dog father vs. battle rat?
- Thread starter rpn
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2003
- Messages
- 5,057
The DF CG is heavier than the BR, the DF LE is lighter than the BR. The Battle Rat is infinitely better looking than the Dogfather but otherwise it's just a choice in the weight. I've used the BR and the DF CG for some long chopping sessions and I prefer the Battle Rat but not by enough to have any complaints about the DF CG. When I know it's going to be tough going through brush I take my Rat Daddy anyway!!
I have both a BR and DFLE. I don't have the DFCG.
Actually, my DFLE is about a half ounce heavier than my stripped BR.
Dog Father………….. = 20.1 ounces; .275” thick; 10” blade; 15.125” oal
Dog Father LE…….. = 17.0 ounces; .250” thick; 10.0625” blade; 15.125” oal
Battle Rat……………. = 16.5 ounces; .250” thick; 9.375” blade; 14.4375” oal
The DFLE has about 0.6875" longer blade.
To me the BR and DFLE are VERY comparable. I would give a small fraction advantage to the DFLE for the extra length giving just a little extra power.
But, I give the BR small fraction advantage for better edge qualities.
For a chopper, they are about a wash.
From reading many other posts and reviews, the extra weight of the DFCG makes it heavy enough to be a slightly more powerful chopper, but also slightly less versatile, nimble and carry friendly.
.
Actually, my DFLE is about a half ounce heavier than my stripped BR.
Dog Father………….. = 20.1 ounces; .275” thick; 10” blade; 15.125” oal
Dog Father LE…….. = 17.0 ounces; .250” thick; 10.0625” blade; 15.125” oal
Battle Rat……………. = 16.5 ounces; .250” thick; 9.375” blade; 14.4375” oal
The DFLE has about 0.6875" longer blade.
To me the BR and DFLE are VERY comparable. I would give a small fraction advantage to the DFLE for the extra length giving just a little extra power.
But, I give the BR small fraction advantage for better edge qualities.
For a chopper, they are about a wash.
From reading many other posts and reviews, the extra weight of the DFCG makes it heavy enough to be a slightly more powerful chopper, but also slightly less versatile, nimble and carry friendly.
.
- Joined
- May 2, 2008
- Messages
- 961
I have a Case XX machete from WW2 that is a good chopper but it has no point, just rounded at the end. I bought a RTAK to replace it thinking it was a good chopper, but it was not. Much bigger but too thin. Not enough weight forward. Maybe good in the jungle for that type vegetation but not too good on wood. I tried for months to buy a dog father but either they were too expensive or I was too late for the good deals. I finally saw a battle rat for $210 shipped and grabbed it even though I did not know there was such a knife, as it looked similar. When it arrived, it seemed smaller than I expected. About the size of the Case XX, a little shorter, a little wider blade, but noticeably thicker, but with a point (penetrator tip). It feels heavier. It appears to have a small convex grind rather than V-grind and a slight clip point style. I must say it is a very good looking knife, even with the resiprene handle. It feels very "handy" where the RTAK was unweildy. It turned out to be a great chopper. I don't know if it is better than a dog father but probably will never know as I am not looking for one now. I think the swamp rat steel is better than the scrap yard steel, but that may be hype. I do know there is a video from swamp rat showing the battle rat hacking through a concrete block without the blade chipping.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2002
- Messages
- 2,008
Ditto. Hard to put something on a wishlist if it has never been seen before
.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2003
- Messages
- 5,057
Ditto. Hard to put something on a wishlist if it has never been seen before
BATTLE RAT & HOWLING RAT
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 3,174
Took my Battle Rat out this weekend and compared its chopping ability to a FBM LE (Battle Mistress) and was surprised that it was not that far behind. The BR brings a lot of chopping power to the table for its size/weight and the Res C handle was very comfortable.
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2008
- Messages
- 1,595
This is definitely nice to know, thanks.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2003
- Messages
- 5,057
Wow. I guess that I handle the DFLE after handling the DFCG and it feels light, quick like a fighter compared to the DFCG. My BR has never felt heavy but not like a pure fighter. Ever since I got my first one it felt perfect for every task I had in mind for it in the field or around the ole bonfire camp outs in the country. I just picked up a pre-loved Camp Tramp, hmmmm I wonder if it is as good a thrower as the BR and the DFCG. Actually the BR sticks more consistently in harder wood than the DFCG because of the slightly thinner tip.
Boy, I do run on when I get to thinking about things to do with these knives!!