For years I have used my faithful Ontario SP5 Survival Bowie as an all-around yard knife and "swamp" knife. For heavier chopping, I switched to the Dog Father this year, but I still like the lighter, quicker Bowie for cutting my way through smaller stuff like palmettos and sticker vines. The DF wore me out last Spring when I employed it as a machete in Buffalo Swamp. A lighter "faster" DF would be perfect. It is here. It's called the Dog Father Limited Edition. It weighs in at 16 oz with a 10" flat ground blade of 1/4" thick SR77 steel. That's just 2.5 oz heavier than the Ontario SP5 with its 10" long 1/4" thick blade of 1095 high carbon steel, but a full 3 oz lighter than the original Dog Father with its thicker saber ground blade.



First a little light whacking on a palmetto. The SP5 excells at this lighter cutting.

The Dog Father can do it, but it takes a lot more effort.



Lets see how the new DFLE does: Outstanding! Lighter and livlier in the hand than the original DF, this blade easily does mini-machete work.



Now for the question a lot of folks have been asking, "How does it chop?" Very well, thank you. I used twenty strokes on the same piece of oak. The new DFLE chops almost as well as the heavier Dog Father and better than the Ontario.

With that out of the way, time to take the DFLE out into the yard in search of some real work.

I found this dead pine tree right near the high tide level at the back of my property. With less rain than normal for the past few years, I suspect some saltwater intrusion into the groundwater table killed the pine.



Timber!


Big Bird dropped by to see what was going on.


Even after chopping down the tree, the DFLE was still very sharp, easily slicing this palmetto stem. The new DFLE comes with a very nice edge. It is a great all-around camp knife with more reach than a Ratweiler and lighter, too. I think the old Ontario Bowie has finally been out done! Dan got this one just right. It's perfect. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Great review and great pics. I'm still impressed by how lively the DFLE is in my hand. It's nice to see that it has retained it's chopping ability.

Are you allowed to hunt in that marsh behind your house? Looks like a great place to get bag some ducks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I never bothered to ask. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nice testing Vic, did you already put a new edge on the DFLE?

Thanks for the review Vic. I need to find some time to get out and use my DFLE.

nice review vic. thanks.

No, and that is worth mentioning. Both the SP5 and DF have nice convex edges. The DFLE was used just as it came from Scrap Yard. The edge was plenty sharp for this type of work. The more recent SY knives I have purchased have come with nice sharp edges. I like that.

I prefer "rubber" handles on big choppers. I may test the Browning against the Busse FBM, Ontario RTAK II, Becker BK-9 and Brute, and Ranger RD9. That should be fun.

awesome test vic.
I still want the DFCG for some reason, idk why, i dont need it, but it'd be awesome to have one of each.

the DFLE really does chop really good, and its so comfy.
and I can do fine wrok easy with it.
I LOVE IT.

Great review Vic! It is great to hear that Dan's blades are getting even better. I wonder what the LE could do with a patented HD-edge... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />




It is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Nice Job!!!

You have a great back yard. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Awesome review and pics!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

all hail the dfle.

nice, vic.

Thank you, all. I am sure that many more reviews are being done on the DFLE by others. I didn't do any hard use, but I'm sure some of you will. The DFLE did clean up well. I couldn't resist "touching up" the edge.

That thing is SHARP! I can see the air bleeding! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

lmao ive huted in places like that is it illegal? well no ones stopping me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I was thinking the same thing, was also thinking...maybe I should send one of mine on a trip, to get the Horn Dog edge treatment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That was a practice run. I have one now to do for a forum member. Not that there was anything wrong with the factory edge. Some folks just like 'em polished and thinned out a bit.

I think I'll keep my factory edge for a while.
maybe after a while if i get good on a blet sander I'll put a nice convex edge on it or send it to someone like justin, or vic for that matter...
how much do you charge?!
lol
jk

The salt marsh behind my house belongs to the State of Georgia. I never hunt on private land without the written permission of the owner. Since I pay Georgia taxes, I figure that marsh belongs to me as much as anyone else. There are some great duck hunting areas north of me. I prefer squirrel, hog, and deer.

I am a nut for fine edges but my Muttle was so good stock I just did not need to touch it. I have still not got my DFLE yet but any day now.

Vic,

I've got plenty of good duck hunting right behing my place. I've been hitting them all season long.

I have three DFLEs. One is for a forum member serving overseas who wants a thinned and polished edge put on it. When I was cleaning mine up, I just thought I'd practice on it first. It was still plenty sharp enough. The factory edge on the DFLEs is just fine, like the Mutt LE.

hey vic, its been a whil.
idk if you know but i got to do alot of chopping with my DFLE and I love it.
just thought I'd let you know, cause you encouraged me to get one.
its really is awesome, even my little brother loves it and with its decreased weight can chop pretty good with it.

Glad you got it, emf. The DFLE is everything I hoped it would be. I don't think anyone who got one will regret it. It is perfect, imo.

it realy is.
I get to chop more today and tomorr when i got over my sousins.
it should be fun. =]

Horn Dog I definitely agree with you on the DFLE LE, being lighter and the same design makes it a lot better. You still have the chopping power but not the weight. I have notice the original DFLE (with the weight)will bite more (due to the weight) but will wear you out after awhile VS the LE is a much more weight ratio that doesn't wear you out as much and you get the same results. Also on another note the I loved the MOD more compared to the dogfather. Serrated edges are a big controversy here, but I am a fan of serrated edges. Anyhow I thank Dan and Patty for getting everything in before Christmas and as always Dan excels on what he does. Thanks for the review Horn Dog and I always like your field testing. I wish I had the time to do that as well.
Here's some pic's of the new breeds, I'd like to get a camera like Andy uses, it takes amazingly good pictures.

Great group of blades there Falcon.

Nice job Vic! As usual you are the man!

Falcon, I must admit that the serrated recurve Mutt is a good looking knife. Glad you got one. Unfortunatley, I was having some computer problems at the time, so I didn't even go for one. I prefer fine edged knives for most work, but that serrated Mutt is sexy. You have a very nice collection.

Thanks J33psr0ck, I have several rats and a lot of dogs but nothing to the amount you guys have. Here are some other ones as well, the scrap yard and rat knives are a great buy for what you get. One day I might try to get a hold of a INFI steel one from Jerry, but his prices are up there quite a bit for what I'm after.

I have a few Busses. They are fine knives, but I like the Swamp Rats and Scrap Yards just as much. The Ratmandu is one of my favorites.

That's too bad HD that you couldn't get in on that one, I'm hoping Dan will do another run of serrated style. I lucked out on that run, the misses and me were out doing things (against my will as usual) and we got back within 10 min. of when Jerry posted the go.I was bummed out thinking I had missed it and checked the site to see how it went when it all fell into place. I should have bought a lotto ticket that night. Any way, hopefully there will be more down the pipe, I'd be game if there was.

When you posted awhile back how much you liked the ratmandu, I had to give it a try. At first it was an ok fit, but the more I use it the better it feels (if that makes any since). It definitely is a good slicer and has capability. A very good choice in blades.

Great pics once again Vic and great review....I still say you should have your own section in Tactical Knives each month !!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Glad you are enjoying the DFLE instead of keeping it in a dark bedroom drawer !!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Great review Vic! I've been looking forward to this one. Having done a little carving and chopping with my DFLE I knew how It'd come out though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Great pics too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />




Falcon, Thanks for showing off your Rats and Dogs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Especially the Mutt and MOD comparisons. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> I've been wanting to see some good side by side shots. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Great pix, and review, Vic. Looks like the DFLE is a real performer - glad I got one. My CGDF will still be the one that goes w/ me to the woods though!

great review and pics

Very nice, Vic.