Where Has Mad Dog Gone?

For those who don't like the idea of hard chrome coating, I have been reminded that Mad Dog will deliver knives with no coating on special order. I have in fact seen several big fighters with naked steel blades, and at one time ordered a knife that way myself. The knife was to be a working knife though, and Mad Dog talked some sense into me. I got the knife with the standard hard chrome, and I am glad that I did.

You can also order a Mad Dog knife with a baked-on coating in green, black, or both.

Good hearted Bladeforums readers will also be interested in checking out the auctions currently under way on TacticalForums for the benefit of Isabella deBethencourt, a gorgeous infant daughter of the tactical community who urgently needs help.
 
My second favorite Mad Dog would be the ATAK.

Please give to the deBethencourt family.

Thanks,
Fred
 
Mr. Dog is in the same place he has always been producing a fine blade. When your backlog is as long as his advertising would seem to be a waste, wouldn't you think?

If you want a good idea of what he is about go to one of his classes and get the idea first hand. MD nives are not required to obtain training.
 
I haven't seen a good mad dog war in a long time :) ..

Why is hard chrome such a mystery to so many ? It has been used for ages and is about as good as any thing for protection when applied right . If not it sure would not be applied to so many $5000.00&$6000.00 competetion guns for so many years. Just an observation .
 
MadDog knives are like the old Harley Davidson image...if you have to ask you wouldn't understand .
It pretty much comes down to if you like his knives - buy em--if you don't then buy something else .

If you have a problem with him and that is the reason you dislike his product...when then you have a problem with your innerself...

I hope to get to one of his classes soon , I dont have a MadDog but I will take it with whatever I have at the time .
 
Hard chrome is not a mystery to me, it is just that I don't like blade coatings of any kind.

I have been checking out Mad Dog knives over the last few days and I really like some of the big ones; in particular the Hell Hound and the Big Gri Gri. For a slightly smaller blade, the Panther looks great as well.
 
Keith, I'm with ya on the blade coating issue . I just see so many folks that have questions on the hard chrome like it is some new coating or it has a bad reputation when in reality it just about has a sterling rep. .

45guy, You hit the nail on the head !! Well, one thing is for sure he isn't lacking for sales or collectors ..
 
Mad Dog's balance, design and attention to detail, comes from the actual hands of the knives builder and designer. The only hands that really do anything on Busse knives, are the ones that punch the buttons on their many CNC computer-driven milling machines.
You pay for what you get, and considering Kevin McClung only puts out 20-25 knives, a month, makes the Mad Dogs feel extra special :)
Not dissing on Busses, of course. I have 7 Mad Dogs right now, and intend to buy a lot more, in the future.
 
Keith, I handled the B.G.G. when Kevin came to Hawaii, all I can say is OHHHHBABY! The Panther, for a "smaller" ;) knife is flat out awesome for a knife of its size. I own and handled Randalls,Busses and have handled countless other knives. My Rezin 2000 and Mako beat them hands down in ergonomics and performance. I've chopped breastbones, ribs, spines, skulls, 2x4, 4x4, green and dry Kiawe(mesquite??), etc. I've cleared shooting lanes, dug holes and pretty much abused my MAKO in the field and hunting. The Rezin perofrmed through the flying 4x4 and goat attacks during training and only needed to be sharpened b/c I lost control of my knife and stuck it into the ground full of crushed volcanic rock.:( And NO! their not ugly. Get the "Glowing Temper Line" if you want a little more flash. As for them being expensive, hell I gotta live off My GI Bill, so it's not like I'm AC_Doctor ;), but I buy a knife I can count on and that don't come cheap.
 
The only hands that really do anything on Busse knives, are the ones that punch the buttons on their many CNC computer-driven milling machines.
Click to expand...


So I suppose the variants and Jerrys grinder front designs are what?

And as far as Hard Chrome, doesn't Emerson use it too?
 
IMHO, for a fixed blade, Kevin makes some of the finest steel out there. Mad Dogs, regardless of size, feel like they were crafted for my hand. Balance and real decent design. I have no problems with the value ratio. O-1 is a great steel and the handles are grippy and insulated both from shock and electrical shock. I am going to get an ATAK next. Too bad Kevin does not do a folder. Tom Mayo does a great folder. The TNT is my favorite folder. YMMV
 
as a BF newb I'm thankful this thread came up again. After reading it all, I put in an order for an ATAK Thing. If I could justify the expense of a Shining Path, I'd order one of those, too... :)
Thanks especially for posting the site with the photos of how the knives are made. That was the final selling point. The torture tests and the handle construction speak for themselves.
It seems every knife manufacturer has their detractors and staunch defenders, and there is always an amount of hype.
In 18 months or so I'll post about how much I like the knife. :)
 
I bought a one off Mad Dog years ago and foolishly sold once when I needed money... have always regreted it and recently had the chance to pick up a new ATAK with Dundee Rig on the secondary market. I was amazed at the Mad Dog I bought years ago and I think the ATAK is even better: it has the best grip I have ever seen on a full sized fixed blade knife. The entire knife is a masterpiece of refined, understated, funtional elegance. I've shown the knife to people who had no interest in knives - but rather of industrial design in general - and even they were impressed. Mad Dog makes lean, mean cutting machines and as a knifemaker myself, I can only salute his work. I don't know Kevin McClung and I don't know much about his politics. But I'm gonna have to get really really broke to ever part with this ATAK!
 
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