-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Dominator review
- Thread starter biogon
- Start date
Short-term update/review:
Been using her around the house for any number of things -- rope, string, cardboard.
The high grind does in fact work a wonder on thick cardboard.
The original edge angles were around 24 on one side and 30deg on the other. I took them down to about 22 on each side and mirror polished them.
It's now a mean cutting machine -- not quite rivalling a kitchen knife or a reprofiled 710HS (what does?) but still very impressive. Slices, push cuts, pierces extremely well.
The lock is doing a little bizarrely. First, it's stopped "sticking". There is no galling; I think the lockbar tension is just right. I like a little stickiness because it prevents the lock from sliding under spine pressure. However, any tighter and there's too much retarding force on the action.
That brings me to my second point: the lockup point has moved from around 50% to 75% in about a week of light to moderate use (and I did not play much with the Robo.) Now, I know that Sebs usually lock around 75% to 100%+ (that frightens me) and there's absolutely no blade play now that I fixed the spacer issue.
I'm guessing that Camilllus will do whatever necessary should the lockup go past 100% and start showing any play.
-Jon
Been using her around the house for any number of things -- rope, string, cardboard.
The high grind does in fact work a wonder on thick cardboard.
The original edge angles were around 24 on one side and 30deg on the other. I took them down to about 22 on each side and mirror polished them.
It's now a mean cutting machine -- not quite rivalling a kitchen knife or a reprofiled 710HS (what does?) but still very impressive. Slices, push cuts, pierces extremely well.
The lock is doing a little bizarrely. First, it's stopped "sticking". There is no galling; I think the lockbar tension is just right. I like a little stickiness because it prevents the lock from sliding under spine pressure. However, any tighter and there's too much retarding force on the action.
That brings me to my second point: the lockup point has moved from around 50% to 75% in about a week of light to moderate use (and I did not play much with the Robo.) Now, I know that Sebs usually lock around 75% to 100%+ (that frightens me) and there's absolutely no blade play now that I fixed the spacer issue.
I'm guessing that Camilllus will do whatever necessary should the lockup go past 100% and start showing any play.
-Jon
I changed my mind and ordered a Dominator. It was on/off my "want"
list of new knives to try.
Out of the box, it opens with a firm flick from my index finger.
My hands are small, so I can use the middle part of finger and control
the knife firmly!
It feels very comfortable in my hand.
The lock is about 1/3 locked up? If that makes sense. I'm sure it will
seat-in with use? I'm not worried about it. I'd say better too little
than too much. I had a new Buck Strider that "over-locked". I had to
take a flat-tip screw driver to unlock it!!!
The blade is off-centered ever-so-slighly. Again no problem.
Fit and finish is GREAT. I love the blade shape.
I do like 1/2 serrated blades, but I like this plain one!
I think I can get use to the tip-down carry also?
I've been totin' a BM-722 axis. Will this take it's place?
We'll see?
Since I'm use to cheaper priced knives, this is one of the more expensive models I've purchase. Lucky me thought, I can buy my knives
from a friend at "dealers" cost plus tax.
My want list now only has a BM-520S and the new Buck/Strider SBT.
mick
list of new knives to try.
Out of the box, it opens with a firm flick from my index finger.
My hands are small, so I can use the middle part of finger and control
the knife firmly!
It feels very comfortable in my hand.
The lock is about 1/3 locked up? If that makes sense. I'm sure it will
seat-in with use? I'm not worried about it. I'd say better too little
than too much. I had a new Buck Strider that "over-locked". I had to
take a flat-tip screw driver to unlock it!!!
The blade is off-centered ever-so-slighly. Again no problem.
Fit and finish is GREAT. I love the blade shape.
I do like 1/2 serrated blades, but I like this plain one!
I think I can get use to the tip-down carry also?
I've been totin' a BM-722 axis. Will this take it's place?
We'll see?
Since I'm use to cheaper priced knives, this is one of the more expensive models I've purchase. Lucky me thought, I can buy my knives
from a friend at "dealers" cost plus tax.
My want list now only has a BM-520S and the new Buck/Strider SBT.
mick
One thing I've noticed, that I don't like.
The lock is slightly lower than the handle making it difficult
for me to unlock. Well I've got a blister on my thumb from trying
to unlock with one hand. I wish the handle was recessed to have
some access to the lock.
Question; I'm thinking about grinding my own recess. How hard is
the Ti. handle to grid? Any sugesstions?
I also think the "kicker" is too smooth, I might also add checking
to add some grip for opening?
MM
The lock is slightly lower than the handle making it difficult
for me to unlock. Well I've got a blister on my thumb from trying
to unlock with one hand. I wish the handle was recessed to have
some access to the lock.
Question; I'm thinking about grinding my own recess. How hard is
the Ti. handle to grid? Any sugesstions?
I also think the "kicker" is too smooth, I might also add checking
to add some grip for opening?
MM
- Joined
- Mar 19, 1999
- Messages
- 2,277
mtrialsm - Ti isn't real hard to work on a small scale like you want to do. A dremel tool will work nicely. You will wear out stones and sanding drums quickly, make sure you have a few extra.
If you back the the tension off on the pivot screw a hair, it will be easier to activate the flipper. They are shipped with the pivot screw TIGHT.
I have three so far and they are my small EDC option.
The following is not endorsed by Camillus and I did it to solve my own curiosity. I drilled and tapped one of my Dominators for tip up carry. It requires modifying the original clip, and should utilize Darrels "Lock Stop" to keep the lock from being pushed too far when unlocking the knife without the clip on that end. This is a good upgrade for people who understand the risk associated with tip up carry of this knife. Again, this is against Camillus' views on how this knife should be carried.
If you back the the tension off on the pivot screw a hair, it will be easier to activate the flipper. They are shipped with the pivot screw TIGHT.
I have three so far and they are my small EDC option.
The following is not endorsed by Camillus and I did it to solve my own curiosity. I drilled and tapped one of my Dominators for tip up carry. It requires modifying the original clip, and should utilize Darrels "Lock Stop" to keep the lock from being pushed too far when unlocking the knife without the clip on that end. This is a good upgrade for people who understand the risk associated with tip up carry of this knife. Again, this is against Camillus' views on how this knife should be carried.
I used my dremal tool and cut/lower a "thumb slot" in the handle.
Just lowered it enough so that I now can feel the lock.
It now unlocks much easier with my thumb. I'll need to build
up a callous on my thumb
The handle kinda look like the original picture of the Dominator
with the unlock groove.
MM
Just lowered it enough so that I now can feel the lock.
It now unlocks much easier with my thumb. I'll need to build
up a callous on my thumb
The handle kinda look like the original picture of the Dominator
with the unlock groove.
MM