Benchmade Pika, Byrd Cara-Cara or Kabar Dozier?

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alephlex

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May 4, 2005
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Looking for a fairly tough cheap folder to use on an everyday basis. I've narrowed the field down to
Benchmade Pika
Byrd Cara-Cara or Flight
Kabar Dozier

These three are just below the US$25 mark I think.

1. Which would you pick for EDC and why?
2. Any other suggestions that might be good?

3 inch blade preferred, no shorter than 2.25 inches

Thanks
 
I have a Kabar Dozier spear point pe. I seems like a very durable knife. It holds an edge a long time. It is my beater. For $20 you can't go wrong. The Cara Cara is nice also just a bit large for my needs.
 
I have the Dozier Thumb Hole model.

Pros: excellent cutter, easy to open (has a short throw), comfortable to hold, inexpensive ($20), holds an edge well. Excellent blade shape. A great workhorse knife.

Cons: clip somewhat weak, clip digs into my index finger when opening one-handed (annoying), might feel "cheap" due to it's lightness, somewhat "boring" looking. Thumb hole not as secure as the Spyderco or Byrd.

I also have the Byrd Meadowlark, plain edge.

Pros: excellent cutter, easy to open, comfortable to hold, inexpensive, holds an edge well, nice clip. Grippy handle, with "choil" and a kind of bolstered shape--very secure. Comfy Byrd-hole. "Feels" solid. A great workhorse knife. Inexpensive: about $17.

Cons: kinda bulky in width, handle slightly less comfortable than Dozier, thick blade means more difficult cutting in some jobs, not sure yet about edge holding (haven't dulled it much yet), long throw when opening.

These knives are fantastic values, and you can abuse them without worrying about wasting a $60 knife.
 
Cara Cara is awesome, but also quite large/bulky in size compared to your other choices. If you don't mind the weight it's a fantastic knife that you can't go wrong with. I like mine (G-10 version) but my next Byrd will be G-10 Flight ... when it's finally released.
 
The Ka-Bar Dozier folder is a great buy, but I've had five or six through my hands and not one has passed even a moderate spine whack. Very weak locks in my experience. The Benchmade Pika is a very nice knife, and sits low in the pocket which I really like. Mine is pretty tough to open no matter what I do, and hasn't smoothed out at all through use.

I would personally look at one of the Buck folders like the Cutback, Ghost Rider, or Bones folder. All three are awesome knives and a great value. I have all three and they're outstanding. My wife really likes the Cutback. The Bones is my favorite. It feels great in the hand, and the lock is as secure as any folder I own.

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=7507

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=7511

Clay
 
If the Cara Cara is too big then buy a Meadowlark , G10.
The Mini Pika is a good little knife , very solid.
Out of the 3, I would not even consider the Dozier just from personal likes and dislikes.
Personally I would go for the Meadowlark in G10. :thumbup:
 
I'll throw in another option: Boker Trance designed by Chad Los Banos. Can be found for $22-$25 on the web. AUS-8 steel is nice (one of my favorite steels actually) and the FRN used on the handle actually feels like G10. It's gotten great reviews thus far. I haven't picked one up myself, but it's only time. I really like CLB's designs.
 
The Ka-Bar is a great little knife. My wife took it as her "car knife" while her Kershaws stay at home.

Frank
 
I was really impressed with the Byrd Meadowlark when I handled one in the store. It had the G10 scales and machine screws and all, and was very very solid. I would imagine the Cara Cara, being a larger version of the Meadowlark would be the same. All I know is if my Native bites it in the near future for any reason (unlikely) I would be replacing with a Byrd of some type.
 
I have both the Cara Cara and the mini-Pika, if size is no issue take the Cara Cara, I tend to carry the mini more as it is smaller and less "threatening" most people tend to completely overlook the tiny clip.
 
I just went through the exact same decision (meadowlark instead of the cara cara) but the other 2 were also in the finial 3. My finial decision was the meadowlark. Dont have it yet but im counting the days till it gets here.

Carl
 
I have one out of the three you are considering, that being the Kabar Dozier. My impressions after one year of EDC rotation...the pivot pin keeps backing off despite countless loc-tite treatments. The pocket clip is on the light duty side, losing strength constantly so it becomes a bi-monthly task to bend the clip back in order for it to keep the knife retained properly. The thumbstud is somewhat uncomfortable to use, at least for me. I have no issues with AUS-8, it has been good to me keeping in mind the price point of this knife. If I had to do over, I would most likely go with a Byrd. After all, I'm a Spyderco guy at heart.
 
I've had a Cara Cara for about a month now, nice knife, I am very impressed with the quality for the price. It's a pretty big knife though, the blade is just short of 4".
Like was said, the Meadowlark might make you happier, a little smaller.
 
Thanks friends for all your feedback and suggestions.

It looks like one of the Byrds would be the way to go, judging from all your comments. I'll check out the Bucks for next time as they seem to come very recommended from quite a few of you as well -- it's just that they are hard to get in this part of the world.

Appreciate all your input
 
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