Opinions on 3 Dozier knives wanted

Starfish

Starfish

Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
1,256
Not looking for general opinions on Dozier knives - I've seen enough atta-boy posts about 'em to be confident they deserve all the praise they get. I am, however, looking for opinions on these three:

Straight Personal (Item A on A.G. Russell's web page) - otherwise known as the Personal Utility?

Whittler

and...

Companion

This would be an EDC knife, one to complement whatever folder I'm carrying (usually a small Classic Sebenza). The folder will take care of any job I typically have (slicing sandwiches, opening boxes, envelopes, the usual), but I'd thought it would be nice to have a nice-looking small fixed blade as well.

One other thing - I usually wear slacks and a button-down shirt to work (except casual Fridays!), and so if one of these models would look more "in place" with that attire, that would be a big plus. Would the supplied Kydex sheath be out of place? Please note that this would be my first fixed blade purchase, and so I've not had any experience wearing a sheath.

Thanks for the opinions!

Matthew

Edited for minor mistakes
 
I don't own a Dozier knife unfortunately, but I would pick the Companion out of the three. The Companion looks to be a good all around utility. I really want the #6, I think thats the model, and an Arkansas Toothpick. Dozier knives really impress me, and I don't even have one.
 
Starfish -- don't have one, but I have been checking into his small fixed and small folders, too. I like the Straight Personal best out of the ones you are checking out. Classy, concealable and looks like it can be dressed up or down.

Have you seen this one though... It is tempting me big time.

http://www.knifeart.com/raznecknif.html

Looks like you can neck carry or arrange the sheath for IWB or belt carry.

Good luck and tell us what you end up getting.

JT
 
Originally posted by Starfish
...EDC ... one to complement whatever folder I'm carrying (usually a small Classic Sebenza). The folder will take care of any job I typically have (slicing sandwiches, opening boxes, envelopes, the usual), but I'd thought it would be nice to have a nice-looking small fixed blade as well.

One other thing - I usually wear slacks and a button-down shirt to work (except casual Fridays!), and so if one of these models would look more "in place" with that attire, that would be a big plus. Would the supplied Kydex sheath be out of place?
Edited for minor mistakes
Click to expand...


Not trying to be a smark aleck at all... but I would say that if you have a small Sebbie along, all of these knives would be pretty redundant since they are all right at 3" blade length. Smaller still? That is folder territory. Longer and/or wider? I'd go with the Slim Outdoorsman (only 3-3/8") or the Straight Hunter (3-5/8") for a bigger blade. The Sebbie is as close as you can get to a "fixed blade that folds" in my opinion, and even the small one is suitable for moderately vigorous work.

My opinion: sheath knives are just not sheeple friendly enough to carry overtly in public, not routinely anyway. Concealed, sure. I certainly could not carry one to work and get away with it, not even before Sept 11 (I'm an engineer at a major petrochem refinery, and I usually wear slacks or jeans myself, no coat or tie, for sure. I usually carry a small pocket folder like Wm Henry or small Sebbie in pouch, and a big folder clipped, 3-1/2" to 4" blade).

I can carry a small Dozier sheath knife in kydex to e.g. Home Depot on weekends, and do sometimes as I sometimes work around the house with my Slim Outdoorsman on my belt (or the small semi-skinner).

I own the K2, KS3, KS5, K7, K8, LW Ranger, folding hunter, and a 3-3/4" long K8, and a Canoe.

I also like the K1, K4, and K6... and the NY Special The whittler looks to have a pretty fine point, for more delicate work.
 
Originally posted by JTurner
Have you seen this one though... It is tempting me big time.

http://www.knifeart.com/raznecknif.html

Looks like you can neck carry or arrange the sheath for IWB or belt carry.
Click to expand...

Sure hadn't seen that. Sure is a wicked little knife - probably too wicked for office carry and use :)

Good luck and tell us what you end up getting.
JT
Click to expand...

Thanks, will do! That is, if I can ever stop drooling and just pull the trigger! :D

Matthew
 
Originally posted by rdangerer
Not trying to be a smark aleck at all... but I would say that if you have a small Sebbie along, all of these knives would be pretty redundant...
Click to expand...
I agree - I probably should not have said I wanted one to "complement" the small Sebbie. Probably should have said that I would like to use it instead of the Sebenza, and use the Sebenza when the Dozier would likely draw too much attention.
My opinion: sheath knives are just not sheeple friendly enough to carry overtly in public, not routinely anyway. Concealed, sure. I certainly could not carry one to work and get away with it, not even before Sept 11 (I'm an engineer at a major petrochem refinery, and I usually wear slacks or jeans myself, no coat or tie, for sure).
Click to expand...
How well do the smaller Doziers carry concealed? And is it completely concealed - if not, what portion of the knife is exposed? I'm pretty sure I could get away with carrying and using a small fixed blade here in SC, even at work, as long as it was fairly discreet. I just don't want to have it completely concealed, since then I am probably moving into "concealed weapon" territory :(

Thanks for the opinion, especially re: office carry...

Matthew
 
i own and use multiple dozier fixed blade knives....the one i carry daily is a personal utility which is not the same knife as a straight personal....the blade shape is different....i prefer the blade on the personal utility as it is more drop point then straight...the finger grroves are also different....it is a cutting machine like you would not believe....i use it as a back up to my folder which is either a small seb or a small crawford made kff or a small crawford made wortac or a may xl tnt depending on the day and mood....i prefer medium to large folders and smaller fixed blades and find their use does not overlap in my world....if i needed a pry bar (or a sharpened one for that matter) or a machete i would carry one so a small fixed works for me unlike other people

if i need a bit larger fixed i carry the dozier bodyguard or the pro hunter when i need an even larger blade...for me a 4.75 inch blade is huge for belt carry...its my style and may not conform with the style of other forum members

i personally do not like the horizontal dozier sheaths nor do i like his vertical sheaths....however i do like his new york "shoulder system".....its my personal choice and they may work for you...i do however have custom sheaths made by pat crawfords kydex/sheath man for about 40 dollars each and can have a multi position ambi sheath

with both iwb and belt carry options made for 45 bucks or 40 dollars for single style carry

i have the distinct advantage of wearing a white coat all day long and can carry anything under it with total concealment and easy access


i own about 7 or 8 fixed doziers and use three of them....the rest i have acquired on trades/distress sales and i wouldnt part with them for the world.....they are a great value in the custom/handmade cutlery world


hope this helps

feverdoc
 
Bob does offer an inside the pants sheath on his web page (model E), but doesn't have a pic on the web. It would probably be like his vertical snap in sheath model B, and I can only guess that about 2/3 of the handle would protrude from your waist band. Since those are all small-ish knives, it would need to be at least 2/3 and you'd be well served with a knife that had some drop in the butt of the handle so you could grab it if you had any ideas about using it for defense purposes. Dozier is pretty thoughtful though... he may keep most of the handle protruding so you can draw easily.

His wife Linda usually answers the phone and is a real sweetheart... call and discuss with them.
 
I own the slim outdoorsman in brown bone just like the one in the picture. It is a great little knife. The bone is beautiful and flawlessly done. The Shealth is a excellent product also. You won't regreat any of Bob's models.
 
I also do the business casual thing and carry a modified Dozier K6 in my front pocket. It's essentially the K6 profile and characteristics, but in a 5.75" OAL size. Had the handle bead-blasted and the sheath made to be a pocket carry, with a reduced belt-loop on back. Was a few month wait, but I now carry it INSTEAD of my Small Sebbie.

Definitely talk with Linda and see what you can come up with.
 
Originally posted by MikeD60
I also do the business casual thing and carry a modified Dozier K6 in my front pocket. It's essentially the K6 profile and characteristics, but in a 5.75" OAL size. Had the handle bead-blasted and the sheath made to be a pocket carry, with a reduced belt-loop on back. Was a few month wait, but I now carry it INSTEAD of my Small Sebbie.

Definitely talk with Linda and see what you can come up with.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, MikeD60. Do you have a scan of the modified K6? Where is the modified K6 1.25" smaller than the regular?

Thanks again,

Matthew
 
I own a half dozen Doziers including the straight personal and the slim outdoorsman.

I now favor the straight personal over the outdoorsman for two reasons.

1.) The straight Personal blade is slightly smaller

2.) The finger grooves on the straight personal improve the grip (for me anyway)

There is nothing wrong with the slim outdoorsman handle I've simply acquired a preference for finger grooves or a bead blast handle finish to improve the the "gripiness".

Unfortunately, while bead blasting improves the feel, and looks great on dark colors...it doesn't look as neat on lighter colors (like ivory or golden micarta). I've become so partial to the bead blast "feel" I'm sending my slim outdoorsman back to Bob to bead blast it (fortunately, I ordered it in a darker color handle)

As suggested, talk with Linda Dozier. She can be very helpful. You won't be disapponted with whichever knife model you choose.
 
I've got 3 Doziers...
Slim Outdoorsman, Model 6 (non-catalog) & K-9 Personal Utility.
The K-9 is my EDC, either on my belt or in my coat jacket. It disappears on my belt & since it is black, it blends in well. I actually forget that it is there. It is basically the same as the K-6 but with finger grooves. These finger grooves fit my smallish hands well.
I went to the ECCKS last March ready to buy the Whittler or the Canoe model. I ended up with the K-9 P.U. (Smelly Dog?!!:D)
and haven't looked back.
A work about Dozier horiz. sheaths...when you remove the blade, lift with your 4 fingers while pressing down with your thumb on the belt loop. That will release the 'catch' and the knife will come out much easier than pulling it straight out. It is easier to do, than to explain.
Which ever you get, you will be pleased. They are like the famous potato chips...you can't have just one ;)
 
Matt-

I'd be happy to send you a digital image of the blade. It really is nicely done; the loss of the inch and change (I just REALLY measured it and it comes in at JUST under 6", not 5 3/4" as I stated earlier, my guesstimate!) is done well, handle slightly smaller (say 3/8"), blade takes much of the shrinkage (3/4" or so) when compared to the 7" K-6.
 
I carry the companion almost every day unless I have a tuck-in shirt because it will show. As for use...it's fantastic! It's actually, not the one that I originally wanted, but when I held it at a blade show, it felt great.

...can't go wrong with a Dozier.
FM.
 
Originally posted by RattlerXX
I really want the #6, I think thats the model,
Click to expand...

Here's a picture of my Texas #6.

dozier.jpg


This one is a #6 with the blade lengthened to 5-1/2" and the guards extended a bit. I love it!

--Bob Q
 
I had a K-9 but gave it to my buddy (nice yellow micarta handle with the black circle around the rivet). What a great EDC, but since he is a good friend and needed a blade, it was a no brainer.

It was fine when I was not at work, but it would not do at the office (my small benza does the trick)...I personally like the horizontal kydex sheath, the only thing I did not like was for concealed carry. Because it is a (cross-draw) the handle would poke out or make an impression in the shirt that was over it.

My thought: I'll eventually get another Dozier, but I might want to invest in another sheath. I think that if you got a "left handed" horizontal sheath, you could attach it to the small of your back and that way, when you have a shirt over it, it shouldn't draw to much attention.
 
I have a Dozier Canoe, and a Whittler. I love the size of both knives, but find the Whittler a little more handy. It's handle is a little bit thicker than the Canoe and it also has finger grooves, which make for a better feel. You can't go wrong with any of Bob's knives. My next will be the neck knife from Knife Art. I think it will be a good utility knife to take fishing with me this year, plus I think the grip will be better than the smooth micarta handles that usually come standard on Dozier fixed blades.
 
Originally posted by MikeD60
Matt-

I'd be happy to send you a digital image of the blade. It really is nicely done; the loss of the inch and change (I just REALLY measured it and it comes in at JUST under 6", not 5 3/4" as I stated earlier, my guesstimate!) is done well, handle slightly smaller (say 3/8"), blade takes much of the shrinkage (3/4" or so) when compared to the 7" K-6.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike. It'd be really nice if you were able to get a picture of it alongside your small Sebenza for reference :)

Sounds like I can't go wrong no matter what I choose. As I said above, now I just gotta pull the trigger :rolleyes: So many knives, not enough money in the Federal Reserve ;)

Matthew
 
Another thing to remember...If you buy Direct from the Doziers, you can get the sheath you want LH,RH, IWB etc.
It may take a wee bit longer but well worth it ;)

www.dozierknives.com
 
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