Dozier Question

S

sodak

Joined
Mar 26, 2004
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I was looking at AG Russell's Web Page, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Dozier Master Skinner. I've seen a lot of good write ups on the Yukon model, and liked the look of the MS. It's really hard to evaluate without holding one personally.

I'm trying to get ready for hunting season, and am anticipating getting (hopefully) both deer and elk. I'm a big fan of D2, so I figure it's time for a Dozier. I have medium sized hands.

Thanks for all your help!
 
I personally like the Pro Skinner K-19 with the classic slightly upswept blade with the 'belly' better. Also have a medium sized hand. Also like the finger notches. The MS has a slightly thicker handle than I can grasp comfortably. I also like the wider blade in comparison to the pro skinner. However, none of Bob's blades are 'wrong'. Buy what appeals to your gut feeling. yOu will be getting a 'user' which you won't want to part with. (I have 10 Doziers, folders and fixed and liek to rotate them). Enjoy, Hattie
 
BTW Bob is presently offering a thin ground Dozier Drop Point Hunter which migh also be an alternative for a very light hunting knife. He asys 'Reminiscent of the knives I made in the '70's'. Have a look.

http://www.dozierknives.com startup picture.

Hattie
 
Thanks Hattie! I'm going to check those out. How I wish I could hold them before buying. Oh well. I'm sure, like you say, none are bad.

Interestingly enough, it was Queen with their D2 Stockmans and 4180 Hunter (you really should try one of these, a steal at $40). Their D2 held a razor edge for so long, I was just amazed. Far longer than some heavily hyped wonder steels, and they also steel back several times before needing a stone. They are also 10x cheaper than some very expensive and highly marketed popular hunting knives, and have great ergonomics, as long as your hands are not too large. BTW, I'm not affiliated with them in any way.

Then I hear all of this talk about Bob D. being a wizard with D2, and I'm thinking, hmmmm..... I have high expectations, let's put it that way. I think AG is going to get a call from me tomorrow... They sure are good looking knives, and I've never heard a bad word about Bob OR his knives.
 
Sodak, if you haven' t already checked out their knife discussions forums, go to their web site www.dozierknives.com and click on the forum bar. There are many threads (and some accomanying pics) that show various models that have shown actual use by their owners. Although there is a current wait time at about 12 months, keep in mind that you can have just about any of the cataloged models made with any combo of blade shape and handle.

And yes, Bob is the "doctor" of D2. He has been using this steel way longer than many of the current makers and factories have been as of late. But keep in mind that the heat treat method is the key. Good luck with your selection.

N2
 
Hattie said:
I personally like the Pro Skinner K-19 with the classic slightly upswept blade with the 'belly' better. Also have a medium sized hand. Also like the finger notches. The MS has a slightly thicker handle than I can grasp comfortably. I also like the wider blade in comparison to the pro skinner. However, none of Bob's blades are 'wrong'. Buy what appeals to your gut feeling. yOu will be getting a 'user' which you won't want to part with. (I have 10 Doziers, folders and fixed and liek to rotate them). Enjoy, Hattie
Click to expand...

X2 on the K-19, I have one, and like the finger grooves.
Highly recommended.

If you decide on the Dozier you want, there are companies that sell his handmade knives without the 12 month wait.
I bought mine at Knifeart.com

You will be blown away at the fit an finish, and the simple yet indestructable
quality of his edgeholding wonder knives.
Best money I EVER spent on a knife.

Sometimes when you buy a knife, you are not that happy with it, or you had more expectations when you purchased it.
This will never happen with a Dozier.
If you find the one you like, you WILL be happy with it.

The man is a legend among KNIFEMAKERS!
 
I must chime in. I have several Doziers, including a Master Skinner, and I can say nothing but positive things about these knives. I have medium sized hands and the Master Skinner fits perfectly, so much so in fact that it is my primary skinning knife for moose and bear. I carry other knives for camp chores, but when it comes to dressing game, I always reach for my Dozier.
 
Bob's knives are awesome! I've owned and used one of his Yukon Pro Skinners for many years, and it is my all-time favorite hunting knife. Perfect shape for all of my hunting task... fine point for delicate caping and small game work, plus enogh belly for any skinning task. The knife is razor sharp, stays that way longer than any other knife I've even handled, and it resharpens very quickly and easily.

This knife has been used on game birds of every kind, squirrels, rabbits, deer, elk, 2 kinds of bear, moose, and whatever else I've hunted for many years. It just plain works perfectly!

Bob's sheaths are among the very, very best as well. You simply cannot go wrong with any of Bob's knives. Pick the one, or ones, that suit you and enjoy.

Superb customer service. And to top it all off, Bob and his wife are good people!

'Nuff said? :D

AJ
 
AJ said:
Bob's knives are awesome! I've owned and used one of his Yukon Pro Skinners for many years, and it is my all-time favorite hunting knife. Perfect shape for all of my hunting task... fine point for delicate caping and small game work, plus enogh belly for any skinning task. The knife is razor sharp, stays that way longer than any other knife I've even handled, and it resharpens very quickly and easily.

This knife has been used on game birds of every kind, squirrels, rabbits, deer, elk, 2 kinds of bear, moose, and whatever else I've hunted for many years. It just plain works perfectly!

Bob's sheaths are among the very, very best as well. You simply cannot go wrong with any of Bob's knives. Pick the one, or ones, that suit you and enjoy.

Superb customer service. And to top it all off, Bob and his wife are good people!

'Nuff said? :D

AJ
Click to expand...

Pick the one, or ones, that suit you and enjoy.
That says it all, it is very hard to buy just one.
Once you handle one, you are trying to decide the next one you buy.
I am thinking of selling my Edmund Davidson just to get some more Doziers. :eek:
 
Well don' t be too quick on that. Edmund had an idea of making one of his integrals in the tradition of one of Bobs Elk Hunters... :eek: Or has he already? :)

N2
 
This Davidson is similar to the Elk Hunter, but much shorter.
Think Edmund's knives are prized?
The knife below is $995 USED! + SHIPPING!
klc00259_integral_hilt_butt_hunter_ce_pop_up.jpg
 
AJ, just wondering what you like to use to sharpen D-2? I, also, like that steel as it really holds a good edge. BTW, I use a 400 grit belt to sharpen and finish on a leather strop with green rouge. Thanks!
 
In the field I've used Spyderco's Sharpmaker. At home I use DMT stones. I've heard awesome reviews re: the Edgemaker system but have yet to see one in use.

AJ
 
Pep, that' s modelled after the small Elk Hunter. :) I gave Edmund one of these to take back with him while we gathered at the NYC Custom Knife show about a year back. He makes some real fine integrals.

All my Doziers go to an xtra fine grit diamond bench stone. Bob personally recommends the Eze Lap model. I use this and a DMT, whichever is handy at the moment. Although the D2 that Bob uses is treated to 61 rockwell, the monocrystalline embedded diamonds will remove the steel without much problem.

N2
 
Thanks AJ & Nakano! I've always enjoyed hearing how others sharpen certain steels, it is amazing what one can learn. With D-2 you can use a diamond hone (coarse) and then use a leather charged strop and get an awesome edge, of course there are so many different ways to sharpen steel. D-2 is one of my favorites for a user!
 
sodak said:
I was looking at AG Russell's Web Page, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Dozier Master Skinner. I've seen a lot of good write ups on the Yukon model, and liked the look of the MS. It's really hard to evaluate without holding one personally.

I'm trying to get ready for hunting season, and am anticipating getting (hopefully) both deer and elk. I'm a big fan of D2, so I figure it's time for a Dozier. I have medium sized hands.

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

Sodak, I have medium/large hands and the Dozier Master Hunter is perfectly suited to my grip. The heft and size of the handle inspire confidence - the ergos are great. Can't go wrong with whatever model you buy, though you will have to choose between those with finger cut outs and those without.

For an animal the size of a Moose or Elk, my preference would be a Pro Guide or Elk Hunter.
 
I have used a Dozier White River Skinner for years. This coming deer season it will be on it's seventh deer (and maybe eighth or ninth depending on my friends using it) and never needing resharpened. (Rebeveled) Just touched up with a couple of swipes on my extra fine diamond stone and a couple laps on a hard (translucent) arkansas and it is right back up to snuff and ready for another one to slice and dice. Best damn skinner I've ever used and better than I could make myself. Believe me I've tried. I bought some D2 and did it all and still ended up defeated. Mine just didn't keep the same kind of edge. It is all in the heat treatment.

This little master piece cost me $155 bucks when I got it. I think it sells for $185 now. I'm sure the one you asked about is just as great. Buy it!. You won't regret it. In the deer camp every year all the guys want to use my Dozier when they get frustrated with their knives. I'm going to charge for each use this year HA! Now thats an idea. Actually little by little more and more of my circle of friends have been swayed to a Dozier themselves just from using mine. In my opinion you can't beat the Dozier D2. If I had any complaint it would be that the knife can and does get just a bit slippery at times from the blood and the slick micarta handle. I've often wondered if I could deeply checker the handle or go to something else but haven't done it. Other than this it is one great skinner knife.

Also, the thing many people forget to mention to potential new Dozier buyers is that great Dozier sheath that comes with the knife. This little Kydex sheath makes the knife a tactical weapon for defense as well as a skinner. IT makes getting it out fast a cinch I can tell you. The Dozier Kydex sheath makes the whole package well worth the initial cost.
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions. I have it down to 3 models, and will be making a phone call next week. It's nice to hear these kinds of testimonials and real world experiences! I'm really looking forward to using one of Bob's knives!
 
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