Ingram, May or Dozier

T

trailside22

Joined
Sep 8, 2005
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I am going to order a new custom knife for hunting and camping. I have narrowed it down to these three makers and would like some input from some of you that have used knives from any of these makers. I am wanting a knife that will be razor sharp and hold an edge. Something in the 4 inch blade range. Do you have a model suggestion from any of these? Thanks for your help.
 
I have never used a May or Ingram. I am sure they are fantastic. But I can say this much:

A knife (or at least a fixed blade) is basically three things. A blade, a handle, and a carry system of some sort.

Bob Dozier is known for his D2 heat treatment. His knives are renowned for their edges, sickenly thin grinds, and their edge retention. He is the dean of D2. This doesn't mean May's or Ingram's knives will not cut as well or hold an edge as long, but Dozier is really a legend when it comes to that stuff.

Dozier is also known for his extremely comfortable handles. They feel good in every grip. Again, I am sure May and Ingram make comfortable knives, but Bob Dozier is considered by many to really be the king of great handles.

And sheaths? Well, Bob Dozier is probably the best sheath maker. Period. Personal opinion, of course, but it isn't an unpopular opinion.

Whether Dozier, May, or Ingram is better for you is for you to decide. It is totally subjective. You might like A, while Joe Smith likes B.

But without experiencing several knives from all three makers, well, Dozier has the better rep in every applicable area, as far as I can tell.

I am sure I would like May's and Ingram's knives as well, but the ergonomic ques I see in Doziers knives do not appear to be on May's and Ingram's knives. And I doubt they may the best Kydex sheaths in the world, because Bob already holds that title. So I don't see much of a reason to try a May or Ingram knife when I can spend the money on another Dozier.

While my opinion is my honest opinion and not colored in any way by invalid motives, you may want to take what I say with a grain of salt. I am a big Dozier fan. But I speak highly of his knives and am a big fan because the knives deserve it.

I am selling off all of my other knives so that I can buy more Doziers. I do not see a reason to use/carry any of my other knives when I can use a Dozier instead.

That may either make me seem very biased, or maybe show you that Dozier's knives are worth looking into.

However, Dozier's knives also tend to be more expensive than the other two makers. That is a factor.

For a ~4 Hunting Dozier, look at the Yukon Pro Skinner, Master Skinner, and Master Hunter (through A.G. Russell).

Between www.dozierknives.com and www.agrussell.com I am sure you will find something you want.
 
I have 2 Charles May knives, and they are fantastic!

Holt Collier Special in Ironwood and FireAnt in Cocbolo, both D2.

Holt&Fireant-1.jpg


His sheaths are as good as his knives also.
 
Allow me to jump in with a word for Mr. Ingram. I have more than a couple of his knives, and I'll say that while he doesn't have the near cult-like status of Mr. Dozier, he DOES put out a great knife. I can't see you really going wrong with any of these makers. Gene has been nothing but a dedicated professional in all his dealings with me. He's been on-time, on-budget, and delivered a product that was superior to production knives in every way. His leather sheath work is also just marvelous.
 
I would also say Ingram He does great quality at a real good price. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these makers.
Cheers
Mitch
 
Any of these three makers should be able to provide you with an excellent knife, as long as you communicate exactly what you want. Be as detailed as possible, and tell them exactly what duties the knife is to perform. Being vague will only get you a knife that is not quite what you were after.

With that said, I can dispense some advice on buying a Dozier. First off, have Bob’s web page up when making your call. Tell the order taker (probably won’t be Bob, but you can always ask to speak with him directly) exactly what you will be using the knife for, and how large your hand is. You will probably be given a couple of good model options, which you can look at from the web site. Then go with the model that speaks to you the most.

Also, Bob likes to grind his knives thin, for an extremely high level of cutting efficiency. If you’re absolutely sure that you want a more robust edge, make it clear that you want this.

And….. And this a scream to do as I say, make sure that you order at least two different sheath styles. Everybody who orders a knife from Bob, always wishes that they’d ordered more sheath options. Make sure that one of your sheath options is a wilderness style (Sheath F) sheath. It’s the best Kydex sheath I’ve ever used.
 
I really like Gene's knives and have several. I have also had Dozier's knives. I have not had any from May but plan to some day soon. I see all of them being excellent users. I know Gene is an avid hunter and designs his knives to be used as do the other two. Another to look at in this catagory might be Tom Krein as he too makes a very good "user" knife.

At any rate, my choice would probably be Gene Ingram. :D
 
All three blades are going to be on par with each other. Gene's blades are super and he is a second generation maker so he knows what he is doing and has had a good teacher. Mr. May makes super blades also. Bob Dozier is pretty much a living legend in many ways. He is older, and perhaps his heat treatment is something to brag on but really heat treating D2 is not rocket science. I've not had a D2 blade I didn't like really.

For me in this line up the deciding factor is the sheath. Bob's sheath in the horizontal carry is the best in the business. It takes that hunting knife and makes it easier to carry everyday, and its out of the way in very much what would be considered a tactical quick draw position for making your hunting knife a super quick fast draw in a pinch. The others are great but to me the sheath and the mode of carry is as important as anything. I mean afterall thats where it will ride 90% of the time until you need it.

STR
 
Check out the knives by David Winston. I one of his and it is top notch. I would put the knives from each of these fellows in the same category.
 
I don't have a Charles May knife, but I do have an Ingram and 2 Doziers. All 3 are excellent knives. Both makers tend to have more choices in the sub-4" range and less models of larger knives.

I can only speak from the knives I own, but the Ingram's handle has a slightly higher level of finish, the Doziers are more of a working-knife finish. Still quite good, but just not as refined, or "polished" as the Ingram. Both Doziers have slightly more comfortable handles. These were "off the rack" knives, I'm sure both makers can do anything you want with the handle material if you ask. The Ingram blade's horizontal satin finish looks a bit nicer to me.

Doziers are readily available from dealers like A.G. Russell, but the waiting list for a shop order is 3-4 months now. Ingram quoted me 5 months last year, and he delivered 2 weeks early.

They all three cut and slice like sharks with laser beams attached to their heads.

Man, you're in a pickle. It's gonna be hard for you to pick one but I hope my observations can help you decide.
 
I own a collection of Dozier's but not any from the other makers mentioned. I'll bet they all make great knives. Bob however is the knifemaker I have now tended to stick with. Bob's knives do everything I want. I wanted knives that cut. I don't want to dig holes etc. with my knife. When I use Bob's knives I am in cutting heaven. Over the years I have also come to realise that the blade is only part of a package that includes the sheath, the grip etc. The handles on Bob's knives are as comfy as. Bob's sheaths are magnificent. I always wear suspenders and rarely a belt. Bob made me up shoulder sheaths for my larger knives that have suspender clips on them - just magnificent. The horizontal sheath my smaller knives come with simply slip onto my suspenders and carry perfectly - and Bob's sheaths have just the best and easiest way of safely securing the knife yet allowing it to be withdrawn with one hand. And then there is Alicia. You won't find any better customer service person in the business - simply a lovely lady to deal with.
 
I have owned several Doziers (still own 2), and I have liked them all. I own a couple of Ingrams, but no Mays. Everything that's been said about Dozier's sheaths is true. They are about the best out there. The Ingram sheaths I have are leather and well made functional pieces.

A couple of things to remember. 1) Kydex sheaths will get cold and crack in very cold climates (I live in Alaska), 2) Ingram makes knives in various types of steel. If D2 is what you want then Dozier is a good way to go, but if you want something in S30V, or something else then Ingram can provide that for you. D2 is great steel, but it is not as rugged as some others if you are looking for a hard use knife and not just a skinner or cutter.
 
I have knives by all 3 of these makers. I would have to agree that you could not go wrong with either of those options.

I agree with STR about the Dozier horizontal sheath. It is so easy to use and carry it really stands out. The leather sheaths that came with my Charles May and Gene Ingram knives have also been excellent work and very usable.

I will also suggest considering Tom Krein and Bill Buxton. I have a couple of their knives and they are right in the same class you are considering. Bill's EDC model in forged 52100 is functional beauty to behold.

It's a win/win either way you go. If you are in a position to get a knife by any of those makers, you are in a good position. :thumbup:

There are lots of excellent knife makers who offer blades for sale on the Knifemakers forum here as well.
 
Just got confermation that my 5th Dozier is in the mail. It is a KS-7 Wilderness knife with white paper micarta handles. The edge of the Wilderness knife is ground a little thicker then the rest of his knives so it can be used as more of an all purpose knife with 5" blade. This knife was designed by Steven Dick, editor of Tactical Knives as an all around treking and survival knife that will take more of a beating with out the edge deforming from jobs like batoning to split wood for fires.

Get a Dozier, he really know what he is doing.

Ciao
Ron
:eek:
 
Trailside-

There are a few great Dozier Knives in stock right now.

Click here to see the Featured Inventory page:

http://www.dozierknives.com/inventory.html

Our average lead time on an order is 4 months. If you do decide on a Dozier give us a call, we will be happy to assist you with your selection so you get the knife you are looking for.

Happy hunting!!

P.S Thank you Glenn!

Alicia
888-823-0023
 
I have a Dozier and it's a great knife. Someone already mentioned David Winston. I have one of his also, in D2, and it's perfect.
 
Thank you all for your help! You have made made it even harder to choose. The wife would kill me if I ordered one from all three makers. I am going to order a Dozier on Tuesday. Now the question is which one?
 
I really, really like this little guy
rocksK9.jpg

The Personal Utility (K-9?)
Small enough to have with you, big enough for most everyday chores.
 
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