Camp Tramp vs. SFNO vs. Chopweiler - ???

D

DWRW

Joined
Jul 21, 2005
Messages
1,615
I have a Camp Tramp and a Chopweiler, but not a SFNO. I have always liked the look of the SFNO, but it just dawned on me that the SFNO is pretty close in size to the Camp Tramp.

I always assumed the SFNO was closer in size to the SJTAC, but the SFNO is apparently larger.

With Res-C handles, I am very confident the Camp Tramp is lighter in the handle and likely more nimble, quicker and livlier in the hand.

On the other hand, I assume the SFNO has a little bit of the over-all heavier Chopweiler type feel because of the scales (????) although, probably not quite as much a chopper feel as the Chopweiler with the Chopweiler being just a tad thicker and longer.


Specs:

SFNO.....................= ???? ounces; 0.22" thick; 7.0" blade; 12.75" oal;

Camp Tramp............= 14.5 ounces; .236" thick; 7.325" blade; 12.5" oal

Chopweiler - Micarta = 19.1 ounces; .25” thick; 7.5625” blade; 13.1875” oal



Anyone know the weight of the SFNO?

Anyone have comparison side-by-side pics of the SFNO with the Camp Tramp or Chopweiler?

Any other thoughts and comparison info?


Stacey?

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My name aint Stacey, but I have all three. :) I'll take a pic this afternoon and get the approx. weights. Any reason to play with the cutlery. :D
 
I have an SFNO, Camp Tramp and old school RatWeiler available to me to do some chop testing (other blades included). Look for a post over on the Busse forum later this week...

:thumbup:

Oh, I do have a Chopweiler, but it's on hold to a potential buyer...
 
I would love an INFI Camp Tramp. Res-C and all. Definitely the best overall camp knife design ever.

The SFNO is a close second. And gets brownie points for being in INFI. But it's 2-3x the cost. I guess I can deal with some surface rust for $400-500. ;)
 
Heres the ChopWieler, CT, SFNO, and an ASH1 for size comparison:

lineup.jpg


and heres an older pic: M6, CT, ChopWieler, and Rat Wieler

campers.jpg


My scale is not working right, but I was able to tell that the CT was the lightest at 13.5 oz and the SFNO was 16 oz no matter the grind type and the scales didnt register either. THe ChopWieler maxed out the scale at over 17 oz.

Res C is touted as the best user, but with me its causing hot spots. I think its the rubber sticking to me too much and rubbing blisters. My micarta knives dont do that. To each his own, I just dont do heavy chopping with Res C handled Rats. :)

I did a check on all my new style handles that started with the Rat Wieler and no strings or fuzzy stuff. I couldnt find any sharp spots either. Guess its all cosmetic.
 
Man, now that they're gone, I wish all of the RWs that passed my way were still around! What a sweet blade! At least I held on to one! :thumbup:

All the Ratweilers
I've had before...​
 
Thanks for the pics and info Dwayne.

Those pics help a lot.

Basically, the Camp Tramp and SFNO are VERY close in size. Most of any difference in actual blade dimensions as measure would appear to be distored by the different handle materials - the SFNO micarta extends into the ricasso more than the Res-C on the Camp Tramp - meaning their functional blade sizes are actually very close from the actual grip areas.

The Chopweiler is a little larger - which I knew it was a little larger than the Camp Tramp and the ASH1 is just a little smaller, but looks pretty close.

I like the look of the ASH1 a lot too, but INFI is just so darn expensive for me.

I wish I could afford more INFI (actually just wish INFI were cheaper!). I love the stuff. I have owned a few in the past and still have two, but generally, I might just have to stick with my Rats. :thumbup:

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Jeepnut22 said:
I have an SFNO, Camp Tramp and old school RatWeiler available to me to do some chop testing (other blades included). Look for a post over on the Busse forum later this week...

:thumbup:

Oh, I do have a Chopweiler, but it's on hold to a potential buyer...
Click to expand...


I will try to keep an eye out for your post and look forward to it.

But, since your testing includes Rats, could you post it here too? :thumbup:

;)

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DWRW said:
I will try to keep an eye out for your post and look forward to it.

But, since your testing includes Rats, could you post it here too? :thumbup:

;)

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Click to expand...
Sure!!! Basically I'll be doing a 2x4 chop test first. 10 chops and guage chopping and the feel. Then move on to a dead tree/bush I have in the back yard and do something similar.

The blades I have to test are:
Custom Shop SFNO
Camp Tramp
CG SFNO
Old School RatWeiler
FBM LE
WFBM
BATACLE
CG ASH-1
SJTAC
Custom M6
and Maybe, If I can talk my friend into letting me, a new Chopweiler (not holding my breath though)...

Any particular way you want these grouped? I am assuming the RatWeiler, the SFNOs and the Camp Tramp together. Anything else?
 
Jeepnut22 said:
Sure!!! Basically I'll be doing a 2x4 chop test first. 10 chops and guage chopping and the feel. Then move on to a dead tree/bush I have in the back yard and do something similar.

The blades I have to test are:
Custom Shop SFNO
Camp Tramp
CG SFNO
Old School RatWeiler
FBM LE
WFBM
BATACLE
CG ASH-1
SJTAC
Custom M6
and Maybe, If I can talk my friend into letting me, a new Chopweiler (not holding my breath though)...

Any particular way you want these grouped? I am assuming the RatWeiler, the SFNOs and the Camp Tramp together. Anything else?
Click to expand...



Ratweiler, SFNO and Camp Tramp should definitely be grouped together, but adding a Chopweiler to the mix would be IDEAL! :thumbup:

I would really look forward to that comparison / competition. Feel is a very important factor IMO about knives, but unfortunately it is also very subjective. Nevertheless, I would be interested in your thoughts.


The BM's are in a different size league and wouldn't be fair to compare "directly". But still, comparing in such a way as to equate the extra power of the extra 2" - 3" should still be worth-while as long as the sizes and dimensions are all kept in perspective.

The BATAC's are not really even choppers in my book. Honestly, I don't really consider the SJTAC or M6 to be very good at chopping in my book either - although, they both can do light chopping - twigs compared to the larger knives. I assume the M6 might out-chop the SJTAC as the M6 weight a lot more with more blade mass as well.

M6..........................= 16.2 ounces; .235" thick; 6" blade; 11.68" oal
SJTAC….(stripped)…. = 13.0 ounces; .194” thick; 6.375” blade; 11.875” oal


I can appreciate the value of comparing chopping ability in the Camp Tramp, SFNO, Ratweiler and larger sized knives. But, the mid-sized knives such as the SJTAC and M6 - and especially the BATACLE (even though the BATACLE has a very thick 0.25" thick blade) probably need some other criteria for evaluating performance and function.

Also, if testing the BATAC, it seems the BATAC's closest competitor in size would likely be the RMD. - Although, the CG BATAC with a 0.187" thick blade is a much closer comparison to the RMD since the RMD has about the same thickness blade. Still I would like to see a RMD compared to the BATAC. :thumbup:


Ratmandu (G10).........= 11.0 ounces; .189" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
Ratmandu (micarta)....= 10.0 ounces; .189" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
BATAC-CG………………..= ?.??? ounces; .187” thick; 5.00” blade; 10.75” oal
BATAC-LE…………………= ?.??? ounces; .25” thick; 5.00” blade; 10.75” oal



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I'm looking forward to Jeepnut's testing. I would expect the SFNO to balance too far back to chop very well. That could just be because they're too expensive, tho!

After seeing that little chart above I definitely need a Micarta Ratmandu!
 
Friday will most likely be the day I get to chop away at the 2x4s. Work is crushing me this week, but I have Friday off! :thumbup:
 
MVF, you do need a micarta RMD. In my ideal world the next RMD would be the same with a tiny (game wardenesque) choil, negligible ricasso (handle, 1/8 inch then sharpened blade). Blades this size don't need a choil or at least a big old choil. Its a great knife but its no chopper. Oh yea, satin and out of INFI. This knife would be king for me.

pete
 
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