Hey everyone. I need some input to make a really tough decision. I had made up my mind to purchase a Cold Steel Trailmaster, but just a few minutes ago, I discovered Swamp Rat Knifeworks and noticed their Battle Rat model. These knives are similar in blade length, as well as in toughness (if one believes each company's test results). The choice of a "primary" knife is very important to me, because I recently enlisted in the U.S. Army and expect to be deployed into combat and survival situations. If anyone has compared the two blades, hands-on, and would be so kind as to share their experiences, I would appreciate it very much. Oh, one more thing...how much does the Battle Rat weigh?
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Battle Rat vs. Cold Steel's Trailmaster
- Thread starter soldier
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2000
- Messages
- 6,104
What's your MOS?
Honestly, neither of the knives you're looking at are likely to be practical for use, carry on an LBE, or even allowed, due to their length. A Camp Tramp or Cold Steel Recon Scout may or may not make it past the PC idiot policies. The Swamp Rats have much better handles-both materials and ergonomics, and an uncompromising warranty.
Let me suggest taking a look at the Howling Rat, out of the Swamp Rat line, for an all-around knife, and the Camp Tramp if you need something bigger.
Personally, there would be a Busse Natural Outlaw on my LBE were I to re-up, along with a good multitool and folder or small fixed blade...all the way, every day
Honestly, neither of the knives you're looking at are likely to be practical for use, carry on an LBE, or even allowed, due to their length. A Camp Tramp or Cold Steel Recon Scout may or may not make it past the PC idiot policies. The Swamp Rats have much better handles-both materials and ergonomics, and an uncompromising warranty.
Let me suggest taking a look at the Howling Rat, out of the Swamp Rat line, for an all-around knife, and the Camp Tramp if you need something bigger.
Personally, there would be a Busse Natural Outlaw on my LBE were I to re-up, along with a good multitool and folder or small fixed blade...all the way, every day
Colin KC
<B><FONT color="red" size="6">Daniel Watson Is My
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2002
- Messages
- 279
Although a longtime Traily fan, I must agree with OwenM, the handles on both the Trailmaster & Recon scout are not the best, ergonomically, or materially (a real word?) Whilst I can't comment on the Rats, from all accounts they're very good 
Eric Isaacson
Pirate
- Joined
- Dec 19, 1999
- Messages
- 12,547
Soldier,
Welcome to the Swamp, glad you stopped by.
These guys have given some good advice, I hope it helps make your decision easier.
I also agree with Owen the Camp Tramp or Howling Rat may better fit your needs.
Welcome to the Swamp, glad you stopped by.
These guys have given some good advice, I hope it helps make your decision easier.
I also agree with Owen the Camp Tramp or Howling Rat may better fit your needs.
Boy, things must have changed since I was in the military (20 years ago), we could pretty much carry what we wanted... Sorry to hear of the PC crap.
I have and love my TM, but don't have a BR yet. I do, however, have a CT and RS (sorry for the abbrevs, but I'm tired this am), and can compare them.
I like them both. They both have enough forward weighting to be good choppers, which is something that I look for in a larger knife. They both are easy to get and keep a sharp edge, but the CT responds to steeling better than the RS, and also the convex edge will be stronger and more resistant to damage from use/abuse. Also, the customer service from Swamp Rats is FAR better than Cold Steel. The SR101 in the CT will be more abrasion resistant, and should be a superior steel to Carbon V, although I haven't been able to test it enough myself to say that it is, I'm merely repeating what others have found, and I believe them.
All in all, the CT is a better knife, for the same price range. And don't get me wrong, I really like my CS blades, but the facts are the facts. I also really like my CT. I have medium hands, and like BOTH handles, although the Swamp Rat handles fit my hands a little better, and are more comfortable in hard use. They are probably more resistant to chemicals, DEET comes immediately to mind.
The BR and the TM will be much better choppers due to the extra length and weighting. There's no getting around that. They are also much more awkward to carry, no getting around that either. The steel and edge comparisons will probably be the same as the RS/CT.
Your best bet would probably be a Leatherman or similar tool, and perhaps a Howling Rat. If you are allowed a CT or BR, great, but it would be heartbreaking to have it confiscated. I'm sure once you get to your final unit, Swamp Rat will be happy to send you whichever you want.
I have and love my TM, but don't have a BR yet. I do, however, have a CT and RS (sorry for the abbrevs, but I'm tired this am), and can compare them.
I like them both. They both have enough forward weighting to be good choppers, which is something that I look for in a larger knife. They both are easy to get and keep a sharp edge, but the CT responds to steeling better than the RS, and also the convex edge will be stronger and more resistant to damage from use/abuse. Also, the customer service from Swamp Rats is FAR better than Cold Steel. The SR101 in the CT will be more abrasion resistant, and should be a superior steel to Carbon V, although I haven't been able to test it enough myself to say that it is, I'm merely repeating what others have found, and I believe them.
All in all, the CT is a better knife, for the same price range. And don't get me wrong, I really like my CS blades, but the facts are the facts. I also really like my CT. I have medium hands, and like BOTH handles, although the Swamp Rat handles fit my hands a little better, and are more comfortable in hard use. They are probably more resistant to chemicals, DEET comes immediately to mind.
The BR and the TM will be much better choppers due to the extra length and weighting. There's no getting around that. They are also much more awkward to carry, no getting around that either. The steel and edge comparisons will probably be the same as the RS/CT.
Your best bet would probably be a Leatherman or similar tool, and perhaps a Howling Rat. If you are allowed a CT or BR, great, but it would be heartbreaking to have it confiscated. I'm sure once you get to your final unit, Swamp Rat will be happy to send you whichever you want.
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2001
- Messages
- 1,297
Rat all the way! Too many better qualities to mension.
Soldier - I take it that you haven't gone thru basic yet? It's been a while since I was in the Army, but you'll probably be required to go into the Amnesty Room (during inprocessing) to turn-in all weapons/drugs/contraband, et al. If you were to take any knives (especially a Battle Rat), it'd probably get confiscated (hopefully to be returned) from you.
It would probably be better if you either buy the BR after you get to your permanent duty station, or buy in now, then have it sent after you are assigned (or bring it back with you when you return from taking Leave...).
Be prepared to get lots of FLACK from "the powers that be" regarding carrying a knife on your LBE/webgear/LBV, etc. The Army doesn't trust us GRUNTS to carry the tools that we need to complete the mission.
A Leatherman/Swiss "Army" Knife, or something similar will also serve you well. Along with your knives, get a good sharpening set (stones)/system to keep the edge sharp.
Good luck in your enlistment - we appreciate you sacrifices.
Kind regards,
Joe Kalua
It would probably be better if you either buy the BR after you get to your permanent duty station, or buy in now, then have it sent after you are assigned (or bring it back with you when you return from taking Leave...).
Be prepared to get lots of FLACK from "the powers that be" regarding carrying a knife on your LBE/webgear/LBV, etc. The Army doesn't trust us GRUNTS to carry the tools that we need to complete the mission.
A Leatherman/Swiss "Army" Knife, or something similar will also serve you well. Along with your knives, get a good sharpening set (stones)/system to keep the edge sharp
.Good luck in your enlistment - we appreciate you sacrifices
.Kind regards,
Joe Kalua
About waiting until after training... Yeah, commonsense stuff, guys.
It sucks that they are coming down on blade length. Used to be, a knife was considered a tool and wasn't regulated. What is the world coming to?
I appreciate all the advice. Reading some of these replys, I've decided to go with a shorter blade length for a main duty knife. Unfortunately, I'm sorry to say that it won't be a Swamp Rat. My decision is made based on cost, aesthetics, standard sheathing, blade design, and other factors.
To the guy who asked: My MOS is 91W; I'll be a medic. Although with this MOS there is a chance I won't go to the field, all things considered, I probably will. Besides, I'm one of one "prepared for anything" guys.
It sucks that they are coming down on blade length. Used to be, a knife was considered a tool and wasn't regulated. What is the world coming to?
I appreciate all the advice. Reading some of these replys, I've decided to go with a shorter blade length for a main duty knife. Unfortunately, I'm sorry to say that it won't be a Swamp Rat. My decision is made based on cost, aesthetics, standard sheathing, blade design, and other factors.
To the guy who asked: My MOS is 91W; I'll be a medic. Although with this MOS there is a chance I won't go to the field, all things considered, I probably will. Besides, I'm one of one "prepared for anything" guys.