Custom Camp Tramp by Sunrise River Customs

t1mpani

t1mpani

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2002
Messages
5,515
Hi guys,
Well, for a long time I'd been considering rehandling a Camp Tramp, not because of any kind of dissatisfaction with the factory handles, just because I like the knife and wanted to play with it. I finally picked one up expressly for this purpose (my thanks to Eric and the folks in Wausseon), removed the handle/coating, polished her up and started playing with handle ideas. I knew I wanted a micarta handle with an integral guard, and I contacted Jay Maines at Sunrise River Customs to see if he'd do it for me. The one problem we ran into was that he couldn't get micarta scales that were thick enough to inlet for the tang and also have a flaring guard. So, I placed an order with Gary Riner at Fibermascus for some 5/8" scales of green/white/black fibermascus (figured it'd be swampy enough), and had him send it to Jay when it was ready. The obvious inspiration for this handle is the great Brend/Branton Marauder, just slighty bigger and thicker through the palm swell for my big hands. Originally thought it was going to be finished to a very high luster, but we decided to go with a slightly rougher finish, which will keep it from slipping when wet, though it's not textured enough to create any hot spots.

I just got it last week, and I am absolutely thrilled with it. It's not really fancy, it's just rugged and comfortable and exactly what I pictured when Jay and I were talking about it. Fits my hand absolutely perfectly (big hands and LONG fingers) and feels like it'll still be going strong long after I've checked out. Now I started this way back before the Swamp announced its SRT line, so I didn't know that there would be micarta Rats heading for the market, but oh well. I love it anyway. ;)

I sent it to Eric to look at, and he was kind enough to take some pictures for me. It'll be headed to Mike Bartol next so it can stop being nekked. Hope you all enjoy!

And, of course, I have nothing but compliments for Jay at Sunrise River, Gary at Fibermascus, and of course Eric and the whole Swamp Rat crew. :)
Warren
 
Warren,
That’s turned out great, just different enough to really set it off.
I really like it. :cool::cool:
Ian.
 
Thanks Ian,
I definitely wanted it to still look like it climbed out of the Swamp, only that it has washed its face and run a comb through it's hair. :D
 
I have been waiting to see that since you mentioned it a while bacK. They did an excellent job.


Cerberus :eek:
 
anomad said:
very knice.

How does the rat steel do without its coating??
Click to expand...

It is definitely not a stainless steel, but it won't rust the instant it looks at water, either. It actually takes a fair amount of neglect, in my experience, to get a carbon steel blade to really rust--it'll darken with use, certainly, but unless it's around saltwater it'll do fine with just occasional care. Nice thing I've noticed on this stuff, is when it does rust (Howler got put away wet once and forgot about exposed edge) it seems to form a dust-coating of it instead of really pitting. I'm sure the steel WILL pit, especially if in saltwater, but normal corrosion seems to just form a light coat that'll disappear when swiped on a scoth-brite pad.

I'm glad people like--I'll tell Jay (for the thousanth time) that he done good. I'm rather looking forward to the testing, myself. :D
 
Very Cool!!! I like the guard you had done. How much was it all told? If you don't mind me asking.

Nick
 
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