Dozier vs Busse

TattooBlade

TattooBlade

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Apr 4, 2009
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I'm considering a 3.5" fixed for my every day carry. I've been looking at some models from these guys. What do you think? Thanks
 
TattooBlade said:
Dozier vs Busse
I'm considering a 3.5" fixed for my every day carry. I've been looking at some models from these guys. What do you think? Thanks
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I think that Dozier and Busse make very different knives that are designed to be used for different purposes.

It's an apples and oranges thing.
 
Most of Dozier's knives are more about fine edges and hollow grinds. Most of Busse's are more about heavy edges and flat or even saber grinds.

If you really want something more for whittling and skinning game, get the Dozier. If you want something for general use, with a little beating around the edges, get a thin Busse - like a BAD or maybe a .14 Warden. If you want something that can take a serious beating, split wood and still make the occasional cut, get a fatter Busse - like a .20 Warden or MAD.

If you basically like knives, appreciate good stuff and are a willing patron - get both. I have some of both, and will say this: Each will teach you things about the other. Combined, they are worth more than the sum of their parts.
 
Dozier philosophy - knife is cutting tool. And he made them THE BEST.

Dozier-K30-001.jpg


This is my favorite now. Edge holding is just hard to believe. It is quite affordable and has excellent sheath as a standard feature. I never got disappointed with quality, attention to detais, support and steel.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
tsiloics said:
Most of Dozier's knives are more about fine edges and hollow grinds. Most of Busse's are more about heavy edges and flat or even saber grinds.

If you really want something more for whittling and skinning game, get the Dozier. If you want something for general use, with a little beating around the edges, get a thin Busse - like a BAD or maybe a .14 Warden. If you want something that can take a serious beating, split wood and still make the occasional cut, get a fatter Busse - like a .20 Warden or MAD.

If you basically like knives, appreciate good stuff and are a willing patron - get both. I have some of both, and will say this: Each will teach you things about the other. Combined, they are worth more than the sum of their parts.
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seriously now, this is a very good assessment.

when it comes down to quality makers, everything is very subjective.

ive owned many from both makers. bob dozier makes a wonderful product, and is known throughout the industry for his heat treatment of d2 steel. in general, they are a no frills, all business knife. many styles, but few options for individual knives.

busse combat knives tend to appeal to a different type of user/collector. they certainly have more "personality".

for similar sized knives, they are both priced about the same. objectively, neither is better than the other, imo.
 
This is another one - also my favorite:

Dozier-KS1-001.jpg


It is thicker - stronger. Like more heavyweight. Also no any disappointment. Edge stays perfect no matter what. In general Dozierd stay sharp way longer that any othe knives I know. Also excellent sheath included.

Thanks, Vassili
 
Vassilli---I like the Red D.
Busse or Dozier---you win.
I lean to the INFI side of the spectrum. :)
 
nozh2002 said:
This is another one - also my favorite:

Picture...

It is thicker - stronger. Like more heavyweight. Also no any disappointment. Edge stays perfect no matter what. In general Dozierd stay sharp way longer that any othe knives I know. Also excellent sheath included.

Thanks, Vassili
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Nice knife bud, but when are you going to put a killer 20 degree inclusive edge on it?!:eek:
Lycosa said:
Vassilli---I like the Red D.
Busse or Dozier---you win.
I lean to the INFI side of the spectrum. :)
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I agree wholeheartedly.:thumbup:
 
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GregS said:
Nice knife bud, but when are you going to put a killer 20 degree inclusive edge on it?!:eek:


I agree wholeheartedly.:thumbup:
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All my knives have same edge angle - 30 degree. I have only one 15 degree base and does not bother to have more or less, same sharpening same procedure for all my knives. Dozier knives as many other does not have any problem and performs just fine with this angle, actually they performs outstanding, but I doubt it is matter too much for good steel what angle it is.

So my "Killer edge" is perfect fit for most of knives I have most steels. I do not go extreme and do not put 20 degree edge as other knive experts here. Mostly because my setup for average edge works just fine. Fact that I have 30 degree proven here many times, not need to return to this - just do search in this subforum, it was all clearified few months ago.

Dozier edge out of the factory have excellent condition, thin, very sharp, not whittling hair, but way ahead on most manufacturers, except may be Spyderco. I do resharpen them any way - I like them to be hair whiteling sharp, but it take a little effort because edge does not need to be fixed, straighten etc... But again I just have same sharpening treatment for all knives - no exclusions, even for Dozier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP9tII6Tp7s&feature=channel_page

...But you right I may try it on Dozier. So far whatever I do with it, no matter what I cut and how I cut - it continue to amaize me!

Other plus I should mention - wide model line available to order any time.

Again Dozier focus on knife quality not market development, on thing which knife should do - cutting quality and doing this for many years better then any one, he is THE BEST. As I understand many starts using D2 only because of Dozier example, but no one yet came close to him in performance. No one came with D2, no one came close with any other steel. All high performance steel is yet behind, even ZDP189, SR101, CPM M4, BG-42, Silver steel, CPM 10V - all this steel behind good old WWII era D2 steel heat treated by Dozier!

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Here is result of my edge holding tests - Dozier D2 as you may see number one!

http://playground.sun.com/~vasya/Manila-Rope-Results.html

Here my other Dozier:

Dozier-KS7-01.jpg


I bought it just for collection, until year later during my tests realize how good it is. Before tests were done I have absolutely different view on what steel is the best etc. Mosty my opinion was formed on buzz and hypes here, but real cutting test settle everything straight and by surprise it was most quite manufacturer on the market - Dozier, who quitely in his shop just makes knives, grind blade, heat treat steels etc... And after so many years doing this (and only this) came to perfection.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
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It's a disservice to compare them directly. Both come from great makers, both are expensive, and both cut. Beyond that... well...
 
One more thing - he can do perfect fixed blade, he can do perfect folders as well. I am saving money now to got one of his folder - they are not as affordable as his fixed blades.

He even can make knife from different steel, if for some reason customer decided not to use his perfect D2.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
nozh2002 said:
No one came with D2, no one came close with any other steel. All high performance steel is yet behind, even ZDP189, SR101, CPM M4, BG-42, Silver steel, CPM 10V - all this steel behind good old WWII era D2 steel heat treated by Dozier!
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You should add "in my version of tests", which btw are really questionable.
Otherwise, everything else, starting from CATRA tests and ending with metallurgical data indicates different results.
B.D. is probably the best with D2 steel and very good knifemaker, but that is no reason to make a statement like the one above.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
ive owned many from both makers. bob dozier makes a wonderful product, and is known throughout the industry for his heat treatment of d2 steel. in general, they are a no frills, all business knife. many styles, but few options for individual knives.
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If by "options" you don't mean steel type, stock thickness, handle material, or mixing and matching blade length or handle type. :D

IOW, the Dozier shop will make just about anything for you.
Course you are going to wait for it.

busse combat knives tend to appeal to a different type of user/collector. they certainly have more "personality".
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I believe the Busse way of marketing knives has a lot to do with this.

for similar sized knives, they are both priced about the same. objectively, neither is better than the other, imo.
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Also, taking into consideration obtaining a great kydex sheath that disappears on your belt ($) (Busse comes w/o any sheath for that matter) and if you want the blade grind geometry as thin as a Dozier for pure cutting/slicing ability the Busse needs to be sent out for a regrind ($).

I owned one of the thinner GW's and still found it too thick and "wedgy". Don't know if the thinner ones are even made any more.

IMHO, they really are two different critters.

If the choice was between these two makers, and I needed one knife to "survive" in the woods for whacking and prying or use in the urban jungle (fireman, search and rescue, etc.) it would be Busse and infi.

For all else, including carry as an edc, I would pick Dozier.
 
For EDC, I'd definitely go Dozier. Great ergonomics. Great steel. Great blade geometry. Good fit and finish. More rust resistant than an Busse. Awesome Kydex sheaths. And because the knife is custom made, you can have exactly what you want. Not just what happens to be for sale on a website.

After trying a few Busse's, the only aspect of them that appeals to me is the INFI steel. It is an extraordinarily good carbon steel. The sheaths that came with my Busse's weren't very good. The fit and finish was quite lacking for the price. The grinds were too thick to be very useful. I didn't even find the ergonomics to be all that amazing. I really did try to like them, but ultimately they were just not very useful knives.
 
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