Is the Dominator the best Camillus?

fulloflead

fulloflead

Joined
May 3, 2002
Messages
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I just received my Camillus Dominator! I got it crazy-cheap on ebay LNIB. I'm totally in love with it already. It's got the tiniest bit of vertical blade play unless you squeeze the lock a bit and then it's fine. It fits my hand 2nd best of all my knives. (Microtech Amphibian being the best.) I like the snappy-quick little sabre-ground clip blade and thumb studs that WORK like thumb studs. I like the fairly-beefy ergonomic handle. The edge is ground disappointingly coarse, but I'll fix that the first time I sharpen it.;)

I've also had a Cuda Maxx before and played with an Aftermath passaround once that I liked, but those two didn't turn me on THAT much. I liked the big blades a lot, but the thin and/or uncomfortable handles didn't turn me on. But THIS knife makes me want to take a closer look at other Camillus Knives.

I do suspect, however, that this knife may be the best offering from Camillus.

Has anyone else tried all three of these? (Maxx, Aftermath, Dominator)
Anyone like OTHER Camillus knives better? (Not including Beckers, which I also love.)

I also like those Camillus knives with the sliding disc-opening system. I keep the hawk-billed one in the console of my SUV for emergencies. (Forgot what the disk-ones are called.)

I guess, given my fetish for metal-handled knives, I was bound to fall in love with one of these eventually. :D
 
I like the Dominator a lot, but the Aftermath is my favorite. Admittedly, if I didn't have a custom Madd Maxx that's around the size of the Dominator I might feel differently. :)

I don't find the grips on my Camillus Maxx or Aftermath thin or uncomfortable. They're actually thicker, although only by a few hundreths, according to my micrometer. The edges are somewhat less radiused on my Maxx, but about the same as on my Aftermath.

All three models are very close siblings and they belong at the top of the Camillus line...or any line, for that matter. ;)

--Bob Q
 
Walking Man said:
Full of Lead,
you're Gold, so do a poll....
I love polls!!!!
Click to expand...

I thought about doing that when I posted. ;)
But, since there are so many other Camillus models, and I didn't feel like looking them all up I figured the "OTHER" choice would encompass too much. I chose to have a discussion instead.
 
I have all 3 you mentioned(Maxx,Aftermath,Dominator), and the workmanship is so close to the custom version(which I have handled) that it simply amazes me everytime I open/handle it. I have a Maxx I keep out in my rv trailer for camping(great camp knife by the way), and my wife, and I both have a Dominator which is a later run, and work well but the smoothness, and perfection of the Aftermath is tops. I know it is more pricey, and much larger but I am talking quality of the knife itself. I may have been lucky on the one I got but I handled another one before settling on the one I have(got at a knife, and gun show so more than one to choose from)but it is so close to a custom(oh I already said that :D ) it to me is the best folder they have put out. I also have one of the older Cuda's with the sliding disc that is pretty unique, and smooth, and even had the one fulloflead is talking about with the serrated hawkbill but traded it off but my vote is still the aftermath. I like big knives anyway(as well as the shorter ones, heck I like all sizes :D )of all the Camillus knives I have owned over the years still is the best they have ever made.
Sorry for the long post :D
Just my .02 cents rounded off to a buck.........

Larry
 
bquinlan said:
...I don't find the grips on my Camillus Maxx or Aftermath thin or uncomfortable. They're actually thicker, although only by a few hundreths, according to my micrometer... --Bob Q
Click to expand...

Thanks for adding that fact. (Facts are always good. :) )
Perhaps it was just a PERCEPTION of mine. In my opinion 5.5-inch blade SEEMS and FEELS like it SHOULD have a thicker handle than those models do. Maybe that's why I didn't like them.

The REKAT SIFU had a similar blade but a thicker handle and felt better; I just hated the roll-lock.

I can totally imagine how you'd be happy with your custom versions.
 
Well, my .02 is...
I up until last Sept., was mostly a small fixed blade carrying guy. Buying the Dominator at the AECA show changed all that. I usually carry my Dominator unless I get bored and go with one of my previously carried small fixed blades. The Dom fits my hand well, the S30v sharpens up nicely and stays sharp a long time. I dig the robo assist... quite addictive at times. The only other folder I carry is the CUDA Maxx 5.5, so I guess Camillus must be doing something right. I love the Maxx too, just not the most sheeple friendly knife out there. I have found the Maxx to have an amazing cutting blade though... last week I had to cut up alot of cardboard, the really thick kind. The Maxx zipped through it like a knife through hot butter. Much better than any other knife in my collection. I did feel I had to touch it up on the diamond stone a little afterwards, but the blade geometry and fine D2 steel made short work of a stack of cardboard that was ultimately about three feet high. (that's a ton of cardboard folks...)
So, in conclusion... yes Fulloflead, I love the Dominator and Maxx 5.5. They are the only folders I have (non-slipjoint of course) that I regularly carry and use. Camillus makes a fine product that I would highly recommend to anyone who will listen.
 
Mongo said:
...and fine D2 steel made short work of a stack of cardboard ...
Click to expand...

I have experience and a fondness for D2. I wish the Dominator was D2, but only because I know the steel well and have had good experiences with it in usage and sharpening. Though, I admit, I have zero experience with S30V so I guess I should probably give it a chance too. D2 was once new to me too, so I never know until I try. :confused:
 
fulloflead said:
I just received my Camillus Dominator! I got it crazy-cheap on ebay LNIB. I'm totally in love with it already.
Click to expand...


See my comments on your poll. The Dominator is really a winner. A great size and sculpted to fit the hand very comfortably. The Robo mechanism also seems to be very well designed and virtually foolproof and durable. Another terrific collaboration between Camillus and Darrel Ralph. :cool:
 
Yes I think the Dominator is the best folder Camillus makes. I would pick the Fisk OVB Southwestern bowie for the fixed blade.
Good Collecting !
JOCKO
 
i have the Dominator and Aftermath... love both. Dominator will be soon given up to a close family friend who is going to graduate from classes (police) as he is need of a qaulity knife. i have a replacement Dominator on the way. love the S30V steel as it is aesy to maintain and stays sharp for a long time for a stainless blade. the aftermath may look really big for carry, but it does carry well in my jean pocket... hardly know it's there. the Aftermath is just not that discrete when u have to use it. got some concerned looks :eek: when i went to the recycling depot and had to cut up some boxes to fit in the bin slot. Dominator is perfect size for me at work and home.
 
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