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Hey, what's up, guys? I’ve got a cool Ka-Bar Dozier review for you today. We're gonna be talking about product specs and the pros and cons of buying a knife that's not marketed to yacht owners who've made their millions mucking horseshit on clam ranches for a living.
Before we dive in, let me share a little Instagram comedy that apparently only I found hilarious. I saw Ben and Matt from Blade HQ talking about how a video should start with "What's up guys." No one else caught that? Just me? Alright, moving on to our Ka-Bar Dozier review.
In This Article
- Pros and Cons
- Dimensions and Specs
- The Blade
- The Handle
- The Action
- Pocketclip
- Comparison
- Video Review
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The Ka-Bar Dozier is a sorta compact, lightweight knife that won't break the bank.
- It's got an AUS-8 steel blade that's not too shabby, even if it ain't Sandvik.
- The Zytel handle is tough as nails and gives you a good grip, even if you're all thumbs.
- It's got a lockback mechanism that's stiffer than your grandpa's knee but solid as a rock.
- The pocket clip might lose some paint, but it'll hold onto your pocket like a clingy ex.
- It's a knife that'll get the job done without making you cry if you lose it in a bar fight.
Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
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Specs and Dimensions (Because Size Matters, Right?)
Let's break down the specs in this Ka-Bar Dozier review:
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 7.25" |
| Blade Length | 3.00" |
| Weight | 2.20 oz. |
| Blade Thickness | 0.11" |
| Blade Material | AUS-8A |
| Hardness | 56-58 RC |
| Blade Style | Drop Point |
| Blade Grind | Hollow |
| Finish | Satin |
| Edge Type | Plain |
| Handle Length | 4.25" |
| Handle Thickness | 0.40" |
| Handle Material | Zytel |
| Frame/Liner | Steel |
| User | Right Hand, Left Hand |
| Pocket Clip | Tip-Up |
| Knife Type | Manual |
| Opener | Thumb Stud |
| Lock Type | Lockback |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
Blade of Glory (or at least, Competence)
The Dozier is a somewhat compact, lightweight knife with a 3-inch drop-point, hollow-ground blade made from AUS-8 steel. It's that steel everyone wishes was the marginally better Sandvik. I say that because recently, I was browsing a steel test spreadsheet. And, while AUS-8 ranked lower in steel tests than a few of the Sandviks, calling Sandvik good and AUS-8 bad doesn't make sense.
Handle This (If You Can)
The handle is kept light by a linerless Zytel, which is a form of hard-wearing plastic. It gives plenty of texture in the wet, even though I have mainly used it indoors the past few weeks. There is plenty of room for my hand, and it doesn't feel small in my grip.
Slicey Action and Locky Goodness
The blade is deployed by a thumb stud and is configured for right-handed deployment out of the box. But if you have a star key, you can swap the thumb stud and flip the pocket clip for easier ickier left-handed deployment.
It's not a quick deployment. Just a gentle thumb motion. Plus, it opens as gently as a bird softly tweets. You can even use two hands if you'd rather take it slower.
Lockup is handled by a lockback mechanism, which is kind of stiff but solid. You can close it one-handed if you flick downward when pressing the lock, but be careful to have a finger forward so the tang hits your finger. Then, close it the rest of the way. You can always close it two-handed, though—there is no one in a hurry.
Clip It Good
The pocket clip is not deep carry, and you're looking at about 8-tenths of an inch sticking out of your pocket. The clip is tight and snappy, and it looks to be some sort of painted stainless steel. I would expect flaking as you carry it for a while. It can be swapped to the right or left side in a tip-up configuration.
Compare and Contrast (Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Budget Knives)
Now, let's see how the Dozier stacks up against some competition:
Buck 110 Select
A bit bigger and made in the USA, the Buck 110 Select is a good choice. It is not possible to close one-handed, though. I reviewed this a while ago, and people are still mad about how I pointed out that the Buck 110 original has always been a heavy knife for its size.
Spyderco Delica 4
The Delica has a steel slightly better than Sandvik, and it's a little smaller and easier to close one-handed. If someone wanted a good knife with more of an emphasis on price, I'd go with the Buck or Dozier.
Spyderco Tenacious
The Tenacious has a similar steel to the Dozier, but it's larger and has an easier, quicker deployment with one-handed opening and closing. Again, it's a larger knife, so it's heavier and pricier.
Video Review
Wrapping It Up (Like a Poorly Cut Sandwich)
That’s it for my Ka-Bar Dozier review. So, if you don't have a ton of money and need something lightweight, it's hard to go wrong with a budget-friendly knife like the Dozier. It's made in Taiwan, feels on par with a Spyderco, and is a good everyday carry knife that won't impress assholes who own Chris Reeve knives.
It will, however, get a nice thank you from a person who asks if you have a knife they could borrow for a quick second to pry open a paint can, then cut their tuna fish sandwich in half and immediately close it without wiping down the blade. Special folks.
Alright, you should now have a good idea of what to expect from this little workhorse. If you're in the market for an affordable, reliable EDC knife, the Dozier is definitely worth considering. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go flip through my Filson catalog and dream about overpriced flannel shirts. Happy cutting, folks!
