It may be "apples and oranges", but help me decide which...

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
8,969
Greetings all, I have come into $200 of mad money to spend on myself and have a few choices, all of them Camillus. Here's my choices with a potential list of pros and cons...
1. Cuda Maxx 5.5 plain edge. Pros: clip-point style blade, D2 steel, titanium handles, frame lock, meant to be flicked open, fairly high cool and pucker factors. Cons: too big for EDC???, probably too long for legal issues.

2. Camillus Dominator. Pros: S30V blade steel, titanium, robo-mechanism, high cool factor, decent all around size. Cons: not available yet, still haven't seen a clip side pic, not available yet.

3. The Aftermath. Pros: robo-mechanism, high cool and pucker factors, great styling. Cons: not available yet, costs more than the above two, size concerns for carrying, legality issues again on blade length, have never been able to sharpen a recurve blade without swearing up a blue streak, not available yet.

4. Southwest OVB bowie. Pros: Jerry Fisk design is simply gorgeous, like the fiddleback maple better than the desert ironwood (at least in comparing the first two OVB's), great choice to display with it's 7" brother. Cons: cost higher than the above 3, seriously doubt that I would ever USE this knife... much too pretty to use when I could bash up my BK-9 instead, would certainly get the "what are you going to use THAT for?" from my wife

So, do I go for instant gratification with the Maxx? Wait a little for the Dominator, and actually stand a good chance of carrying this one? Hold out for the Aftemath because of it's stunning good looks? Get the OVB simply because it's there, and I want it?

Help me out here, I can wait if I have to get something other than the Maxx, but it will be difficult!;)
Mongo
 
If it were me, I'd wait a little while and try to stash some cash! Then you might be able to pick up two, instead of one! Pick up a Dominator and a CUDA Maxx at the same time. That way, you don't have to safe up as much money. The CUDA Maxx is an awesome knife! I carry mine or my Madd Maxx daily. Length is not a major concern for me. I have had the Aftermath from Darrel and it is just as awesome as the Madd Maxx. Darrel also told me about the Camillus version and is extremely impressed. He said it is darn near as good as his Aftermath! That's saying a lot! After having the Maxx and Aftermath for a while, I decided I wanted to stay with the Maxx. I ended up moving the Aftermath for a Maxx 2 that Darrel is making. That is just a personal preference on my part. I haven't seen clip side of the Dominator, but I would imagine it won't be very different than the side you have seen. It will be tip down
 
I don't know... theres something magical about that southwest bowie... I got two and I am gonna use one. You know you have other edc's but this ovb is something else. The lightness that does not feel flimsey, the balance...the size- its like giant camp knife with class...
 
Mongo,
Its simple really.....the FISK SW Bowie is limited to 750 pieces...you better buy it now, or it will be gone forever:eek:
 
If I were you, I'd buy a BK-7, a BK-9, and a BK-10...After buying those 3 excellent knives, you'd still have enough money left-over to take your wife/girlfriend out to lunch with.
 
I'll probably end up with 3 of the 4... (yeah, Will is grinning now) I just ordered the CUDA Maxx 5.5 plain edge from Roger at Bayou La Fourche because I want some instant gratification. I will continue to save up for the Dominator and get one when it becomes available. I also am on a diet, and doing quite well with my weight loss goals. I had a great idea at the beginning of my diet to use the SW OVB as my reward when I get to my target weight. I have already lost about half of the amount to my goal, so it oughta be easy to get there in a couple of months at the most. I'm still waiting on Dirk's opinion on the Aftermath vs. the Maxx from a email I sent him earlier today. If anyone else who has owned both wants to chime in, please feel free. Now I gotta wait till the end of the week at least till I can play with a new sharp-pointy.
Mongo
 
If you must use that Fisk OVB as a reward for yourself, then I say reward yourself now! I've got the first one in fiddleback maple and it is simply astounding.

I had the same concerns as you... I didn't want to use it at all. I ran into Jerry in the chat room and told him what I was thinking. He sez:

"That thing is made to work..... go forth!"

Problem solved. I'll happily chop away the rest of my days with it, and I'll bet my sons will too.
 
The nice part of this is that there are no bad choices.

I already own both versions of the Maxx plus the Southwest Bowie. And I have the Aftermath and Dominator on order. :D

--Bob Q
 
My Maxx just came, ultra late UPS delivery even. I have just spent literally the last 20-30 minutes flicking it open. All my employees think I am nuts to start with, but confirmed their suspicions when they saw the size of this one! It's not even too bad in right side "felony carry" IWB. This knife just rocks! The wife even knows about this one, so I can bring it home and confirm her suspicions that I am a knut.
Gotta go, flicking madly, Mongo
 
I also think you ought to get the Fisk Bowie before the Dominator. The scarcity is the driving factor, as Will pointed out. The Dominator should be around for you when you have the funds.
 
I have the Camillus EDC and several Ralph custom EDCs. I have several Mad Maxx, and both the dagger and clip-point Camillus versions. I have a Ralph Aftermath, and I have the Camillus Aftermath and Dominator on order.

Having established my bona fides (as well as my general lack of impulse control), I'd have to agree with Gator97 and say the Aftermath is a must have. I'd rate it well above any of the other knives. Let's all ooh and aah at a picture from the Camillus website:

cu2562.jpg


Two caveats - I have large hands that fit the Aftermath really well, and I don't particularly like bowies, regardless of authorship.

Of course Bob Q. is right in that there are no bad choices on your list.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top