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

You are looking for that one perfect knife which we are all looking for and hope we never find.:D

I never have found any reason to baton with a knife. Therefore I would be about as happy with a Mora 2000 as anything I have ever used. You can spend ten times as much and still not get a better knife. In fact just buy two so you have a spare and still save a small fortune.

One knife that has severed me well for all around use is my SOG Northwest Ranger. I have had it for about a dozen years.
 
ADD said:
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. :(
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Hey ADD. Yah, no kidding about cleaning trout with that Koster. I figured I could manage it, but there are better options here no doubt. Like was said early on by carrot, it will be where and how much I want to sacrifice to get that all around blade.

I checked those websites Halbie - no luck thus far. I don't even know the model name of the blade I was looking at, or its dimensions. Sigh.

I'm thinkin the Dozier's look great because their ergonomics are a cross between a Barkie and that Spyderco Dayhiker - Barkie-esque blade, but beefier, contoured handle. Especially the Wilderness knife, pictured above in purple handle.

ADD - For longer trips, I always carry a multitool and a chopping implement (axe or 12" ontario), but that's it in addition to this knife.
 
got this from eddie(shadow knives) and is a great all around:thumbup: is thick ,sharp great handle , is multi tasking , i love itIX%20190%20009.jpg
 
udtjim said:
You are looking for that one perfect knife which we are all looking for and hope we never find.:D

I never have found any reason to baton with a knife. Therefore I would be about as happy with a Mora 2000 as anything I have ever used. You can spend ten times as much and still not get a better knife. In fact just buy two so you have a spare and still save a small fortune.

One knife that has severed me well for all around use is my SOG Northwest Ranger. I have had it for about a dozen years.
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Hah, interesting call udtjim. I actually own two Moras, a 780 (triflex) and the traditional 1. They are knives, I get that, but I wouldn't take one as my 'end all' knife. I wouldn't take one for 2 months with me on the trail. I'd just feel inadequate equipped with ONLY a mora in the field. Perhaps it is a complex
 
The Dozier’s are great knives, and have been my hunting knife of choice for quite a few years.

But for the stated needs the Dozier D2 @ 60-61Rc is a bit brittle for chopping or baton work.

The Dozier KS-7 Wilderness Knife is the exception in the Dozier line-up; this knife has a thicker hollow grind that is designed with heavier use in mind.

But then again, the KS-7 is a bit large for dressing whitetail or cleaning fish.

The Dozier K-4 Straight hunter is a great knife for hunting and fishing, but its edge is a bit fragile for baton work.

The Bark River Canadian Special will do it all, but I like a bigger knife for fire duty.

The Bark River Canadian Camp knife fits that bill, but again is a bit large for game or fish, though it could handle the tasks.

If I was faced with your dilemma, I would need two knifes.

A knife like the Dozier Straight Hunter or the Bark River Highland to handle the more delicate work, and a larger/tougher tool like the Bark River Canadian Camp Knife or for a stainless option that fits the largest hands the Bark River Big-Sky Camp knife.
 
I baton with Dozier's knives a lot, and have never had a problem, but they are hard, to be sure. The Yukon Skinner is a great hunter... Delta Traveler is better suited to general camp work, and the Pro Guide is simply an awesome knife.
Another nice choice would be a Skookum Bush Tool, but the wait is getting out to a year now, I think.
You should also take a look at the Cliff Knife by Idaho Knife Works. (I think Sage Creek Outfitters stocks a few...). Just about your perfect size, and definitely paefect for your applications.... $235, with walnut scales... http://www.sagecreekoutfitters.com/...n=PROD&Product_Code=K0002OW&Category_Code=CKV
RC-4 is great too if you don't mind the slightly tactical look...

Good luck.
 
The Dozier Wilderness knife (KS_-7) not a bad choice for an all around woods knife. I have it among other Doziers. I however still prefer to use a small fixed blade or folder for delicate chores. I really like the Dozier Canoe and Whittler models for small knives. Honestly, I would probably choose a solid folder for the delicate chores like the Schatt & Morgan (or Queen) Mountain Man Trapper and pack a solid medium large fixed blade such as the Dozier Wilderness knife.
 
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22-rimfire said:
The Dozier Wilderness knife (KS_-7) not a bad choice for an all around woods knife. I have it among other Doziers. I however still prefer to use a small fixed blade or folder for delicate chores. I really like the Dozier Canoe and Whittler models for small knives...
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Not to turn this into a Dozier thread, but the Canoe model is a great small fixed blade that will do that trout and really most of your practical (save chopping) chores.
Plus you will never know you have it on you. Basically a fixed blade pocket knife.
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I have a lot of Mora's but the two that I have used a lot for quite a few years are the SS Clipper and a Original No# with Laminated steel. Many big game hunting trips and camping trips have found me with just those two knives and as always a Hatchet. I have never felt under knifed carrying these or ant other Mora's. I would certainly feel fine with a Mora 2000. Even a decent folder or SAK along with my hatchet would suit me. I think we often get completely carried away with the equipment and are not concerned enough with the knowledge to use it. We are all in different positions but if I even began to try to buy all the recommended survival gear, even if it was not the highest dollar stuff, I wouldn't be able to afford to even leave town.;)
 
I have a lot of Mora's but the two that I have used a lot for quite a few years are the SS Clipper and a Original No# with Laminated steel. Many big game hunting trips and camping trips have found me with just those two knives and as always a Hatchet. I have never felt under knifed carrying these or ant other Mora's. I would certainly feel fine with a Mora 2000. Even a decent folder or SAK along with my hatchet would suit me. I think we often get completely carried away with the equipment and are not concerned enough with the knowledge to use it. We are all in different positions but if I even began to try to buy all the recommended survival gear, even if it was not the highest dollar stuff, I wouldn't be able to afford to even leave town.;)
 
Ugh I'm really struggling now. Too many nice knives, D2 being brittle (have heard this before), custom knives and waits. Only thing I am SURE of is that I don't want the 'tactical' look and I don't want a huge bellied blade anymore (spyderco dayhiker or kaster).

udtjim - i wouldnt doubt you are the most sane person in this thread, but owning a couple moras, i wouldn't stake myself with one of them and I started this whole thread because I DO NOT want a camp knife + game knife or skinning knife + chopper or whatever combo.

I want one knife.
 
One knife...a Bark River in A2. the lateral force on a mis hit will not affect the steel (at least it didn't for me and I had a couple bad baton hits) holds an edge like crazy even at the standard 58-59 Rc and strops up as easy as standard 1095 steel that is out there. I have beat several of my A2 Barkies and that steel doesn't flinch. I cannot say it enough. I am completely in every way, 100% impressed with their steel, and more importantly, the geometry instilled in their knives to get the job done. It is simply amazing. I am not saying they are the only knives out there that will perform. Much to the contrary, there are some INCREDIBLE knives mentioned in here. The convex edge and grind will beat a hollow grind any day of the week for camp work as far as strength and reliability. There is simply more steel on the grind thereby equaling more strength. :)
 
Not sure why, but I have never had luck with Barkies. I have had about a dozen models and can't seem to get one that I can use. I keep trying, but for some reason they just don't mesh with me. I still have one, a little mini Canadian, and that is just because I can't seem to get rid of it...
I am not bashing Bark River. Nothing wrong with them, but most just don't fit my hand. I saw the Bravo in this thread and have been thinking of giving it a try, and have always been interested in the Aurora, but ain't pulled the trigger yet.

Back to the topic at hand, have you checked out Ragweed Forge for some Scandi's? Or Cloudberry Market? Stick tangs and ergonomic handles, plus very decent prices...
That Swamp Rat looks nice, and that Dozier canoe has been on my list for years.
Lot's of choices out there. Try and get to a good knife store and handle some good candidates. Lots of knives look great on the net, but get them in your hand and the story changes. The handle is at least as important as the edge if you plan on using it a lot.
 
i just came across these while surfing tonight: the knives of alaska handmade series. these are some really nice looking knives. 4-inch blade, not big-bellied. and really classy looking too. the one with the black micart handle is the cheapest of the group (and in my opinion the best looking). even at that it will be stretching your budget at $249. but i think they are worth a look. i'm in the market for a good all-arounnd knife and could see myslef getting one of these.

http://www.lehmanhfeeders.com/the_handmade_series.htm

in any case, let us know what you decide on
 
Good words Craig. I feel you on the comfort level, I NEED it to be a user, else wise I am in trouble. I have seen Ragweed Forge, I own a few moras that I like very much. Nevertheless, I would not pick a mora as my loan companion. My favorite Mora thus far is the 780 Craftsmen in Triflex - has a great grip (little slippery) and solid blade, but to fit the "knife" role in a hatchet/knife/multitool combo, it wouldn't be a mora.

edit: also, the doziers are on a 8 month wait. I can't do that =/ kind of solves that one.
 
UCberzerkeley said:
Good words Craig. I feel you on the comfort level, I NEED it to be a user, else wise I am in trouble. I have seen Ragweed Forge, I own a few moras that I like very much. Nevertheless, I would not pick a mora as my loan companion. My favorite Mora thus far is the 780 Craftsmen in Triflex - has a great grip (little slippery) and solid blade, but to fit the "knife" role in a hatchet/knife/multitool combo, it wouldn't be a mora.

edit: also, the doziers are on a 8 month wait. I can't do that =/ kind of solves that one.
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I like to forego the wait by going to knife shows. You might want to see if there are any upcoming knife shows in your area, then you can handle various knives yourself.
 
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