades with D2). If you are looking for value for money and not up to Bob's prices then Bark River would be a good substitute.
 
Both steels are good but Bark River's has convex grind and costs less but they're sheaths suck and you may loose your knife. Dozier has better sheaths.

It looks like a tie!
 
collecter said:
but they're sheaths suck
Click to expand...
Pretty common but vulgar terminology.

Also inaccurate: Bark River makes a sturdy, traditional sheath in a style that has served woodsmen well for hundreds of not thousands of years. My Highland tucks down so tightly it's hard to withdraw. Even the Micro fits snugly in its small sheath.

So they're not jump-certified. [shrug]
 
I think both are fine knives. I like Doziers sheath better though. Also, I think both are tough enough. I have heard some pretty good stories about how tough some of Bob's tacticals are. Here lately though I've been hearing a good many positive comments on A2 steel. However, I like D2 better for cutting and slicing jobs. Most of the D2 knives I have whether made by Bob or not have proven to be very good edge keepers.

Personally I prefer flat ground or hollow ground blades for field use because they are much easier to sharpen in the field than a convex grind anything is. I've already got a pretty full back pack without needing to take along several grits of sandpaper, a mouse pad or some tin box set up for stropping/honing the edge back for a convex. So, to me the choice is obvious. A good flat grind like a Cold Steel Recon Scout is all you need.
 
I am very impressed by the value of the BRKT's. And the A2 I find absolutely outstanding, takes an amazing edge very easily and holds it very well, however it is less rust resistant than D2.
 
STR said:
Personally I prefer flat ground or hollow ground blades for field use because they are much easier to sharpen in the field than a convex grind anything is. I've already got a pretty full back pack without needing to take along several grits of sandpaper, a mouse pad or some tin box set up for stropping/honing the edge back for a convex. So, to me the choice is obvious. A good flat grind like a Cold Steel Recon Scout is all you need.
Click to expand...

From what I have read(I have little experience though) a convex edge is actually easier to keep sharp than a flat grind. all you need is a small strop or piece of cardboard and as long as you keep it from getting too dull, the strop or cardboard will bring the edge right back. I used the leg of my jeans(while wearing them) the other day to strop my BRK&T and that really worked well to straighten the edge. I would agree that field maintenace would be harder IF you let the knife get too dull without touching it up. I try not to allow it to become dull at all so for me it isnt much of an issue.
 
DanMan4142 said:
I used the leg of my jeans(while wearing them) the other day to strop my BRK&T and that really worked well to straighten the edge.
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I find that works well with many blades, and got into the habit of stropping a blade on my sleeve or pants leg routinely.

Here's Buzzbait's Convex Grind F.A.Q.
 
Bark River makes some great knives. I'm not knocking them.

The sheath issue is only a problem with their guardless knives. The handles taper and are thinner toward the guard area. They have a tendency to want to slide out because there is nothing on the knife to catch on the inside of the sheath. Also, the leather they use is sort of like a baseball glove leather, it's fairly soft and doesn't wet form well. Their guardless knives would be better in a kydex sheath.

Their other knives that have guards should be fine in the supplied sheaths.

Dozier are also great knives and and come with good sheaths.

Collecter
 
this would be a fascinating test.....would love to see "official" methods and results. Cliff?
 
My Dozier "straight personal" arrived today (two weeks from order, and posted to Australia) and is superb. I am still waiting for my Bark River Mikro after two months. When it gets here I'll certainly have fun comparing them!
Greg
 
I have both Dozier and BRKT. The knives are sensational in their own ways. It's just a matter of choosing the correct model and grind to suit your needs and abilities. Some people can't sharpen a convex grind for love nor money. Same goes for others attempting to field sharpen a hollow grind.

Keep in mind that Bob Dozier makes custom knives. You can get exactly what you want. Customer service is beyond perfect, IMHO. Bob is also the god of D2 and is a master of Kydex. Great knives. Great sheaths. Bob is the real deal.

BRKT has superb convex grinds. In my tests, the A2 has held up very well. My Highland sheath is functional, but not great. Then again, a Bark River is a lot cheaper than a custom. BRKTs are a steal for the price.

I do prefer my Doziers for slicing and utility kind of work. Bob's D2 is nice and toothy. I tend to use my Bark River outdoors, where I'm working with wood and making a lot of push cuts.
 
For those who have Highland Specials, I picked up a very nice sheath at a recent show for 12 bucks. Got it from Sherry Lott of Green River Leatherworks. She made the wallet sheath that I got when I bought a Blackjack Small.
www.knifeshows.com/lott/lott.html
It looks like the top picture on the webpage. Same length as the sheath that came with the knife, but it's made of thicker, stiffer leather with a thicker welt. The knife is more secure and also sits up out of the sheath about .375" higher. Theres a "3" stamped on the back, which I suppose is the size, but I don't know for sure.
The belt loop is sewn instead of riveted, I'll see how that works out.
 
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