ESEE vs Swamp rat

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Nakk77

Joined
Jul 26, 2010
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I've been looking at getting either a ESEE or a SwampRat. Something in the 4 - 6 inch range.

What's u guys experience with these two companies, and which do u like better?
 
I'm a huge fan of the SW Ratmandu. It feels perfect in hand and holds an edge as the day is long. I haven't ever held an ESEE, but I hear great things. The long and short of it, IMO, is that Swamprat is the way to go because of better steel and ergos, but you can't really go wrong either way.
 
RAT fanboy here but id go with s swamprat any busse kin knife is about as good as you can do, RATs are great knives but they arent quite as good as a swamprat. Id probably take one over a junkyard but mane SW knives are a steal for what you get.
 
Both are fine companies with an excellent product however I'm a bit partial to Busse's and Busse-kin due to their blade steel choices and resale value that being said I have absolutely nothing against ESEE they have some of the best 1095 carbon steel out there and are owned by some incredible outdoorsman.
 
moogoogaidan said:
I'm a huge fan of the SW Ratmandu. It feels perfect in hand and holds an edge as the day is long. I haven't ever held an ESEE, but I hear great things. The long and short of it, IMO, is that Swamprat is the way to go because of better steel and ergos, but you can't really go wrong either way.
Click to expand...

So you have never held an ESEE but you recommend the Swamprat because of the better ergos? Really?
 
The two company's are comparable in most ways, both are a great choice, but Swamp Rat comes out on top imo. Grab either a Rodent Solution or RMD, both are excellent and they won't be around forever, and if you don't like them you can flip them for what you paid at least.

I should mention that Swamp Rat knives don't come with a sheath.
 
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Both are excellent companies making excellent knives with excellent warranties. ESEE is probably the best bang-for-the-buck out there. SR takes their knives to the next level. It all really depends how much you want to spend and if what you want from the swamp is available.

With that said there are real world differences between the two. For instance I bought an ESEE 4 and while I felt like it was a great knife the handle just didn't fit my hand well. It got replaced with a SR Ratmandu. The handle on it and the HRLM is larger and just fit me way better. Of course YMMV depending on a number of factors that may sway you one way or another. I can tell you this, if I were lost in the woods with knives from either company I'd be perfectly content as either will get the job done.
 
mat_890 said:
So you have never held an ESEE but you recommend the Swamprat because of the better ergos? Really?
Click to expand...

I should have prefaced that statement with, "From everything I hear..." But obviously from everyone's responses, that assertion wasn't so outlandish, was it?
 
i know esee has the best 1095, but sr101 is still better.
get the ratmandu while its available at company store. busse family knives also have good resale value, so if you don't like it, you can always get close to your money back.
both companies have same warranty.
 
I have an RMD and have been considering an RC-5 or 6, the ESEE's handles are a little more blocky compared to the Swamprats, and I do prefer 52100 to 1095 for the better edge holding, but still like the ESEE's a lot, they're a lot easier to get a hold of as well in different sizes. I also have a Swamp Warden and Izula, between the two I prefer the Izula because it came with a sheath already, and Micarta handle slabs are available for it for only $15, I had it cord wrapped for the first couple months I had it, (like I do the swamp warden now) but I definitely prefer the micarta, I will probably end up trying to either make my own for the swamp warden (and scrapivore) or find some one else to do it. A RMD and Izula would make a great combo I'd say. Also take a look at the scrapper 5, same steel as the swamp rat, same heat treat, same blade size, if you wanna pay for the upgrade theirs the LE INFI version, though I prefer the 52100 for edge holding since its not a chopper and doesn't need INFI's toughness.

I'd say RMD>Scrapper 5>RC-6
 
Get a RMD while they are still around. I've owned the 6, 5, and 4 and the RMD is far more comfortable than all of them. Also SR 101 holds a shaving edge much much longer thab 1095. The RMD is my favorite knife of all time for its size and I have owned many amazing knives. Just do it, you won't regret it! But you can't go wrong with an ESEE 6 either.
 
I have only seen one Busse kin, and it was a SR RMD. I have seen an ESEE 6 and a Junglas. The Swamprat must have been a fluke or something because it had a real uneven grind on it and the thing was like trying to sharpen a rock, It held its edge well though. That being said, I have nothing against Swamprat, because they offered to fix the problem for my friend. (Great customer service) The ESEEs I have seen were near perfect, so personally, they are good enough for me. You really can't go wrong with either, great companies, great knives.
 
Jerry Busse posted on the Busse sub-forum a while ago about some QC issues they were having with the blade edges going out. New stuff coming out now has the "sharpened by" name on the cardboard sleeve the knife is shipped with.

That said, if you're concerned about getting something with too thick an edge, just contact the appropriate people when ordering, and they'll take care of you.

If you need/want to get the complete package up front, then ESEE is the way to go. If you want more variety in knife steels & styles, then Swamp Rat & Scrap Yard have a lot of knifes in the range you're looking for.
 
Ok, I have both and it's a tough choice. The rmd is price right and feels like a good tough knife. The Esee comes ompketewith a sheet. I like the feel of the rmd better than the Esee 4, but if you want slightly bigger the Esee 6 is awesome. It is not as thick,holds an edge, and can take a beating. So if you want a 4-5 go rmd, slightly over the Esee six. But this is just for a daily carry, camp knife,
Hope it helps.
If you need comparison pics I can take some later today just let me know or email me.
 
sar5, I'd like to see some comparison pics of the handles. I have an RMD, and was thinking about getting an ESEE-3/4/6. Thanks.
 
I've had an ESEE 4, and still have a 3 and Izula. Fine knives. But I like Swamp Rat better:Ratmandu, HRLM, and Swamp Warden. For me, the SR 101 holds an edge noticably longer than ESEE's 1095. I also feel the handles on the Ratmandu and HRLM are much more comfortable than the ESEE 3 or 4. (But I have never handled an ESEE 6.) The warranties for both companies are basically the same--no questions replacement.

I'm not certain, but there may be some RMDs in the shop ready to deliver. If there are, jump on it--they cost more on the secondary market. Sheaths, leather or kydex, are available for reasonable prices from numerous makers on Bladeforums. My RMD also fits the smaller Spec Ops Combat Master.
 
Both are great companies as well as solid all-round knives but not sure if it was mentioned yet but may come down to your hand size. The handle on the EESE 4 is a bit smaller than a Swamp Rat HRLM or an RMD. If your hand is much more than 4" across the palm I would say go with a Swamp Rat but if your hand is around 4" either will work, of course the EESE 4 does have a choil to somewhat help.
 
I've beat on some hardwoods with my SR Waki, and it's shaving sharp. Of all my ESEE's, I'd say the SR 101 holds that edge better, but may be harder to sharpen. I have not had to sharpen my Waki, I stropped it, but that's all.

Handle ergos and size might be the biggest deciding factor for many. ESEE 4 is a great knife, but small handle for many, or get the G-10 scales from Dale at TKC.
 
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