Dozier Wilderness?

N

NickM

Joined
May 1, 2002
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43
Does anyone have one of these. I'd like some info, or even pics of it other than what is on the Dozier site. Basically, how does it perform slicing, chopping etc? Can it handle light, (very light) prying? How is its edge holding (I expect it to be great)? Thanks

Nick
 
Came across this old post and thought I'd throw it back out. There has been very little written about this knife. Surely there are more people out there that own one, who can give some good feedback.
 
It seems that many people who start out wanting a Wilderness Knife end up buying a Dozier Professional Guides Knife in the end. The PGK is very highly regarded and reportedly has much better cutting efficiency than the Wilderness model.
 
I have a PGK and really love it. That knife just fits like an extension of my hand. Thought I might like the extra heft of the Wilderness. It's bigger, but not too big of a knife. Sounds funny coming from my mouth, since I feel my K1 is capable of performing 90+% of all my knife needs.

There hasn't been much written about the Wilderness, but a Wilderness/PGK comparison would make for great reading.
 
Bob Dozier has written a few words on the subject, if I remember correctly, on his web board. It might be worth doing a search there.
 
I've been to Bob's forum. Don't recall him writing about the Wilderness. I'll go back and check it out. Thanks....
 
I actually own a Dozier Wilderness. It's definitely larger than the PGK. My thoughts:

1) Most of the time when I'm out, my Dozier K1 is the only fixed blade I carry. It's enough knife.
2) I bought the Wilderness to take as a second larger knife when I'm hunting, on extended camping/hiking trips, etc. (Note: Big Game hunting for me usually involves something like a drop camp, a wilderness area, etc.)
3) I had a PGK, and sold it after I bought the Wilderness and compared the two. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the PGK, but... it was larger than I wanted to carry most of the time, and it wasn't so much larger than the K1 that it filled the niche I was looking for. The biggest advantage the Wilderness has for *me* is the larger, longer handle - especially when it's really cold and I'm wearing gloves. I also specifically wanted the thicker blade stock.

I have other small Doziers and I switch 'em around to suit what I'm doing. The only "big" knife I carry is the Wilderness, along with a GB mini from time to time.

I suspect that Buzzbait is correct, and that the PGK will (marginally) out-cut the Wilderness. Having held both side by side, I'm pretty sure that in the field the difference would be moot.

Hope this helps.
 
I'd like to see this side by side with some other know brands. Just to see a size comparison. It seems like it would be a nice companion to a large blade though.
 
I can get either a scan or a pic of one of my Wilderness knives (oops, kinda let that slip, didn't I?) along with a couple of other well know knives for size comparison, but someone will have to post it for me - my upgraded membership seems to have expired. Someone volunteer, and I'll get it to you this evening. I think I'll post my Full Convex Grind ( :D )Wilderness, just for kicks.

Other thoughts - if I was only going to own ONE Dozier (yeah, I know) it would probably be the PGK. It's a GREAT middle-of-the-road choice, but it doesn't fill the "bigger" niche for me.
 
Rainmaker870,

It's sounds like I'm following a path you have already taken. I own 2 Doziers, a PGK and K1. The K1 can handle most of my needs. When a larger knife is in order, or preferred, my PGK comes into play. My PGK fits my hand like Bob made it for me, personally. However, I'm thinking I will like the feel of the larger Wilderness. Although I use mostly smaller knives, knives with blades around 5-5.5" just feel right in my hands.

I have a Wilderness on order. After receiving it, I may also make the choice to hold onto one or the other, Wilderness vs PGK. Although, I would not be surprised if I kept both. Given how well the PGK fits me, even if I like the Wilderness better, I'm not so sure I can part with my PGK either.....
 
Actually, I had the opposite happen to me, with regard to the Pro Guide knife. I owned a couple of the Pro Guide knives, and for one reason or another, sold or traded them. Not a thing wrong with the knives. Then, I had the opportunity to hold a Wilderness Knife. Big difference to a guy with big hands like me. The Wilderness knife is basically a Pro Guide on steroids. A little thicker steel, and a little longer handle. All I know is, it works much better for those of us with bigger hands.
 
I guess like everything else, it boils down to person preference. Wish I had the opportunity to check out a Wilderness in person. I'll have to find out the hard way if I will like it better than my PGK or not, buy one...I do have one on order, but Bob has got some pretty long lines waiting.
 
How do you think this Bowie would compare to the PGK?

I've got a Dozier K1 and I was thinking the PGK would be a perfect "camping" knife / next step up. This Bowie is calling me though...

bowie.jpg
 
That Bowie looks significantly bigger than the PGK. I don't really think they compare. The Wilderness is slightly larger and thicker than the PGK. However, this Bowie looks to be much larger, pushing it into a different catagory.

As for the K1 and PKG combo, both are great knives. Either, combined with a small hatchet would get you through any camp chore. The PGK is no slouch. It's a heafy knife it its own right. Yet, not what I would consider big.

The Bowie does look to be quite a knife, though..... :)
 
Funny how great minds think... I too have both the Dozier PGK and the K-1 General Utility Knife. The K-1 is very handy with the standard horzontal carry sheath Dozier provides and would supplement any larger camp or wilderness knife. Remember the thread about what constitutes a survival knife. It's the knife you have with you at the moment. A small Dozier makes a great EDC (always) for the backwoods.
 
JohnnyO said:
That Bowie looks significantly bigger than the PGK. I don't really think they compare. The Wilderness is slightly larger and thicker than the PGK. However, this Bowie looks to be much larger, pushing it into a different catagory.

As for the K1 and PKG combo, both are great knives. Either, combined with a small hatchet would get you through any camp chore. The PGK is no slouch. It's a heafy knife it its own right. Yet, not what I would consider big.

The Bowie does look to be quite a knife, though..... :)
Click to expand...

Actually the specs are similar.

3/16" steel. 4.75" blade -vs- 5" blade.

9 3/16" overall -vs- 9 3/4"

440C -vs- D2

Mike
 
I think the K1 is just a little too small and I'm afraid that Bowie I posted a picture of is a little too big.

Seems like ~8" OAL (4" blade + 4" handle) would be perfect.

No matter how much I look, I keep coming back to the PGK as the ideal "camping" knife.

Mike
 
Pics may be worth a thousand words, but they sure are decieving. I thought that bowie was much larger than that. Closer to the PGK than I suspected. I don't know...The PGK just seems to be the perfect sized knife. It's not too big, nor is it too small.

As many of us, I have lots of knives, in all different sizes. The one I seem to grab most is my PGK. A few weeks ago my wife and I went on a wilderness survival weekend with the Colorado Mountain Club. The knife I chose to pack was my PGK.

Have you had the opportunity to check one out in person? I think once you held one in your hand you'll make up your mind pretty fast.
 
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