Busse, Scrap Yard, and Swamp Rat?

ducati

ducati

Gold Member
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Sep 13, 2000
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What is the story with these 3 companies? Also the choices in steel? I just purchased a Swamp Warden, and a Scrapivore. I also have a SYKCO 511 on order. I know nothing about the steels used. Also how long does it take for them except your registration on their forums?
 
one is represented by HOGS, another RATS, and last but not least DOGS. Your surrounded by HOGS,RATS, and DOGS! HOGS,RATS, AND DOGS! Do search on this forum for INFI steel and one for SR101 steel and you should be able to pull up some good info. You have a good start to your collection there. Let us know how you like the 511-it's a brand new model.
 
They're all owned by the same family, Jerry Busse, runs Busse Combat, his wife runs Swamp Rat, and his brother runs Scrapyard Knife co.

The info below may not be 100%, but it's not that far off. Maybe 95-99% :p

Busse Combat = Infi steel, it's composition is well known and has been posted a few times in the forums, it's basically a medium carbon, high alloy steel with a near optimal combination of properties. In terms of performance it behaves close to CPM 3v, but a bit stronger, perhaps slightly less tough, and when satin finished is more stainless than ATS-34.

Swamp Rat = SR-101, pretty much 52100 with a highly optimized heat treatment, the first generation of swamp rat knives were zone hardened/tempered, with a hard edge and spring tempered spine. Pretty sure the newer ones aren't, and use an improved heat treatment that doesn't need the zone hardening.

Scrapyard = mostly SR-77, and occasionally some infi scraps. SR-77 is S-7 shock steel with a special heat treatment that brings it up to a hardness more appropriate for a knife blade, without greatly compromising s7's natural toughness.
 
swamp rat was started as a way of maintainging the idea behind the original basic series from busse combat, a lower cost option for those seeking high performance in a hard use knife. But, like the basics, swamp rat is still a little towards the pricey side with their use of sr101. 50-150$ cheaper than busse, but still out of most peoples price range. Scrap yard is like it sounds, it's a company that scrounges for higher end steels like d2 and 154cm when it can get them for a decent price, and occasionally uses sr101 and INFI. Most of the time they use sr77 which is cheaper than both sr101 and INFI.
 
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