KA-BAR Phat Bob VS. KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter

[CCMI]

So the recent Phat Bob threads led me to other Phat Bob threads and let's just say my interest has been piqued. However, I can't help but wonder how much different it is than my Dozier Folding Hunter. I know what your thinking, "stop thinking and just get it, you'll love it". Which is probably true, but I'm hoping that those who have both can chime in with how the two perform.

The obvious differences I can see:

• Handle: Green Micarta vs. Zytel (black in my case)
• Lock: Liner Lock vs. Lockback
• Blade: Both hollow ground AUS-8. Phat Bob looks to be a bit wider blade with a little higher grind
• Weight: 5.6 ounces vs. 1.6 ounces

Purchased my Dozier Folding Hunter for ~$18-20 shipped, Phat Bob can be had for ~$40-50 shipped. I really like my Dozier Hunter, locks up tight, slices like a champ, and is a featherweight in the pocket. I read Moose saying that the Phat Bob feels like it's not ever there, but at 5.6 ounces I can't picture that. My Buck 112 is the same weight and while it's not obtrusive I'm not going to forget it's there either.

So is the Dozier Hunter a poor man's version of the Phat Bob or is there a big difference in performance between the two?

Liked it so much I got the Thumb Notch version too

Pic stolen from another thread

 

[BRL]

Hi, I've got both (actually all three ).

Some thoughts:

* Hunter's handle is thinner than the PBs. I've got big hands and the PB fills my hand much better.
* PB handle is taller than the Hunter's. Again, hand-filling goodness.
* PB blade is taller than the Hunter's
* Hunter's jimping is set farther forward and appears to just be notched into the spine. The PB jimping is raised from the blade spine, is rounded, generally has had more work done to it, and feels better.
* The Hunter feels longer in the hand, even though the handles are effectively the same length. Probably due in part to the jimping being set forward, and perhaps the more narrow handle. I really like how it holds.
* Hunter feels much, much lighter. I don't think that the PB disappears in the pocket in any way, although it doesn't bother me any either. I'd think the Hunter is so lightweight that you could easily forget it's there.
* PB clip is tip down, Hunter's is tip up but it looks like you could swap the clip since the pivot has a torx slot in one end.
* My PBs are absolute tanks from a solidity point of view. Everything about the Hunter feels less solid, although the blade on mine has zero play when locked in place and is still quite nice.
* The cutout in the PB micarta scales makes it easier to get at and deploy the blade using the thumb stud.
* I like the linerlock better than the lockback. Feels more natural.

I can't really speak to performance, other than that it's been a love affair with the two PBs I've got. These things are Serious Bidness. The size, design, and general feel of the Hunter makes me think that as far as thinner plastic-handled folders go, it's a total winner. And for the price, absolutely unbeatable. This is at least one Beckerhead's EDC and he points that out quite often... that's gotta mean something.

There's no way in hell that the Hunter would replace a PB in my pocket, though. Unthinkable. And the Limited Edition PB? Whoo wee, don't even get me started

I would say for someone who really uses their pocket folder, I mean really uses it, they're going to benefit from stepping up to the PB. Not taking away from the Hunter (I won mine in a contest, thanks Guyon, but will eventually be sprinkling them around my house since they're great and cheap) but the PB is in my mind clearly a class above.

 

[CCMI]

BRL, thanks for the photos and comments. A picture really does what a thousand words can't.

That side by side really gives a sense of the size difference - Phat Bob is right. I didn't really think much of the Phattie when I first saw it, but I have to say it's on my short list of 'wants' now.

Is there any difference in blade thickness? Haven't seen that listed anywhere. It looks like it's slightly thicker than the Hunter in that last pic, but I can't really tell with the black coating and shadows throwing me off.

 

[BRL]

sorry, not the best photos. PB blade is definitely thicker. I'll try to remember to get my calipers on them tonight.

 

[deltablade]

I really like my versions of these Kabars, yet am wondering about the strength since the handles are not metal. anybody have thoughts?

 

[CCMI]

Hasn't been an issue for anything I use them for yet. Not 'bomb-proof' but they seem fairly sturdy to me. Of course you won't see me hacking or chopping anything with em.

Slicers for sure.