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The Loveless Dixon Fighter
- Thread starter HTMD
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- Oct 8, 2001
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"No one needs a Custom Knife--they have to want it!"
Now we're talking.
Coop
Now we're talking.
Coop
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^You guys are going to get yourselves into trouble if you aren't careful. 
The Dixon is one fine fighter.
The Dixon is one fine fighter.
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- Feb 15, 2002
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Yes, the owner wishes to remain anonymous. I'm always happy to honor such a request because there's usually a very good reason for it.
Kevin - if you see this (and others too if you have experience with this particular Loveless design) - you recently posted another Loveless Dixon Fighter. Both this one and yours share similar features and I wonder how similar or different they are from each other.
Here's a clearer statement of my question: In the case of Bob Loveless, when Dixon Fighters come out of his shop, how closely do they conform to the original design template and therefore to each other? Was he a stickler for adhering to the design, or did he allow a certain leeway so that every Dixon Fighter is a little different from the next one or the previous one?
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- Feb 15, 2006
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Buddy, you commented on my new Dixon model by T.B., and I think I can briefly add something.. I was so curious to know the difference between mine and a original Loveless, so I ended up looking at every single Loveless Dixon I could find. To study them.. I also sent photos of mine to Steven Garson to comment on differences design wise.
I know it's only in 2-D format, but I saw variations, and no two that looked like twins. My eyes saw there were different handle to blade ratio's, blade profiles, handle and tang widths, etc. Just small things, on a small scale. I haven't handled a loveless ever, and only recently started to read his bio. but I have a good eye and memory for detail and from pictures I've seen subtle changes can be seen. The one in your photo for example, seems to be just slightly slimmer, all the way up. (than some I recall..) Steven made a recent comment about weight differences between two Loveless pieces with similar handles I think... Your Friends knife is beautiful, and you gave us a great look at it in the photo.. Rich
I know it's only in 2-D format, but I saw variations, and no two that looked like twins. My eyes saw there were different handle to blade ratio's, blade profiles, handle and tang widths, etc. Just small things, on a small scale. I haven't handled a loveless ever, and only recently started to read his bio. but I have a good eye and memory for detail and from pictures I've seen subtle changes can be seen. The one in your photo for example, seems to be just slightly slimmer, all the way up. (than some I recall..) Steven made a recent comment about weight differences between two Loveless pieces with similar handles I think... Your Friends knife is beautiful, and you gave us a great look at it in the photo.. Rich
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Buddy, I have handled/examined 3 Dixon fighters, two of which are mine (which I recently posted here) and the one above. I'm actually a little surprised at how the three Dixons have varied as opposed to the other Loveless designs/models I have inspected.
I actually had mine and the one above in front of me at the same time for a good comparison. The blade profile and grinds are almost identical on these two, however the handles are quite different resulting in the above being almost 1 oz. lighter than mine. The handle on the above is slimmer, has a little more curvature to the underside and not quite as much of the typical Loveless handle swell. On the other hand, the third Dixon I inspected was practically identical to mine (especially the handle) with the exception of the blade being almost 1/2" longer.
So to answer your question, I have found the Loveless Dixon models do feel/handle a little different. Not that one is better than the other. I have a fairly large hand so I prefer the feel of mine as opposed to the one above.
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I have a question related to the above for anyone whose familiar with the Loveless Dixon Fighter design.
What is the typical blade length or better yet, what is the blade and OAL of the Loveless Dixon pattern? As stated, I have seen them from slightly under 6" to around 6 1/2".
I believe the Loveless Chute has a short or standard length blade and a rarer longer blade design.
What is the typical blade length or better yet, what is the blade and OAL of the Loveless Dixon pattern? As stated, I have seen them from slightly under 6" to around 6 1/2".
I believe the Loveless Chute has a short or standard length blade and a rarer longer blade design.
Win Heger
Gold Member
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- Feb 29, 2000
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Beautiful knife, I'm sure the owner is happy with both the knife and the photo.
I'm not surprised that each knife is just a little different, they are handmade, correct? It's great to have people like STeven and Kevin be able to compare exact models and pick out the small differences. I would think knives with natural handle material, especially Stag, would be more likely to vary in weight and handle shape.
Win
I'm not surprised that each knife is just a little different, they are handmade, correct? It's great to have people like STeven and Kevin be able to compare exact models and pick out the small differences. I would think knives with natural handle material, especially Stag, would be more likely to vary in weight and handle shape.
Win
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Buddy Thomason posted:
I have a question, what is a Dixon Fighter exactly?
I believe that most Dixon Fighters have about a 6" blade and obviously look similar to the knife above in Buddy's photo.
I have a double edged Loveless Fighter with Macassar Ebony scales and a Riverside logo. I have been told by a Loveless dealer that it was made around 1978-79 and ground by Kuzan Oda who was working in Bob Loveless's shop at that time. The blade is 6 1/2" long. 11 1/2" OAL. The handle is contoured.
Is this knife considered a Dixon Fighter?
Jim Treacy
I have a question, what is a Dixon Fighter exactly?
I believe that most Dixon Fighters have about a 6" blade and obviously look similar to the knife above in Buddy's photo.
I have a double edged Loveless Fighter with Macassar Ebony scales and a Riverside logo. I have been told by a Loveless dealer that it was made around 1978-79 and ground by Kuzan Oda who was working in Bob Loveless's shop at that time. The blade is 6 1/2" long. 11 1/2" OAL. The handle is contoured.
Is this knife considered a Dixon Fighter?
Jim Treacy
Last edited:
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The OAL of the knife I posted at the top is approximately 11 1/4 in. I didn't measure the handle but I'd say it's a pretty standard size at about 5 in.
I was fooled by the stag handle slabs. I thought they'd been stabilized from their appearance but I was informed that they are simply highly polished (and colored, of course).
Another difference between DFs are the handle spacers - some red, some black and maybe other colors too, I don't know. This wouldn't be significant unless Loveless used spacer color to designate something in particular.
Thanks to everyone for the information sharing on this subject.
I was fooled by the stag handle slabs. I thought they'd been stabilized from their appearance but I was informed that they are simply highly polished (and colored, of course).
Another difference between DFs are the handle spacers - some red, some black and maybe other colors too, I don't know. This wouldn't be significant unless Loveless used spacer color to designate something in particular.
Thanks to everyone for the information sharing on this subject.
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The Dixon fighter is named Bob's old landlord and friend. Last name Dixon.
He already made the Knife in 5" 5-1/2", and quite a few 6.5 and 7 inch models.
Mr. Dixon commented to Bob that he would love to have one one day. And that a kinda in-between size would be perfect.
Bob made the Knife for him as a gift. Bob called it the "Dixon" in honor of his friend.
Several collectors have challenged this over the years. However, the "Dixon" is a 6" blade.
I ask bob once what he called the 5.5" and 6.5" blades. "Five and a half and 6 and a half inch fighters of course".
Winn is correct. You will find more variance in the Stag handled Knives than any other. Mostly because of the unavailability of decent Stag these days. It's too round, and not as wide as we would like. Many times the Knife has to be slightly tweaked to fit the Stag.
This is one of the reasons bob alway discouraged a customer from ordering Stag.
There also changes of the roundness, or contour from decade to decade. The earlier blades on the double edged fighters were also narrower. This has to do with the diameter of the contact wheel used, and the desired depth of the grind. The Contact Wheel size was changed a few years ago, and the Blades widened. This is most easily seen on the Big Bear.
The one ounce difference is more than likely the difference in both the contour and density of the Stag. It varies wildly.
Two Dixon's from the same era in Micarta, will be MUCH closely matches.
And as pointed out. They are hand made. Not set up in jigs and manufactured.
Neat tidbit. The Dixon Fighter is the basics of one of Loveless's most desirable Fighters. The JR. Bear Subhilt is a Dixon with a Sub-Hilt Trigger and Lugged Guard fitted.
It has been stated on the forum here that the Dixon is a rare knife. Odd, as it is one of the best known Loveless Fighter made. As is the Jr. Bear.
The Jr. Bear was by far, both Bob and Jim's favorite. They both owned both Loveless, Loveless- Merritt, and Lovett Jr. Bears.
Mike
Maker
The Loveless Connection
254-865-9956
He already made the Knife in 5" 5-1/2", and quite a few 6.5 and 7 inch models.
Mr. Dixon commented to Bob that he would love to have one one day. And that a kinda in-between size would be perfect.
Bob made the Knife for him as a gift. Bob called it the "Dixon" in honor of his friend.
Several collectors have challenged this over the years. However, the "Dixon" is a 6" blade.
I ask bob once what he called the 5.5" and 6.5" blades. "Five and a half and 6 and a half inch fighters of course".
Winn is correct. You will find more variance in the Stag handled Knives than any other. Mostly because of the unavailability of decent Stag these days. It's too round, and not as wide as we would like. Many times the Knife has to be slightly tweaked to fit the Stag.
This is one of the reasons bob alway discouraged a customer from ordering Stag.
There also changes of the roundness, or contour from decade to decade. The earlier blades on the double edged fighters were also narrower. This has to do with the diameter of the contact wheel used, and the desired depth of the grind. The Contact Wheel size was changed a few years ago, and the Blades widened. This is most easily seen on the Big Bear.
The one ounce difference is more than likely the difference in both the contour and density of the Stag. It varies wildly.
Two Dixon's from the same era in Micarta, will be MUCH closely matches.
And as pointed out. They are hand made. Not set up in jigs and manufactured.
Neat tidbit. The Dixon Fighter is the basics of one of Loveless's most desirable Fighters. The JR. Bear Subhilt is a Dixon with a Sub-Hilt Trigger and Lugged Guard fitted.
It has been stated on the forum here that the Dixon is a rare knife. Odd, as it is one of the best known Loveless Fighter made. As is the Jr. Bear.
The Jr. Bear was by far, both Bob and Jim's favorite. They both owned both Loveless, Loveless- Merritt, and Lovett Jr. Bears.
Mike
Maker
The Loveless Connection
254-865-9956
Last edited:
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
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Great photo, Buddy, and that is a fine looking knife!
I've only handled 4 Dixon fighters from The Loveless Shop, 3 stag and 1 micarta....all were quite different, all had been produced in the last 5 years.
Great comments by Mike Lovett, helping to fill in some of the fine details that we often miss.
I would have thought that the NY Special and the Big Bear would have been vastly more renowned than The Dixon and Jr. Bear....where did you come up with this statement, Mike? I got my information from the dealers we visited at Blade on The Loveless Tour.
It isn't necessarily a matter of how many of a type of knife get ordered and shipped, but more probably a matter of what gets SEEN and discussed, in books, and in public....also copied, IE "The Black Bear" by Cold Steel.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
I've only handled 4 Dixon fighters from The Loveless Shop, 3 stag and 1 micarta....all were quite different, all had been produced in the last 5 years.
Great comments by Mike Lovett, helping to fill in some of the fine details that we often miss.
I would have thought that the NY Special and the Big Bear would have been vastly more renowned than The Dixon and Jr. Bear....where did you come up with this statement, Mike? I got my information from the dealers we visited at Blade on The Loveless Tour.
It isn't necessarily a matter of how many of a type of knife get ordered and shipped, but more probably a matter of what gets SEEN and discussed, in books, and in public....also copied, IE "The Black Bear" by Cold Steel.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Last edited:
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More added to the post above , as I missed a few things.
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Thanks for clearing that up Mike and I will print your post and put it with the documentation on my Dixon. To back your point, both the Dixons discussed in this thread had blades very close to 6".
I think the reference to "rare" may have been meant more in terms of the Dixon being produced in fewer quantity as compared to some other Loveless models rather than rare in terms of popularity.
Here's the other Dixon being referred to in this thread for reference.
Again, thanks Mike for the information.
Another question, aren't most Loveless liners Red?
I think the reference to "rare" may have been meant more in terms of the Dixon being produced in fewer quantity as compared to some other Loveless models rather than rare in terms of popularity.
Here's the other Dixon being referred to in this thread for reference.
Again, thanks Mike for the information.
Another question, aren't most Loveless liners Red?
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
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The first knife in your post, and Kevin's knife above are the same.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson