Bob's wife Linda is typically who you get on the phone, and without exception, she has been a very sweet, gracious, helpful lady... same at shows. And that makes dealing with Dozier's directly just great.
First of all, I have seven Dozier knives. That suggests a satisfied customer.
http://www.dozierknives.com
Anecdotally: I brought home a dozen Redfish from a fishing trip a while back (Red Drum). These are pretty tough saltwater fish, dull out fillet knives when you cut under gills, anytime you cut their scales. I used a Dozier hunter to do the initial entry into the fish... under gills, opened the belly cavity, cut scales along spine to ease the fillet-ing process. I couldn't believe how sharp the knife was afterwards... I didn't even resharpen it, and I like stuff sharp. I didn't really take off any edge at all.
Recall I'm a happy customer when you read the pros/cons of Dozier's knives:
Pro:
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1. Bob chooses to make his living providing some of the best values in custom fixed blades. High performance at what amounts to production pricing in most cases (most of his line is between $135-$165 !). He can make high fit/finish too, and used to, but focuses on working knives now in running his biz. It speaks to the practical side, Bob's roots as a country boy, growing up in hunting camps in Louisiana. Kudos for admirably filling this niche.
2. I like D2's working performance better than ATS-34. I suspect you could get better out of Stellite under some conditions (notably salt water use), and 420V I think beats D2, but 440V takes a really optimized heat treat to beat D2 and must be left softer (Rc55-58). BG-42 is a contender, better all around than D2 in terms of corrosion, very close in other areas. That is the list of common blade materials that have much chance of bettering D2. IMHO.
3. D2 is probably the peak, the ultimate when you take potential SS blade performance and divide by cost of the raw material stock. This means maximized blade performance (for slicing) at reasonable prices.
4. Dozier's ability to heat treat D2 is probably as good or better than all comers in USA. I'm sure others are good, Paul Bos, but Dozier leaves little or nothing on the table.
5. Designs are very practical, stripped of all unnecessary and flashy stuff. Very utilitarian. Very user friendly. Bob's stuff has an appropriately heavy, cadillac, rounded, substantial feel in-hand. It's easy to get flashy, to spend time on "features" that don't add to the using experience. Bob avoids this in his working knives line. Kudos.
6. Kydex sheaths from Bob are light, extremely well fitted, great snap-in, snap-out with a twist... among the very best in the business.
7. Bob will lightly customize an existing design for you at reasonable prices.
8. If you want one of his bigger knives in a tougher format, Bob will do them in A2 for you on custom order basis. E.g. his Bowie, the Ranger, etc. A2 is about twice as tough as D2 so makes a better chopper and still holds a great edge at the expense of corrosion resistance.
Observations / Neutral to Con:
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1. If you want something custom, you need to start from an existing design and deviate moderatly to keep price down. I understand Bob's approach, semi-production line in small shop, just noting a self-chosen Dozier limitation in current form. He will work from a sketch and give you a quote. That's great.
2. Bob's final hollow grind finish (300- something grit, per Bob) on D2 is too rough for my tastes, and more to the point, it tends to be too rough to avoid very mild spots of rust unless you clean VERY thoroughly and oil. That knife I use on fishies... it gets a thorough bath in the sink and some kind of corrosion inhibitor (oils, Tuf Cloth) before it goes into sheath from experience. This is both a D2 corrosion resistance issue (mild one) and an issue with a finish that is too coarse (but keeps price down also).
| Sidebar: D2 can be finished very nicely with some effort. I have a Walter Brend Model 2 that has a super finish, I thought it was ATS-34, but no, Walter spend the time (and me the money) for such finish. I also have a Jimmy Lile hunter in D2 with a very nice finish, it does show a bit of the orange-peel nearly everybody gets with D2 on smooth surfaces. I like brushed/satin finish on D2 for this reason. End Sidebar|
3. Occasionally, Bob lets an unevenly ground blade out of his shop. I got a crooked, unevenly ground Pro Skinner from AG Russell and sent it back.
4. Having said the above, when I had a problem with the wood raising up on the handle of a Dozier (this happens, even with stabilized wood, sometimes), Bob & Linda were very reasonable in getting me a solution to the problem... that is all I ask of a maker. So this is a positive, just mentioned in "con" along with #3 above.
5. I can't put my finger on it, but his folders leave me cold (except the little micarta 3" drop point which I like). Some has to do with harsh lines, sharp angles/edges, steel handles, and the action is just ok. Having said that, the ones he designs for heavy duty work are among the sturdiest in the business, approaching Sebenza's in my mind, exceeding them in Bob's opinion.
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Ok, remember, I was nit picking... I own 7 Dozier fixed blades. The above IMO, your methods/opinions may vary.
[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 03-11-2001).]
[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 03-31-2001).]
