Seeking recommendation like Delica or Dozier Ka-Bar

R

rushane

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Dec 31, 2006
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Looking to give my brother a knife. He mostly likes both my Delica and the Dozier Ka-Bar with some exceptions. He dislikes the (what he calls) goofy look of the Delica and much prefers the Dozier more classic look. He dislikes the cheap feeling clip (which is pretty bad) and what he feels is flex in the Dozier.

In his words, "I want the looks of the Dozier, but the quality of the Delica".

What he likes about both: thin pocket carry, light weight, slices great, easily sharpens.

I'm at a loss. I've written off most Spydercos because of the look, and haven't seen much else that I think fits what he wants. His daily carry is a Zancudo that I gave him a while ago. It's still in pretty good shape but is really heavily used and sharpened frequently and it shows. While the Zancudo works, he uses his knife more than most and uses it for everything. Some would likely call his use abuse (or at least his sharpening skills) but I like surprising him with new ones and it makes a difficult person to buy for a much easier process.
 
I would suggest few knives from kershaw. The Camber, Hype, or dash. All light weight with good steel.

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Benchmade 585-2 or 698 both look promising, as does the 707.
Eta: The new 928 blade shape looks to be up his alley, but I am unsure how he would like the looks of the handle. I would like to think it is comfortable regardless.
 
Boker Exskelibur I S35VN.

Classic look, very thin overall, a nicely anodized pocket clip, and thin-blade stock hollow ground slicer. The front flipper might feel odd at the beginning but is really intuitive.
A potential negative is the steel. I don't know if S35VN is considered sharpening friendly to anyone.
Also, it doesn't give you a very sturdy feel for abuse.

If the price can be justified, I would recommend Sebenbza Insingo.


Miso
 
I would recommend the Boker Plus Patriot a million times over, is essentially a Delica 4 except with the Ka-bar more classic look. 154cm steel (which is relatively easy to sharpen), super lightweight and thin, it is one of the best light edc knives available. I cant say how amazing this knife is, if he wants a Delica 4 with a classic look, this is the knife.
 
NJBillK said:
Benchmade 585-2 or 698 both look promising, as does the 707.
Eta: The new 928 blade shape looks to be up his alley, but I am unsure how he would like the looks of the handle. I would like to think it is comfortable regardless.
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I like the cut of your jib there, Bill. I especially like the 698.

Also, if you really want an easy to sharpen feature, Buck has the Vantage and Bantam that you might glance over.

420HC done right is a good thing, and you can sharpen it on the bottom of a coffee mug if you want.

I hear you on the shape of the Delica. Probably one of the finest EDC's around, but I just can't warm up to any of it.
 
CalvinHobbes said:
I would recommend the Boker Plus Patriot a million times over, is essentially a Delica 4 except with the Ka-bar more classic look. 154cm steel (which is relatively easy to sharpen), super lightweight and thin, it is one of the best light edc knives available. I cant say how amazing this knife is, if he wants a Delica 4 with a classic look, this is the knife.
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I agree. the patriot would most likely meet his needs best from what you have described. I know I'd like to try one out myself

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I was in your shoes about which knife to get my cousin who is a farmer and someone who lives in a cabin off the grid for the most part. Lol. I gave him a ZT 0562 and he uses / abuses his knives and so far it's done well except he doesn't clean it much and the action of the bearings is a little gummed up but the steel and thicker tip has held up well. It's a pretty low key looking knife also. A Benchmade griptilian would be a good option too.
 
Ka-Bar makes a Dozier model with an oval thumb hole (#4065). That way you get the overall look and feel of the Dozier with the great ergonomics that a thumb hole offers.

Also, the Dozier has a distant cousin made by Cutco (#1891). It's steel is lacking and the knife is not worth the money they are asking but it does feel a little more solid.
 
I actually have a Cutco #1891. I did not buy it, it was a gift. It was my first decent knife, what I don't like is the action is a bit rough (no bushings or washers) the steel(440A) is junk, it has no liners, and it has developed some play back and forth and side to side. Other then those "few" things I like it.
 
Cow51 said:
I actually have a Cutco #1891. I did not buy it, it was a gift. It was my first decent knife, what I don't like is the action is a bit rough (no bushings or washers) the steel(440A) is junk, it has no liners, and it has developed some play back and forth and side to side. Other then those "few" things I like it.
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I have one too. I bought it used for much less than I have ever seen them sell on eBay. I like it better than my Dozier. It's action is smoother and I like the handle better.

IMHO, it's an OK $15-20 knife but not for what people think they are worth.
 
sabre cat said:
I have one too. I bought it used for much less than I have ever seen them sell on eBay. I like it better than my Dozier. It's action is smoother and I like the handle better.

IMHO, it's an OK $15-20 knife but not for what people think they are worth.
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I would agree that it'd be a good $15-20 knife, but not what most want for them. If they just used a better steel, and put some washers in it, it could move it up to $25-35 I think.
 
If you dont mind sandvik steel you could get him an opinel. Its not all that similar to those two examples but its worth to check those out
 
Velitrius said:
I like the cut of your jib there, Bill. I especially like the 698.
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Thanks, I am thinking it might be a less dressy and more workaday competitor to the Nakamura.
 
Actually, if he wants the quality of a Spyderco but something that does not have the looks of the Delica, get him a Native 5 Light Weight. That fills the bill quite nicely.
 
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