Dozier k-5?

[Cerifm]

Thinking of buying a Dozier. Anyone have any thoughts on the Arkansas Made K-5, also called the King’s River? Looks almost identical to the k-2 “General Purpose” to my eye, but without the finger notch in the handle. Primary purpose is as a skinner.

 

[MisterZ]

C Cerifm - The King's River Skinner is supposed to be the blending of the General Purpose blade and the Yukon Pro Skinner handle. Those that I have had in my hands have been pretty close to that description, but the blades don't quite follow the K2 profile, they are are a slight blend with the Yukon Pro blades shape was well.

I prefer the K2 handle, but that's entirely personal preference. The King's River is a great knife, and every AMD shows the usual attention to fit and finish.

Side by side comparison pics are always hard to come by, so here's a few shots of a K2, King's River and YPS for your reference:

 

[MisterZ]

Here's the King's River with a couple other Dozier skinners for comparison and consideration too. The black Micarta Professional Skinner was carried for many seasons, and the buffalo bone White River Skinner provides a lot of belly with a clip point.

Hope these help. Z.

 

[Cerifm]

Thank you MisterZ , that’s brilliant. So helpful! Great pics of some beautiful knives.

 

[AntDog]

That’s how it should be done.

Fantastic job, Z.

 

[MisterZ]

Anytime!

 

[Ben Dover]

Anything made by Bob Dozier makes me happy. My Drop Point /hunter has processed dozens of elk, deer and anterlope.

And btw there are two kinds of D-2 steel. There's regular D-2, and then there's that almost magical "Dozier D-2."