Please help - choosing small fixed blade

J

JohnS

Joined
Apr 14, 2002
Messages
249
OK I'm in sensory overload as to which to buy.
I bought an Emerson PUK thinking that their description of "V ground blade" meant sharpened on both sides. It isn't - sent it back. Been researching the forums and seem to have arrived at too many choices.
1.) Rekat Pikuni - some say too small.
2.) Camillus Talon in 154 CM - some don't like sheath.
3.) T. Rinaldi Spook (haven't read too much about it.
4.) Bob Dozier Toothpick - sounds like the blade might not be to good for utility purposes.
5.) Dozier - Agent.
6.)Dozier straight- is small - as is the Pikuni, but seems highly reccomended.
Should have added that I want to carry it as inconspicuously as possible,due to the sheeple. Any others I should look at - would like to stay under $200.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
 
I have the Dozier Agent, which I picked up from Bob's table at last month's ECCK Show. It has met all of my (high) expectations and then some. I would recommend it without hesitation.

I hear your "pain" regarding the Emerson blade grind. They still do not seen to have learned the difference between a V-grind and a chisel grind.
 
1.) Rekat Pikuni ---> Too small for me.

2.) Camillus Talon in 154 CM ---> They had problems with the sheath, but if you get one with a bad sheath, call them up, and they will get you a good one. Excellent Customer Service

3.) T. Rinaldi Spook ---> Trace is a good man, and lately he has been getting some well deserved attention, you could do far worse.

4.) Bob Dozier Toothpick ---> His work is excelent, but I do not care for that handle configuration.

5.) Dozier - Agent ---> Looks like an excellent knife.

6.)Dozier straight ---> Dozier gets very high marks around here.

If you want a production piece, I would suggest a Spyderco Moran drop point, FB02.

If you want custom, I would suggest you select a pattern of your liking and contact Bill Siegle. Even if you just have a conceptual idea, he can work something out for you, he is even willing to trade sketches until you settle on what you want. His a good man, and a great knifemaker, excellent values.....
 
Originally posted by JohnS
Any others I should look at - would like to stay under $200.
Click to expand...

Benchmade 705. Blade is slightly longer than some of your choices above (just under 3"), but it is a nice knife. :)
 
I didn't like the Pikuni personally. It is too small to take advantage of its thickness, and the handle has too many pointy spots.

The Talon is an excellent knife. The blade design is super for utility of any kind, the handle offers excellent leverage. Get it and get a custom sheath for it if you don't like the one that comes with it. Great knife in either Talonite or ATS-34.

Trace's work is superb. You would love a spook.

The Toothpick is too thick and double grinds don't make great utility knives. The Agent is a great design. Excellent blade grind, thick and strong, good handle. Can't beat it for a "urban tactical" under $200. The straight is a great knife too.

The Spydie Moran is an excellent suggestion but not in the league of the hand makers above. You might also consider the Benchmade Nimravus Cub in M-2 if you want to go cheaper.

On you list, I would choose between the Talon, the Spook, and the Agent.
 
I have little or no experience with the knives you have listed, but the Spyderco Moran Drop point is one of my favorites also.
 
I just received a Dozier Straight Personal that I had on order for 4 months. I can tell you I love it! Is is small and carries very well in the horizontal sheath, would be very easy to conceal if need be, and I wouldn't hesitate to skin a deer with this thing. I too wanted a knife on the small side and this fits the bill perfectly. It is small in size but it is BIG in every other regard (can you tell I like Doziers?).
 
I just received a Dozier Straight Personal that I had on order for 4 months. I can tell you I love it! Is is small and carries very well in the horizontal sheath, would be very easy to conceal if need be, and I wouldn't hesitate to skin a deer with this thing. I too wanted a knife on the small side and this fits the bill perfectly. It is small in size but it is BIG in every other regard (can you tell I like Doziers?).
 
You can never go wrong by choosing Bob Dozier. He makes some sensational knives, which are excellent "users". As good as they look, they're definitely not just for staring at.
 
I carried the Dozier Slim Outdoorsman for two years...it will do anything a larger blade will do and then some. I acquired the straight personal last fall and it replaced the Slim Outdoorsman as my preferred carry when in the field (primarily because of the finger grooves).

I just ordered a 7.25" version of the Dozier KM-3 Agent just because!

IMHO D-2 is really hard beat for edge holding ability and nobody does D-2 better than Bob Dozier!

One other positive about Bob's knives...the sheaths. You can't beat them. They are not mass produced...each is individually moulded to individual knives. Also, Bob's horizontal sheath is great for discrete carry.

One suggestion, if you order a Dozier, consider having the handle bead blasted by Bob, it really enhances the grip.
 
I have several doziers, and depending on what you want it for, there is nothing wrong or too thick about the arkansas toothpick. It cuts all manner of things with ease, and its penatration/poking ability is nothing short of incredible. Very strong design. A little too agressive looking for everyday urban carry though. Somebody commented that they did not like double ground knives for utility and then said they liked the agent which is double ground and has a sharpened top edge. So go figure. I have always thought the arkansas toothpick had the handle design most likely to keep your hand from slipping up onto the blade. The slim outdoorsman is also a great choice. The Pro-skinner also seems to do most any chore with ease. It works on anything, not just skinning. Bladeart.com has several nice doziers currently, if you dont want a 4 month wait. Knifeart.com has a few as well. One of my favorites is his mini-tactical, a special model with about a 2.5 inch or less blade, that bladeart.com has had in varying strains for a while.
 
It depends on what you're looking to do with it, but I say go for a custom LaGriffe by Fred Perrin. Extremely concealable, safe in the hand, and a hell of a box cutter. 170 bucks!

For a bit bigger but very concealable, check out Ferret's stuff at www.ferretknives.com . I have one of his Remoras; I never thought a 4-inch blade could be hidden completely. It performs great and is very durable. Be advised though, it has a very slim handle. About 140 bucks!

It's amazing how cheap custom fixed blades are! I never thought about the spook from THR, I'll check it out...

Zero
 
30 Days to Blade.....

And I've heard humors that Busse has some "Hot" new stuff coming out.
Might be worth the short wait to see what is offered.
I wouldn't be surprised to see others have new offering also.
Good luck, let us know what you end up with.
 
I have a Rekat Pikuni and I love it. Yes it is small, but it serves it's purpose well for me. I am 6'2", 240 pounds and have big hands(for example I found the Sifu to be comfortable and not at all too big for me).
Either way you can't go wrong with the many fine models mentioned.
 
Try a NRGS-executive by Newt Livesay. An inexpensive knife, but not cheap. Cost is $50.
 
Mike Almost-a-thousand:

I consider the Agent to have a swedge as opposed to being double ground like the Toothpick. The swedge on my Agent was not sharpened. But that is all semantics. I was just expressing the personal opinion that the Agent makes a somewhat better utility blade. Go figure.
 
So Steve, by double ground, you mean the hollow ground top and bottom type thing as opposed to both edges each being fully ground and sharpened. Gotcha. Dozier lists the standard agent as having a sharpened top edge. I am sure with all the double edge laws he makes some dull as well. Although his definition of dull, might not be the same as what most of us think. They are still pretty sharp. Also fill me in on tasks that the Arkansas toothpick cant do, I want to try using it on that task myself. I think it a great knife.
 
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