Becker 7/9 vs. Swamp Rat?

[afee]

I know you guys are a bit Becker biased, but could anyone compare to the Busse, er, Swap rat offerings? The SR's are more money, but still affordable, so i'm hoping for preformance comparisons if you have em.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Loki]

I'm not sure you're likely to see much practical difference. The Busse co. and Swamp Rats will claim to have a super product and maybe they do. Swamprats will cost 2 to 3 time what the Beckers will cost. Both use carbon steel blades so short of hacking through big redwoods, concrete/rebar, etc. I suspect the Beckers will do everything the Swamprats will do.

 

[martin j]

I don't own either ( yet) but until many users have a chance to use them, it is premature to assume they will not show "much practical difference," as much as it would be premature to assume big difference favoring one or other. Obviously handles are noticable difference, also Becker is straght blade handel/ while Busse appears to have slight angle in handle. Do they have similar weight, balance, and grinded angles? Are the stells equal in their quality/performance? We can't tell this just by pictures, only experience will tell. Because they are both "big choppers" any differences- if any, should be noticable.
Martin

 

[Will Fennell]

afee,
I don't think folks here will have much to tell you yet. While we have been shipping the BK&T C/U7's for a few months, we have not shipped ANY BK&T Combat Bowies[BK9] yet[we should ship the first ones later this week ]. And not to speak for my friends @ Busse Combat/Swamp Rat, I don't think they have started regular shipments of the SR knives yet either. I could certainly be wrong on that one though....but.....

Let me bring this point up, lets not be so hasty to lump the C/U7 in with the BK&T Combat Bowie. They are VERY different knives. The C/U7 is a combat/ utility knife....think of a modern equilivant of the famous Marine Combat knife. The BK&T Combat Bowie is a MUCH larger knife. While the blade is only 2" longer, it is also wider[approx .25"] and thicker[ the C/U7 is .188", the Combat Bowie is .210"]. There is approx. 6 oz. more weight in the Bowie, and its all in the blade

Anyway, I realize that your post wanted a comparison of a couple of BK&T's and the offerings from Swamp Rat, but I thought I would just put some perspective on the new BK&T Combat Bowie. From what I know about the Beckers, and from what I saw of the Swamp Rat's @ BLADESHOW, I think any of them would get you through a cold night in the boonies

 

[afee]

Thanks folks,

I didn't realize just how new some of these products were untill I started poking around a bit deeper. Handle angel, scales vs. moulded on handle and grind where my big questions, but I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer till they have had some more consumer use. Just out of curiosity (and I''ll check other threads is this has been answered), when do you plan on shipping the 9's?

Thanks again!

 

[Mongo]

I too created a similar thread a week or so ago, and didn't get much of a response. Must be too soon to tell. I suspect that the BK-9 will be a much better slicer/cutter and the SR's perhaps a slightly better chopper. I too am interested in steel comparisons and handle material/ergonomics comparisons. I will in all liklihood end up getting a BK-9 as my new truck knife. You just can't beat the price for the quality of knife that you get. Once again, "thanks" Camillus/Becker for sucking all my spare money away!

Mongo