17 year old wanting to buy a swamp rat

Z

zach225a

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
Messages
112
wonder what your opinion is on a 17 year old wanting to get a Ratweiler for
camping and survival type use
 
he/she will need a sheath to carry it in! great knife! SRKW has great customer service! the knife is a solid piece of steel! good chopper! may want to carry a smaller blade for all the detail work. also, is it legal for him/her to own/carry such a knife in your state?
 
As long as it is for camping and not carry in the auto, I think it is a perfect choice. It is, arguably, safe than a small axe and many other camp tools they might choose.

Good luck!
 
Why would a Swamp Rat knife be so great for so many people, but be a question for a 17 year old? - Assuming like Paddling Man said: "As long as it is for camping and not carry in the auto" (or similar).


I would have to recommend a Chopweiler over a Ratweiler. Secondary prices on old discontinued Ratweilers are much higher than current prices for a Chopweiler if you get a Chopweiler from Eric when he puts them up. The Chopweilers are currently available.

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either or is a fantastic choice. you cant go wrong with each. as long as it is sr101.... you are good to go!
 
I have to agree with DWRW. Unless the kid has used a Ratweiler before and is fond of the SRT handle with the indexing groove, it is probably a better bet to buy a Chopweiler directly from the store while they are available. Blade length is the same, but the ChopW sports a sweet drop-point blade profile. At $198.95 you will save yourself about $50-$100 by passing on a secondary market Ratweiler. Type Ratweiler into the search on the Busse/Rat/Dog exchange and you'll see what I mean. Swamp Rats typically go up in price once they are discontinued and the Weiler is no exception. Heck, most models go up in value even if they aren't discontinued:eek:. They are worth every penny IMO.:thumbup:

As for sheaths there are many options, but I would go with a drop-leg dangler from Chuddy Bear or Armoralleather, or if you want a relatively maintenance free sheath get a tactical nylon/kydex from Semper Paratus Tactical. Good luck. And make sure the blade is used hard.:D
 
Nothing wrong with a chopweiler but if you are only going to have 1 nice knife you should make it one you will use every day rather than just a few times a year.
Unless you already have a quality EDC(every day carry) I would consider something like the Swamp Warden in a first rate pocket sheath with a clip so you can wear it like a folder.

The smaller knives make great camp tools on their own and great companion pieces for
a matching Chopweiler or even a DFLE. I really like a swamp Warden or similar knife and a traditional styled(wood handled) Tomahawk like my CS Norse hawk.

One thing about the Busse kin knives is if you decide you don't like it you can get all your money back when you sell it. That is not the case with almost any other knife or product.
 
I will generally have to agree with Unsub on his point that the most useful knife is the one you can have with you the most often.

The reality for me is that an EDC knife in the day-to-day world is a folder for me.
But, some people might be able to carry a smaller fixed bladed knife as EDC.

However, in the field (hiking, camping, hunting, etc.), my first choices always seem to be around 4" - 4.5" fixed bladed knives. - Field EDC ... if you will.

I honestly contend that I could and WOULD use a 3.5" - 4.5" bladed knife about 20 times more often than anything 6" or larger. - even in the field.

The are quite a few mid-sized knives that are pretty versatile as well. I HIGHLY recommend the RMD and the HRLM!!! (I am also VERY fond of my Bog Dog and SS4 if you can find them and willing to pay REDICULOUS prices......)

The Chopweiler, Ratweiler and similar may not be as large as the Battle Rat, Rat Mastiff and such, but they are still quite large.

Opinions will differ. Some people are fine carrying a knife that weighs over a pound and feel they NEED to carry the big knife ... just in case.
I find myself to be plenty happy most of the time getting my knife tasks done with much lighter 4" or so knives.

I find chopping to be entertaining at times, but rarely needed for myself.

Others like to practice building "pretend" shelters .... just in case.

I love knives, but I would rather hike than chop.

I feel confident enough in having read some info, tips, etc. and in my own inginuity if a crisis arises. I can baton a 4" knife to function as a much larger knife if I have to.

No doubt most larger knife will still out-chop most smaller knife... but,.....


To each their own.

For those interested, here are some "Weights" and other specs for quite a few Rats and Scrap Yard knives:

M6..........................= 16.2 ounces; .235" thick; 6" blade; 11.68" oal
Scrapper 6 LE...........= 12.7 ounces; .268" thick; 6.25" blade; 11.44" oal
SJTAC….(stripped)…. = 13.0 ounces; .194” thick; 6.375” blade; 11.875” oal

Desert Jack (stripped).= 10.0 ounces; .175” thick; 6.0” blade; 11.25” oal
Ratmandu (G10).........= 11.0 ounces; .190" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
Ratmandu (micarta)....= 10.0 ounces; .190" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
DM..........................= 9.0 ounces; .268" thick; 5.25" blade; 9.75" oal

HRLM.......................= 9.0 ounces; .190" thick; 4.13" blade; 9.3" oal
Yard Keeper LE..........= 7.5 ounces; .268" thick; 4.5" blade; 9" oal
Howler (Res-C)..........= 6.0 ounces; .188" thick; 4.5" blade; 9" oal

SS4........................= 5.5 ounces; .200" thick ; 4.25" blade; 9" oal
Bog Dog..................= 5.0 ounces; .140" thick ; 4.75" blade; 9.56" oal

Yard Guard..............= 16.0 ounces; .277" thick; 7.25" blade; 12.4" oal
Camp Tramp............= 14.5 ounces; .235" thick; 7.325" blade; 12.5" oal


Dog Father………….. = 20.1 ounces; .275” thick; 10” blade; 15” oal
Ratweiler (orig.)…. = 20.1 ounces; .25” thick; 7.5” blade; 13” oal
Ratweiler Chopper. = 19.1 ounces; .25” thick; 7.5625” blade; 13.1875” oal

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