"Can do it all" fixed blade - advice please!

[carrot]

Sounds good Carrot, thanks for the solid response. From what you say, the knives look like work horses. But small - you know - pretty small. For a standalone, I think I would be feeling for some more steel. As a dedicated hunter, I might be more inclined, but it needs to do a little more. Many of these other knives have 4-5 inch blades, but the Dozier all seem to fall in the 3.5" range (some under, some over) but nobody above 4. I don't know - I would seriously hate to be left wanting more after this decision.

I think you should go ahead and get the leather sheath though, the K-7 would look great IMO. I don't think it would look out of place at all.

Did you see the Dozier KS-4 and KS-5? Also the Dozier Wilderness Knife is in your size range.

 

[Halbie]

The Gameskeeper and Bravo-1 have very sizable handles as does the Canadian Special but it ain't gonna be like putting a 2" pipe in your hands either. I love the Fox River too, but that is going to be too small for you if you like/need a large handle. I wear a large/x-large glove depending on the glove.

Take a peek at my Bravo-1...

Hope this helps.

Stunning! Canvas Micarta?

 

[carrot]

That looks like orange-black G-10 to me.

 

[UCberzerkeley]

Wow Halbie - wow!

Bottom:

Maybe:

Spectacular! I never knew these existed, and I thought I had a group grip on the knives out there. This forum stalker needs more exposure


Edit: halbie where did you get your Keith? I can't find anything. I am really interested in that 3rd knife in the top pic

 

[Halbie]

Wow Halbie - wow!

Bottom:

Maybe:

Spectacular! I never knew these existed, and I thought I had a group grip on the knives out there. This forum stalker needs more exposure

LOL

Ouye is great. The one I just got is a baby compared to some of these. Not too expensive, right now. He's still new.

 

[carrot]

KS-7 with friends

There are large Doziers, you see

 

[Halbie]

Heh, I know you're onto something there Halbie with the "life" thing, but when there are apparently SO MANY top notch knives in the 200 range, I'm gonna force myself to choose from them.

All joking aside, it doesn't take $300 or more. BRKT, RAT, Fallkniven, and many others make production knives that can not only do the job, but look good doing so.

With a custom knife, you pay whatever is demanded. With production knives, you can shop around and get them for about one-half MSRP.

 

[Halbie]

KS-7 with friends

There are large Doziers, you see

I have seen his stuff on some custom knife sites. Really nice. Others to look into, if you like hunting/skinning knives, are Gary Leblanc and Mike Carter.

 

[Halbie]

Wow Halbie - wow!

Edit: halbie where did you get your Keith? I can't find anything. I am really interested in that 3rd knife in the top pic

Hope I'm not breaking any forum laws...

Try arizonacustomknives or knifeart or keithouyeknives

He's mostly known for his Ti folders (which are spectacular), but his fixed blades are truly unique and - I can assure you - top notch. Super clean lines and a style all his own. Notice how he finishes the blades lengthwise.

You get that one and I'll hate you forever! You're just driving up his prices, Man!

Seriously, though, he's one of the new great knife makers and within a few years I'll bet we'll be sweating what he could charge for these.

 

[jds1]

While looking at Dozier, check out the Delta Traveler. :thumbup:

Jeff

 

[UCberzerkeley]

Carrot, are those your Doziers? I see a K-7, K-17 and K-7 Wilderness. Very nice! I am basically stuck now. I came looking to narrow options, but have heavily expanded them instead (no thanks to you two, carrot and halbie). The Keith knives look great too, but he is not taking orders apparently (at least his site claims).

Is it even worthwhile to start comparing steels? I mean they are all "super steels," whether A-2, D2, ATS34...I feel for my uses, they will probably perform similar, and it is literally "splitting hairs" (excuse the pun)

 

[Halbie]

While looking at Dozier, check out the Delta Traveler. :thumbup:

Jeff

Nice work. Simple. Unpretentious. Love the detail on the handle. Dimensions? Material?

 

[carrot]

I wish they were all mine. I only have a K-7. (Which is not pictured since I never bothered to photograph it and I don't have it on me). And I'm thinking of getting a K-6 this year if I don't end up getting a Terzuola folder. They're someone else's pic, from the Dozier forum. The link (click on the pic) tells you more.

 

[jds1]

Nice work. Simple. Unpretentious. Love the detail on the handle. Dimensions? Material?

D2, 3 1/2" cutting edge, 8" overall, brown micarta, brass pins. It's the only Dozier that I own, but it's my favorite pattern.

Jeff

 

[Big Mike]

KS-7 with friends

There are large Doziers, you see

Hey, ....I took that picture, and I know those knives all to well.


All Dozier D2:

Wilderness Knife.
Master Hunter.
Straight Hunter.



Let me read through this tread and I will try to make a recommendation.


.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Ok, so background for my decision. I am looking for a once-and-for-all outdoors knife. I have found I dislike carrying a variety of specialty blades. You may disagree, but bear with me for my personal decision.

Activities:
-Must be capable skinner (boar/deer)
-Must be capable at gutting fish (mountain trout)
-Must be capable camp knife (dinner/etc)
-Must be capable fire tool (kindling, battoning)
-Must obviously be durable. Perhaps rust resistant
-Able to be field sharpened reasonably
-Follow me for 2 months on the Pacific Crest next spring

I am leaning towards the spyderco because of the ergonomics. Please throw any others in the mix. I have skimmed over the BRKT line and picked my two favorites out of the many.

The contenders:

Spyderco Dayhiker
Dayhiker: 4.75" blade, 10.5" overall, 7.6oz, 5/32" spine
N690co stainless steel @ 60RC
Boltaron sheath w/ 5 position TekLock fastener

Rat Cutlery RC4
RC4: 4.5" blade, 9" OAL, 1095 carbon steel @ 57RC, 6/32" spine
Kydex sheath w/ MOLLE

Bark River BRAVO-1
4.25" blade, 9.07 OAL, 7/32" spine, 7.4oz
A-2 steel @ 59RC
Kydex or leather sheath

Bark River Montana Guide
4.5" blade, 9.4" OAL, A-2, 7/32" spine, 6oz

You can't really go wrong with any of the blades you already listed. If you prefer a care-free knife (very good rust resistance), then the Spyderco Dayhiker is the winner. The Spyderco Woodlander is even better.

Barkies in A-2 Tool Steel are pretty awesome if you don't mind the non-stainless issue. The Canadian Camp currently is my favorite "wilderness knife".

 

[lorise]

I like the Rat cutlery very much. It is to be my next buy.

A QUESTION! Does the sheath come original with a clip so it can ride very high or does one have to buy some additions for that like the tec-lock?

Does anyone know?

 

[ADD]

The Dayhiker looks like a recurve and therefore will be more difficult to sharpen.
The Koster Nessmuk design will be like using your fist to pick a booger out of your nose when you try to clean that trout.

Dozier has been mentioned, I am a big fan.

For your criteria I would suggest the Pro Guide available at AG Russell (no waiting if in stock). Same handle as the Straight Hunter pictured but a longer blade at 4.5 inches.

Great knife, legendary maker, and you won't have to sharpen it till you get home.

 

[heelflip_kid]

Personally, I love all the Bark River knives. The Bravo-1 that you picked out is a wonderful knife - quite stout as seen in previous pics on this thread.

You may also consider the Bark River Aurora. It's a tad thinner than the Bravo-1 which may prove easier to field dress game, but overall a more than capable camp knife. My $.02.

Eric

 

[ADD]

Sounds like a great trip!
Where exactly are you going?

For all those chores you may also want to bring a small axe, and multi-tool (Leatherman type) or Swiss Army Knife (SAK).

This my Dozier Delta Traveler, only available as a special order through Vintage Knives. I think the Dozier shop is at a one year wait at the moment.