help me pick a first fixed blade...

B

Billmanweh

Joined
Sep 5, 2002
Messages
606
Ok, after picking up a Sebenza, I think I've got my folder needs met for the time being. Now I'm setting my sights on my first non-kitchen fixed blade. I'd like something with around a 4" blade, with that same type of refined fit and finish and styling as the Sebenza. Definitely more Sebenza than Swamp Rat/Strider.

Is there any reason not to just get the Dozier that looks the most interesting to me? I've just read nothing negative about them. Anything else I should check out in that same price range/quality level?
 
Since u have a Sebenza, why not getting a Mk VI for your fixed blade need? :) 4.5 inches blade. Good price too.
 
Check out the Fallkniven NL4 and NL5: they are beautiful, very well made, and the VG10 laminated blades hold an excellent edge.
 
Swamp Rat is refined, at least enough so that I kinda hesitate before using it. But then I usually start doing something it wasn't intended to do and it still does a good job of it. I love my SR. .
 
There is no reason not to get a Dozier, I haven't heard a bad word about his knives ever.

There is also a custom maker who used to work for Chris Reeve and went onto business on his own (think his name is Scott Cook). Used to hear a lot about him on the forums, but not as much anymore, you'll have to search the gallery forum to find some stuff on him. Anyhow, he makes a folder very similar to the sebenza, maybe a little classy, and has some fixed blades that are pretty similar.
 
Matt Shade said:
There is no reason not to get a Dozier, I haven't heard a bad word about his knives ever.
Click to expand...

Let me second that.

Other than a Dozier, take a look at the Benchmade Nimravus. Or just have a knifemaker make a fixed blade according to your specs.
 
Billman said:
Is there any reason not to just get the Dozier that looks the most interesting to me? I've just read nothing negative about them. Anything else I should check out in that same price range/quality level?
Click to expand...
I don't think you could go wrong with whatever Dozier catches your eye. In about the same price range are Tom Krein's knives - I've never held one but I ordered one just the same. Tom worked in Bob Dozier's shop, and Bob heat treats the D2 - what more could you want? The waiting period is 3 months right now, it might be a good idea to get in an order before it's 12 months.
 
The Jon & Josh Graham knives like the razel are amazing. You should wander over the the passaround forum. Currently we have 2 different makers fixed blades, and more to come..
 
I'll take a look at some of the other suggestions. I really do like the Doziers that I've seen on the net. They just seem to have a nice, simple sense of quality about them.

I'll also check out the passaround forum, I hadn't noticed that before.
 
Scott Cook large or small owyhee has the blade shape of a sebenza and feel great in the hand.
If you want a good production knife the buck vanguard from cabela's in s30v,alaskan series is nice also.
 
I bought a Dozier Straight Personal immediately after a small Sebenza and found that the blade shapes and sizes are almost identical. The Dozier however, is much more solid feeling and the handle is fantastic for me. I find myself handling the Dozier much more than the Sebenza.
I'm still waiting on my Bark River Mikro--the Dozier was in stock and arrived in days!
Greg
 
All excellent suggestions here. I would just like to throw in Bark River Knife & Tool. The fit and finish may not be as refined as the knives previously mentioned but the convex ground blades are awesome cutters. Bark River still has a ways to go on their sheaths.

You could communicate with the various dealers to find one with better fit and finish. I suggest a Fox River which is one of the latest models.
 
Billman, the Doziers not only look interesting, but are the most functional due to their simple uncomplicated shapes. Less is more?! If you have decided to get a Dozier made, go to their knife discussion forum, in General Discussion and find that recent thread that lists "inventory". Lots of fix blades there. Some or most may be gone. But catching one means no need to wait the 12 months backlog! Good luck.

www.dozierknives.com

N2
 
Just go with a Dozier. My first custom fixed blade was a Dozier K-4, and it's still the fixed blade that gets used the most by me. Owning a Dozier is pretty close to owning functional perfection. For utility work, Doziers are flat out amazing.

Bark River is also a pretty darned good choice. The sheaths are not exceptional, but if convex grinds are your kind of thing, the Bark Rivers are wonderfully functional. I carried my Bark River throughout my summer of trail hiking, and it was pleasure to use. If you're into woodcraft/campcraft, Bark River is a superb choice.
 
Yes!!! Bark River Knife & Tool makes excellent knives. the quality of their products exceeds the standards of other comparably priced knives, far and away.
also, check out gene ingram's customs.
peace.
 
the more I check out different sites and pictures, the more I think the Dozier is what I'll get. now to pick the one I want first...
 
I would look at some Loveless fixed blades. He does a couple great ones with lonewolf. You might be able to find some originals if you shop around.
-KC
 
Perhaps the prudent thing to do is delay your decision......

Rather than going with the recommendations given - please don't get me wrong - they are all sincere and well intentioned - but may not necessarily be your choice - and that may turn out to be an expensive mistake to make........

Instead buy a next to no cost knife and use it and discover for yourself what you might or might not like in a fixed blade - then based on your own experience, make an informed decision.

So what's a "next to no cost" (read cheap) knife that's not going to be rubbish?

A Swedish Mora knife -
a good starting point is probably the trusted Swedish (as opposed to Swiss :D) Army Knife - these are made by Frosts or KJ Eriksson of Sweden -
760mg.jpg


546-4sc-150pxls.jpg


They normally are about $10......

At that price you probably can have one of them,
and still buy your dream knife.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

http://home.cogeco.ca/~aelias/frostsknives.htm

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
 
A Ferman in 3V would work well if you like overbuilt knives, as would many Striders. Depends what you like, I like overbuilt, military oriented fixed blades for users, and Striders are definitely that. :) The Chris Reeve one pc. line are hard to beat though for sheer strength. and yes, they are refined too.
 
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