Salty Dodo

[Vamais]

I've been carrying an M4 SE Dodo for 6 months now, and it has kicked everything else out of my pockets (excepting my keychain Manbug). It is such an incredibly useful tool that I'm hardly even interested in other models now. S90V Urban comes with me when fishing or when I want a non-locker, K390 LT3 LW rocks for workshop-type wood carving, and K390 Dragonfly is my crafting scalpel. But they almost never leave the house.

The SE Dodo is a phenomenal tool. Such a big handle that really locks into my hand, that I can put a lot of cutting force behind. And the deep choil makes it quite secure both in use and while holding it loosely as I use my fingers for other tasks. I did shape the handle profile a bit with files to make it fit my hand like a glove, but this was quite easy to do given the linerless G10 scales (do exercise respiratory caution).

The short blade of the Dodo offers amazing control and precision, especially with such a long handle. But the real star of this model is the beak. The downturned tip makes piercing through sheet material trivial, given the biomechanics of the hand. A rotation of the wrist, not a stab forward, allows you to pierce material with extreme precision and high force. The wide spine is comfortable for resting the thumb or forefinger for additional force or fine control.

I have long been skeptical of serrated edges and carving wood (perhaps because as a lad I had a CE Winchester with very spiky serrations). But the Dodo excels at little wood carving tasks. The handle gives high precision and ease of applying force. And the hollow grind and chisel serrations probably help as well.

I originally wanted to try the Dodo because I was looking for a short-bladed knife with lots of capability. I needed something that wouldn't alarm people when opened and used in public (which was happening with my larger knives). I originally got a Chicago, but the short handle did limit its usability. The Dodo's blade shape was a bit intimidating at first, but doesn't seem to be now that it's been bobbed a bit (I broke part of the tip off--abuse on my part). It still has the reverse-S shape, the tip is just shorter and the nose more square.

I only have two gripes with this model. One is that it's pretty loud locking open and snapping closed. Could be more fidget-friendly if it was quieter. Two is corrosion resistance. The blade is getting a nice patina, but the tang portion that's exposed through the lock window is red and pitting from my pocket sweat. The second issue has been largely solved by BladeHQ's coated SE M4 Dodo, which is currently en route.

My point in writing this is to (1) extol the virtues of the Dodo's design, and (2) to advocate for a salty version. The salty steels might not have the best edge retention, but I argue that this factor is of less importance in the Dodo than it is in other models. The bio-mechanical efficiency of the SE Dodo allows it to still cut well even when dull. The short blade, blunt nose, SE, reverse-S, large handle and deep choil make it great for fishing/watery tasks and personal food prep--it's just begging to be given the salt treatment.

[DSH007]

Good luck disengaging the lock with moist fingers in wet environments. Dodo 2, maybe.. Salty with a cage?

I don't dislike the idea, but based on current production and the (semi-?)extinction of the model.. I'd say we have similar chances of seeing an actual Dodo in the wild..

[yablanowitz]

I've never had a problem with it, but I'm weird that way. The original in S30V is rust-resistant enough for me, but if someone commissions a run in Magnamax, I'll bite.

[Danke]

How about a Magnamax S.P.O.T.

[TomH]

The S.P.O.T. is very under appreciated, in my opinion.

[TomH]

The S.P.OT. is one of my favorite knives. I'd in up for another one.

[SchoonerBum]

I love the idea of a Salty Dodo with a CBBL! Serrated and blacked out H2? Yes please!

[Aladinsane]

How about a Magnamax S.P.O.T.

Yes please! With SE edge option!

[yablanowitz]

I love the idea of a Salty Dodo with a CBBL! Serrated and blacked out H2? Yes please!

The problem there is changing from a Ball Bearing lock to a Caged Ball Bearing lock means a total redesign, so you're talking about a Dodo2. For all we know, that could be in the works already. I wouldn't bet an old sweat sock on it, but anything is possible.

[Danke]

How about a Magnamax S.P.O.T.

Yes please! With SE edge option!

SE option goes without saying!

[ladybug93]

i think the dodo is a really neat knife. what's kept me from buying one (aside from it being discontinued and not readily available) is that it's such a short blade. the idea of a dodo salt sounds appealing, but in reality, i don't see carrying it instead of a pacific salt or stretch 2 xl salt because i want as much blade as i can carry. more teeth equals faster cutting in an emergency.

[3rdGenRigger]

I've carried my Orange Dodo at work a few times and it's really good at a lot of things, but I prefer a Military 2 or PM2 (Or Manix 2), having said that, a SE Dodo in H1 or any of the other "Salty" steels would be something I would need to have as a backup for CruWear PE knives (They tend to be my favourite...I was even contemplating bringing my Tasman Salt SE back into rotation with my CruCarta Military 2...probably will for a few weeks as a test...haven't carried SE properly for a bit) SE would likely hold up as well cutting 3/4" think rubber stall mat for installing underneath a ballast mount, but the plain edge gives a nicer cut in that scenario, but that's in comparison to a PE Dodo...I do suspect a plain edge would still be better in that scenario, and a lot of other work scenarios where I use my knives.).A serrated Dodo in a rust proof steel would be an absolute animal for things like zip-ties etc. though, and a lot of other things than I only just thought about...hmmm...

[Vamais]

Good luck disengaging the lock with moist fingers in wet environments. Dodo 2, maybe.. Salty with a cage?

Not a problem, as the ball gets pinched between my middle finger and thumb, like so:





This is the most comfortable/secure/intuitive way for me to close my Dodo. I can snap the blade closed (preload the spine before releasing the lock), or I can close it partially with my index finger and then finish with my thumb.



I don't see this being a problem in wet environments.

Of note, Spyderco used to produce a marine knife - the TUSK - with a non-caged ball bearing lock:

https://spy-derco.com/catalog/details/C ... k/859.html

[ladybug93]

a dodo salt in the same configuration as the new black g10 salts from golden would be amazing.

[Mad Mac]

My Blade HQ PE Dodo has been my EDC
for four months
but took a month to close one handed.
Finally worked out the following method.

To close my Dodo
I slide my hand up a little,
place my middle finger in the choil,
keep some thumb pressure on top
and use my index finger
to pull back the ball a skosh.
The thumb pushes the blade free of the ball.
Roll the knife over
removing the middle finger
and finish closing with my thumb
using the thumb hole.

This should work when wet.
But I could be wrong.
I often am.

When I get more ambitious
I want to chamfer and polish the scales.
The G10 skull cracker tail
is tearing holes in my trousers.

[Wandering_About]

I'd be in for a salty Dodo. So far I only have the BHQ serrated one, and I'd prefer a plain edge stainless one. I've been fascinated by the Dodo since a friend showed me one back when the original was in production.

[Josh Crutchley]

The problem there is changing from a Ball Bearing lock to a Caged Ball Bearing lock means a total redesign, so you're talking about a Dodo2. For all we know, that could be in the works already. I wouldn't bet an old sweat sock on it, but anything is possible.

Putting a cage on the original bearing is possible. It would make more sense to change a few dimensions to enable the use of the Manix bearing and cage.