Benchmade Pika VS. Ka-bar Dozier

J

JNieporte

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Nov 1, 2004
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I'm looking for a new EDC knife since my Gerber E-Z Out is now "retired." I've narrowed it down to the Benchmade Pica or the Ka-bar Dozier, both under $30. I haven't had the chance to hold either one, or to even see either one in person. I've read several reviews on them both, but I'm still undecided. I'll be using the knife every day, for chores (cutting paper, cardboard, rope, etc.) and for defense if it comes down to it.
If you could have only one of these two, which would it be? Better yet... If anybody here owns both, which do you like better?

The stats for both...
Ka-bar Dozier 4064, drop point. 3" satin stainless blade. 4.25" closed. Black Zytel handle, lockback, pocket clip. $19.95
Benchamde Pica, 10400. 3.5" N690 blade. 4.75" closed. Black Zytel handle, lockback, pocket clip. $24.95
 
I have both a Ka-Bar Dozier Hunter with Thumb Hole and a Mini-Pika.
The Ka-Bar seems a little more beefy. The Mini-Pika is a little more stylish and has a better pocket clip.
 
I played with the Pika and did not like it much. Felt pretty cheap. Never held the KaBar though.
 
Can't go wrong with either knife for the money. I have never fondled the Ka-Bar/Dozier so far (plan on purchasing one though), I'd prefer the Pika.
 
I have both. Got the mini-pika and a large pika first. I prefer the mini over the standard, as the handle feels less flimsy on the smaller version. Deployment of the blade is somewhat hampered by the chamfered oval hole..I wish BM left the hole with more purchase, like spyderco holes.

I then purchased a Dozier KAbar with the thumbstud. The Dozier is the perfect size, and feels good in the hand. Both knives lock up with secure authority.

To me, the mini-Pika seems more polished than the Dozier. The clip, while nice on the Pika, is only set up for tip-down carry. The KA-bar is only tip up. Both ambidextrous.

I find the KA-Bar gets more use than the Pika.
 
i bought a Mini pika online and sold it the day i got it on ebay cause i couldn't stand how cheap the frn handles felt..... but on the up side it had a really nice blade.. it would be a good beater knife
 
Everyone who hates the Pika's Zytel handle has to admit that quite a lot of more expensive folders come with the same handle material - like Cold Steels and Spydercos.
 
Quiet Storm said:
Everyone who hates the Pika's Zytel handle has to admit that quite a lot of more expensive folders come with the same handle material - like Cold Steels and Spydercos.
Click to expand...

I agree. In fact, I handled a Spyderco Endura (I think) that was FRN and didn't like that either. My griptilian has the same crappy feel to it as well, but the steel liner strengthens the handle to a point of better security. The handle is my only complaint about my grip - especially after handling my friends G-10 805.
 
I agree with Agony's comments. I own both the Mini-Pika and two of the KaBar Doziers. The Mini-Pika is a nice knife, but the chamfering of the hole makes me feel unsure when opening it--like if the blade slips it might snap shut on my fingertips. And it is a narrower knife than the KB Dozier. I've relegated mine to a two hand opener. As such, nice knife, and stylish, as Agony sez. I don't have the full size Pika so I can't comment on that. I also don't have the KB Dozier with the thumb hole opener. This will be my next purchase, and I advise the same for you. Both knives are a whole lotta bang for the buck. Hard to go far wrong.
U
 
Quiet Storm said:
Everyone who hates the Pika's Zytel handle has to admit that quite a lot of more expensive folders come with the same handle material - like Cold Steels and Spydercos.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's true, but all the spyderco knives I have handled that are made of FRN don't feel anywhere near as cheap. I think that the main thing with the pika is how heavy the blade is and that then handle has almost no weight to it at all. Also, the texturing on the pika is really bad.. it is basically smooth and just has some bumps here and there.. but once again, it would be a great knife if you didn't care about how it felt
 
Thanks to everybody who replied. Looks like I'll be getting the Ka-bar Dozier instead of the Pika.
 
I bought a Kabar Dozier and I think it's okay for the price, but I really did'nt like having only a single thumbstud.
and I hated the pocket-clip.

The blade design is very nice though.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Just to be sure my brain still is operational, but I have a Pika that is made of 440C, not N690... I don't have a Ka-bar Dozier, but from what I've heard, and the pics I've seen, I prefer my Pika (which has its place under the driver's blinder) :)

Xavier.
 
rlschne said:
Yes, that's true, but all the spyderco knives I have handled that are made of FRN don't feel anywhere near as cheap.
Click to expand...

That's weird. To me it's the other way around (I still like FRN Spydies though).
 
I'd like to weigh in on the discussion of the comparison between the Pika and the Ka-Bar Dozier (4062, 4064). I've had both knives in my hand. The first Ka-Bar 4062 I found, I bought, because I liked it so well.

The weight of the knife is in the blade, subsequently, it opens very quickly if needed. I also like the shape of the 4062 blade. Although, after losing (say it ain't so) the 4062, I began carrying a 4064 and I must say that I find the thinner, sharper tipped blade more useful for everyday tasks.

In comparison, the Pika's blade is longer and thinner, but not necessarily more functional in my opinion. Although, I have found myself thinking about a next size up in a 4064 design.

Being left handed, I appreciate that both knives are fully ambidextrous. In my profession, almost everyone carries a knife, some for function, some because it's vogue. Many carry expensive automatics. And while I don't lose things, per se, it would hurt more than my budget to lose a knife that cost's 100-150 dollars. Both knives are affordable, so I'll own both as soon as I find a plain blade Pika. But the knife I carry with me 100% of the time off duty is a Ka-Bar of the 4060 series persuasion.
 
When you say "both knives are fully ambidexterous" what do you mean?

My kabar Dozier has only one thumbstud and is set for righties.
Does yours have two thumbstuds?

Allen.
 
heres my only reason for preferring the pika over the dozier. the pin holding the backspring on is a rivet on the pika, not just a pin like on the dozier. i feel that the rivet will hold better.
 
Ok, I guess "fully ambidextrous" wasn't entirely correct, since some knives have a thumbstud on both sides of the blade. The Ka-Bar 4060 series were the first I'd seen where both the thumb stud and clip were reversible, appealing to those of us who are right brained. :)
 
I have both the Kabar Dozier and Benchmade Mini-Pika. The Mini-Pika failed the spine whack test, the Dozier passed.

Both blades will get shaving sharp, but the pika seems to last a little longer.

Dozier is smoother and opens easier. Benchmade shouldn't have chamfered the inside of the opening oval, makes your thumb slip out of it.

Push in the lock and bend the blade back, the Mini-Pika's blade will move backwards, the Dozier's won't. Dozier has a better lock design.

Basically, Dozier is better in my opinion.
 
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