Battle Rat Vs. R9

GregB

GregB

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2000
Messages
3,436
If anyone has used both, I'd love to hear a comparison. Telling myself that since I've got the BR, I don't "nee" the R9, but I do like micarta:D

GregB
 
I have used both pretty extensively, and I like the Battle Rat much MUCH more. The fact that the R9 isn't differentially heat treated was kind of a deal breaker for me personally, as the differential heat treat process is what attracted me to Swamp Rat in the first place! I will post some pictures tonight of both of 'em in use.
 
Another vote for the Battle Rat, the differential heat treat and the old schoolness (is that a word??) :p

The most used of my pack is the Rat Mastiff though, got the best of both worlds, diff heat treat AND micarta! I've beat the living daylights out of it and it wants more.
 
I was around when the Swamp Rat company was being unveiled, when they first shipped the very first Ratchets, and have used and sharpened more SR-101 than most have ever seen, and I'd be divinely fascinated to know how anyone could perceive the difference between differentially tempered and mono-tempered blades in use--given that their edges are exactly the same steel at exactly the same hardness--unless you're routinely using full-force blows with a steel ball peen hammer to baton the spine with... ;)

GregB, my comparison between them would be that the lighter tang/handle of the Battle Rat gives more forward balance, and thus a little more power in a swing, than the R9. The R9's handle is more comfortable--for me--in extended use because it fills my hand out better. This comparison is, however, entirely subjective, and I can't come anywhere close to guessing how the R9 would feel in your hand. I find it a vast improvement over the Ratweiler/Mastiff handle design, where others find it a step in the wrong direction. The good news is that--should you order one, receive it and discover it's not for you--you can unload it very easily. I know you're not a Gold member right now, but I am, so I could easily buy it from you and sell it again, or decide that I need a second one and keep it for myself. Which reminds me, I need to order an R4...
 
Warren-
Long time no see. Good to hear you are still alive and well. Take care, my friend. That said, I'd take Warren's word as gospel ...but I am a wise old coot and understand the difference between real-world practical knowledge and thatever hype comes down the pike....
-carl
 
t1mpani said:
I was around when the Swamp Rat company was being unveiled, when they first shipped the very first Ratchets, and have used and sharpened more SR-101 than most have ever seen, and I'd be divinely fascinated to know how anyone could perceive the difference between differentially tempered and mono-tempered blades in use--given that their edges are exactly the same steel at exactly the same hardness--unless you're routinely using full-force blows with a steel ball peen hammer to baton the spine with... ;)

GregB, my comparison between them would be that the lighter tang/handle of the Battle Rat gives more forward balance, and thus a little more power in a swing, than the R9. The R9's handle is more comfortable--for me--in extended use because it fills my hand out better. This comparison is, however, entirely subjective, and I can't come anywhere close to guessing how the R9 would feel in your hand. I find it a vast improvement over the Ratweiler/Mastiff handle design, where others find it a step in the wrong direction. The good news is that--should you order one, receive it and discover it's not for you--you can unload it very easily. I know you're not a Gold member right now, but I am, so I could easily buy it from you and sell it again, or decide that I need a second one and keep it for myself. Which reminds me, I need to order an R4...
Click to expand...


Well OF COURSE I can tell the difference between the two in use silly! I can see the hamon right there as I swing it :D :D :D

That said, I liked the BR better than the R9. Again, like Warren stated, it's subjective. The R9 didn't fit my hand right, and I liked the forward balance on the BR better. Wish I still had that one :(
 
Carl Theile said:
I'd take Warren's word as gospel ...but I am a wise old coot and understand the difference between real-world practical knowledge and thatever hype comes down the pike....
Click to expand...

You see, fellas? Carl is the only one who passed my test--refusing my hype. :D

It's good to see you still kickin' as well, old coot. :)

Now, I humbly submit, Joshua, that you're actually seeing the Harman (probably your hand and arm) when you swing those knives---it's an entirely understandable mistake. ;)
 
t1mpani said:
I'd be divinely fascinated to know how anyone could perceive the difference between differentially tempered and mono-tempered blades in use--given that their edges are exactly the same steel at exactly the same hardness--unless you're routinely using full-force blows with a steel ball peen hammer to baton the spine with... ;)
Click to expand...

I also use my Rats Warren; ALL of them! I cannot perceive any differences between a differentially heat treated blade and a through hardened blade when chopping, but my point is (and always will be) that it is nice to have the peace of mind knowing that your blade is closer to indestructibility; especially if you are in the field. I would never say anything negative about any Swamp Rat knife as they are my favorite knives of all time! However, when it comes to the through hardened vs. differential debate, I will keep my old school differentials :cool:

Carl Theile said:
I am a wise old coot and understand the difference between real-world practical knowledge and thatever hype comes down the pike....
-carl
Click to expand...

Are you saying differential heat treating is hype?! :eek:

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Hey, no real argument here, I just didn't want prospective new customers to get the mistaken impression that the Swamp's glory days are behind it. I love the original knives, and will be a Res-C proponent till the day I die... Or until the day I invent Res-D. My reply might have been snarkier than necessary, upon rereading, it came on the tail of a rotten day.

Keep beating those Rats, they love it in a truly sick way. :D
 
No harm, no foul, no worries brother! I would love to see some pictures of your inventory. I'm sure you have some beauties from the older days!

EDIT: And just to prove I am not a steel snob, here is a differential/through hardened pair that I love dearly!

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t1mpani said:
You see, fellas? Carl is the only one who passed my test--refusing my hype. :D

It's good to see you still kickin' as well, old coot. :)

Now, I humbly submit, Joshua, that you're actually seeing the Harman (probably your hand and arm) when you swing those knives---it's an entirely understandable mistake. ;)
Click to expand...

Warren-
I do not consider your comments hype- so I failed the test. I do, however, have a Busse Battle Mistress that has been through knife hell- including being pounded through 16' of header (nails and all) with a framing hammer (because some idiot bought a door too tall for the opening). Yes, I know NOT to do that, but necessity and urgency overrode common sense. That blade is through hardened ...and it survived quite well absent a few chips in the spine. If it had DHT I might not have gotten the chips, I suppose.

My point: I use and abuse every blade I own, and neither SRKW nor Busse products have failed. I therefore see no reason to tell them how to make my blade. Do I see a value to DHT? Yes- in a samurai type sword. But in a knife? Nope.

Glad to BE kickin (still).
-carl
 
SNWbrdr202 said:

Are you saying differential heat treating is hype?!
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No, not at all. But I am saying that folks CAN read too much into a style of MFG and become confused as to which is "better". I am saying that I do not see a significant difference in performance or durability of through or differentially heat treated knives from the Busse family ...so far. ;)
-carl
 
It just looks really cool nekked!:p:D Glad to see ya Carl.... been missing my buddies from the swamp!
 
t1mpani said:
Now, I humbly submit, Joshua, that you're actually seeing the Harman (probably your hand and arm) when you swing those knives---it's an entirely understandable mistake. ;)
Click to expand...

Well now, that might explain a lot! I thought I was seeing hamons everywhere! My SAK, butter knives...whatever happens to be in my hand. I thought it was weird since I didn't think some things SHOULD be differentially hardened ;)
 
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