Dark Ops Stratofighter stilleto

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Firefall

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
19
Hello All,

I'm new to the forum. Do any of you have a Stratofighter folder by Dark Ops?

I just received my stilleto blade strato last week and was wondering if anyone had experience with this heavy duty knife. Pros, cons or all in between would be appreciated.

The only thing I had trouble with was the cross bolt safety. It consists of a little pin with a screw which fits through the blade. The little screw came out of it's pin and it was a bugger to find inside the knife. I did and all is okay.

The knife is a brute in full size and the steel seems hard to sharpen. Any suggestions you might provide on a correct angle would be appreciated; as well as a good sharpening device. I currently use a diamond rod and a leather German reindeer strop.

Thanks,
Firefall
 
Well, Dark Ops is often called "Dork Ops", though I have no idea if that is in reference to their ad campaign or the quality as their product.

Mike ;)
 
Greetings Firefall,
Welcome to THR!

Don't take the comments too seriously, but many people do not think highly of Dark Ops knives. Their knives appear more marketing-driven hooey than performance-driven tools. In short, they make "mall-ninja food". (I just took a look at their SEAL knife, can't figure out why one needs to carve "survival notches in spears", but I do get the "impervious to everything from aviation fuel to Al Qaeda body fluids" part.)

Their knives do not appear to have ergonomic or comfortable handles that allow multiple gripping techniques and their blades don't look all that practical or strong because of all the notches, teeth, fullers, dents and grooves thruout. Of all the blades, your stiletto looks the best designed/most practical.

You want this for a true fighter/SD blade? I never use my true fighter/SD blades so they have never needed sharpening, however, if you already have, then sharpening to 30 degree angle would be good for a fighter.

Your diamond rod and strop won't do much to remove metal -they're more for touching-up an existing edge.

Try the Spyderco Sharpmaker, still one of the best for sharpening knives at the correct angle. In your case, use the 30 degree instead of the 40 degree utility edge.
 
Hello All,

Thanks for the posts.

I bought mine for a durable utility folder, actually. The fighting aspect is secondary to me but I'm one of those guys who just has to keep every blade sharp. Thus my question on the sharpening angle.

I will check into the "Sharpmaker" kit and see if I can locate one. Many thanks.

I do realize the ads for Dark Ops was a bit far, but the knife itself, the quality, looks to me to be excellent. Nothing spectacular, mind you, but not bad at all.

The ergonmomics is a bit large for me with the long handle on the full sized model. One hand openeings is a bit tedious and takes practice. But if you ever need a large handle for use as a blunt instrument in a defensive action, this would come in handy. Even touching the glass breaker/skull tapper to the head really hurts! The knife looks to have a valley in the handle to parry strikes from another knife. And the little 'step-down' indents are for hanging another blade in a fight, I would guess.

I realize the "Ninja Mall" status for the advertisements by D.O. but overall I'm really satisfied with my new knife.

Laying all the negative adverts aside, please:

Do yo all think the knife would sell better and lose the 'ninja mall' status if D.O. would change their image a bit; leaving a clean image with a nice, sturdy product?

I think it might work. And I think they are on to something if they'd listen to the right adviser. The knife is really well built and with a few changes would really be an excellent defensive fighter. But, this is only my opinion.

Oh yes, forgot to ad that a good owner's manual inside the green box would really help, too! <smile>

I've read where one of the members here "Brownie" IIRC? has high praises for the D.O. Strato. His name is Robin Brown IIRC and he and I share the same first name. :) Is Mr. Brown onboard still so I might could chat with him??

I didn't take offense to the ribbing on the Strato at all and really appreciate the views.

Cheers,
Firefall
 
Do yo all think the knife would sell better and lose the 'ninja mall' status if D.O. would change their image a bit; leaving a clean image with a nice, sturdy product?
Click to expand...
I haven't used any of their products, but assuming that they are indeed nice and sturdy, that would be absolutely the best thing they could possibly do.
 
A Dark Ops without the aweful marketing is an Extreme Ratio. So just buy one of them, they're top notch knives, despite looknig a bit odd. The Fulcrum folder is built like a tank and cuts a mean steak (or steel cord, whichever you prefer :p). The Nemisis is what Dark Ops copied to get their stilleto and appears to be just as tough. Their fixed blades are about as close to indestructable as knives go (apart from the Buck 110 which is surrounded by an impenetrable, magical shield and if you drop it point down it will cut through to the other side of the earth. It also opens as fast as an automatic and the lock is unbreakable).
 
Hi Fosberry,

edited later: (oops, Fosberry, I failed to see firstly that you are from the UK and the "legal" question wouldn't apply...sorry; anybody else listening, please? Or you might know, Fos?)
The Strato isn't a fast opener; that's for sure....at least for me. The handle is long and I have to 'choke up' on it like a kid with a longer baseball bat. But man is it a solid lockup.

Thanks for the heads-up on the ER knives. Being relatively new to cutlery has me sometime at a disadvantage. But I'm really interested and willing to listen and learn.

Speaking of the Strato Stilleto:

How do Law Enforcement Officers view a non-criminal (no record) person carrying one of these knives in their pocket. Now, I'm speaking of carrying the knife in stores, shopping, driving etc., and not in places where they aren't 'legal.'

Is the "looks" of a knife a determining factor on whether a man gets arrested for carrying a 'fighting knife' for strictly defensive manners or does it not?

I've read where a 4" blade is the so-called legal length limit (3 'L' words in a row, sorry:) and all else warrants action by Police Officers? I'm want to go legal and just can't interpret the laws. For instance, Alabama has a "Bowie Knife" or buthchers knife as the comparison. I'm not sure how I would be looked upon if I had this knife in my pocket. I have a pistol carry permit from the County Sheriff and have a clean record.

Thanks,
Firefall
 
Where do you live? In Idaho, a CWP means you can carry any knife. In Colorado, you are limited to 3.5" or something silly like that.

Check your state laws at http://www.packing.org. Do NOT ask a cop or someone on the internet.
 
rbmcmjr,

Hello. I live in Alabama. The laws regarding knife carry is very loosly written and it's difficult to interpret. Thanks for the link!

I was just curious as to how the Stratofighter would be viewed by a Cop. Probably not too good. I want to carry it everyday.

Cheers,
Firefall

PS: Yesterday I bought a Spyderco Native with a plain blade to accompany my Strato. It's a nice little knife, too.
Ff
 
AL doesn't seem to have a blade length restriction for folders. I would suspect an LE would view a Native in your pocket as reasonable and a DO would mark you as either a trouble maker or poser (neither of which is very good).

The Native is a far better choice for an EDC.

Check the top of this forum for a stickie on knife sharpening.
 
trueblue1776,

Sorry, I've been away from the computer for a while and didn't see this.

I'm not sure about the ammo? I don't think so, although. Far as I know Dark Ops only produces knives but someone might can tell us?

Cheers,
darkop
 
Thanks, Cracked B.,

I had no idea of the association. Thanks for the link.

Cheers,
Firefall
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
DarkOps StratoFighter review
Replies
13
Views
2K
brownie0486
B
I
  • Locked
sharpening primer
Replies
6
Views
2K
makdaddy03
M
R
  • Locked
Interesting NSN list
Replies
10
Views
8K
Drail
D
S
  • Locked
Boker 240
Replies
3
Views
1K
sm
S
B
  • Locked
What to do?
Replies
6
Views
652
markk
M
Back
Top