Dawson Knives Smuggler EDC?

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Enceladus96

Joined
Sep 21, 2023
Messages
4
Hi there! First post here.

I’m new to the hobby. I have a custom Buck 110 with that beautiful Elk handle option. Its served me well for about a year now. I don’t own any other knives (aside from cutlery) but I am skilled with a blade as I’m a 5th generation fine dining chef and have always been around knives.

Lately I’ve been looking for a fixed blade I can carry daily. There is nothing wrong with my Buck 110, I love it. But I want a fixed blade too.

I came across this brand - Dawson Knives who make some really amazing looking blades that seem to use really good quality steel from what I researched. They are in AZ (as am I) so supporting local would be great if the quality and model make sense.

The smuggler model looks really cool. Is that option an ideal EDC? Or would I want something smaller? If I’m not mistaken, The Buck 110 I have has gotta be like 8” or something like that when fully opened. So if the Smugglers total length is 8 1/4” overall, that should be more than fine. But I do see a few minor gripes about the sheath being a bit large on it.

Also, I’m still learning some of these knife terms. I see the Dawson smuggler has some kind of opening at the top near the jimpimg. what’s the open hole at the top used for? And what’s the opening near the bottom of the blade passed the guard used for? Bottle opener?

At this point I’m basically between a Buck 119 custom or this Dawson. Other options are welcome.

Thanks so much.

Greg
 
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Hmm. I have been tempted by several Dawson knives. The Smuggler is not one of them. The cutting edge is way too small a percentage of the total length, especially for an EDC.
It's not a bottle opener. It's for lashing the knife to a pole to make a spear.

You might look at the Bradford Guardian series, or the numerous knives for sale by makers on these forums.
 
I highly recommend the White River Knives M1 Backpacker (I may have the name slightly wrong). It’s so light and unobtrusive it’s easy to forget that you’re carrying it. Mine has G10 scales, for what it’s worth. It’s also very reasonably priced, if memory serves. I feel ya’ on the shopping local front. White River is in Michigan (I think), but they’re a family business (if I remember correctly), so you can still feel good about supporting them.
 
MissesMeow said:
I highly recommend the White River Knives M1 Backpacker (I may have the name slightly wrong). It’s so light and unobtrusive it’s easy to forget that you’re carrying it. Mine has G10 scales, for what it’s worth. It’s also very reasonably priced, if memory serves. I feel ya’ on the shopping local front. White River is in Michigan (I think), but they’re a family business (if I remember correctly), so you can still feel good about supporting them.
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Yes, the White River Knives M1 (which comes in several varieties) is a great little knife. I sometimes carry one as a neck knife.
 
I don't like that dawson knives have both a deep finger choil and a finger guard that by the way gets snagged on the sheath every when pulling out a lot (my experience) too many safety features for me
 
First off, thanks for the replies. I ended up going with the Smuggler before I noticed replies. It’s a design that really was up my alley, so hopefully it plays out well.

Secondly, How does the sheath work on the smuggler? Does it clock lock the blade in place? If so, how do you safely remove the knife after it locks in place? I haven’t used a sheath like that before.

And if I’m looking to understand more detailed knife terms on the forum, where can I find a link or maybe a photo showcasing lots of terms?
 
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Another Shepherd said:
Hmm. I have been tempted by several Dawson knives. The Smuggler is not one of them. The cutting edge is way too small a percentage of the total length, especially for an EDC.
It's not a bottle opener. It's for lashing the knife to a pole to make a spear.

You might look at the Bradford Guardian series, or the numerous knives for sale by makers on these forums.
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Interesting. What issues stem from the cutting edge being too small a percentage of the total length?

Maybe less efficiency or less effective when cutting? If so, wouldn’t the magnacut steel and the overall process these blades go through still provide an incredibly sharp and durable blade?
 
Enceladus96 said:
Interesting. What issues stem from the cutting edge being too small a percentage of the total length?
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If you are not planning on using the knife on a spear, there is about an inch of expensive steel that serves no useful purpose and adds dead weight to the knife. It also looks like it would be uncomfortable to get your hand close to the cutting edge when you want to make a carefully controlled cut.
 
Another Shepherd said:
If you are not planning on using the knife on a spear, there is about an inch of expensive steel that serves no useful purpose and adds dead weight to the knife. It also looks like it would be uncomfortable to get your hand close to the cutting edge when you want to make a carefully controlled cut.
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I don’t really plan on using the Smuggler for anything in particular. Just a basic knife to carry a few times a week, cut some boxes at the restaurant, bags etc. Nothing crazy. The smuggler should excel at basic tasks
 
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Enceladus96 said:
I don’t really plan on using the Smuggler for anything in particular. Just a basic knife to carry a few times a week, cut some boxes at the restaurant, bags etc. Nothing crazy. The smuggler should excel at basic tasks
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Hey I saw your thread on here so I made an account I'm actually deciding on getting the smuggler or the outcast and wanted to see how you ended up liking the smuggler ? I carry a folder everyday I just want a cool tough edc fixed blade and the smuggler looks sick
 
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