Current prevailing sentiment

Which handle material do you prefer on your Swamp Rat knives?

  • Res-C

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Micarta

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Wood, or other exotic material

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • G10

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
on_the_edge

on_the_edge

Joined
Jan 31, 2006
Messages
11,712
It seems like a lot of people either love Res-C handles or love micarta handles on our Swamp Rat knives, but not both. Which do you prefer? I have added two additional choices to mix it up a bit as well. Just wondering what the current numbers are here. :thumbup:
 
Theres not a button for both? :confused:

Though I do have a slight preference edge to micarta.
 
Wow. Unanimous for now! (one vote)

Too hard to choose. I love Res-C. But I like Micarta. And wood. And G10. I don't think Res-C works too well on anything but bigger knives, personally. I never liked the Mudder handle. Bleech. Too hard. Came out. . . smooth. Not grippy and soft like a CT.

Wood - I love wood handles. I love nice micarta. And G10 sets off some blades nicely. The HCLE's look great with the black G10.

YES is my vote. ROTFL!
 
I voted mikarta. I think on production knives its my favorite material.
 
I've always been in the "both" category.

My Ratweilers wouldn't be the same without their Micarta and Micarta is definitely my choice on the EDC-size knives. I also really like the Mags on my FBMs.

On the other hand, nothing else I have can really compare to my Battle Rat for comfort in a big chopper. It's my default blade in many cases.

One EDC-size Res-C grip I do like is the Mudder. That's a great grip. I like the harder texture - clothing doesn't tend to "stick" to it so much, whether it's in a pocket or under a loose shirt.

Maybe Jennifer will offer a retro or anniversary knife one day, like Jerry's ASH1. I'd love to buy an anniversary Battle Rat, original style. :thumbup:

Overall, I'd have to give the edge to Micarta.
 
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I love the old style Res C handle on the basics and mudders , but am not a fan of the later generations of it.
 
Dang, I'm kind of surprised how this poll is turning out. :o Anybody else in the same boat??? I thought for sure Res-C would have the lead, or at least the results would be a little more evenly spread. :o
 
Between ResC and Micarta it is a very close call. I prefer ResC for hiking because of the light weight. I prefer Micarta for the feel and durability.

If push came to shove I would have to pick Micarta by the very slimmest of margins.
 
Somebody had to put in a vote for Res-C. :mad:

That stuff's comfortable!


[Yeah ... I also like micarta ...]
 
I like micarta more than Resiprene-C (and voted thusly), but the Res-C handle on my first Howling Rat is very, very nice.
 
on_the_edge said:
Dang, I'm kind of surprised how this poll is turning out. :o Anybody else in the same boat??? I thought for sure Res-C would have the lead, or at least the results would be a little more evenly spread. :o
Click to expand...

You're probably hearing complaining about not having Res-C because they are Micarta presently.

You're NOT hearing complaining about not having Micarta because they are Micarta presently.

orrrr something like that.
 
That's a tough one. The only Res-C knife I have is an Infi Coot and it's one of the most comfortable knives ever owned. It's hard to judge with only 1 knife.
 
My first preference is micarta.

I like black G-10 just fine and think (in Busse's case) the black G-10 is much nicer looking than (Busse's) micarta. But, I don't like the extra weight of G-10 and I prefer the feel of micarta. Although, I still wish Swamp and Busse micarta came smooth, buffed, polished and without fuzzies. If and when micarta is smooth, buffed, polished and without fuzzies, it has every advantage over G-10 (IMO) and provides the best of all worlds - except some of the looks of some gorgeous natural materials. But, for Swamp or Busse knives, I prefer the advantages and features of micarta over the looks of some natural materials.

I generally prefer micarta for small to mid-sized knives.

However, I do like the "Larger" Res-C handles on the CT and BR - for chopping. For many of the larger knives, I think the Res-C feels good for chopping and also balances the knives very well for chopping. Also, like Vox said, the Res-C makes the larger knives lighter and more reasonable to carry when hiking. So, I wish Swamp Rat would make some more Res-C / SR-101 combos in Camp Tramp to Battle Rat size. I think it is silly that they have segregated their lines to only use Res-C with SR-77 and only use micarta with SR-101.
On the other hand, I prefer SR-101 for small to mid-sized knives when "cutting" edge performance is more important. And since I prefer small to mid-sized knives with micarta....... it "mostly" works.

And SR-77 is a very good steel for chopping knives with Res-C..... I just still prefer differentially heat treated SR-101 even for choppers (just slightly for choppers).

If comparing the DFLE to the Battle Rat, I feel they are almost a dead even wash - except for a 1/2" blade difference vs. edge performance that isn't quite as important to me on a chopper (but, still is some).

But, start getting into Camp Tramp size and I probably start to just lean towards SR-101 even more as the cutting edge performance starts to become more important.
So, I would love to see a Chopwieler with Res-C.

If I am not chopping, I prefer micarta. I don't chop with my knives as much as some around here.

The small Res-C and Basic Res-C handles don't fit my hand quite right - mainly around the front guard area of the grip and just a little too snug.

Mudders are very nice to me. But, I think they only apply in a handful of knife designs IMO.



So, even though I "Prefer" micarta, I like G-10 and I would like to see a few select pieces of SR-101 made with Res-C. (Chopweiler blade with Res-C...... I would like to see the Chopweiler blade at about .20" - .22" thick and convexed like the SARSquatch as well!!!! :thumbup:


I would LOVE to see the "New Line" "RatMastiff Chopper" produced in BOTH micarta and Res-C. :thumbup: :thumbup:

.... and another Rat Pappy with a 11.5" "Chopper" blade in BOTH Res-C and micarta. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:


So, although, I "Generally" prefer micarta, I still like and will probably buy some more G-10 and I "DO" want (wish) to see a few more Res-C SR-101 combos.

..... so, I won't vote.



.
 
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I like Micarta, Res-C and G10. I don't like wood or "exotic" materials, except on slipjoints.
I like G10 for its looks, but it's heavy. The G10 on the HCLE rocks. I like the feel, weight and warmth of micarta, but sometimes it doesn't look so hot. I only have one knife with Res-C (mud puppy), but I love, love, love that handle. I wouldn't cry if there were more offered with that option.

A big +1 on wishing for a reissue of the original Battle Rat.
 
I really prefer exotic woods for looks. That's what I voted...
DSC_0156.jpg


But for users, I like Micarta the best. Depending on the blade, smoothed micarta... :thumbup:
 
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