Battle Rat Fans?

[Guyon]

I prefer micarta over Resin-C. As such, I never even owned a Camp Tramp. I sold my original Howling Rats. Sold my Street Scrapper 4's. Even sold my Basic 9 a while back. Only ones left are the Dogfather and the Battle Rat, and the DF may be up on the sale block pretty soon.

But the Battle Rat is still a contender in the chopper line-up. It rides in my day pack with great regularity and still has a razor sharp edge despite some pretty good beatings. You can take one look at this thing and see it was modeled after the Straight Handled Battle Mistress. Differentially tempered with a good thick spine for batoning.

Who else likes the Battle Rat?

 

[Cutshaw]

Love the BR... still have a well used one that is in the BOB bag in the trunk.

My favorite, whether INFI, SR101 or SR7, still has to be the original Ratweiler. I just can't get enough of that one. The grip? Like it was made for me.

 

[Guyon]

Love the BR... still have a well used one that is in the BOB bag in the trunk.

My favorite, whether INFI, SR101 or SR7, still has to be the original Ratweiler. I just can't get enough of that one. The grip? Like it was made for me.

I know what you mean. Did you manage to snag that 1st Gen RW + Spec Ops sheath for $220? Man, that was a sweet deal.

 

[Cutshaw]

I couldn't resist it. I just find them to be the perfect balance for me - AMAZING chopping performance for the size.

 

[Guyon]

You almost didn't get that one.

I saw it go up and pondered it for a few minutes. But I need some $$ for a Horton Camp Blood.

Fantastic grab. :thumbup:

 

[Guyon]

I agree wholeheartedly though. The RW is a classic blade.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

I like the battle rat. My black and tan has been beaten soundly and is on its second handle. Still works like new. Throws great too.

 

[Cutshaw]

Guyon - Did you cold blue that RW after stripping?? That looks excellent!

 

[rpn]

Just got it and I like it...mucho!!!

 

[Cutshaw]

I'm sure with that new BR, that poor CT will be unloved. I'll dispose of it for you. Heck, I'll even pay shipping. Think of it as free recycling!

 

[TurnerIII]

The Black and Tans just drive me wild. Perfect size for use in the woods

And this post comes up just as I am looking for one. . ....great.....there goes the market...

Well - perhaps I can now get a M9 ...... Or wait for the GC M9 ..

 

[chickenplucker]

Could someone explain the difference in the 1st and 2nd Generation RW? Which is mine?

 

[Guyon]

Guyon - Did you cold blue that RW after stripping?? That looks excellent!

Nope. The coating was actually chipping a bit on that one, and so I just stripped it. That is what I found underneath. I like it too. :thumbup:

Could someone explain the difference in the 1st and 2nd Generation RW? Which is mine?

Yours is a 1st Generation. The slabs are more rounded at the edges, the micarta has more definition in the pattern, and the tube fasteners are recessed more.

I had a 2nd Gen before I got the 1st Gen pictured above, and the 2nd Gen just didn't fit my hand as well. The rounded slabs just feel better IMO. Also, the middle tube fastener on my 2nd Gen wasn't as recessed as the other two.

2nd Gen:

1st Gen:

And this post comes up just as I am looking for one. . ....great.....there goes the market...

I promise you I wasn't trying to affect the market. I was just putting up the BR today and had the camera out. Maybe, however, this thread will flush out a BR owner or two who is willing to let one go.

I'm keeping mine.

 

[Guyon]

Regarding the RW above, it actually looks like it was slightly bead blasted and cold-blued.

I think it was a drunken experiment that was quickly coated to cover up the evidence.

 

[MustardMan]

The battle rat is definitely one of those blades I'd like to get my hands on - IF I can find a user for a reasonable price. I'm not paying second hand market prices, especially with all the awesome steel that's being released from all three Bussekin companies lately.

 

[chickenplucker]

Thanks Guyon!!

 

[reddawn]

love my blk&tan battle rats.one with a hand guard and one without.great balance and chopping power in a light package,,killer!!

 

[Cutshaw]

I dunno. With the possible exception of the DC Ratweiler Solstice did, that's about the best looking RW I've ever seen.

Another good example of the first gen slabs...

1st gen & 2nd gen

I miss the one I did a hand satin finish on...

 

[rpn]

I'm sure with that new BR, that poor CT will be unloved. I'll dispose of it for you. Heck, I'll even pay shipping. Think of it as free recycling!

Hell of an environmentalist!

No prob, I'll get it right out after your RW lands here!!

 

[bcornelis]

The Battlerat is one of the first premium knives i have ever owned and i almost always have it in my pack on dayhikes. lately I have been using it to cut down saplings for walking staffs, then trimming off the bark and branches/knots with it .

The res c is a lot easier on my hands than standard micarta or G10.

if I had to sell all my knives the Battlerat would be one of the last to go.