Chris Reeve fixed vs. Swamp Rat -- opinions?

Chris Reeve sheaths are probably the best leather sheath I have ever seen on a "factory" blade. The knives are beautiful and they are close to perfection.
 
Lukers said:
Chris Reeve sheaths are probably the best leather sheath I have ever seen on a "factory" blade. The knives are beautiful and they are close to perfection.
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Can't argue that point at all. SRKW sheaths are 'functional', but all my users have had new leather pants made for them. CRK sheaths are as beautiful as the knives they carry.

Rob
 
cognitivefun said:
I was thinking about a Chris Reeve vs. Swamp Rat. The Green Beret looks like a popular knife.

[snip]

Applications are camping and outdoors.
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Then the Green Beret is directly inferior. The Camp Tramp will out cut, out chop and has a higher level of durability and ergonomics than the Green Beret.

-Cliff
 
Cliff, why don't you stop all the BS, get to the point, say what you really mean, don't beat around the bush. (Sorry Cliff - your reply just tickled my fancy - I had to reply - I know, I have a sick sense of humour :D )
 
Kaos said:
I only meant that you've got more options if the scales can be removed but it doesn't necessarily mean I'd take em off unless it need be. I think that's better than having a rubber handle that can melt right off.
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The Green Beret does not have rubber handles. G10 or Micrata, don't remember. The SR has rubber, though
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Then the Green Beret is directly inferior. The Camp Tramp will out cut, out chop and has a higher level of durability and ergonomics than the Green Beret.

-Cliff
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I'll agree with that statement for the most part except the ergonomics. I own both, and the handle on the green beret knife is the best on any knife I own (including 5 different busse knives). I guess it just fits my hand well, but the handle forms to my hand like it was custom ground for it. and with the finger grooves you can get quite a bit of twisting and prying leverage with a comfortble grip. As for cutting, the sv30 steel holds up quite well, I've used and abuse the green beret for several months and only had to touch up the edge once for a small ding from dropping it.

but both are top quality knives IMHO....
I think you will be happy with either one.
 
I have a Ratweiler and a Project 2. The problem with the Project 2 is that it's so gosh darn pretty that I wouldn't think about taking it outside of the house, let alone touch the blade to something more rigid than my fingernail. Don't have the same problem with the rat.
 
GarageBoy said:
The Green Beret does not have rubber handles. G10 or Micrata, don't remember. The SR has rubber, though
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That's what I'm saying, dude. The rubber handle on Swamp line is more likely to fail than the micarta on Chris Reeve. However, Thumbs up to Swamp Rat for putting micarta on their newer offerings.
 
Off the Swamp Rat site about the Resiprene C handles...
It is so amazingly tough and durable that Busse stands as the only company to have ever put a Lifetime Guarantee on a rubber handle.
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Work with a knife for an extended period of time and you will be glad of the resiprene C handles.
 
Kaos said:
The rubber handle on Swamp line is more likely to fail than the micarta on Chris Reeve.
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The rubber grip can be cut and abrased more easily than Micarta, but its very difficult to do so. I have a few which have been in use for quite some time, and they show little evidence. Even if they do get cut, you can heat seal them back together. As noted as well they are also under full warrenty coverage, and its not like you are going to see total handle failure, you are talking about cosmetic issues. They also take impacts really well, and are comfortable and secure, and completely insulated from heat / cold unlike Reeves. Not to mention the huge difference in blade and edge durability which highly favors the Swamp Rat, the cutting /chopping ability, prying, digging, etc., then the warrenty policy, etc. .

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
The rubber grip can be cut and abrased more easily than Micarta, but its very difficult to do so. I have a few which have been in use for quite some time, and they show little evidence. Even if they do get cut, you can heat seal them back together. As noted as well they are also under full warrenty coverage, and its not like you are going to see total handle failure, you are talking about cosmetic issues. They also take impacts really well, and are comfortable and secure, and completely insulated from heat / cold unlike Reeves. -Cliff
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Let's say I'm in a wilderness survival situation and I'm stuck with only one knife, warranty doesn't really matter at that point. I don't care if the manufacturer is willing to replace their product or not because frankly, my life is worth more than 150 bucks. Personally, I've used rubber knives before and one has accidentally slipped out of my sheath and dropped in the fire pit. Anyhow, it didn't take long time for the rubber to melt and I was stuck with a half assed handle. I do think Resiprene C is tougher than Kraton or other materials but I doubt the situation would be any different. I'd always choose reliability instead of comfort.
 
Yes, that is true, if you knife sits in a fire the rubber handle will melt long before the Micarta will. However it takes a substantial amont of time for the Swamp Rat handles to actually melt, you would have to sit back and watch it happen. If it just fell in, you could just knock it back out and no harm would come to it. The temper of the blade would be overheated before the handle would be functionally damaged. I have exposed the Swamp Rat grips to open flame to actually seal tears. They do not just burst into flame.

-Cliff
 
I see someone else has mentioned not wanting to scratch thier Reeve knife, they ARE certainly beautiful. Again my point, Reeve will refinish their knives (blasting, recoating AND sharpening) for about $20. Does anyone know if Swamp Rat will refurbish their knives (including re-coating) like Reeve?? If so, what is the cost to do so??

Thanks
 
Kaos said:
Let's say I'm in a wilderness survival situation and I'm stuck with only one knife, warranty doesn't really matter at that point.
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This is one of the most common misconceptions and it ignores a pretty critical consideration. The reason that some knives are warrentied under heavy use is because they can take it without problem. If the warrenty is voided when you do something, that should tell you something about the ability of the knife to handle said use. The warrenty isn't just important because you can get the knife replaced, it is also a sign that you should not need to.

-Cliff
 
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