Lame question (yes, another one!)

on_the_edge

on_the_edge

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Jan 31, 2006
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I just bought a knife that I really wanted, but did not need. Gee, that never happened before. :rolleyes: I wanted to get it in hand and see what I thought about it, and then try to decide between "it" and another knife I already had that fills essentially the same role. "It" is a Dozier K-16 Yukon Pro Skinner in D2. The competition is the orange GW. My problem is...I can't friggin' decide which I should keep. :(

I know, I know..."Keep them both!" you'll say, but I just feel like I should come down on one or the other. Whichever one I keep, it will not be used as a prybar or cement block splitter, but will be used solely for hunting. Specs on the Dozier are below. Most already know the specs on the GW.

Any input, especially from actual experience with D2, even if you have been drinking (as long as it is coherent:p), is welcome. So which one and why, HOGS???

Dozier specs:

Overall Length: 7 7/8"
Blade Length: 3 1/2" at 60-61 Rc.
Blade Thickness: .135
Blade Specs: Full tang construction
Weight: 5.6 oz. without sheath
 
D2? I thought all knives were made from A2 or INFI!!!!!


D2? We don't need no stink'n D2!!!!! :eek:






;)
 
It is hard to give any suggestions without knowing what "it" is?

I just had the same thing happen. I had a YKCG and my SAR5 which are both quite similar heavy use pryable belt knives. The YKCG is the best small S7 knife from the Yard and it had a custom Rainwalker kydex sheath. The SAR5 was a bit longer which is an advantage for a knife like that but significantly heavier.

It is hard to explain but it seems like their is some sort of scent or vapour that exudes from INFI that shuts down my brain the same way that a hot sweaty girl did when I was in high school.

I finally choose the SAR5 because of the INFI and the awesome convex grind as well as the MUCH better handle. If I still had a YKCG I would be tempted to cut the front bump right off it to match the SAR handle
 
I love D2. For edc type knives it's excellent. Easy to sharpen if the HT is right, and it holds one SHARP edge for a long time if you're using it like a knife rather than like an axe (where it would probably chip out...though I hear the Kershaw bolo is pretty respectable). It's one of the best steels you can get (all around) in smaller knives. I just wouldn't touch it on the larger knives. That said, use whichever one has the best blade shape for what you're going to use it for and which one is the most comfortable/pleasing....then send the other one to me. Especially if it is INFI.
 
Intended use? If skinning is on the menu, the D2 may be a better choice.

Does it look like this?

kreinstellitehunter2.jpg


(yep, it's that Krein guy again. This one is Stellite 6K)
 
I've heard Dozier is spot on with HT's and D2 being an exceptional steel I wouldn't worry too much about steel performance. It comes down to which you're more comfortable with. You should figure that out easily enough! I've been using EDC type D2 blades for some time now with no complaints whatsoever!

And if you guys want to get a non busse for econo prices, check out Barry Dawson on that auction site. Very reasonable prices from a seller in AZ and his heat treatment is exceptional. Even his 440C blades are top notch blades. It's really a great steel when treated properly.

That said....I buy, use, and fondle slash sleep with a SHBM and other Busse knives (only the SHBM is under the matress) for a reason. There's other knives I could buy more cheaply and would get the job done. But they just don't strike me like Busse's do :D. I have to admit though: outside of the Cultellus. None of the edc Busse's really strike me....I've had them all (except the BAIII which is on the way from a trade :D). I'm waiting for that right one. I know Jerry has something in the works.

For now though....I'm nuts over the SARsquatch. Jerry and crew really hit it out of the park with this one!
 
Now I understand why it was telling me I had to wait another 52 seconds. I couldn't figure out why since I hadn't clicked "post" yet.
 
Last edited:
pbubsy said:
For now though....I'm nuts over the SARsquatch. Jerry and crew really hit it out of the park with this one!
Click to expand...



Amen brother...Amen.......I bought the black/black linen version at Blade and the CE version just came from the ganza....Love them both...:thumbup:


:D




.
 
pbubsy said:
For now though....I'm nuts over the SARsquatch. Jerry and crew really hit it out of the park with this one!
Click to expand...

Heavy said:
Amen brother...Amen.......I bought the black/black linen version at Blade and the CE version just came from the ganza....Love them both...:thumbup:


:D

.
Click to expand...

Yes, if I had a time machine I'd go back and buy 20 of them at Blade:cool: :thumbup:

I could never see what the big deal was about midsize knives. The flat grind SFNO, the Hell Razor, FSH and even the SHSH II. They all look real cool but once I held them I couldn't figure out what I'd do with one that I couldn't do with a BA-III (or now a SAR 5); and if I needed to chop well just get a chopper.

But the Sarsquatch makes all kinds of good sense when I get it in my hand, I think it will be a total smash hit. Too bad I only have four.:D

Back to the OP. I have three or four of Bob's knives. They are the only stainless fixed blades I like. They take a razor edge, hold it well and the edge comes back without much trouble. But I still feel that INFI is better overall. I feel like I can use it for more things over the course of a day or a week trip out and not lose the edge.

If Jerry makes the 4-inch GW that would really seal the deal or maybe the SAR 4.

.
 
Black/blacklinen and the CE version Sarsquatches are the coolest things ever.
Those are the exact 2 finish combos I would pick as well ,Heavy!

Busse used D2 for swords once.
 
Bro,

I'd rather have the bullet-proof blade and warranty if they are really close in "feel."

I have skinned with a warden and it performed well in edge retention (on nasty hog hide), but I was just a little annoyed by the short blade. It wasn't bad, just wished for a little more edge. I noticed a couple of times the choil got hung up. I know loads of guys that skin with old slippies and 3" blades, but there's no choil to hang...

The meaner street skins very well. Never have tried an AD, but i'm sure it would do great with that little extra edge.

But that's pretty much a personal preference issue. Good luck.
 
If I had to choose between only those two strictly for hunting, I would choose the Dozier. (OOOH, from a guy whose ratio of Busses to other knives is roughly 10 to 1, it hurt to say that.) The only reason for this choice is the slightly greater handle length of the dozier. The GW handle is just a little too short for a working knife.

Now the real answer is to get an Active Duty and have both INFI and an adequate handle.
 
For most people I think INFI might be easier to get a keen edge on but if you can sharpen the D2 it's a toss up between which one feels right in your hand.
 
IMO as a hunter you want a thinner blade for skinning, and a nice belly on it.

this is what came up from google images

6169.jpg


go with the Dozier. You can always get a GW for the collection later, but the Dozier seems preferable to me (I'm a butcher so have a little experience flogging fresh meat)

the Dozier would have an easier time with joints, and he does have one hell of a name backing him up.
 
My only reservation about Dozier is how slick the slabs are.

But everone that says pick the one that feels best to you has is right. Neither one is a dog.:)

.
 
Thanks for all the input here, folks. :thumbup: I appreciate your thoughts and you have definitely given me some things to think about. :)
 
Tony G said:
Yes, if I had a time machine I'd go back and buy 20 of them at Blade:cool: :thumbup:

I could never see what the big deal was about midsize knives. The flat grind SFNO, the Hell Razor, FSH and even the SHSH II. They all look real cool but once I held them I couldn't figure out what I'd do with one that I couldn't do with a BA-III (or now a SAR 5); and if I needed to chop well just get a chopper.

But the Sarsquatch makes all kinds of good sense when I get it in my hand, I think it will be a total smash hit. Too bad I only have four.:D

Back to the OP. I have three or four of Bob's knives. They are the only stainless fixed blades I like. They take a razor edge, hold it well and the edge comes back without much trouble. But I still feel that INFI is better overall. I feel like I can use it for more things over the course of a day or a week trip out and not lose the edge.

If Jerry makes the 4-inch GW that would really seal the deal or maybe the SAR 4.

.
Click to expand...

For some reason, even though he's not a scientist, Tony G always makes sense to me. :confused:

For skinning in the field, I might well go with the Dozier for the handle ... and because I absolutely trust Dozier's knowledge of D2. However, I honestly believe INFI is a better steel.

You're going to have to use both for awhile, then go with the one that just 'feels' the best for you.

Personally, I'd be looking for the semi-mythical 4" GW ... or perhaps that SAR 4. Like Tony G, I really like the SARSquatch ... and might have a small swarm ambling around my basement. :D
 
hmmm......


the oj is thin enough for skinning, but i agree the blade may be a little short.

bob dozier is known not only for his ht of d2, but for his sharpening as well.

id like to say keep the dozier, but the oj will be harder to replace. i have both, though my dozier is a k4, and intend to keep both.
 
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