dark ops stratofighter folder

[lcplcookba]

So the "dork ops" is off my wish list. And great advise so far, thanks! Now the real question, I want an extremely heavy (weight) large bladed folding knife with a failsafe locking mechanism. Is there such an animal in existence? And at a reasonable price? I am beginning to think I will have better luck finding a virgin at an ICP concert

 

[Kaizen1]

Welcome to the forums.

I think you'll find that the Dark Ops brand in general doesn't get too much respect in this community. Primarily, if not entirely because of their marketing. They have a reputation as a company that's giving the knife community an image of bloodthirsty killers, an image that a lot of the responsible knife users on this forum are constantly trying to fight in order to keep our privileges safe. They also don't look very appealing to many and don't seem practical for normal use.

However, from the little that I've read about the knives in general, they seem to be solid knives that can handle hard use. If you're interested in checking out similar knives that hold a lot more respect around these parts, may I suggest that you also look into Extrema Ratio?

Other names that I personally like:
Spyderco
Benchmade
Kershaw/ Zero Tolerance
SOG
Fallkniven
Busse
Chris Reeve
Swamp Rat
Ranger Knives

You might also want to look into Cold Steel and you should know that they are also highly controversial here as well, but they have solid designs in general.

 

[Allex]

Extrema Ratio Nemesis !

 

[runeman]

what is up with this knife, good, bad or ugly?

In my pocket right now is a Dark-ops stratofighter stilletto that I got this tuesday. Not to ruffle any feathers around here because I have really enjoy'd this forum, But I think there is too much emphasis placed on the corny over the top ad campain:jerkit:. The High end Knife market is a tough place.
I mean how many of you guy's have told someone how much one of your knives have cost and they nearly sh!t they'er pants. So I think anything a new unproven Knife co. can do to promote sales they are going to do.
And yes to a group of true Knife Knuts like us the ad's are going to erk us abit. (see my post in the general knife forum, "can I be a mall ninja")
The knife itself IMHO is a massive well built though very different kind of folder
and yes it is a copy of the ER nemisis which is what I would love to have, but just like the Striders I would like to have. Out of my current price range.
The stratofighter's are a nice alternative at around $200.00. It is a well built
solid hunk of folder with a few added improvement to the original ER design.
I will be posting a full review after a good period of EDC.

 

[lcplcookba]

Welcome to the forums.

I think you'll find that the Dark Ops brand in general doesn't get too much respect in this community. Primarily, if not entirely because of their marketing. They have a reputation as a company that's giving the knife community an image of bloodthirsty killers, an image that a lot of the responsible knife users on this forum are constantly trying to fight in order to keep our privileges safe. They also don't look very appealing to many and don't seem practical for normal use.

However, from the little that I've read about the knives in general, they seem to be solid knives that can handle hard use. If you're interested in checking out similar knives that hold a lot more respect around these parts, may I suggest that you also look into Extrema Ratio?

Other names that I personally like:
Spyderco
Benchmade
Kershaw/ Zero Tolerance
SOG
Fallkniven
Busse
Chris Reeve
Swamp Rat
Ranger Knives

You might also want to look into Cold Steel and you should know that they are also highly controversial here as well, but they have solid designs in general.

Point taken, As I am relatively new to this dynamic sub culture, information is golden. I like BIG folders. However, I have fornd that cost does not always = quality. I like the harsey t3 all but the fact that I don't feel confident that a lock liner w/out a safety is a wise choice for a tactical knife. The more confident I am in the knifes ability to lock up and stay locked might out weigh whatever shortcomings a company might have in their marketing dept. Whats your ideas on the Harsey??? P.S. Got the Recon 1 and like it much!

 

[fishface5]

I seem to recall that when Dork Ops first came out with their folders, some forumites tested them and found them to have ridiculously weak locks. So buyer beware . . .

 

[Jos]

Save up, buy a Sebenza, never look back.

 

[HoB]

I seem to recall that when Dork Ops first came out with their folders, some forumites tested them and found them to have ridiculously weak locks. So buyer beware . . .

Yes, there were several accounts (with pictures) not only here but also on independent sites of DO folder with locks that were pure liability and had poor fit and finish on critical parts.

Well, personally I wonder what the appeal is. If a company has to stand on such a ridiculous ad campain in which it flat-out lies, it likely does not have enough merit to stand on its own. I am willing to bet that you can take a simple traditional design such as they are offered by BRKT or a less over-the-top knife from a real Ranger like Ranger knives or even a Ka-Bar heavy bowie, all of which are cheaper than the DO knives, or for folders like any of the ones listed by Kaizen1 and they will actually perform better. As a buyer, if my taste leads me to buy a product that is more expensive and inferior, don't I have to question how educated my taste is?

I mean, each to their own, but this is a bit like McDonald's: There are people that actually like the taste of McDonald's food better than anything home made, most likely because they have have never spend much time eating something else. It is something that I can understand, but still wouldn't say that they have good or well educated taste. (Btw. I eat at McDonald's on occasion as well).

For anyone, who has tried a range of good knives, either folders or fixed, the DO are likely going to look like a bad (and very impractical) joke (though I admit that I am thinking right now mostly of some of their fixed blades).

 

[lcplcookba]

Yes, there were several accounts (with pictures) not only here but also on independent sites of DO folder with locks that were pure liability and had poor fit and finish on critical parts.

Well, personally I wonder what the appeal is. If a company has to stand on such a ridiculous ad campain in which it flat-out lies, I likely has not enough merit to stand on its own. I am willing to bet that you can take a simple traditional design such as they are offered by BRKT or a less over-the-top knife from a real Ranger like Ranger knives or even a Ka-Bar heavy bowie, all of which are cheaper than the DO knives, or for folders like any of the ones listed by Kaizen1 and they will actually perform better. As a buyer, if my taste leads me to buy a product that is more expensive and inferior, don't I have to question how educated my taste is?

I mean, each to their own, but this is a bit like McDonald's: There are people that actually like the taste of McDonald's food better than anything home made, most likely because they have have never spend much time eating something else. It is something that I can understand, but still would say that they have good or well educated taste. (Btw. I eat at McDonald's on occasion as well).

For anyone, who has tried a range of good knives, either folders or fixed, the DO are likely going to look like a bad (and very impractical) joke (though I admit that I am thinking right now mostly of some of their fixed blades).

The more I am re-thinking the Do Folder the less I am finding in the do column and more in the do[/B] not column. As I understand more about this product I am left with an emptiness that closely resembles the last time I woke up with a hang over! I want a quality knife that is heavy to the touch, sharp enough to cut steal, and pleasing to my eye. (Ugly is good too)

 

[Guinness70]

i wouldnt buy it just coz of the name, what is it with these ridiculous naming.
im no operator and i dont expect to use a knife in the stratosfere.

seemingly a good knife tho, but not something i would want to carry when not in full combat gear in theatre. ild feel a right arse taking out this knife while in civis at the local supermarket to cut some box or to peel an apple at work.

extrema ratio knives look very simular with less of the mallninja aura.

 

[HoB]

For $200 you have pretty much the choice of a range of excellent folders. My own taste is not so much for the overbuild folders (meaning generally: thick, poor cutter) so I would look for some of the sprint runs by Spyderco or Kershaw. Among the large folders, you can get a top notch Ti or carbon fiber handled Sprint run with the choicest blade steel for under $200, such as the BG-42 or S90V CF Milli or the CF Stretch, or the SG2 Junkyard dog. If you are the "overbuild folder" type (nothing wrong with that, btw.), the most practical option would be a simple full-sized Manix (which is despite its strength an excellent cutter) for approx. $120. More along the looks of a Strider would be the ZT200, which is also well in your margin. Not as big, still a large folder and real solid, also for $120 would be the BM 710. If we are going to the seriously overbuild folder (the large one will probably dwarf most folders on the market) of a different style are the Hossom Retribution by Ontario. Last, but not least, there is always the option to save up for an Extrema Ratio. The RAO happens to be the least expensive folder of their tactical line-up and is probably far and away the strongest folder on the market today (that is considering everything, such as blade shape, material, size, lock etc.), and there is, no doubt a fascination in such an uncompromising design.

This is just a small selection of knives that come immediately to mind, but every single knife I mentioned (matters of tastes aside), regardless of the price, is a 100% reliable, proven design, that you can absolutely depend on.

If you have doubts on looks and thickness, go to either the general forum or the individual company forums here on BF and ask for comparison pics and I am sure people will be more than happy to help you out. Just recently someone posted pictures comparing a Buck Strider against a ZT200 on the Kershaw forum.

Good luck, in finding a knife that makes you happy!

P.S. Prices are of course only approximate street prices

 

[runeman]

I have seen alot of valid points posted here and just like any production knife or any other item there are going to be a few lemons. I own a Kahr P9 it has been my EDC for 6yr's and has had many different rounds put through her at the range and never failed, but some of they'er guns have had many problems and been sent back. Maybe Im just lucky with my purchase's and yes the DO Knives have a bad rep around here and yes the ad's are over the top. Though the one I have is solid and been back smacked (wearing a welding glove) no problem. The blade is very thick and the cutting geometry is not the best for every day use like the other fine knives mentioned here which most I already own. The DO folder I have is the stilletto and she is huge over built and a bit gimicky knife, but she adds character to my collection and is IMO a tough well built massive folder for limited use's, mainly self defense or a folding prybar. If I was looking to purchase a large folder for all around use it would be hands down the ZT 0200. Without a doubt the finest knife for the money I have ever owned.
With all that said and done, I am very pleased with my big cheesey hunk of over the top terrorist tackeling tactical pocket sword.

 

[lcplcookba]

I have reviewed quite a few threads and found the Hossom Retribution 1, weighing in at 10.9 oz, with a 4 5/8 hardened blade ideally suited for my needs. And the price of $129.00 was hard to pass up. Now I can start saving for the
ER RAO and the Crusader Forge. I am a reasonable man

 

[Kaizen1]

I have reviewed quite a few threads and found the Hossom Retribution 1, weighing in at 10.9 oz, with a 4 5/8 hardened blade ideally suited for my needs. And the price of $129.00 was hard to pass up. Now I can start saving for the
ER RAO and the Crusader Forge. I am a reasonable man

All great choices, definitely some of the toughest folders out there. When you decide to go custom and can afford $600 range, look up the Hinderer XM-18.

 

[KLJTech]

The Ontario Hossom Retribution 1 is the best made, most durable and most comfortable “user” folder that I have ever owned.
I’ve used this knife on camping trips a couple times a month like you would normally use a fixed blade for over a year and it works as well as the day I took it out of the box. Jerry Hossom did an incredible job designing this knife. The Retribution 1 fits my hand better but if you have medium to smaller hands then you would love the Retribution 2 since the handle is smaller. Since both folders are so well built at such a great price I’ve bought both.

 

[KLJTech]

All great choices, definitely some of the toughest folders out there. When you decide to go custom and can afford $600 range, look up the Hinderer XM-18.

That Hinderer is a beautiful knife, I would love to buy one someday.:thumbup:

 

[loug]

3/16" thick blade locks up like a vault.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

Dork Ops are "designed" and marketed for sale to ignorant mall ninja morons. Why not, they don't know any better. When you knowingly support knock off artists you have a serious lack of character.

 

[runeman]

Dork Ops are "designed" and marketed for sale to ignorant mall ninja morons. Why not, they don't know any better. When you knowingly support knock off artists you have a serious lack of character.

Dear Sir or Ma'am,

I am not quite sure how to interpret your last post. I get the feeling from your statement regarding the lack of "character" in purchasing a Dark-op's knife, to be a reference to my post stating that I felt the purchase added "character" to my collection. A few questions for you if I may.

What exactly is a mall ninja ?
Do you or have you owned one of they'er knives ?
Why have'nt you or anyone else attacked any number of the "Case" or "Buck 110" just to name a few, design copies out there ?
What is it within you, that gives you the right to be so insulting ?
Do you personally have a stake in Extrema Ratio knives ?
Have you ever had to use your knife for anything other than opening your mail?

Though I am not sure what you define a "Mall Ninja" as, I am almost positive that I do not qualify. I have served my country and my community with great pride and honor as a Soldier and a Paramedic, and have the records to prove it. I have used my knives to they'er "fullest" potential which far exceeds cutting boxes or opening mail. The problem we have here is no one really has any idea who they are talking to.
I wear a Silver Star, do you ?

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

Dear Sir or Ma'am,

I am not quite sure how to interpret your last post. I get the feeling from your statement regarding the lack of "character" in purchasing a Dark-op's knife, to be a reference to my post stating that I felt the purchase added "character" to my collection. A few questions for you if I may.

What exactly is a mall ninja ?
Do you or have you owned one of they'er knives ?
Why have'nt you or anyone else attacked any number of the "Case" or "Buck 110" just to name a few, design copies out there ?
What is it within you, that gives you the right to be so insulting ?
Do you personally have a stake in Extrema Ratio knives ?
Have you ever had to use your knife for anything other than opening your mail?

Though I am not sure what you define a "Mall Ninja" as, I am almost positive that I do not qualify. I have served my country and my community with great pride and honor as a Soldier and a Paramedic, and have the records to prove it. I have used my knives to they'er "fullest" potential which far exceeds cutting boxes or opening mail. The problem we have here is no one really has any idea who they are talking to.
I wear a Silver Star, do you ?

My post was not in response to anything you wrote, but you obviously felt the need to justify your poor choice in knives. Hey, good on you if you did in fact serve in the armed forces. . . You would have my gratitude.

Then again, I feel less inclined to care what you may or may not have done when you fall back on the lame "I am so badass, what have you ever done" line to justify purchasing a knock off of a quality knife from another company. That is simply laughable. (a classic mall ninja internet tactic as well) Changing the topic to talk about yourself and/or what you do does not change the facts regarding Dark Ops knives.
If you were ignorant about the fact you were buying a knock off, then no big deal. But if you did in fact know better, then my statement does apply.

The Buck and Case design comparison has no merit, since those designs are public domain for anyone to use. When a former ER employee starts a new company selling whored up copies of his former employer's designs, that is scumbaggery at its worst.

Btw, I know the meaning of "Their, There, and They're". . . but "They'er" is a new one on me.