DISCO said:
becker9 bowie or cold steel srk ... just wanted a visual idea of size and thickness etc.
I've got a BK-9 and have owned a few SRK's previously. I'll compare them to the Camp Tramp one at a time.
Cold Steel SRK:
Comparing this 6" blade to the CT is something of an "apples and oranges" comparison. The SRK is a more easily carried (shorter OAL), quicker in the hand, and cheaper-priced slicer and dicer. IME the SRK is not a very good chopper, being too neutral in balance to get much momentum built up. The CT on the other hand is a much more robust "do it all, including chopping wood or peeling a tank" blade.
That said, there are a ton of SRK's in service doing a fine job across a wide range of environments from the outdoors to combat zones. I consider the SRK factory seconds from the CS Special Projects catalog to be a good knife for the money. The factory seconds contain cosmetic flaws (which most buyers report they can't find or detect) that don't affect the performance of the SRK seconds. A regular SRK at full retail loses its appeal to me as being not up to the standards of some other slice 'n dice knives in their approximate price range (Swamp Rat Bog Dog or Howling Rat, Ranger Knives RD-6, or Spyderco Moran Featherweights, for instance).
The good of the SRK is that it comes with a servicable blade geometry in what is basically 1095 steel. 1095 is one of the most common blade steels for a couple of good reasons: it is forgiving in manufacture and, with decent heat treat and grinding, makes a respectably durable working blade that will take a good edge.
The SRK's relatively neutral balance, shorter blade length, and pointier tip make it a better choice than the CT for more precise work. Think jobs like scooping out potato eyes, auguring a hole into a board or chipping out a wooden spoon bowl, etc. Also, the SRK's I had were very sharp out of box. The shoulders above the SRK edges were thinner than the CT shoulders, making it even better at the slice 'n dice chores.
The older SRK's I had came with an ambidextrous plastic material sheath. It was a pretty loose fit for resheathing the SRK and rattled some, but it served its purpose in a nominal sort of way.
The bad of the SRK to me was the handle material and construction. I found the straight stick Kraton molded on handle to be very un-ergonomic. The cross-section of the handle was too sharply cornered and boxy. The surface was covered with checkering that I found too deep and aggressive for long-term use. To me, the handle is so bad that it is a "show stopper" on me getting another SRK, unless I can get one very cheap. In which case, I'd put a new handle on it. Some people have reported SRK handles torquing loose from the tang of the knife. I had *NO* security issues with my SRK handles.
NOTE: Other folks have no trouble with the SRK handle shape and like it just fine, including folks for which the SRK is their day-to-day regular carry. If you want to buy a SRK or other Cold Steel knife with the same handle, it would be good to handle one in a store before you buy it (online for better prices
).
Bottom Line: Get a factory second SRK from the Special Projects catalog. It is a decent mid-size cutter that works well right out of the box. But be aware of the handle ergo's as a possible downside.
Becker Combat Bowie BK-9:
The BK-9 is a closer compatriot of the CT, at half the price.
The good of the Becker Niner is that it is made of a decent hi-carbon steel in a geometry that works quite well. The nearly full flat grind and thin shoulders behind the edge give both good penetration when chopping and good slicing. I would rate the out-of-box edge of the BK9 behind that of the SRK, but still a very servicable edge that works well.
The bad of the BK-9 in my experience is again the handle. Some folks like the Becker handle shape, others don't. I usually like it okay, but as noted in the review linked below that included the BK-7 (same handle shape as the BK-9) and SRK, the Becker handle makes me feel hand fatigue more than the thinner, tackier Resiprene-C handles of the Rats and Busse Basics.
Another possible downside for the Becker, in an absolute sense, might be its durability vs the Camp Tramp. The BK-9's thinner stock (0.188") would theoretically break at a lower strain force than the CT's thicker (0.25") blade. But in realistic terms of my usage of knives, it doesn't matter. I would not be applying enough force to damage or break either a BK-9 or CT blade. IMHO if you have to pry that with that much force, either use your knife to cut a long-enough and thick-enough branch to do the prying or find some other prybar.
Bottom Line: the BK-9 is a decent performer at a very nice price. Same caveat on the handle shape: some love it, some don't. Handle it first to see which camp you're in.
Swamp Rat Camp Tramp:
The good:
- SR101 is a tough steel with a very, very good heat treat that optimizes its durability.
- very comfortable, very durable handle. The kraton used on the SRK is nowhere near as durable, nor as comfortable. The GV-6 of the BK-9 handle is probably as durable. Whether it's as comfortable is a subjective personal opinion. IMHO the Rat/Basic handles of Resiprene-C are still *THE MOST* comfortable knife handles I've ever felt, especially for longer-term rigorous work.
- one of the two best warranties in the business. Busse being the other.
- the cordura/kydex sheaths (especially with outer pocket) are probably my favorite sheath style. It offers some of the comfort and flexibility of leather, coupled with the security and blade protection of kydex hard sheaths. Kind of the best of both worlds. Plus, I can easily configure the cordura/kydex sheath for a higher ride on the belt by folding the belt loop down along the back of the sheath and tying it off around the front of the sheath with a piece of paracord passed under the pocket flap.
Bottom Line: the CT is the top dog of the three for "can't kill it" durability and IMHO for handle ergo's as well.
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Bottom Bottom Line: All of these three knives (CS SRK factory second, Becker BK-9, and Camp Tramp) offers decent "bang for the buck" and I recommend each in its respective price window. Any of them should serve you well in your outdoor adventures. But I recommend you get the Camp Tramp for the peace of mind it gives you knowing you're carrying a knife you'll never kill under human power.
(edit to add) Here are the links to Part 1 & 2 of the review I did of the SRK with some other knives, including a BK-7:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191387
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191388
but I can only afford one, and I don't have any other serious dilemmas at the moment, so if you don't either let's hear it guys- black or tan?
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