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BM Rant Bowie
- Thread starter enix
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 75
I have one. Seems about the same as a Buck Vanguard. Came with a very sharp edge and holds it well. I use it mostly for cleaning fish and cutting bait. It's not for chopping with its' thin edge, rather very nice indeed for slicing. My Rant, like most of my knives, has rust spots because I use it around salt walter. Good product, good price.
Mr. Wilson
Mr. Wilson
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2006
- Messages
- 113
Like Mr. Wilson said it is very sharp from the factory and holds a good edge.Better then Buck Vangaurd IMO.The handle is very comfortable and fits my hand very well.
The sheath is of good quality but for me would be more useful if the belt loop accepted a wider belt.That is my only complaint.
For around forty bucks I think is a terrific bargain.
Andy K
The sheath is of good quality but for me would be more useful if the belt loop accepted a wider belt.That is my only complaint.
For around forty bucks I think is a terrific bargain.
Andy K
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2006
- Messages
- 113
Forum Sponsor http://www.gpknives.com/item/benchmade-rant-bowie.html
- Joined
- Apr 27, 1999
- Messages
- 6,117
One of the side questions is which blade alloy people have in their Rant Bowies. I got an early one with an N690 alloy blade. I assumed that the similarity to VG-10 would let an N690 hollow ground blade take an ultra-sharp yet stable thin edge. The more recent Rants that I have seen had 440C alloy blades which I don't like as well for thin edges. Maybe I would feel different if I knew that the 440C was cryo treated.
So guys, are you talking about N690 or 440C blades? I really like the edge on my N690 model, but I would not consider it a heavy duty knife. It makes a nice skinning knife, but I would be nervous splitting thick bone with it. For heavier work I would rather have a Buck Vanguard model. The hollow grind is a bit less extreme and the 420HC is a bit tougher (though not as hard).
So guys, are you talking about N690 or 440C blades? I really like the edge on my N690 model, but I would not consider it a heavy duty knife. It makes a nice skinning knife, but I would be nervous splitting thick bone with it. For heavier work I would rather have a Buck Vanguard model. The hollow grind is a bit less extreme and the 420HC is a bit tougher (though not as hard).
It looks like BM changed to style of sheath as well. I have one in 440c, and the sheath is a fold-over type with a small belt loop in the center. This means it rides a lot higher on the belt the the type shown at GP.
When I'm camping I sometimes carry my Rant tip-up in the sheath (you couldn't do this with the new style sheath) on a loop of paracord over my right shoulder and under my left arm. It lets me carry less stuff on my belt, and I barely notice it's there.
The Rant does have a very deep hollow grind and a very thin edge, as mentioned. I think it makes a great compliment to a larger, thick convex blade.
The BM site still shows the old style sheath, I know my description wasn't the best : http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10500
When I'm camping I sometimes carry my Rant tip-up in the sheath (you couldn't do this with the new style sheath) on a loop of paracord over my right shoulder and under my left arm. It lets me carry less stuff on my belt, and I barely notice it's there.
The Rant does have a very deep hollow grind and a very thin edge, as mentioned. I think it makes a great compliment to a larger, thick convex blade.
The BM site still shows the old style sheath, I know my description wasn't the best : http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10500