How tough is the Domino?

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CloudsRest

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Feb 26, 2014
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The Domino is just gorgeous and I've had my eye on it for a while. I've never handled or owned a Spyderco though, which is why I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on one. How tough would you say the Domino is? It looks like a highly refined knife, and I'm slightly concerned that it would look less refined after I put it through its paces. I'm not easy on my knives, and I do a lot of camping. I'm looking at the Manbug too, which might make more sense for a first Spyderco, but I need to spend at least $99 to qualify for free shipping...
 
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Have you seen a Manbug in person, or in size reference to other knives, or even a coin?
It's not going to get much done while camping. They are tiny. Cool for their size though.


But, regarding the Domino, it has some of the finest fit and finish, as well as materials, of any Spyderco currently made. Even lock-bar face is replaceable.
"Domino" is now universally synonymous with "smooth fast flipping". :D :thumbup:
I have only had mine for about 2 months now, so I haven't fully put it through the ringer, but it works so well and I don't have one complaint.

Also, as I see it, "Camping" is a relative term, so it's hard to say how it may work for you.
For some people camping might entail only the most minimal lightweight items and covering ground fast and agile with minimal luxury. Others it may mean park the car or even RV, open the trunk and get out the air compressor and mattress and fire up the chainsaw and bug zapper... so really depends on what you're needing the tool for.
Domino won't be processing maple firewood by the face cord. But it'll get plenty of utility and survival tasks done if needed.
I'd say it should handle anything reasonably expected of any mid size folder.

But if you want proven long term stout, maybe look toward a Gayle Bradley or Military.
 
I have to agree with the previous poster. I picked up one of the 204p dominos from BBS, and its a really well made knife with a very thinly ground blade. If your idea of camping tasks extends beyond cutting line or slicing food, I'd look into something more substantial (like a GB).
 
It is plenty strong for any cutting or slicing. Just don't pry or baton with it and you should be fine. Imho both the PM2 and the Military are better outdoor knives though.
 
I didn't use my domino for very hard tasks so don't know its limit of toughness. But for usual urban edc tasks, it is tough enough. Apart from toughness, it is so far the best slicer among the knives I own, at least as good as or even better than my Chaparral.
 
It's a decent flipper, great slicer, and fine for EDC, but I wouldn't put it in the same league with something like the Military or PM2 because of it's extremely thin tip.
I think the Kershaw Leek is the only folder I have with a thinner tip.

So for camping, and for your first Spyderco, I'd highly suggest the ParaMilitary 2 over the Domino. But that's just me.
 
Rasco said:
It's a decent flipper, great slicer, and fine for EDC, but I wouldn't put it in the same league with something like the Military or PM2 because of it's extremely thin tip.
I think the Kershaw Leek is the only folder I have with a thinner tip.

So for camping, and for your first Spyderco, I'd highly suggest the ParaMilitary 2 over the Domino. But that's just me.
Click to expand...

To expand on this, the Para 2 and the Military might have thinner tips height-wise than the Domino, but the Domino's blade is much thinner width-wise than it looks. It tapers off very nicely and makes a very efficient slicer.

I never realized this until I got one in hand, it's tough to tell from pictures.
 
SpeedHoles said:
Have you seen a Manbug in person, or in size reference to other knives, or even a coin?
It's not going to get much done while camping. They are tiny. Cool for their size though.


But, regarding the Domino, it has some of the finest fit and finish, as well as materials, of any Spyderco currently made. Even lock-bar face is replaceable.
"Domino" is now universally synonymous with "smooth fast flipping". :D :thumbup:
I have only had mine for about 2 months now, so I haven't fully put it through the ringer, but it works so well and I don't have one complaint.

Also, as I see it, "Camping" is a relative term, so it's hard to say how it may work for you.
For some people camping might entail only the most minimal lightweight items and covering ground fast and agile with minimal luxury. Others it may mean park the car or even RV, open the trunk and get out the air compressor and mattress and fire up the chainsaw and bug zapper... so really depends on what you're needing the tool for.
Domino won't be processing maple firewood by the face cord. But it'll get plenty of utility and survival tasks done if needed.
I'd say it should handle anything reasonably expected of any mid size folder.

But if you want proven long term stout, maybe look toward a Gayle Bradley or Military.
Click to expand...

I agree. The Domino is the best flipper I've had.
Fires very fast and smooth,very easy to unlock. Just pure precision.
 
MacLaren1 said:
I agree. The Domino is the best flipper I've had.
Fires very fast and smooth,very easy to unlock. Just pure precision.
Click to expand...

The Domino is a very well engineered Flipper, it does compare well to my ZT 0562 for smoothness.
I carry the Domino with me every day and flip it a lot just because its fun to flip.
Lock up has not changed since it was new.
Great knife and although I havn't done anything major with it, it seems plenty tough.
 
pcguy23 said:
The Domino is a very well engineered Flipper, it does compare well to my ZT 0562 for smoothness.
I carry the Domino with me every day and flip it a lot just because its fun to flip.
Lock up has not changed since it was new.
Great knife and although I havn't done anything major with it, it seems plenty tough.
Click to expand...

Reckon I should say I've yet to do anything tough with her yet ;)
I like my 562cf quite a bit :)
 
I carry my keys (just 2 or 3 usually), and a tiny flashlight called a Photon on a small peice of paracord. That's my lightweight keychain pretty much. I go on fitness walks, hike, backpack and go to the gym and often wear nylon shorts. I don't like to have a bunch of heavy stuff in the pockets flopping around or pulling the shorts down- not good. At .6 Oz. I could see throwing the Manbug on the paracord also just to have a small blade handy if needed. Wouldn't even know it's in my pocket at that weight. Could also be a small backup knife when backpacking. Some knife is better than no knife. I do not own the knife but have seen it. Tiny.

I do own the Military and PM2. I have not bought a folder in over 15 years, I am mostly a fixed blade type person up until a month ago. I think basically I kept on hearing (or reading) about the PM2 as a gotta have knife, the end all knife or in some cases the "grail" knife. I bought one. Of course it was based off the military so I had to buy one of those also. Actually two!

I'm going to agree also with the suggestion of a PM2 or Military. These knives are light enough for the blade length to carry backpacking. Both of these knives cost enough that I would try to take good care of them in the field. I just don't have enough $$ to not take good care of them. I would use a fixed blade for the heavy stuff and use the folder for what a knife is supposed to do mainly which is cutting. I see spyderco does make fixed blades, don't know about the availibility.

I have done some testing with both of my Spydercos, mainly cutting rib-eyes, veggies, etc. Have tried a few bushcraft type things such as removing bark, making a small hole, etc. Both the PM2 and military are great. I would probably lean towards the Military.
 
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