AZTimT
The Stripetition Finish Guy (inactive)
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2009
- Messages
- 4,506
Ok, so you have or had, or dreamed about owning a DSF. Do you need a SAR 6?? I don't know, that's for you to decide, but here is what I found out after using both. Hopefully it helps those who are "on the fence" trying to decide whether to pass on the SAR 6 while they are available direct.
They are both great knives, and both keepers, with the nuclear meltdown treatment and useful choils and of course the little details, like sharp edges. If I was going into combat I would grab the DSF in a heartbeat but otherwise the SAR 6 edges out the DSF in a couple of key areas for me in almost every other scenario.
Comparison shots.
First off and probably the most obvious, though you pay around $100 more for it, the SAR 6 is factory setup for processing food with the least amount of bacteria sticking to the blade since it is satin smooth and uncoated. On the DSF the coating is stealthier and cheaper, but not healthier. While it can be fun to strip and customize a knife, it is also time consuming and requires more materials/cost so in the end you save a lot less than you thought to get ghetto satin. Keep in mind: stripper, sanding materials, power tools, breathing mask, goggles, gloves, etc = $$$ if you don't already have it all, and then there's the whole "Did I void my warranty?" thing. Ask me how I know... about the cost. (Not referring to warranty issues with that as I have had none) Coatings do also wear off with extended or in my DSSF's case with the black crinkle, limited as in only 5 logs split, use so the stealth goes away unless sheathed, but only in a few key areas and not the whole blade. Note: Sage lasts a really long time for some reason though.
Weight difference.
Ironically, the differences in hand between the G10 versions (apples to apples comparison) SAR 6 (16.15 ozs) and DSF (14.80 ozs) feel exactly like their names would imply as that extra ounce of INFI really counts. Search And Rescue 6 implies a practical, stout do anything blade that will suit you in almost any situation you realistically need with fighting being the least of your concerns while the Desert Storm Fighter is primarily a fast in the hand fighter that is capable of other uses as well. Of course, in a fight the only thing that would truly matter is what you could get your hands on at that very moment. So realistically that is not a big consideration for me as I really don't want to have to fight someone with a knife at all, but if I do, if it's sharp it will work. That's coming from a guy that got cut to the bone through jeans by his "Snakebite" Mojo with a non shaving sharp v-edge and only a few pounds of force last year.
The wider SAR 6 has better ergonomics at the expense of narrow DSF's better concealment potential if you compared which would fit into a hiding spot off of your person like a square receiver tube or small diameter round pvc pipe or even just rolled up in an article of clothing in a backpack. If you have to ask when or why you might want to do that, then that info probably isn't very helpful to you. The trade off. The SAR 6 has a big butt, which is very useful in that not only is it great to hold, you can pound it with something hard and you don't have to worry about smashing your hand. The same can't be said for the little knobby butt of the DSF as it is like trying to hit the head of a small nail in comparison.
While the SAR 6 feels good in ANY grip configuration you try, the DSF has a few in which it feels more awkward (either method of reverse grip with the edge toward you and the spine away from you and your palm against the belly swell of the handle) or in my favorite highly efficient position for chopping with a midsize blade (choked back on the handle for more reach and transfer of balance to blade heavy), no good at all.
Good alternate chopping grip vs not really an option.
The SAR 6 has more belly which makes the useful edge seem longer than it actually is. You also get a VERY sharp convex edge along with the convex grind so there is a lot of weight in that shorter blade yet it retains excellent balance. The DSF just plain has a longer edge due to a little bit longer overall length and it is a pretty obtuse V-edge that isn't nearly as sharp for slicing or chopping. Oddly enough, the penetration abilities of the SAR 6 or 8 tip design through sheetmetal, rubber, wood, plastic, etc is the best of all the single edged knives I have ever used. I think it has something to do with the spine being pretty straight so it is only cutting one direction without tearing the other as penetration occurs. The DSF tip is more similar to the NMSFNO and while both are good at penetration, they are not as good as the SAR 6/8.
SAR 6 has thumb jimping and a wide handle for excellent lateral control against twisting in hand. The DSF is designed to be able to change grips faster or spin in your hand, but this works against you a little bit for lateral control outside of a fight.
They both carry well on your hip or on a leg dangler setup strapped to your leg, but the shorter SAR 6 can be used in horizontal, behind the back (or "scout style") carry much easier. With it's downward curving handle the SAR 6 it is more natural to grab behind your back as well.
I'll reserve the second post for more pics.
They are both great knives, and both keepers, with the nuclear meltdown treatment and useful choils and of course the little details, like sharp edges. If I was going into combat I would grab the DSF in a heartbeat but otherwise the SAR 6 edges out the DSF in a couple of key areas for me in almost every other scenario.
Comparison shots.
First off and probably the most obvious, though you pay around $100 more for it, the SAR 6 is factory setup for processing food with the least amount of bacteria sticking to the blade since it is satin smooth and uncoated. On the DSF the coating is stealthier and cheaper, but not healthier. While it can be fun to strip and customize a knife, it is also time consuming and requires more materials/cost so in the end you save a lot less than you thought to get ghetto satin. Keep in mind: stripper, sanding materials, power tools, breathing mask, goggles, gloves, etc = $$$ if you don't already have it all, and then there's the whole "Did I void my warranty?" thing. Ask me how I know... about the cost. (Not referring to warranty issues with that as I have had none) Coatings do also wear off with extended or in my DSSF's case with the black crinkle, limited as in only 5 logs split, use so the stealth goes away unless sheathed, but only in a few key areas and not the whole blade. Note: Sage lasts a really long time for some reason though.
Weight difference.
Ironically, the differences in hand between the G10 versions (apples to apples comparison) SAR 6 (16.15 ozs) and DSF (14.80 ozs) feel exactly like their names would imply as that extra ounce of INFI really counts. Search And Rescue 6 implies a practical, stout do anything blade that will suit you in almost any situation you realistically need with fighting being the least of your concerns while the Desert Storm Fighter is primarily a fast in the hand fighter that is capable of other uses as well. Of course, in a fight the only thing that would truly matter is what you could get your hands on at that very moment. So realistically that is not a big consideration for me as I really don't want to have to fight someone with a knife at all, but if I do, if it's sharp it will work. That's coming from a guy that got cut to the bone through jeans by his "Snakebite" Mojo with a non shaving sharp v-edge and only a few pounds of force last year.
The wider SAR 6 has better ergonomics at the expense of narrow DSF's better concealment potential if you compared which would fit into a hiding spot off of your person like a square receiver tube or small diameter round pvc pipe or even just rolled up in an article of clothing in a backpack. If you have to ask when or why you might want to do that, then that info probably isn't very helpful to you. The trade off. The SAR 6 has a big butt, which is very useful in that not only is it great to hold, you can pound it with something hard and you don't have to worry about smashing your hand. The same can't be said for the little knobby butt of the DSF as it is like trying to hit the head of a small nail in comparison.
While the SAR 6 feels good in ANY grip configuration you try, the DSF has a few in which it feels more awkward (either method of reverse grip with the edge toward you and the spine away from you and your palm against the belly swell of the handle) or in my favorite highly efficient position for chopping with a midsize blade (choked back on the handle for more reach and transfer of balance to blade heavy), no good at all.
Good alternate chopping grip vs not really an option.
The SAR 6 has more belly which makes the useful edge seem longer than it actually is. You also get a VERY sharp convex edge along with the convex grind so there is a lot of weight in that shorter blade yet it retains excellent balance. The DSF just plain has a longer edge due to a little bit longer overall length and it is a pretty obtuse V-edge that isn't nearly as sharp for slicing or chopping. Oddly enough, the penetration abilities of the SAR 6 or 8 tip design through sheetmetal, rubber, wood, plastic, etc is the best of all the single edged knives I have ever used. I think it has something to do with the spine being pretty straight so it is only cutting one direction without tearing the other as penetration occurs. The DSF tip is more similar to the NMSFNO and while both are good at penetration, they are not as good as the SAR 6/8.
SAR 6 has thumb jimping and a wide handle for excellent lateral control against twisting in hand. The DSF is designed to be able to change grips faster or spin in your hand, but this works against you a little bit for lateral control outside of a fight.
They both carry well on your hip or on a leg dangler setup strapped to your leg, but the shorter SAR 6 can be used in horizontal, behind the back (or "scout style") carry much easier. With it's downward curving handle the SAR 6 it is more natural to grab behind your back as well.
I'll reserve the second post for more pics.
:thumbup:
It's so hard to figure out what you like vs. want vs. need just through reading/looking online. 
