Dark Ops knives

[shooterpunk]

First off, let me say I will never buy one of these, and I think their knife descriptions are ridiculous, along with their "exotic and Expensive" CTV2. With all that said, does anybody have one or used one? I just wonder if they are a quality knife, cuz they are pretty pricey. If not shame on them because I can see someone in the military or law enforcement buying one because of the descriptions (if they dont know a lot about knives anyways), or someone buying their loved one that is going over to iraq one. I dunno, Im just curious I guess

 

[[digidude]]

Well, the general consesus seems to be that they are solid, well built knives. They're just terribly overprices and overhyped by the company.

 

[DaveH]

general consesus seems to be that they are solid, well built knives.

hmm, I never got that vibe.

Then there is the whole theft/moral issue. I wouldn't bother.

 

[Haze]

Extrema Ratio was totaly ripped off by "Dork oops" knives.

 

[shooterpunk]

ha ha dork oops, i like it

 

[Halbie]

I have one - the Stratofighter. It's very much like an Extreme Ratio MPC with some blade and handle modifications. The blade metal is N690; good stuff. The handles are 6160 aircraft grade aluminum. The back-lock system is one of the most robust I've ever seen.

It's a tough, overbuilt survival/combat folder, a decent cutter (flat grind), and runs about 50% less than its (alleged) ER MPC counterpart. I have found it a bit more tricky to sharpen than some other blades, but it holds a very sharp edge a long time. I would assume this is also true of the smaller "covert" folders and their larger fixed-blade combat knives, like the Interceptor. I did a review of the Stratofighter a while back on this forum. Bottom line: there's no criticism of the knife, itself, that is not also probably due the ER MPC, which quite a few seemed to admire.

The marketing copy seems over the top to many, but it accomplishes its goal - getting your attention (ER also markets somewhat like this, as well). I've seen some on forums try to scare potential buyers away by citing the potential legal implications of buying something labeled a combat or fighting knife. That's absolute rubbish. Others, who have never even picked one of these up, let alone used one, will tell you it can't possibly be a good cutter - but it has proven to hold an edge and cut as well as my $400 Mission MPF-1 with an A2 tool steel blade. Of course, neither of those cut as well as my Fallknivens or my CSC Bowie; so be it. Would I buy another DO? I don't really need more tactical folders, and I don't need a large combat knife. But, if they came out with something else useful to me, yes, I'd consider another.

A great deal of criticism has been aimed more at the company's outspoken owner, rather than the knives themselves, and at the perceived issues between him and ER. But, there always seem to be issues like this, out there, affecting one company or another. I try to stay focused on the knives.

The photo is of the DO Stratofighter next to my Mission MPF-1 A2 for size comparison. I also tested the DO cutting ability against this Mission.

 

[Halbie]

First off, let me say I will never buy one of these, and I think their knife descriptions are ridiculous, along with their "exotic and Expensive" CTV2. With all that said, does anybody have one or used one? I just wonder if they are a quality knife, cuz they are pretty pricey. If not shame on them because I can see someone in the military or law enforcement buying one because of the descriptions (if they dont know a lot about knives anyways), or someone buying their loved one that is going over to iraq one. I dunno, Im just curious I guess

The blade material is N690. It's a good quality tactical folder. If you need a utility or hunting knife, it probably won't suit you. You can see my review of it here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570324&highlight=stratofighter

 

[T.K.C.]

Well, the general consesus seems to be that they are solid, well built knives. They're just terribly overprices and overhyped by the company.

Nope, never got that vibe about them either. They are simply rip off artists and market to mall ninjas. They are very unethical! I wouldn't buy one if they were the ONLY knife company around.

 

[Halbie]

Nope, never got that vibe about them either. They are simply rip off artists and market to mall ninjas. They are very unethical! I wouldn't buy one if they were the ONLY knife company around.

Funny - they're not in court with ER or have any pending legal issues. If the situation suits DO and ER, I don't know why it should bother me.

 

[T.K.C.]

A thief is a thief. I will NOT support a thief. You do what you can live with. There are many other ETHICAL knife makers and companies around that I would prefer to support.

 

[Halbie]

A thief is a thief. I will NOT support a thief. You do what you can live with. There are many other ETHICAL knife makers and companies around that I would prefer to support.

Now, you're at the level of personal attacks.

Doesn't that bother you, ethically?

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

A thief is a thief. I will NOT support a thief. You do what you can live with. There are many other ETHICAL knife makers and companies around that I would prefer to support.

Sent you an email with a question.

 

[knarfeng]

I have one - the Stratofighter. It's very much like an Extreme Ratio MPC with some blade and handle modifications. The blade metal is N690; good stuff. The handles are 6160 aircraft grade aluminum. The back-lock system is one of the most robust I've ever seen.

It's a tough, overbuilt survival/combat folder, a decent cutter (flat grind), and runs about 50% less than its (alleged) ER MPC counterpart. I have found it a bit more tricky to sharpen than some other blades, but it holds a very sharp edge a long time. I would assume this is also true of the smaller "covert" folders and their larger fixed-blade combat knives, like the Interceptor. I did a review of the Stratofighter a while back on this forum. Bottom line: there's no criticism of the knife, itself, that is not also probably due the ER MPC, which quite a few seemed to admire.

The marketing copy seems over the top to many, but it accomplishes its goal - getting your attention (ER also markets somewhat like this, as well). I've seen some on forums try to scare potential buyers away by citing the potential legal implications of buying something labeled a combat or fighting knife. That's absolute rubbish. Others, who have never even picked one of these up, let alone used one, will tell you it can't possibly be a good cutter - but it has proven to hold an edge and cut as well as my $400 Mission MPF-1 with an A2 tool steel blade. Of course, neither of those cut as well as my Fallknivens or my CSC Bowie; so be it. Would I buy another DO? I don't really need more tactical folders, and I don't need a large combat knife. But, if they came out with something else useful to me, yes, I'd consider another.

A great deal of criticism has been aimed more at the company's outspoken owner, rather than the knives themselves, and at the perceived issues between him and ER. But, there always seem to be issues like this, out there, affecting one company or another. I try to stay focused on the knives.

The photo is of the DO Stratofighter next to my Mission MPF-1 A2 for size comparison. I also tested the DO cutting ability against this Mission.

I can't find the thread, but there was one fella who opened up his stratofighter and posted pics of it. His pics showed that, while the lock was huge and robust looking from the outside, it was not well machined and actually had poor engagement when you looked at the inner workings. You stated that the lock on you knife was robust. Have you looked at the actual guts, or are you judging by the outside appearance?

 

[Halbie]

I can't find the thread, but there was one fella who opened up his stratofighter and posted pics of it. His pics showed that, while the lock was huge and robust looking from the outside, it was not well machined and actually had poor engagement when you looked at the inner workings. You stated that the lock on you knife was robust. Have you looked at the actual guts, or are you judging by the outside appearance?

Yes, I disassembled the entire thing when I got it - just like I do with all my folders. I know the pics you're talking about and they bear little resemblance to how it actually locks up. In fact, I believe the commentary on those pics said something to the effect that the DO owner hand-picked that knife for review. Total rubbish. It locks up the same as the ER MPC. In the pics, the guy seems to have pulled the components apart rather than leave them close to the actual position they're in when the thing is assembled and locked up.

BTW, I did the customary bang test against a log to test the engagement. I whacked that thing HARD several times. No movement. No looseness. If you had to defend every popular folder on this forum the same way, you'd find some that were pretty flimsy and poorly machined inside. Not this one. Keep in mind that, even in this photo, when it's screwed together and the tension rod (see top pic) is fully engaged, the lockup is even tighter, as it's pressed even farther into the mechanism, seating it fully. This photo is the "natural" position of the components, before tension is engaged.

Other "popular" myths about this knife:

1) It can't be opened and closed with one hand. YES, it can, quite easily, as a matter of fact.
2) The grips are a joke. NO, they're not. They work well and allow you to use the knife with thumb-pressure at almost any angle.
3) The "blood grooves" are silly and unnecessary. SURE, just like on my BRKT Boone II or my Bugei Wave katana. It's a design feature and helps reduce blade weight a bit.

 

[Haze]

Il stick with my ERs any day. The original and best :thumbup:

 

[knarfeng]

In that case, I will echo the comment of 3G in your review thread.

"Glad you like the knife."

I'm highly unlikely to ever own a DO. The style doesn't fit my needs and the price is outside my budget. But I'm always interested in hearing the experiences of others. That is why I spend way too much time here.

BTW, I echo your approval of N690 alloy. Lovely stuff. Finer grained than 440C. Takes a wicked sharp edge and, with a good heat treat, has excellent edge retention. For me it ranks up there with 154CM and VG10.

 

[The Moose]

More of a moral issue...

 

[Halbie]

In that case, I will echo the comment of 3G in your review thread.

"Glad you like the knife."

I'm highly unlikely to ever own a DO. The style doesn't fit my needs and the price is outside my budget. But I'm always interested in hearing the experiences of others. That is why I spend way too much time here.

BTW, I echo your approval of N690 alloy. Lovely stuff. Finer grained than 440C. Takes a wicked sharp edge and, with a good heat treat, has excellent edge retention. For me it ranks up there with 154CM and VG10.

Funny, but it was, in part, all the negative criticism (often not of the knife) that convinced me to buy it. I just had to see for myself. Controversial knives just appeal to me. I was pleasantly surprised with the Stratofighter, but it's not a kitchen, utility, or hunting knife. I'd take it with me hiking, though.

 

[vjb.knife]

I don't have a dark ops but I do have an Extrema Ratio Faida which is the us named version of the Nemesis. It is an extremely heavy duty and very large back lock knife. I don't know that I will ever use it for much but it is certainly very well made, although quite expensive. When it locks up it is like a fixed blade. I have thought about getting the dark ops model like it to compare them. I can get the Dark Ops Stratofighter Stilleto which is similar in design for about $190 which is a lot less than the ER Faida. If I do get one I will put some comparison shots up here between them.

 

[Halbie]

More of a moral issue...

How so? Do you mean like RAT/Ontario or BRKT/Marbles? I've listened to vendors make comparisons of them to the DO/ER issues. Is there a DO/ER issue? I'm not really sure. No lawsuits. ER seems to be comfortable with the situation. Is there a RAT/Ontario issue? Yes, according to each of their websites. They mention that it's in their lawyers' hands. I just heard about the BRKT/Marbles issue very recently. Didn't even know there was such an issue before then.

Quite frankly, I could care less. I'll buy the best knife. Period. In these cases, I went with the RAT RC-6 and the BRKT Boone II.

Now, please don't bash me for bringing it up. I dislike manufacturer politics, but that doesn't mean I don't understand them. It's not a moral issue for the individual knife buyer. It's a commercial issue - and potentially a legal issue - between commercial interests.