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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Becker vs Ranger vs Rat Cutlery vs Scrapyard
- Thread starter timsclips
- Start date
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- Nov 16, 2002
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I have a Becker BK-9 and two custom variants of Ranger Knives' RD-9 (one was a stock RD-9, but I begged a swordmaker to redo its heat-treat). Oddly, the Ontario Ranger; under Dan Marangi's watchful eye; will probably be very similar to my one with the custom heat treat in terms of added toughness, but with a lower price tag. I've had some Scrapyards, but sold them without using them (and at a loss no less).
I don't see how anyone could go wrong with any of the brands you've suggested. Becker, Busse, and Gingrich are all known for their customer service. I like that the Grivory scales on the BK-9 are similar to the "magnum" scales that are often a $35+ option on Busse Combat brand knives and the entire knife comes in at $65-75 before shipping (and with a cute little BK-13 knife sheathed in the BK-9's sheath).
I don't see how anyone could go wrong with any of the brands you've suggested. Becker, Busse, and Gingrich are all known for their customer service. I like that the Grivory scales on the BK-9 are similar to the "magnum" scales that are often a $35+ option on Busse Combat brand knives and the entire knife comes in at $65-75 before shipping (and with a cute little BK-13 knife sheathed in the BK-9's sheath).
I don't own them all right now, but I have had 3 of those go through my hands. If I had to rate them...
Rat Cutlery for top notch fit and finish,
Becker for blade steel and value,
Scrapyard for the nice rubber handle.
I know that isn't much to go on, but it is all I've got right now.
Rat Cutlery for top notch fit and finish,
Becker for blade steel and value,
Scrapyard for the nice rubber handle.
I know that isn't much to go on, but it is all I've got right now.
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RAT cutlery for the warranty, too! Don't forget that!
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- Jan 6, 2007
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Was there a problem with it or you just wanted something else from the blade?
I actually thought of that late last night, but didn't feel like getting out of bed to add it.
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Oh no; the blade was perfect when it left Gingrich's shop. The bainite bug had caught me and I wanted a taste.
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I dont think there warranty is better than scrapyards. Busse Kin warranty has been proven over and over. RAT's mite be similar but not better.
I own all those knives, Becker handles are clunky to me. I have several of them but they just dont feel as good. The RAT's not bad and in D2 or 1095 is pretty good stuff. Justin's knives are good, feel good and are at a good price point. I personally like Scrapyards Res-C handles the best of the group as I find them most comfortable, but you cant just go buy the model you want from there store.
I have my fav's but really its a matter of how much you want to spend and what you are looking for. I like the Scrapyards and the Rangers the best of the bunch, just personal preference. I have used all those brands alot and I just never acquired a taste for carrying the RATS (except the RAT3.....nice little knife) or the Beckers.
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- Jun 1, 2007
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I have knives from all four of the makers you mentioned.
Rat has great service but I just can't make friends with the handles on my RC-3 and RC-4yet.
I own a dozen of the Camillus made Beckers and have been a huge fan ever since my first purchase. There are just so many blades in the line to choose from I'm not sure how to compare them to Rat unless you stuck with the BK10 Crewman. Nearly all of the Becker's are going to be larger blades (or else feel like a large blade due to thickness).
Swamp Rat makes a fantastic knife and my Howling Rat seems to hold an edge better than any of the others you mentioned (although the Becker's are very close). Again the problem I have is that the rubber handle feels tiny in my hand.
If you can afford to pay just a wee bit more Justin at Ranger can make you something custom that will knock your socks off. His 5160 heat treat is pretty amazing. The custom 5 1/2 inch blade he made for me is my favorite and more likely to be carried than any of my Beckers, Busses, Fallknivens, Swamp Rats, Rats, or Scrapyards, because I got exactly what I wanted.
If you could narrow down the size blade and the price range you are considering I might be able to offer something more substantial in the way of feedback.
ALL the knives you mentioned are great. Here's my general thoughts:
Rat: Great service, great company, tough knife. Handle one first to make sure you like the feel.
Swamp Rat: Fantastic craftsmanship, great edge retention, and the finish is superb. Pricey, but worth it if you aren't paying aftermarket. The handles are cool but they don't fill my hand.
Becker: The Camillus made are all fantastic. I love my Brute's especially. In the smaller knives, I really like the Bk-10 Crewman (the Campanion is too big a brick for me). Great edge retention, tough knives that "work for a living". I assume that the K-Bar line is equally great though I haven't needed to purchase any. I don't care for the sheaths, but for the money, I'm just thrilled that they come with one. Love the handles and have never damaged one so I'm guessing that for hard (but not insane) use, they will prove tough enough for anything you throw at them. I have no experience with the customer service side of things.
Ranger: No frills, extremely tough blades. I have a few Rangers and though I have never tried to chop concrete with them, I have used them on all manner of wood and they have always surpassed my expectations. Justin is top notch in the customer service department and if you can afford a custom I can't recommend him more highly. Like most of the other companies mentioned, I'm not a big fan of Ranger's handles which have always felt blocky to me, but with a little sanding they can be made pretty comfy.
I have never damaged any of the blades mentioned (except for the coating on my Beckers) and that should tell you something. They are all tough, well made knives. I think it's going to boil down to what you want in terms of design, what you are going to use it for, and your price range.
Hope this wasn't too vague.
Rat has great service but I just can't make friends with the handles on my RC-3 and RC-4yet.
I own a dozen of the Camillus made Beckers and have been a huge fan ever since my first purchase. There are just so many blades in the line to choose from I'm not sure how to compare them to Rat unless you stuck with the BK10 Crewman. Nearly all of the Becker's are going to be larger blades (or else feel like a large blade due to thickness).
Swamp Rat makes a fantastic knife and my Howling Rat seems to hold an edge better than any of the others you mentioned (although the Becker's are very close). Again the problem I have is that the rubber handle feels tiny in my hand.
If you can afford to pay just a wee bit more Justin at Ranger can make you something custom that will knock your socks off. His 5160 heat treat is pretty amazing. The custom 5 1/2 inch blade he made for me is my favorite and more likely to be carried than any of my Beckers, Busses, Fallknivens, Swamp Rats, Rats, or Scrapyards, because I got exactly what I wanted.
If you could narrow down the size blade and the price range you are considering I might be able to offer something more substantial in the way of feedback.
ALL the knives you mentioned are great. Here's my general thoughts:
Rat: Great service, great company, tough knife. Handle one first to make sure you like the feel.
Swamp Rat: Fantastic craftsmanship, great edge retention, and the finish is superb. Pricey, but worth it if you aren't paying aftermarket. The handles are cool but they don't fill my hand.
Becker: The Camillus made are all fantastic. I love my Brute's especially. In the smaller knives, I really like the Bk-10 Crewman (the Campanion is too big a brick for me). Great edge retention, tough knives that "work for a living". I assume that the K-Bar line is equally great though I haven't needed to purchase any. I don't care for the sheaths, but for the money, I'm just thrilled that they come with one. Love the handles and have never damaged one so I'm guessing that for hard (but not insane) use, they will prove tough enough for anything you throw at them. I have no experience with the customer service side of things.
Ranger: No frills, extremely tough blades. I have a few Rangers and though I have never tried to chop concrete with them, I have used them on all manner of wood and they have always surpassed my expectations. Justin is top notch in the customer service department and if you can afford a custom I can't recommend him more highly. Like most of the other companies mentioned, I'm not a big fan of Ranger's handles which have always felt blocky to me, but with a little sanding they can be made pretty comfy.
I have never damaged any of the blades mentioned (except for the coating on my Beckers) and that should tell you something. They are all tough, well made knives. I think it's going to boil down to what you want in terms of design, what you are going to use it for, and your price range.
Hope this wasn't too vague.
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- May 26, 2008
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RAT Cutlery's warranty is second to none, including Bussekin. Have you ever seen Busse, Swamp Rat, or Scrap Yard tell a customer to post a photo of a broken knife and keep it as a beater, and receive a new one as well, post haste? I would call the warranties equal.
RAT Cutlery, BTW, does not make any knives in D2. Only 1095. They also do not make the RAT-3. (They make the RC-3.....different knife...)