Well, having lurked on this forum for some time and having read most of the MD threads here as well as a few on KF (when MD was still there) I evaluated what I wanted in a knife, and MD seemed to fit the bill. And so did many other knives. So which one(s) to choose?
No one that I have ever seen in these forms has ever said Mad Dog knives had poor ergonomics. Several have tested, and many more have questioned, the durability of his blades. But to my knowledge, no one has said he makes an outright bad blade, either.
So what we have seems to be a terrific handle, glued by what may be less than ideal means, to a less than ideally designed tang on a less than ideal blade, both in terms of steel selection and tempering.
As Steve noted above, it may be a compromise, but it is the compromise Mad Dog thinks best for what he is trying to do.
So far, so good. So why the endless fascination with Mad Dog knives? From what I have read, it isn't really the knives. The knives are, by all accounts okay to great, depending on whom you ask. The problems arise when the people who say they are okay start to disagree with those who say they are great. But we don't have these discussions about Camillus, Spyderco, etc. etc.
I think the problem is cost vs worth.
Let me put it this way. If some forum member who collects beer cans, spends over $100 for an empty beer can and Cliff comes along and tests the edge of his new Wunderwacker by slicing it cleanly in half, said forum member would probably like to try the same thing on Cliff. For one member, it's just an empty beer can, for another, it's a collector item. There are two distinct sets of "worth" at work here.
Notice, however, that the above scenario does not address the "functionality" of an empty beer can. Mad Dog knives have been tested and found nearly indestructable by some, sorely lacking by others. But the same could be said for Benchmade. So what gives? In my opinion, it is because Mad Dog knives have an exaggerated sense of "worth" in relation to their apparent performance and construction.
Let me explain. If the forum member with the $100 beer can is later told be another forumite that the can is worth only $23.50, there may be hurt feelings, denial, disbelief, accusations, justifications, etc. etc. In short, there is going to be a sharp disagreement on whether the can is "worth it." Certainly, it was worth it to the person who bought it at the time. And most people do not like having their opinions openly challenged, especially when the challenge is supported by corroborating evidence.
Now, what do I mean when I say that Mad Dog knives have an exaggerated sense of worth? When Mike and Spark conducted their tests, no one seemed overly surprised by most of the results. Then several excuses were given, and allegations made about the veracity of the test and so on and so on about why the ATAK didn't finish first. Apparently, reality didn't fit with hype, so reality had to be adjusted.
Cliff's tests with the TUSK clearly showed that the one-steel-one-temper fits all philosophy adopted by MD is clearly inadequate for the wide range of knives they make. Certainly, the Panther may be a great, even the greatest, fighting blade out there. But why make a utility blade of the same steel and to the same hardness? And yet "the T.U.S.K can do, and has done, it all."
http://www.mdenterprise.com/tusk.htm
Just don't do it too hard, or you'll probably void the warranty.
The ATAK? Well, it "is excellent for all-around utility. ... with exceptional durability for prying and chopping."
http://www.mdenterprise.com/atak.htm
And apparently, can be used as a diving board, chin-up bar, and can put a sunroof in your car if you really want. Or maybe the edge chips and the point deforms when the knife is abused.
Certainly, Mad Dog makes good knives. Whether they are great knives is a matter of opinion. The tests I have seen don't bear that out. Unfortunately, when someone points out their shortcomings, they are as often as not flambe'd or, depending on the forum, simply deleted. No disagreement, no problem. In my opinion, MD's are over-hyped and over priced. Are they worth it to me? Obviously not. They may be worth it to someone who has used one and found it satisfactory, or who likes the ergonomics, or who has just plain bought the hype along with the knife.
In my post above, I was alluding to the original poster's question, "are there knives that give you more bang for the buck." The answer is yes.
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001219.html
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3?HTML/001214.html
Want to see a similar test of a Mad Dog Panther? So would I. But since I culdn't find one, I bought the Hossom instead. For 2/3 the money of a Panther I have a knife in a steel I trust more, from a maker I trust more. The MD's just aren't worth it to me.
If you have a Mad Dog, or want one, or have one on order, by all means, have fun with it, cherish it, and I hope it is serves you well.
Just don't be surprised if Cliff bisects it like a $100 (or $300 or $900) beer can.
Tom
