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Best Dozier Hunting Knife?
- Thread starter Archer
- Start date
You have a tough choice, my friend. I just ordered a utility knife from Bob last week and I must have stared at his site for over an hour. One thing though, I did complain about the photos when I ordered because I couldn't see the contour of the lower part of the handles and I see he's already taken new pics and they are GREAT!
There is also the Yukon Pro Skinner over at the A.G.Russel site that would also make a dandy hunter. Don't know what to tell you other than one is not enough. If deer are all that you will be hunting, either the Straight Hunter or the Yukon Pro Skinner should be all the knife you need. However, you would not be handicapped with the General Purpose Hunting knife as well. If you were also going to clean the occasional fish, the straight hunter would be excellent. Also, if you plan on using it for small game as well, the straight hunter probably would be a better choice.
Anyway, order soon. I think there is a 10 week waiting time.
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Hoodoo
I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
There is also the Yukon Pro Skinner over at the A.G.Russel site that would also make a dandy hunter. Don't know what to tell you other than one is not enough. If deer are all that you will be hunting, either the Straight Hunter or the Yukon Pro Skinner should be all the knife you need. However, you would not be handicapped with the General Purpose Hunting knife as well. If you were also going to clean the occasional fish, the straight hunter would be excellent. Also, if you plan on using it for small game as well, the straight hunter probably would be a better choice.
Anyway, order soon. I think there is a 10 week waiting time.
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Hoodoo
I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
Archer,
I've used one of Bob's Yukon Pro Skinners for several years. It has field dressed and processed many deer, several elk, a couple of moose, and countless squirrels, rabbits, grouse, pheasants, ducks and geese.
I think it is the best hunting knife around, no matter the price. It has a superb point for delicate caping work on trophies. It has plenty of belly for easy skinning and slicing. It stays razor sharp for longer than any other knife I've ever seen or used. It's easy to resharpen. And Bob's kydex sheaths are awesome... some of the best.
Hoodoo's suggestion of checking A.G. Russell's website is a good one. They'll take excellent care of you.
My Dozier will be getting a good workout in just over a week (Michigan's firearm deer season starts on the 15th).
AJ
I've used one of Bob's Yukon Pro Skinners for several years. It has field dressed and processed many deer, several elk, a couple of moose, and countless squirrels, rabbits, grouse, pheasants, ducks and geese.
I think it is the best hunting knife around, no matter the price. It has a superb point for delicate caping work on trophies. It has plenty of belly for easy skinning and slicing. It stays razor sharp for longer than any other knife I've ever seen or used. It's easy to resharpen. And Bob's kydex sheaths are awesome... some of the best.
Hoodoo's suggestion of checking A.G. Russell's website is a good one. They'll take excellent care of you.
My Dozier will be getting a good workout in just over a week (Michigan's firearm deer season starts on the 15th).
AJ
AJ, as one of the great Dozier champions on the forums, how would you compare the straight hunter vs the YPS? The YPS is more pricey. Do you gain anything with the cost? I noticed that the YPS scales have only 1 rivet and a tube, while the straight hunter has 2 rivets and a tube. In general I prefer the drop point, but that straight hunter has a fine looking tip.
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Hoodoo
I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
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Hoodoo
I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
- Joined
- Nov 17, 1999
- Messages
- 3,061
First let me say that I think you've made a wise choice in going with a Dozier, the performance you'll get out of any of his knives will amaze you. I own a couple dozen and I never tire of using them.
I'm sure that you've already read plenty about Bob's amazing Heat Treat and Grinding abilities so I won't go into that. I think for the purpose that you described I would recommend the original Pro-Skinner Model. It's available from AG Russell or probably by calling Bob & Linda directly.
The Pro-Skinner has plenty of belly/cutting surface in the blade yet does not have as pronounced a point as some of the other hunting Models, which may help in preventing accidental punctures or holes in the cape esp when thinking of mounting for a trophy. Overall the Pro-Skinner is a very versatile Hunting & Skinning knife that will perform for you for years.
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Marine Sniper Motto:
There's no use Running, you'll only Die Tired!
[This message has been edited by Hillbillenigma (edited 11-05-2000).]
I'm sure that you've already read plenty about Bob's amazing Heat Treat and Grinding abilities so I won't go into that. I think for the purpose that you described I would recommend the original Pro-Skinner Model. It's available from AG Russell or probably by calling Bob & Linda directly.
The Pro-Skinner has plenty of belly/cutting surface in the blade yet does not have as pronounced a point as some of the other hunting Models, which may help in preventing accidental punctures or holes in the cape esp when thinking of mounting for a trophy. Overall the Pro-Skinner is a very versatile Hunting & Skinning knife that will perform for you for years.
------------------
-------------------------
Marine Sniper Motto:
There's no use Running, you'll only Die Tired!
[This message has been edited by Hillbillenigma (edited 11-05-2000).]
- Joined
- Nov 6, 1999
- Messages
- 2,639
After Just seeing the Topic, I was just going to say ALMOST ANY DOZIER would be best.
But I'll embellish that thought just a little. Only YOU can decide exactly how you will use the knife. Is it strictly a skinner? Or a general outdoors knife? Camp Knife? Fish knife? Chopper, Slicer? Etc.
So, I will stick with my original answer. Almost any Dozier you pick will be a great knife. Pick the blade size and shape that appeals most to you based on your intended use and preferences. If there was Only One ideal Dozier Hunting Knife, I don't see why Bob would need to make a number of different styles.
Paracelsus, confusing the issue or clarifying it, you decide
But I'll embellish that thought just a little. Only YOU can decide exactly how you will use the knife. Is it strictly a skinner? Or a general outdoors knife? Camp Knife? Fish knife? Chopper, Slicer? Etc.
So, I will stick with my original answer. Almost any Dozier you pick will be a great knife. Pick the blade size and shape that appeals most to you based on your intended use and preferences. If there was Only One ideal Dozier Hunting Knife, I don't see why Bob would need to make a number of different styles.
Paracelsus, confusing the issue or clarifying it, you decide
Hoodoo,
I think the Yukon Pro Skinner has a bit more belly than the Stright Hunter... which I think makes for an easier time skinning and slicing. The handles on my YPS are very comfortable, and are quite slip resistant. I once field dressed 5 deer in one evening without resharpening the knife, and with no slip ups... more a testament to Bob's knife making than my skill.
Both knives would be excellent, though!
I have used knives with less belly in the past, and I have found that I need to be much more careful with them when slicing open the hide on a deer to field dress it.
In my mind the Yukon Pro Skinner is just about the perfect design for a hunting companion/knife. Very similar in shape to the style Townsend Whelen chose as his idea of the perfect hunting knife. I think the extra cost is worth it.
Ditto the other comments everyone has made about both Bob and A.G. Russell. Two stand up guys!
Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you'd like more info.
Ron -- I'll be in the Upper Peninsula (Schoolcraft County to be exact). Born and raised there. Managed to find a nice piece of hunting property there a few years back... and we've become pretty good stewards of the land, managing it for the game. Some nice bucks have already come from the camp... one of my brothers shot his first buck there in 1993 (a gorgeous 10 point!).
Good luck to y'all this hunting season.
AJ
I think the Yukon Pro Skinner has a bit more belly than the Stright Hunter... which I think makes for an easier time skinning and slicing. The handles on my YPS are very comfortable, and are quite slip resistant. I once field dressed 5 deer in one evening without resharpening the knife, and with no slip ups... more a testament to Bob's knife making than my skill.
I have used knives with less belly in the past, and I have found that I need to be much more careful with them when slicing open the hide on a deer to field dress it.
In my mind the Yukon Pro Skinner is just about the perfect design for a hunting companion/knife. Very similar in shape to the style Townsend Whelen chose as his idea of the perfect hunting knife. I think the extra cost is worth it.
Ditto the other comments everyone has made about both Bob and A.G. Russell. Two stand up guys!
Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you'd like more info.
Ron -- I'll be in the Upper Peninsula (Schoolcraft County to be exact). Born and raised there. Managed to find a nice piece of hunting property there a few years back... and we've become pretty good stewards of the land, managing it for the game. Some nice bucks have already come from the camp... one of my brothers shot his first buck there in 1993 (a gorgeous 10 point!).
Good luck to y'all this hunting season.
AJ