Ka-bar Dozier or Byrd CaraCara?

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fatcat55

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
350
Trying to add to my knowledge(and expand my collection).

I have been reading the forum and finding several positive references to both the Byrd Cara Cara(and others from that company) as well as the Ka -Bar Dozier.

My question: Is one better than the other? Aside from different materials what makes one better than the other in your opinion/experience?

Thanks in advance.
 
Can't give you a comparison because I have never had a Cara Cara. Do have Ka-Bar Dozier and it's pure basic pocketknife, kinda like an updated sodbuster. There are several models differing in blade shape and thumbhole or stud, but they have about 3" blades, lockbacks, linerless thin bodies, and come with reversible clips.

If you are a minimalist, you'll love them. No frills, nothing fancy, big enough to be useful, small enough to be legal most places, light enough to be unoticeable in a pocket, strong enough for EDC chores.
 
I've got both. As an EDC, I like the Kabar better. It's lighter and I think the blade steel is just a tad better in edge retention. For a heavier-duty folder or defensive blade, I like the Cara Cara. It all depends on what you'll be using it for. Considering the costs, you could easily buy both and still have change left over from a fifty. By the way, welcome to BladeForums :)
 
For $50 you can have both. The G10 Cara Cara is just as good as the Tenacious for the money, easily a $100 knife if it had a round hole and S30V.
 
fatcat55 said:
Trying to add to my knowledge(and expand my collection).

I have been reading the forum and finding several positive references to both the Byrd Cara Cara(and others from that company) as well as the Ka -Bar Dozier.

My question: Is one better than the other? Aside from different materials what makes one better than the other in your opinion/experience?

Thanks in advance.
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I have a Byrd Flight and a KaBar Large Dozier. I have given a number of Doziers as gifts and have had a chance to handle and closely examine them.

I find the edge retention of the blade steels (AUS8 and 8Cr13MoV) to be about equal. It came out that way in my side-by-side testing and Sal Glessar says so as well. I have heard from credible sources that AUS8 is a bit more corrosion resistant.

I find the fit and finish to be about equal.

They lock up solid and there is no blade play in any that I have or have handled.

IMO it just comes down to which design you like better. I personally prefer the Dozier drop point design, but that is personal preference. YMMV.
 
I do like the Ka-Bar Dozier a little better than the Cara-Cara. I had the Cara-Cara with G-10 scales, but it never got much carry. The blade shape didn't suit the tasks I usually have, such as breaking down cardboard, or even basic kitchen tasks, and the weight was a little much for EDC. Because of those two, I ended up just giving it away.

The Ka-Bar Dozier I still have, though it's more of a dedicated, "Aww man, how could I forget to bring a pocket knife with me? Let's check the glove compartment and see if I happen to have left one here." Being stainless, I don't have to worry about the edge getting dull.
 
why these two? what's your budget? what purpose will you use it for? what is the legal blade length limit for your area?

Easily a $100 knife if it had a round hole and S30V.
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Im sorry but I cant agree with this. The difference between a cara cara and a 100 dollar spyderco is a lot more than the bug logo and the steel. I would pay an extra 10 bucks to get vg-10 though.

Fatcat, use this as an opportunity to learn how to sharpen. Spend the money on a good set of tools, be it waterstones or a system like the sharpmaker.
 
Thanks for all the information. I was just looking at these two as they are both around $20. I don't really have a budget per se, just looking for EDC knives that are worth the money, but really don't want to spend much more than $25-30 on any individual knife, right now.

I am not really "collecting" knives (at least not yet) but do have about 25 that I have accumulated over the years and since finding this forum, I am looking at different brands and types and also getting my 14 year old interested, as well.

Thanks again for all the advice and may very well buy both and make my own comparison.

Again, really enjoying all the information on this forum.
 
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