busse vs bark river vs esee

[blueline36]

I'm looking for a new backpacking knife (mostly utility cutting and light batoning but needs to take a beating if necessary) and wondering what everyone's preferences are...Esee 4, bravo 1 or rodent 4. I like the Esee warranty, the bark river blade thickness and the tactical looks of the swamp rat. At this point I'm leaning towards the Esee with the bravo a close second and totally undecided about the Swamp Rat. Any insight would be great.

 

[stevomiller]

I think your post is headed to the general forum. BTW, let folks there know what you intend to use the knife for so they can give guidance.

 

[Simple Man]

All are hard to beat, but I tend to reach for Busse Kin.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Swamp Rat, or the Esse if you plan on hitting it through wood (batonning).

Both have fantastic warranties.

 

[backerspit]

I have carried an ESSE 4 for 3 years. I convexed the edge and sanded off the finish on the blade just to make it a little unique. It has never let me down and is easy to maintain an edge on and the more I use it the better I like it. Ive never been a fan of batoning with a knife but it is more than capable of doing so if needed.

 

[shqxk]

busse vs bark river vs esee? swamp rat win.

 

[Hard Knocks]

If you're going to beat on it, the SR101 in the swamprat is tougher than heck.

 

[Turbomammoth]

Looks like the Swamp Rat crew's swamping your thread.


Another vote for the R4!

 

[Ztmma]

Thanks guys, now I need to buy a knife in SR101...I've been trying very hard to resist.

 

[Turbomammoth]

Thanks guys, now I need to buy a knife in SR101...I've been trying very hard to resist.

Resistance is futile.

 

[FTR-14c]

If your thinking about a Rodent 4, you could save a few bucks and a bit of weight and go for the ScrapYard 411.
Same SR-101 steel but with a res-c handle.
I just picked up a Tops Dragonfly that just blows me away. I haven't been this pleased with a knife at any price point in a long time.