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Posted: 9/7/2009 9:42:00 AM EDT
[#1]
Those are some seriously BIG knives.
If you are not a "knife guy", consider also, the BRKT Bravo-1. It is VERY nice and just enough smaller that it makes a difference. It is a very handy size. |
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Posted: 9/7/2009 10:14:32 AM EDT
[#2]
I have the RC-5 and it's one hell of a knife. 1095 high carbon steel is your friend. Just use it, sharpen it and oil it every now and then. Rat knives are one hell of a value for the money and their warranty cannot be beat.
I have also handled the SRK (you can get it way cheaper if you look around), and I'd consider it. I'm not entirely sold on the steel they use, AUS-8. If you could find an older model in Carbon-V I'd tell you to snap it up greedily. Also, I'm pretty sure they're not US made. I also hear great things about Scrapyard and Busse, but I have no experience with them. Finally, Mike's suggestion of the Bravo-1 is spot on. It's a great knife, and one that is very likely to join my collection very soon. Check out some of the Bark River stuff, and see if any of them float your boat. |
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Posted: 9/7/2009 10:29:58 AM EDT
[#3]
Just checked out the Bravo 1 (thanks for the tip). Great looking knife that would probably do the trick. I noticed that its weight is half that of the Rat RC-5. I hadn't considered weight before, but I guess that should be included in my decision.
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Posted: 9/7/2009 12:34:24 PM EDT
[#4]
The RC-5 is a hefty beast, but it rides quite comfortably in its sheath due to the thigh strap. I hardly noticed it on a hike a few weeks back.
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Posted: 9/7/2009 6:23:15 PM EDT
[#5]
For the money, you can't beat Scrapyard or Swamprat knives. Busse is also good, but relatively expensive. I had a Busse Badger ATAC but sold it.
I think the Scrapyard Scrapper 5 is pretty similar to the Bravo 1 size wise, the Scrapper 6 is bigger. Although they show the knives on the website, they are no longer available from Scrapyard. The only way to get a Scrapper 6 is on the secondary market, same with the standard Scrapper 5. You can order the LE Scrapper 5 on the website though. I like the RAT knives, very solid, and you get a lot of knife for the price. I have no experience with the Gerber, but I've heard good things. As was already mentioned, if you can find a Carbon V SRK, get it. If not, I'd pass on the AUS-8 model. I prefer Scrapyard and Swamprat. All of which can be found on the secondary market pretty easily. From the top: Scrapyard Yard Hook, 3 Scrapper 5's, Swamprat Uncle Mini-Mojo, Swamprat Ratmandu. 
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Posted: 9/7/2009 6:38:40 PM EDT
[#6]
I don't think you could go wrong with any of those choices. Busse make an outstanding knife. The Scrapyard line are all based on Busse designs as are the Swamp Rat blades.
This is my Swamp Rat "Ratmandu": 
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Posted: 9/7/2009 6:52:13 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
I don't think you could go wrong with any of those choices. Busse make an outstanding knife. The Scrapyard line are all based on Busse designs as are the Swamp Rat blades. This is my Swamp Rat "Ratmandu": http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/mic214/Knives/DSCN0506_edited.jpg I really couldn't decide what color Ratmandu to order, so I got the brown/tan......I wasn't going to have the same problem with the Scrapper 5! |
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Posted: 9/7/2009 7:16:45 PM EDT
[#8]
While I'm at it, what's the story with online ordering? It looks like neither Scrap Yard nor Swamp Rat have the knives I might want to buy. I looked for the Ratmandu (by Swamp Rat) and the Scrapper 6 (by Scrap Yard), but I don't see where to purchase them. Where did you guys get yours?
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Posted: 9/7/2009 7:38:15 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
While I'm at it, what's the story with online ordering? It looks like neither Scrap Yard nor Swamp Rat have the knives I might want to buy. I looked for the Ratmandu (by Swamp Rat) and the Scrapper 6 (by Scrap Yard), but I don't see where to purchase them. Where did you guys get yours? They produce limited runs of knives a couple times a year. They don't advertise, and the only way to find out is from the different knife forums, or to keep checking their website. You can often find them on E-bay, and Bladeforums actually has a for sale section specific to Busse/Swamprat/Scrapyard knives. |
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Posted: 9/7/2009 9:36:42 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted: While I'm at it, what's the story with online ordering? It looks like neither Scrap Yard nor Swamp Rat have the knives I might want to buy. I looked for the Ratmandu (by Swamp Rat) and the Scrapper 6 (by Scrap Yard), but I don't see where to purchase them. Where did you guys get yours? According to your user info I think you're in Kentucky? If so, head to Knob Creek next month. Busse usually has a pretty big table there. Other than that, bladeforums and ebay are the two most common places to buy a Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrapyard blade, unless you want specifically what the company has right now. Any of the knives you listed will do very well for what you want. Some of them may be a little big, though (like the Busse Tank Buster) for your purposes. A Ratmandu, Scrapper 5, or Badger Attack Tactical (BATAC) will do very well, and they're all approximately 5"-5.5" of blade. But I would go to Knob Creek. In fact, I *am* going to Knob Creek, and I plan on stopping by the Busse tables.  |
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Posted: 9/8/2009 5:51:59 AM EDT
[#11]
Great idea, jbombelli. I've never been to Knob Creek even though I'm close. That would probably be a great way to get my hands around one of these knives. When you say the Busse is big, I don't really have any point of reference. I believe you, but I'm just not experienced enough with knives to know what "big" means, so Knob Creek would be a useful experience.
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Posted: 9/8/2009 6:23:30 AM EDT
[#12]
The Bark River Bravo 1 is the best knife in it's price range, imo. That said, Busse is worth the money. |
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Posted: 9/8/2009 7:26:14 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted: Great idea, jbombelli. I've never been to Knob Creek even though I'm close. That would probably be a great way to get my hands around one of these knives. When you say the Busse is big, I don't really have any point of reference. I believe you, but I'm just not experienced enough with knives to know what "big" means, so Knob Creek would be a useful experience. You'll enjoy the Knob Creek shoot. Just try to show up seriously early, otherwise you'll have a 2+hour wait just crossing that bridge right before the range. I hear there's a shortcut somewhere nearby that bypasses that huge wait. I'm going to have to get my gps and maps out and figure it out. That wait seriously sucked ass last time. At Knob Creek you'll see Busses ranging from small, like the Game Warden, to ridiculously large, like the MOAB. To me, a Tank Buster isn't really that large. It's mid-sized. It has a 6" blade. I actually had to look that up. For some reason I thought it was a 7.5" blade. I don't know where I came up with that, but there you go. I was thinking a 7.5" blade is a little large for cutting paracord and fuzz sticks. Now, if you were planning to use it to chop and baton wood for fires and shelters, and dig holes with it, 7.5" isn't so big anymore. A lot of people are liking the Tank Buster. Personally, I didn't pull the trigger on this one, even though it has so many options. I also didn't buy the Scrapper 5 LE. I'm saving my money for Knob Creek! Nobody knows what's going to be there, but they always have a lot of seriously nice knives. |
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Posted: 9/8/2009 1:38:15 PM EDT
[#14]
the gerber
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Posted: 9/8/2009 3:31:30 PM EDT
[#15]
Looks like I may have to choose from the RAT, Gerber or Cold Steel. Waiting around for Busse or Scrap Yard to make a limited run that I'll know nothing about doesn't seem like a good plan for having a solid knife in hand any time soon. Besides, most of them tend to get good reviews here and elsewhere. I'll update (with pics) when the choice has been made.
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Posted: 9/8/2009 6:07:08 PM EDT
[#16]
The scrapper 5 Le...is a great choise. Or how about the SOD?
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Posted: 9/8/2009 7:08:24 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted: Looks like I may have to choose from the RAT, Gerber or Cold Steel. Waiting around for Busse or Scrap Yard to make a limited run that I'll know nothing about doesn't seem like a good plan for having a solid knife in hand any time soon. Besides, most of them tend to get good reviews here and elsewhere. I'll update (with pics) when the choice has been made. If you're set on those three brands, if it was me, I would go with the RAT. I still recommend checking out the table at Knob Creek, though! |
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Posted: 9/8/2009 8:02:06 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
Just checked out the Bravo 1 (thanks for the tip). Great looking knife that would probably do the trick. I noticed that its weight is half that of the Rat RC-5. I hadn't considered weight before, but I guess that should be included in my decision. It may be lighter but it is not "light". My blade measures a 0.215" thick and it is constructed with a full thickness, full length tang. The leather sheath it comes with is really very nice (the web site photos don't do it justice). If you really need the extra blade length and don't mind doubling the weight, well... Just trying to help. |
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Posted: 9/9/2009 4:11:23 AM EDT
[#19]
Could also check out the Ranger Ready Detachment series. I don't own one, but my friend's RD7 seems very stout and he's pretty hard on it.
Ranger Knives EDIT: And of those three you listed, I'd go with the RAT. |
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Posted: 9/9/2009 7:40:09 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
the gerber The Gerber is a great knife. LA Police Gear sells them for around $75 - $80. A great price for a tough knife. |
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Posted: 9/13/2009 2:45:53 AM EDT
[#21]
Go ahead and 'fondle' a couple of them before buying (my wife's words- not mine). Chose what you like and what you need- then go for cost. You will be ever happy with the purchase.
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Posted: 9/13/2009 6:26:23 AM EDT
[#22]
I also urge you to consider the Bravo-1. It is not tactical but nonetheless a very durable blade. The bladestock is very thick and the fully convexed A2 steel is no joke. As it is convexed and uncoated, it will be easier to get better cutting performance out of this knife than the others mentioned. I also find it more comfortable under extended use than the Swamp rat and RATs I have gotten to use, but YMMV.
Here is mine shown with a Spyderco Endura for size comaparison: 
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Posted: 9/13/2009 7:05:42 PM EDT
[#23]
My advise is that you go with a small to medium sized knife and a hatchet for camping out.
The "Safety Axe No. 5" and the "Woodcraft Knife" from Marbles are good kit. http://www.marblescutlery.com/axes/safetyaxe5.html http://www.marblescutlery.com/cutlery/woodcraft.html |
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Posted: 9/17/2009 7:05:05 PM EDT
[#24]
Update: I was going on a last-minute camping trip, and I needed a decent knife quick. Since I couldn't get my hands on the ones you guys have noted above, I snagged a Gerber Paraframe II (serrated) as an inexpensive, temporary solution.
The reason I'm writing is because now I have an understanding about the size of the knives I had originally wanted. For basic camping and general use, something as cheap and small as the Paraframe ($10, 4oz) will do in most cases. It's not high quality, and I understand it loses its edge quickly, but it does the trick overall. I still want a larger, high-end knife, but now weight is definitely a concern. The Bravo-1 is only 7.4oz, so it may be the winner. |
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Posted: 9/17/2009 7:24:42 PM EDT
[#25]
Bravo-1 is a great little camping/bushcraft/all purpose knife.
Bark River makes some really sweet knives. |
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Posted: 9/18/2009 12:55:48 PM EDT
[#26]
Quoted:
I still want a larger, high-end knife, but now weight is definitely a concern. quote] sounds like you found out the truth ––- a lot of people buy more blade than is needed. I realize backpacking is different, and weight and size is a concern,, but if a person has a basecamp setup with their vehicle and a big tent –– there's room for an axe and a brush saw anyway, so a 10" bowie knife is not necessary. (although i just bought a big Cold Steel bowie because it was cool) If you have up to a 300$ budget ––- put a deposit on a nice custom –– deposit may be a couple of hundred bucks –– by the time it is done, you will have forgotten about it so ponying up another 250 or so will be no big thing |
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