Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,430
A short review
Camp Tramp and Howling Rat!
Received these two knives in from a friend that wanted me to experience the cutting and handling of the Swamp Rat knives, both knives fit like a glove with the style of grips provided! Very comfortable knives.
The Camp Tramp, being the beefier of the two was taken ~OutBack~ for some cutting/chopping chores. Tree branches abound on my property and some are always in the way and need to be trimmed back from time to time.
SO it wasnt a problem to find something to cut into! The CT work great as all have attested to before me, the edge was very good, with the convex style edge it would BITE deeply and yet not become stuck, it is a good size knife for about any chore you can imagine while in the wilds. This morning was out loading in some firewood
we had about 4 of snow last night! And on some of the wood there was the occasional limb sticking out from it, like a clingon of sorts
So I took the CT with me to clear some off as I was loading in the wood. One piece had a side branch about 1 ½ thick and this is old seasoned wood, not green at all, ironwood of all things too! So I took the CT to task in cleaving the branch off and then trimming the side of the remaining knot even with the side of the log, Outstanding! Again the solid biting of the edge without being stuck was very nice.
Draw backs, with the knife, nothing that I could think of, but the sheath, if you dont tie the bottom down it can be difficult to withdraw the knife as the belt loop is very flexible.
Howling Rat, another fine knife, nice name too I used this for more detailed work of whittling than any chopping due to its smaller size but I would imagine in a pinch you could use a log to hammer through another log pretty easily. With the same style of convex edge, this knife push cuts very easy, Id stack up some leather and it would cleanly press through the leather without much difficulty. This one is one I may pick up, that or the Bandicoot, have to give more thought!
Draw backs, with the knife, on this smaller blade, a thinner overall grind would be a little better for me, but for use on ANY thing I think they did an excellent job on the knife and profile, the thinner blade is just me!
Sheath, same as above, a stiffer belt loop may help?
OH and on BOTH knives, the coating is the bomb guys/gals, when I finished cutting with either knife, some serious hacking into DEAD hard wood, the coating still remains intact! Very nice!
Again, my thanks to the mysterious man with the plan that loaned these to me, you sir are a credit to the knife community! He has requested to remain anonymous and will remain so unless he gives leave.
Overall, Outstanding product, edges were and remain sharp, no deformations whatsoever and slight not full razor edge was brought back quite easily
Heading back to you tomorrow sir and thanks so much!
Now to look over the Bandicoot and Howling Rat
Oh, for those wondering on the CT, at the moment I have my BIG fixed blade needs met, otherwise Id be getting a CT or its bigger brother!
Received these two knives in from a friend that wanted me to experience the cutting and handling of the Swamp Rat knives, both knives fit like a glove with the style of grips provided! Very comfortable knives.
The Camp Tramp, being the beefier of the two was taken ~OutBack~ for some cutting/chopping chores. Tree branches abound on my property and some are always in the way and need to be trimmed back from time to time.
SO it wasnt a problem to find something to cut into! The CT work great as all have attested to before me, the edge was very good, with the convex style edge it would BITE deeply and yet not become stuck, it is a good size knife for about any chore you can imagine while in the wilds. This morning was out loading in some firewood
we had about 4 of snow last night! And on some of the wood there was the occasional limb sticking out from it, like a clingon of sorts
So I took the CT with me to clear some off as I was loading in the wood. One piece had a side branch about 1 ½ thick and this is old seasoned wood, not green at all, ironwood of all things too! So I took the CT to task in cleaving the branch off and then trimming the side of the remaining knot even with the side of the log, Outstanding! Again the solid biting of the edge without being stuck was very nice.Draw backs, with the knife, nothing that I could think of, but the sheath, if you dont tie the bottom down it can be difficult to withdraw the knife as the belt loop is very flexible.
Howling Rat, another fine knife, nice name too
I used this for more detailed work of whittling than any chopping due to its smaller size but I would imagine in a pinch you could use a log to hammer through another log pretty easily. With the same style of convex edge, this knife push cuts very easy, Id stack up some leather and it would cleanly press through the leather without much difficulty. This one is one I may pick up, that or the Bandicoot, have to give more thought! Draw backs, with the knife, on this smaller blade, a thinner overall grind would be a little better for me, but for use on ANY thing I think they did an excellent job on the knife and profile, the thinner blade is just me!
Sheath, same as above, a stiffer belt loop may help?
OH and on BOTH knives, the coating is the bomb guys/gals, when I finished cutting with either knife, some serious hacking into DEAD hard wood, the coating still remains intact! Very nice!
Again, my thanks to the mysterious man with the plan that loaned these to me, you sir are a credit to the knife community! He has requested to remain anonymous and will remain so unless he gives leave.
Overall, Outstanding product, edges were and remain sharp, no deformations whatsoever and slight not full razor edge was brought back quite easily
Heading back to you tomorrow sir and thanks so much!
Now to look over the Bandicoot and Howling Rat
Oh, for those wondering on the CT, at the moment I have my BIG fixed blade needs met, otherwise Id be getting a CT or its bigger brother!
