Camillus Cuda Maxx Stilleto - vs. - KA-Bar Dozier D2 - vs. - other SYMMETRICAL styles

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FliGuyRyan

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Dec 2, 2005
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What would be your first choice if you were looking for a very symmetrical blade-style (stilleto)?

I was contemplating the:
Camillus Cuda Maxx 5.5" - C2242
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2909

KA-BAR Dozier Black Thorn
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3627

or even the SOG Vision
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2312

Now the Cuda and the SOG are almost equally priced (can be had $150), and the KA-BAR Dozier with D2 steel is about half the cost. Are there any other knives out there with good quality steel, and symmetrical looks in a stilleto folder (close as possible)?

Any help would be great, and I appreciate the comments ahead...
Thanks...
-Cleary

P.S. Does anyone have any experience with any of these... especially the Camillus with the open-assist, and the KA-BAR with D2 steel. How does the KA-BAR perfom?
 
I've got a Darrel Ralph Madd Maxx dagger, which is the original of the Camillus stiletto. Beautiful work, but not a primarily utilitarian design. I prefer the Camillus CUDA Maxx bowie to the stiletto.

You know the Ka-Bar Dozier Thorn is different from the Ka-Bar Aluminum Handle Folding Hunter? The blades are the same D2 dagger. I've got the Thorn, actually, two of them.

That Thorn is razor sharp and holds its edge. It is a small knife, but naturallly light and fast and the blade snaps open at a flick of the thumbstud. I recommend either of these Ka-Bar Dozier daggers unreservedly.
 
Thanks for the advice already... the KA-BAR is looking good.

I also saw CRKT's new Voodoo... which is REALLY appealing. What do you think about it?

Thanks again,
Cleary
 
I like everything about the thorn except the fact that it's a liner lock. If that doesn't bother you, it seems like a nice knife. The Cuda Maxx is really big, with a 5.5" blade, but a really nicely done knife if you want something that big. Like Esav, I prefer the bowie version though.

If I were looking for a pocketable-sized folder with a daggger blade, I'd strongly consider the SOG Pentagon http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2310
if only because I like the Arc Lock, and wouldn't buy a liner lock, especially for a blade of this format.
Joe
 
There seems to be very few knives like this designed with defense in mind. If it is a dagger, then one might thrust with it, right? But none of them have even a remote likeness to any kind of guard or protection for your fingers upon thrusting. That SOG has nothing. I like the Kabar Dozier Hunter, I've owned it in the past, but again, there is nothing to stop your fingers from sliding up on the blade.

The Camillus does, but not everybody can carry a 5.5" blade. If they had perhaps even a four inch version, not custom, but something affordable, that would be nice. Also, I"ve wondered why Spyderco offers no double edged folder (that I'm aware of , anyway). The Kumo is a fantastic piece, they need a folding Kumo.
 
diamdave said:
But none of them have even a remote likeness to any kind of guard or protection for your fingers upon thrusting.

The Kumo is a fantastic piece, they need a folding Kumo.
Click to expand...
With folders this small, you don't need a guard because you can palm the handle. With the butt of the knife held by the heel of your hand, you can't slip forward onto the blade.

They tried to design a folding Kumo, but every time they close the blade, it cuts the cordwrap. :p
 
Esav, I like the way you think man... lol. I like the A.G. Russell knife, but that seems too expensive to me. I'm not that familiar with there knives at all = any background to them?

Anyways... personally to me I like the liner lock because of the ability to close it easily. J. Talmadge, why do you not like the liner lock? What has been your experience with them that makes you not like them?

Also, I hear you guys saying you like the bowie version of the Maxx. Is that a personal preference, or a performance issue?

What are the dimensions on the KA-BAR Dozier anyways, I looked on their website, but it leaves the blade length out...

Thanks for all your help...
Cleary
 
FliGuyRyan said:
Anyways... personally to me I like the liner lock because of the ability to close it easily. J. Talmadge, why do you not like the liner lock? What has been your experience with them that makes you not like them?
Click to expand...

I'd strongly suggest using the search function if you can, because this question can take a thread off-topic really quickly. Here's a quick summary, and I'll try to be fair, so no one else feels they need to chime in: Some people feel the liner lock, when done properly, is as strong and reliable as any other lock. Other people feel that the liner lock is so difficult to consistently manufacture in a reliable manner, that the entire format is unreliable. I'm firmly in that second group based on my own testing. There are many smart people in the first group. Since a dagger excels at point-first thrusting, and spine-to-edge pressure in particular is one of the things that the people in the second group feel the liner lock is weak at, the two aren't a good match for me.

Also, I hear you guys saying you like the bowie version of the Maxx. Is that a personal preference, or a performance issue?
Click to expand...

The bowie version has a very sharp point, and will probably penetrate as deeply as the dagger version on a thrust (I haven't tested this first-hand). But the bowie also has a very high grind, and the dagger has a mid-grind -- I can tell you for sure the bowie's edge is much thinner and sharper than the dagger's. So I see the bowie thrusting as well as the dagger, and out-cutting the dagger. Only thing the dagger does better is look good, which it definitely does.


Joe
 
The Maxx bowie is an excellent kitchen knife. It slices very well, and the broad blade scoops up chopped food like a spatula. The D2 retains its edge. The whole knife is well-blanced and the titanium keeps it light overall. It washes up easily with its open construction.

Frankly, looking at the flippers and pivot and blade stop on the A.G.Russell knives, I wouldn't be surprised if they were manufactured by Camillus, too.

I might worry about the apparent weakness of a liner lock under torque, but in a knife like the Thorn, that kind of hard use is just not what I'm looking for anyway.
 
Once again, I would have to agree with Esav...

Although, I would purely be buying the Maxx on looks, and I wouldn't use the Maxx for thrusting. My EDC would cut and thrust and "D. - All the above" it.

I just like the stilleto design, and personally I do not care for the bowie's looks, but who knows, maybe it'll grow on me.

Thanks though for all the comments...
Cleary
 
I saw one of those awhile back in the PX, but I'd have to play with one as I've had bad experiences with Gerber. I know it's a much better knife, but... ya know how preference goes...

Thanks,
Cleary
 
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