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Which fixed tactical/utility < $200

A

AB

Joined
Jan 13, 1999
Messages
81
Just traded off my RJ Martin Kozuka, as I for some reason could not get to love the chisel tanto blade. A beautiful piece, but just not for me :( I also feel I need at least a hint of a guardish feature to keep me from sliding onto the blade.

Now, what do I get to replace it? Requirements:

- < $250 (slightly bendable on this. < $200 preferred though)
- Belt carry (no neck only sheaths), kydex sheath
- Mid size. 3.5" - 4.5" blade
- "Tactical" (whatever that is), but with "utility usablity" :rolleyes: Does it make sense?
- Sharpness over corrotion resistance.

Intended to fill the nieche between my Sebenza and MD ATAK. For everyday fishing/hunting/outdoors, I tend to prefer my trad. Norwegian knives, so I'm definitely looking for something with a tactical streak ...

Any thoughts?

I have looked at Dozier (Model 6 Tactical) and Rinaldi (Spook), but I would love to hear your opinions. Not quite sure about the horisontal sheath on the Dozier, is it comfortable?

I don't have a patient bone in my whole body, so I'll have to rely on a dealer having the knife in stock. :D
 
Buy an Fallkniven S1 or if i needs to be bigger an A1! I have the S1 and I'm absolutly satisfied with this knife.
If it should look more tactical, why don't you have a look at the Benchmade Nimravus. I don't have this one, but I thought about buying it and in the end I bought the S1. But I can tell you if you should buy the Nimravus, then take it with the M2 tool steel. I have the M2 on my EDC and it's perfct. Really hard (62 Rockwell!) and if it get's dull you can absolutely easy resharpen it!
 
O.K. AB, you mentioned the Spook. Sorry, I didn't catch that until my second read.

Jack
 
Since Bob's knives are custom-made, you can get any model with the Wilderness sheath.

Here's my left-hand K1. I just LOVE it!

(also shown with a G2 Surefire & Kershaw Leek IWB)

K1-wilderness.jpg
 
Yeah, the Spook looks very nice. I can't find pictures of the sheath though, can anyone help me? The larger Rinaldis also appeal to me, the LEO looks good. Slightly out of my price range, unfortunately.

1981, Fallkniven is a nice brand, but I was kinda thinking of a custom blade. That's why I posted this in the Custom Knife Forum. ;)

I'm sure I can get any sheath for a Dozier, but as mentioned, I am rather impatient. I've only seen the Model 6 with a horizontal sheath at dealers ...
 
Not to worry, the horizontal sheathes by Dozier are very comfortable. In fact, they are one of two reasons that I almost daily carry a Dozier... the other reason being the Dozier knife itself. They fit unobtrusively on the belt and can be taken off and put back on without having to take the belt off. They also can be slipped down into a front pocket with ease. You won't be disappointed. You might want to look into AGRussell's site for readily available Doziers.
Mongo
 
I have several THR blades. Trace Rinaldi's work is top notch and well worth the wait. The knife you are describing is either the TTKK or TUK. Be sure to checkout the rest of them at THR Blades.

FWIW, I have used a TTKK for 4 or 5 years so, I may be a bit biased by the excellant quality this knife has shown ;) It has made a great daily user but, I'm sure there are others out there that would fit your needs besides a THR blade.
 
I sorta like my Sean Kendrick Model 7. Good mix for a lot of things. 4.5" ATS34. $240 ;)

Frank:cool:
SeanKendrickModel7800.jpg
 
Hi AB. I have the Dozier knife in question and upon reading the title of your post the Tactical 6 was the first knife to pop in my mind. It has a 4" blade that is .150" thick at the choil and gradually thins to .050 at the tip four inches later. There is a deep and long false edge that runs about 3.5" along the top and it could be sharpened if you so desired. The integral handguards are found on the top and the bottom and work well to keep your hand OFF the blade!:D They are constructed of black micarta that is nicely sculptered to fit most hands and it fits mine just right. This has made me a great little utility knife that would also become an excellent "tactical" knife if need be. I've no problems carrying the knife in the horizontal kydex sheath but you can always have Bob do a vertical or even a shoulder strap sheath for that matter.

All in all the Tactical 6 is a great little knife by bob Dozier............but I've yet to see a Dozier product that wasn't great!!

Btw, I didn't even mention the D2 steel but Bob is a master of it and that is all I have to say about that!
 
Hello,

Since Dozier and Rinaldi have already been suggested...

How about a relatively new maker like Jim Burke? I haven't seen his knives in person but they look impressive on his website

lgentry_tool.jpg


Another one that comes to mind in your price/spec range would be David Dempsey

S30KK.JPG


RL
 
Down here in AZ, Robert Hankins is currently making full-sized S30V blades with Paul Bos heat treats for about $200 even.

I am not aware of any online pics of any of his smaller designs:( but with that kind of pricing on full-size premium CPM stuff, I am pretty sure that if you tell him what you are looking for that he could set you up with a pretty good deal on some top-notch workmanship, especially if you are going smaller and/or carbon instead of S30V.

I actually went over to visit him a couple weeks ago looking for a job but now I am also thinking of picking up one of his knives before the pricing goes up.

Of course, before I start buying more knives I suppose I need to actually find a job somewhere...:rolleyes:

-Dave
 
Hi AB,

sorry for telling ****! I haven't seen that it's in the customs forum. Sorry for that.

But I got another oportunity for you - of cause this time it's a custom! Why don't you buy an German one. Perhaps you want to have a look at this site: Boehlke-Messer . He's a German guy, how makes quite nice and good knives. He'd surely would built YOUR knife. As far as I know, you can send him your knife deisgn and he'd make this knife for you. Perhaps it would be 250 USD or even 300 USD then, but you have really the knife you want. I put you a link to a picture in here, that you can see what he makes for just 260 EUR (almost the same then USD):http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=208777
Cool, isn't it??
 
Say you were forced to choose between a Dozier Model 6 and a Rinaldi Spook, where would you put your money?

Good suggestions here! Keep 'em coming ...
 
I've been using Dozier knives for some time now.
They are the best I've ever used. The edge holding
ability is as good as it gets in my opinion.
The horizonal kydex sheath is also very comfortable,
easy to attach, and the fit suprised me. No clacking
when shaking it around.
This is my thoughts.

tc
 
Bob's horizontal kydex sheath can also be attached to your pant's belt look and carried vertically. Doubles the fun, especially when a Dozier knife is inside. Just switched my K1 from horizontal to vertical today. So far, so good....
 
I see a lot of votes for Dozier.

I'll probably get stoned for this, but after some serious thinking, I must admit I prefer the lines of Dozier's hunters over his tacticals. Just estethics. Hard to ignore the many testaments to the quality of his work though. Maybe I'll need to get two new knives, one of them being a Dozier utility/hunter type :D

Still, the Rinaldis are alluring. Just wondering if the Spook is the right model, or if I should step up in size.

How about other makers? In the higher price ranges, how does Polkowski rate against the already mentioned makers, for example? Or Greg Lightfoot?

I find I have read the customs forum far too seldom. So much to learn :cool:
 
I have been a HUGE fan of Mr. Dozier for a long time... To be mentioned with him as often as it comes up is TOO COOL!!:D I look at his knives and want to get my hands on one and run out and USE it!!! I am proud many are seeing this in my work too! Thanks guys...
 
Trace,
Believe it - YOU ARE THERE! - now comes the hard part, you have set the bar high and it will keep you on your proverbial toes! Have been following your work for a few years now and it just gets better and better - reminds me of Buffalo Dundee and the good Dr. down in Fla. -I have a slew of their knives so I guess you are next, plus you use Talonite which I like a lot. Will e-mail you about possible birthday present in April - been putting off too long!

Have a great day!
Bill
 
Mr. Rinaldi, straight from the "horse's mouth" as it were, which of your blades do you think yould fit my description? Both regarding and diregarding the price restraint :D

I have also found a Lightfoot Sierra Light at a good price, can anyone tell me about this knife?
 
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