- Joined
- Apr 30, 2004
- Messages
- 503
I made it to Blade and did take a few Rat photos. It was awesome! Aside from meeting all the great folks at the Busse/Swamp booth, getting to see some of the other builders' wares first hand (and shake hands with the builders) was also great. Wally Hayes was at the booth when I first got there. I got to meet Tim the Slugman and his son, Ronin Rat, Voracious and a couple other guys (Idaho Skunk and Mike....)
The photos I've seen in the past do not do justice to the knives compared to handling them. The new Tactical Rat line is incredible! The construction is very similar to their standard line (diff. tempered on large knives, thru tempered on the Satin Rat, same thicknesses for the large knives. The Satin is closer to 3/16" thick. The large knives are hand filling where the Satin is just right for a knife of its size. It shares the same size micarta scales with the skinner, but the tang protrudes beyond the scale on the Satin. The scales are flush on the skinner.
I do very much like the "old" line as well and can't wait to get my SBR and a regular Camp Tramp. I finally got to see why Ian and so many others have a passion for the Howler (the example they had just happened to be tan, but none to sell) - A Howler will join my collection as well eventually. 'Course the Coot felt good in the hand as well.......hence the topic of many debate as to which is better...
Lots of firsts for me today. First trip to Blade, I purchased my first Rat (Safari Skinner - more pics to follow) which coincidentally is my first D-2 knife. First time to handle any Busse/Rat product. I also learned that Jerry & Jen's last name is pronounced with a short U, as in Bus, not with a long U (I was pronouncing it Byoosee )
The Busse collection is also incredible - the Fusion Battle Mistress is an imposing hunk of steel as is the Steel Heart. The magnum grips on those two (hopefully will be stock on a knife that large) are very satisfying in the hand. The Tank Buster, which I thought was a relatively small knife, actually has a five inch blade and is very beefy.
I could go on and on but a picture is worth.....
This is a picture of the booths with Eric on the end. Drew is next to him (RVO.....)
Here's the Tactical line...
Here's the Camp Tramp Tactical in hand....
The photos I've seen in the past do not do justice to the knives compared to handling them. The new Tactical Rat line is incredible! The construction is very similar to their standard line (diff. tempered on large knives, thru tempered on the Satin Rat, same thicknesses for the large knives. The Satin is closer to 3/16" thick. The large knives are hand filling where the Satin is just right for a knife of its size. It shares the same size micarta scales with the skinner, but the tang protrudes beyond the scale on the Satin. The scales are flush on the skinner.
I do very much like the "old" line as well and can't wait to get my SBR and a regular Camp Tramp. I finally got to see why Ian and so many others have a passion for the Howler (the example they had just happened to be tan, but none to sell) - A Howler will join my collection as well eventually. 'Course the Coot felt good in the hand as well.......hence the topic of many debate as to which is better...
Lots of firsts for me today. First trip to Blade, I purchased my first Rat (Safari Skinner - more pics to follow) which coincidentally is my first D-2 knife. First time to handle any Busse/Rat product. I also learned that Jerry & Jen's last name is pronounced with a short U, as in Bus, not with a long U (I was pronouncing it Byoosee )
The Busse collection is also incredible - the Fusion Battle Mistress is an imposing hunk of steel as is the Steel Heart. The magnum grips on those two (hopefully will be stock on a knife that large) are very satisfying in the hand. The Tank Buster, which I thought was a relatively small knife, actually has a five inch blade and is very beefy.
I could go on and on but a picture is worth.....
This is a picture of the booths with Eric on the end. Drew is next to him (RVO.....)
Here's the Tactical line...
Here's the Camp Tramp Tactical in hand....
I wish I coulda been there! Maybe in a couple years! And those Rats look sweet! Now I hafta deside between tan and black for my BRT!! 
trainer.
