Basic 9 -vs- The Dog Father -vs- Battle Rat

Tyrkon Lawson

Tyrkon Lawson

Joined
Oct 31, 2003
Messages
8,583
First off I have used the "search feature" and just didn't find what I was looking for in a way of an answer. Some great data though.

I have never handled a Basic 9 but own a DF and used to own a BR. Now my dilemma now is whether or not I should get a Basic 9, BR, or just keep the DF. I only want one. So here are some quick specs on each...

Basic 9 (I need some help feeling in the data on this one).
bl05_2thehilt_basic9.jpg


Steel: MINFI
Handle: Res C
Thickness: .25"
Blade Length: 9" (?)
OAL: ?


Battle Rat
battlerathr.jpg


Blade Steel Blade Length Overall Thickness Handle SR101 9 1/2" 14 1/2" 1/4" Resiprene C


Dog Father
Dogfather_med.jpg


Steel: SR-77
Hardness: 58 - 60 Rc
Handle: Resiprene C
Thickness: .275 (Between 1/4" & 5/16")
Blade Length: 10"
Overall Length: 15"

Note: Pics and data were taken from sites associated with each knife.

Now to let you know, I live in the urban environment. While I might not need to chop tons of wood for the winter I do a fair amount of chopping just for fun and to feed my tiny, outdoor fire pit. But I really want a knife this size for an emergency situation where I may have to chop through walls, pry open windows or doors, etc... sort of like a SHTF scenario.

Now I prefer micarta and a straight handle. But since I can not afford a SH anything at the moment... I like the feel of the Straight Res-C handle over the fusion handles thus far.

It is pretty dry hear so I do not think corrosion is a huge factor.

So what are your thoughts on the three. Remember, I only want one, at least for now, and already own a DF. Or is this a case where differences would only be noticeable under strict testing conditions?

BTW: This is not intended to be a "which is better" thread.

Thanks guys. ;)
 
If you have the DF you are well covered, no need to go get anything else.

Cobalt and I just spent about 2 hours on the phone this week talking about FBMs. SHBMs, BRs and the DF.

All those knives have strong and weak points and for what you want I can't recall the DF being weak. It isn't going to cut as well as a SHBM or chop like a FBM but it will do the job that you want done.

Tony G
 
Tyrkon,
I don't know if you left it out by accident or you really are not sure, but the B9 has Res-C handles.
 
At Ban's place last Sunday we almost had that test except instead of a Battle Rat we had a Battle Guard.

The Battle Guard was the least effective. The combination of a full flat grind and a steel guard moved the balance toward the handle which I feel hurt it's chopping performance.

Between the Basic 9 and Dogfather, I have to give the Dogfather the edge in chopping ability, but the Basic is M-Infi so it is more rust resistant and should hold an edge better than the Dogfather or the Battle Guard. In our test neither of those facts mattered.

All three knives had a factory edge, the Basic is asymetric and quite thick. The Dogfather has an edge that is fairly thick. The Battle Guard edge is pretty thin but it didn't seem to help.

I'll be seeing what a thinner edge can do for the Basic 9, Ban is going to thin it out and satin it for me one of these days, it's going to be sweet.

I would say stick with what you have got, it's the best chopper out of the box and SR-77 holds an edge well enough. I didn't test a standard Battle Rat but it's smaller than the Dogfather, I can't see how it would be a better chopper.
 
I never liked the battle rat. now, the rat daddy or the m9 may be a totally different story, however, those are full tang so its probably not a fair comparison.

the thing I never liked about the battle rat was that it was too neutral with a handle that felt boxy in the hand given its balance. That was my personal take on it, having a basic 9 at the same time for comparison.

the basic 9 is perfect. it's light weight, but its nicely forward balanced. the handle is thinner then the battle rat/rat daddy which for my hands felt like I had more controll. with its 3 separate textures, it feels better in an ungloved grip.

The dog father is great. it doesn't feel as good or as "perfect" as the basic 9, but it also feels heavier and I honestly had no complaints about it.


If I had to rebuy one, I'd buy the dog father because its cheaper then the basic 9, and it will do anything the b9 will do, while having a little more heft.


If i was rich, I'd go with the basic 9 because its perfect.

:D
 
Comparison pics below. I'll post some thoughts on the three when I'm not so sleepy. I have carried the Battle Rat in my daypack for quite a while now.

ResC2.jpg


ResCs.jpg
 
dude, the basic 9 is the best overall --- it just "feels" so right when you handle it.

that being said, it's not really going to chop better than the DF, it just chops better "for it's weight class" -- in other words, it's a much better handling knife, with almost as good chopping abilities. It's going to cost you to sell the DF and find the basic9, so you have to ask if it's worth a hundred bucks to upgrade -- primarily for a lighter and faster handling knife...
 
xaman said:
dude, the basic 9 is the best overall --- it just "feels" so right when you handle it.

that being said, it's not really going to chop better than the DF, it just chops better "for it's weight class" -- in other words, it's a much better handling knife, with almost as good chopping abilities. It's going to cost you to sell the DF and find the basic9, so you have to ask if it's worth a hundred bucks to upgrade -- primarily for a lighter and faster handling knife...
Click to expand...

I think Xaman nailed it pretty good!

The B9 feels nice and fairly nimble in the hand. The B9 is more well balanced than the DF. However, the DF will spank it in a true chopping contest. The DF is thicker, longer and more blade heavy than the B9.

If I could only have 1 I would take the B9 because of the M-INFI and overall balance of the knife. It is about as big and heavy as I want and need.
 
I have been Preaching the Gospel of the Busse Basic for seven years or so.

The other knives may/will do the job, just fine, but the Basic might just Sing to your hand.

It will also Hold an edge longer when used on soft, clean materials such as wood, rope, hide and bone.
 
I only own a battle rat, but I would say just by how much fatter (and a little bigger) the dog father is that it would be the best big chopper that doesn't have a full tang. The battle rat is more like a large fighter. I've never owned a basic 9, but I have held a 7, and I think the dog father would make a better chopper.
 
Thanks for all the responses so far. Great feedback. I know that one of the reasons I like the DF is its handle length.

Is the Basic 9 handle and the one on the Dumpster Mutt the same? Same size? I know that the handle just felt too small for me on the DM.

Good stuff.
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
Is the Basic 9 handle and the one on the Dumpster Mutt the same? Same size? I know that the handle just felt too small for me on the DM.
Click to expand...

Nooooooo... :p The B3 (and I think B5) share the same handle as the DM. The grip on larger basics is, well, larger. ;)

Think grip size: HRat and Bandicoot = DM, B3. CT, BR, S6, puppy Mojos = B7, B9. Different grips between the pups and rats vs. the basics but the size range between the large/small holds true.

TonyG pic illustrates it best.

basicupdate.jpg
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
Thanks for all the responses so far. Great feedback. I know that one of the reasons I like the DF is its handle length.

Is the Basic 9 handle and the one on the Dumpster Mutt the same? Same size? I know that the handle just felt too small for me on the DM.

Good stuff.
Click to expand...

Here is a better pic for this question (a smooth B9 and a DF). I don't have a crinkle B9 yet and it could be a little different. But by the end of the week I will have one:thumbup:

And PM is right the 9&7&6 have the same grip. The 3&5 same grip... the B4??? I'll find that out in the next week or so too.:eek: :D

DSC06107.jpg
 
I have [had] both. For me the DF IS the better chopper (size and weight) and the handle is larger (or just seems that way?) . Not sure if the DM and the Basic have the same type handle but for me the DM handle was too short. I think the Basic 9 is a little longer - but it has been awhile since I had a Basic 9.

I do however get a very good grip on the DF and I like her - esp for the size/weight/thickness/price rato :thumbup::D

The DF is my current large user chopper - but the Basic 9 has some nice lines, I prefer the smoth coating and is an excellent work horse as well. :)

Not sure if the Basic line was INFI though.....
 
Sorry I can't help you bro... but thanks for the thread!

The Basic 9 has been calling out to me lately... but there seems to always be something else that screams a little louder. :o
One day, I'll own one. ;)

One point that I'd like to share... if you do end up in that SHTF scenario, I think a Res C handle would be great. Someone once mentioned that if you did have to chop thru a wall, the Res C would insulate any "live" electrical wires you may need to get thru or hit. A full tang would... well... you get the picture. :eek:
 
Just measured mine,

Both coatings have a blade length of 9.75" tip to handle

Crinkle has a larger choil, 8 7/8" top of choil to tip, smooth is right at 9" same measurement.

Both have an OAL of 14 15/16" (tape measure :rolleyes: between 7/8" and 15/16")

right at .250 thick.


I'll do some detail pics of both series to show the differences later this week.

Forgot I had this shot

basics-9.jpg
 
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