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Szabo or Domino

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2011
Messages
6,221
If any of you own both, which do you like better? I don't plan on using them for anything extreme, just normal edc.

This would be my first higher end folder, most I've spent, and want to get the best value. I know the difference in the models, materials, locks, steel, but in real use which do you like better?
 
No contest. The Szabo is a fighting knife. In other words, a fantasy knife. Sure it can cut but with a shallow hollow grind, it doesn't cut well. And the handle is huge. Mine was also very stiff.
The Domino is one of my favorites.
 
I like the Szabo better, but I don't think there's any real question that the Domino would be a better EDC. The Szabo does fine with all sorts of cutting tasks, but it's not really practical for many of them.
 
Having had both, I can easily say the Domino will be the better choice for anything in an EDC type of role. The Szabo wins hands down in aesthetics and ergos for me, but is unrealistically large for an EDC. Their levels of fit and finish are equal, but the Domino is more fun to play with and handle daily with its flipper and bearing pivot.
 
The Szabo is a beautiful knife and extremely well-made. It's just big. A little too big to EDC for me. Mine sees very little pocket time these days but i carried it everyday for over 3 months. And although I don't like flippers , I'd go with the Domino. Looks fantastic.
 
Both are impractical EDC for me but anything out of the Taichung plant is a winner. Szabo is just too big and Domino has a ridiculously wide blade. Between the two, if forced, I'd definitely choose the Domino.

Perhaps consider something else from Taichung in between Domino's 3.1" blade and Szabo's 4.6".

Southard: 3.46" CTS-204P (flipper)
Hungarian: 3.6" CTS-XHP
Gayle Bradley: 3.44" CPM-M4
Vallotton: 3.75" CPM-S30V
 
RamZar said:
Both are impractical EDC for me but anything out of the Taichung plant is a winner. Szabo is just too big and Domino has a ridiculously wide blade. Between the two, if forced, I'd definitely choose the Domino.

Perhaps consider something else from Taichung in between Domino's 3.1" blade and Szabo's 4.6".

Southard: 3.46" CTS-204P (flipper)
Hungarian: 3.6" CTS-XHP
Gayle Bradley: 3.44" CPM-M4
Vallotton: 3.75" CPM-S30V
Click to expand...

RamZar has a great point - anything out of Taichung is phenomenal, so it may be worth considering some of their other offerings. I've had a Domino, Szabo, Vallotton, Gayle Bradley, and Southard - the Southard is the only one I still have, if that says anything. They're all great knives, but the Southard makes for a perfect overall EDC.
 
Thanks all for the replies. The Southard is a bit out of my price range, I had one in hand but couldn't see paying 250 for it. I know the steel is amazing, but I would know the difference with my uses. Also the detent was unbelievably strong, to where it hurt to open.

The Valloton has a thumb stud, I know it sounds silly, but it's a deal breaker for me.

Gayle Bradley is close, but alas no flipper! And those are just fun you know?

I have no Taichung offerings, and based on the input from you all that the Domino wins.
 
The Diggity Domino!!!!
Though I have seen Southards for under $200 I like them better then the Domino.....
The Szabo belongs in a collectors case, it isn't a good user.
 
RamZar said:
Both are impractical EDC for me but anything out of the Taichung plant is a winner. Szabo is just too big and Domino has a ridiculously wide blade. Between the two, if forced, I'd definitely choose the Domino.

Perhaps consider something else from Taichung in between Domino's 3.1" blade and Szabo's 4.6".

Southard: 3.46" CTS-204P (flipper)
Hungarian: 3.6" CTS-XHP
Gayle Bradley: 3.44" CPM-M4
Vallotton: 3.75" CPM-S30V
Click to expand...

Ridiculously wide? It's narrower than a very popular knife from ZT that I also own. It's not a design that everyone is going to love but really it's not ridiculously wide. It's about two fingers wide, which I don't find excessive. When closed overall it's narrower than the Stretch. Compared to the Sage 2 it's narrower on the bottom half of the knife when closed.

Additionally the design has a lot going for it: titanium frame lock with steel insert, CTS-XHP steel, ball bearing pivot, carbon fiber/g10 scale, 4 way clip positioning, standoffs, choice of flipper and spyderhole for opening, 4.1 oz is a nice weight, etc.

Lots of great features in one knife. I don't find it ridiculously wide and I don't understand why so many people think that. YMMV
 
Fanglekai said:
Ridiculously wide? It's narrower than a very popular knife from ZT that I also own. It's not a design that everyone is going to love but really it's not ridiculously wide. It's about two fingers wide, which I don't find excessive.

Additionally the design has a lot going for it: titanium frame lock with steel insert, CTS-XHP steel, ball bearing pivot, carbon fiber/g10 scale, 4 way clip positioning, standoffs, choice of flipper and spyderhole for opening, 4.1 oz is a nice weight, etc.

Lots of great features in one knife. I don't find it ridiculously wide and I don't understand why so many people think that. YMMV
Click to expand...

Very few knives are so disproportionately wide in the length to width ratio. It's a 3.1" blade length with a 1.35" width!

If it wasn't so wide it'd be a great EDC. Great flipper action, fairly thin, great blade steel, titanium FrameLock with hardened stainless steel insert, comfortable and good-looking CF/G-10 laminated scale.
 
RamZar said:
Very few knives are so disproportionately wide in the length to width ratio. It's a 3.1" blade length with a 1.35" width!

If it wasn't so wide it'd be a great EDC. Great flipper action, fairly thin, great blade steel, titanium FrameLock with hardened stainless steel insert, comfortable and good-looking CF/G-10 laminated scale.
Click to expand...

I like how it feels in hand. If the blade were narrower it wouldn't feel as good in hand when gripping behind the choil area in the area with the lockbar insert. I try to understand the design choices. For me this one is well thought out. It cuts well and feels good in hand. Works for me.
 
All I can do is parrot what has been said. Two different knives for different tasks. I have both and like them both. I don't edc my Szabo but do keep it in my truck for just in case I need a big sharp pointy knife.
EDIT: The Domino makes an excellent edc. It is one of my favorite go to knives. Makes a much better edc than the Southard,Hungarian,Gayle Bradley and the Vallotton which I have owned and sold.
 
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I own both..heres my thoughts..

Two very different knives for very different purposes..

Normal EDC knife? The Domino wins that contest all day long..the Szabo is a knife I would NEVER carry..way to big to carry/use comfortably and its too scary looking for the general public..

However if you want/need a "something goes bump in the middle of the night" weapon then this flips around: the Szabo kicks the Domino to the curb then straight to the garbage bin..I've got a Szabo and its earned a permanent spot on my nightstand for several months and its going to stay there..folded up it doesn't take up much room but dam is it intimidating when the business end is deployed..the Domino rarely makes it too the nightstand..

And yes I do have a Glock 19 for all those "that's what guns are for" comments but it makes me nervous knowing there are other houses around with family's/children and relatively thin walls..one miss and that could be a life changing disaster..I stick to knives/machetes/axes whenever possible..
 
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