K-9 Dingo comparsion wanted

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Nov 27, 2007
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I know that the K-9 folks have their own forum over on Manufacturers but I was wondering if I can get an unbiased review of the Dingo compared to other similar knives (Busse, Swamprat, Ranger)? The Dingo just became available a short time ago and I would love to hear some comparisons of similar style knives.
 
I have my dingo, however i have not used it much as of yet, i hope to use it this weekend. I took it on a canoe trip and learned that it corrodes super fast, maybe Tom can chime in and offer some tips on removing corrosion without damaging finish much. Anyhow, I like the feel of it and the black g-10 handles rock, even when wet. I look forward to running it thru some good use tasks.
 
I know that the Dingo CPM 3V steel is top-tier and considered a supersteel by many.

It is NOT stainless though, that is the CPM 30V.

This is from Crucible at http://www.crucibleservice.com/datash/ds3Vv5b.pdf?CFID=361355&CFTOKEN=54816378
CPM 3V is a new tool steel made by the Crucible Particle
Metallurgy process, designed to provide maximum resistance
to breakage and chipping in a highly wear-resistant steel.
CPM 3V offers impact toughness greater than A2, D2,
Cru-Wear or CPM M4, approaching the levels of S7 and
other shock resistant grades, while providing excellent
wear resistance, high hardness and thermal stability for
coatings. Intended to be used at HRC 58-60 CPM 3V
can replace high alloy tool steels in wear applications
where chronic tool breakage and chipping problems are
encountered.
The CPM process produces very homogeneous, high
quality steel characterized by superior dimensional stability,
grindability, and toughness compared to steels produced
by conventional processes.

I wonder if the bead blasted surface treatment on the blade might invite a bit more corrosion?

You might just want to carry a Marine Tuff-Cloth in your pack and wipe the blade down prior/after damp use. That's what I usually do with non-stainless knives.
 
I wonder if the bead blasted surface treatment on the blade might invite a bit more corrosion?

That's precisely what it does, because it makes more little pockets for moisture to accumulate in. The good news is that it also, happily, makes it easier for wax/oils to adhere to the blade. I actually use clear polyurethane on a lot of my non-stainless exposed tangs, and it works very nicely protecting them from my hands. I've even used it on the blades before---if you're not doing a lot of work where the blade will be abraded, it actually lasts pretty well. And, as it wears, you can always clean it up and reapply when you get back home. My little hunter/skinner set are both O1, and are often covered in blood, and so far no rust and no pitting...which is SAYING something for O1. :)
 
The SMOKE finish on the Dingo's is not just a bead blasted finish. If simply left bead blasted it would invite rust and make it rust more readily.

We go one step farther, we hand rub each blade with a burgundy scotch bright pad. This keeps the subdued finish, but makes it much slicker and less porous/increases corrosion resistance.

Another good thing about this finish is that it is VERY easy to touch up in the field or at home. Simply go to your local hardware store and purchase a burgundy scotch bright pad (they are usually with the sand paper). Use a piece of it with some WD40 or water with a bit of dishsoap in it and rub the blade long ways. WATCH out for the edge as it will dull it and you can get a nasty cut.

CPM 3V is for sure not a stainless steel, but it is a big step over simple carbon steels like 52100, 5160, 1095, etc...

Tom
 
I know that the K-9 folks have their own forum over on Manufacturers but I was wondering if I can get an unbiased review of the Dingo compared to other similar knives (Busse, Swamprat, Ranger)? The Dingo just became available a short time ago and I would love to hear some comparisons of similar style knives.

A high carbon for sure, its a great knife and comparable to a BATAC in size. First thing I do with any new blade is resharpen to my liking. On my Busse's its usually a convex. I actually liked the angle the Dingo was delivered in so a few runs over a sharpener and it was perfect for the profile in my opinion.

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While "beefy" in size its deceiving in weight. The knife handles very well and is very comfortable in the hand. I was surprised when I laid the BATAC and the Dingo together. The Dingo is a bit thicker but again, light. The knife I ordered came with the G-10 handle material versus the micarta offered. I'll post later on when the knife has seen more use but as you can probably tell from the ASH and the BATAC, I don't buy safe queens.....they see use. I've the BATAC the longest and it shows. LOL The finish had so many scratches and dings I finally just removed it all.

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Hey guys,
Put my Dingo to the test a little bit over the last two days and was VERY impressed:thumbup:

I spent some time this afternoon chopping various things. Tree limbs in the back yard, kindling for the firepit, a 2x4, and an aged oak log from the wood pile. Even hacked through some cardboard boxes for a while just to give it some more exercise;)

The Dingo was very comfy in the hand, with no hot spots so far. Chopping went smoothly and quickly, performance was spot on the whole way through.

This is my first knife made with CPM 3V, and I am definitely impressed. I've read through the steel's profile on Crucible's website and have seen the graph comparisons with A2 and D2. I thought, wow!! is it really that much tougher and wear resistant?? In a word......YES. After this afternoon's chopping session, the Dingo could still shave hair off my forearm, and had no visible damage to the edge whatsoever! (Of course, it WAS ground by Tom Krein, so it's not all that surprising:D) But seriously, this knife was billed as a hard use blade, and in my eyes, stands up to that claim.

I'm very happy with my Dingo!!

Cheers,
Jon
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I'll post later on when the knife has seen more use but as you can probably tell from the ASH and the BATAC, I don't buy safe queens.....they see use. ]


Wow. It's really refreshing to see someone show knives that have seen 'hard use'. Usually the pics show knives that have seen no more hard use than chopping down a poor defenseless sapling, [before being put in the safe]. You are certainly no collector. You’re no poser either. Congrats!

Let us know what you think of the new Dingo!
 
Anybody has a dingo and a Fehrman peace keeper?
I'm wondering which is the best user.
 
Neo, haven't used them, but the Dingo is longer, heavier, and thicker than the Peace Maker(for some reason I always want to call it the Peace Keeper, too!). Same overall length as the Shadow Scout. Only reason I didn't get a Dingo is the swedge. Gorgeous knife, but I do so hate swedges on something I might baton or even pry with. One of the reasons I got rid of my Shadow Scout was that it came with a swedge that it wasn't advertised as having...
 
the Peace Maker(for some reason I always want to call it the Peace Keeper, too!).

:o
I used to watch the Farscape tv series a lot.
As a result Peace Maker turns out to Peace Keeper.

The Last Chance would be close to the dingo
Would the heat tread Fehrman gives to the knives be better than the one the dingos get, or do they both use Paul Bos?
 
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