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Survival Knife for a noob

I think it's the Ontario RAT-3 that gives other RAT knives a bad rap for small handles. I've grown accustomed to the smaller handle, myself. It's nicely radiused and I get no hot spots when working it hard. When held in a plain grip and I'm whittling, the end of the handle is about flush with the heel of my hand (it's almost exactly the same length as the width of my hand). When I'm using the point when drilling a hole, the end of the handle tucks nicely in the center of my hand. Again, the smooth rounded-off shape creates no pain when used this way.

If you don't like it, fine. I just hope that someone isn't turned off when it might be a good match for them.

To give an example, many compact autos or J-frame revolvers don't give the shooter a full purchase on the grip. They still work for some people.
 
Wow, I'm an idiot. :foot: Now that I think of it, I have a Bob Dozier knife that I picked up at SHOT 2007 packed away somewhere. I'll look for it. When I find it, I'll get some pics and measurements and get everyone's opinion.

Either way, thank you very much for all the responses and help. I may check into some of the knives listed also as you can never have enough knives.
 
Tejas,
I hear you on the availability but these makers frequently have knives available on the list for immediate pruchase. I really like the fact that they make true custom works available for just a few dollars more than the productions.

2Door
 
No tape measure handy so I showed a comparison with a mini M@g flashlight.
It's made from D2. Opinions please?
#1 #2
 
That is a splendid little knife. I'm not certain, but it appears hollow ground. That isn't my preferred grind, but it does have an advantage in as much as it presents a very sharp edge that is good for shallow cuts, and with a hunting knife that is often an ideal trade off. D2 is an excellent steel, particularly for a knife like that. Although it will benefit from having the edge concluded at a fine finish when you sharpen it due to the size of the carbides. Dozier is somewhat of a legend at working with D2, for many he would be the first name that sprang to mind when working with that material. Pukka.

Don't allow yourself to get psyched out by steel fashion pundits. Although D2 is unlikely to get the accolades here that some of the carbons do, I suspect that has little to do with the properties of D2 and more to do with banging out blades in other steels allows hobby knife makers more elbow room [the material is dirt cheap and with something like 01 comparatively hard to louse up]. Thus, other steels get the limelight often I suspect because it allows new designs to be tried very cheaply, and gets the owner kudos of “handmade”. Whether a handmade knife in some of the popular steels you'll see get flagged up on this forum necessarily means better is certainly a contentious point for me. In truth, I often feel it is only the design that may be better and not necessarily the execution. If you find a design that works for you in a steel you like all that stuff is irrelevant. D2 is just about stainless, or semi-stainless, and if that little Dozier works well in your hand that's all you need to know.

Design wise it is a bit out of fashion here but I wouldn't let that bother you. For sure very vogue is the Scandi, but that is only because bushcrafters use their knives like chisels. If you don't intend to be dedicating your knife to working twigs like that then any advantage is lost. I largely ignore the Nessie thing, it's like a knife that has become it's own tribute band. Retro kitsch from a mythical golden age...yoofs don't know the half of. Nah, screw that, there's more to this than fuzz sticks in the garden or slicing little bits of tomato in the kitchen. If your knife works for you the use it and be damned. If at some later point you find that the hollow grind isn't working for you so well because you spend a lot of time carving on twigs then try something else. Similarly, if you find it is limited compared to other designs because although it makes very good cuts it is not as good as a different grind when you want to cut through something then think again, but in the mean time just use it and see how good you are with it. It may be just the very tool you are looking for for what you do.
 
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I've handled a couple Doziers and liked each for their straightforward design. It should provide you with years of fine cutting. Enjoy it.
 
baldtaco-II said:
That is a splendid little knife. I'm not certain, but it appears hollow ground. That isn't my preferred grind, but it does have an advantage in as much as it presents a very sharp edge that is good for shallow cuts, and with a hunting knife that is often an ideal trade off.
Click to expand...


Yes, it is a hollow grind. Are flat grinds normally preferred or is that just your feelings toward hollow grinds?
 
The type of grind is mostly a personal preference thing based on the users experience and the purpose of the knife. What you have there is a very well made knife by a highly respected maker. It would serve pretty much anyone well and you should get years of very good use from that knife.

If you begin using the knife for a specific function that YOU don't feel the hollow grind is acceptable for then try something else. Otherwise what you have is a fine knife.

Enjoy it.
SDS
 
SDS said:
The type of grind is mostly a personal preference thing based on the users experience and the purpose of the knife. What you have there is a very well made knife by a highly respected maker. It would serve pretty much anyone well and you should get years of very good use from that knife.

If you begin using the knife for a specific function that YOU don't feel the hollow grind is acceptable for then try something else. Otherwise what you have is a fine knife.

Enjoy it.
SDS
Click to expand...

This is well said and good advice.
 
Yep, that is a great little knife and with a nice kydex sheet for pants! Now your next thread should ask about what you need for a chopper!
 
kgd said:
Yep, that is a great little knife and with a nice kydex sheet for pants! Now your next thread should ask about what you need for a chopper!
Click to expand...

This will probably be a question that'll be brought up soon as a matter of fact. Need to start saving up :D
 
Stormstaff said:
Yes, it is a hollow grind. Are flat grinds normally preferred or is that just your feelings toward hollow grinds?
Click to expand...

Little bit of both, but don't trip on that. You are already considering as a part of a team with other tools, and that may well let you go full circle. It could be the most ideal knife you'll ever own.
 
I admit I haven't read the entire thread, but for your needs I would go with either a JK Kephart or a RAT RC4.

I've owned a few RAT's and have been working with John on a custom JK knife. Both are great to deal with. Either will fit your needs perfectly.

If it were me, I'd go for the JK knife just to have something a little different. Although, the RAT does come with a really kickass kydex sheath.
 
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