First Busse/kin purchase,handle size concern (attn ratmandu cg users)

[elof_alv]

Yeah Im about to start pricing and will go with kydex......on the same note what kind of oil do you guys use to protect the blade from rust?

You can opt for patina. Give it some mustard and then bath it in vinegar, will go dark and 'funky' and gain some resistance.
Or give it a run in kitchen on fruit and veggies and you'll get a bit more random effect. Citrus and mango are great for that.

 

[worldwood]

I use food safe mineral oil in case i use my blades on food. i actually just picked up some mineral oil wipes that work well and says food safe on the package.


Not sure if i can link it actually.. but google Architec Block Oil Wipes and you can find them at several online and local department stores.

 

[chiral.grolim]

IMHO, leather, while more expensive, would also look a LOT sexier on your knife, esp. with satin finish. However, wet environments aren't as friendly to leather & satin carbon steel...

Regarding carry options, below are some photos of drop-leg carry of a 10" knife in kydex sheath using a couple of attachments. Most kydex-benders here could supply you with something similar but more professional - this kydex extension piece is my own making, hence the rough appearance.

 

[Hindsight]

Chiral that is a great rig you got there.

 

[bleedingfinger]

Hey thanks Chiral...I see with kydex there is endless options to fasten it.Looks funtional and gives me some idea,and I am going kydex although I agree that leather could be a looker with this blade...Im thinkin function and yeah price,its adding up here lol
I am having trouble finding a bender who has the R6 with top guard removed,I reallyu dont want to send this knife in and would even like the sheath here before the knifes done...I emailed pawpaw going to see what they say...anybody know a bender who has this knife on hand?
Also I just added yellow liners to the order....

 

[bleedingfinger]

"We do not have any handle fastener options. Your order of one Rodent 6 ($148.95) with Satin finish blade ($80) with Blue and Black G10 handles ($50) and Yellow liners ($20) and the top guard removed ($30) and sharp saber grind with the shipping and handling fee ($14.95). The total for your order is $343.90 and has been placed. The production time will be about 8 to 10 weeks. Once your order is ready for shipping, we will contact you for payment. You may pay through PayPal (bussesales@bright.net), credit card, money order or Western Union. Payment is not required until your order is ready for shipping."

 

[chiral.grolim]

"...sharp saber grind..." I'm not sure what that means. You may want to specify an edge thickess or apex angle (e.g. 15 degrees per side) to ensure that you get what you want.

 

[elof_alv]

"We do not have any handle fastener options. Your order of one Rodent 6 ($148.95) with Satin finish blade ($80) with Blue and Black G10 handles ($50) and Yellow liners ($20) and the top guard removed ($30) and sharp saber grind with the shipping and handling fee ($14.95). The total for your order is $343.90 and has been placed. The production time will be about 8 to 10 weeks. Once your order is ready for shipping, we will contact you for payment. You may pay through PayPal (bussesales@bright.net), credit card, money order or Western Union. Payment is not required until your order is ready for shipping."

You are basically getting a custom knife mate! I wouldn't expect any of the kydex benders to have one just like it, no top guard, satin and liners - you will need to send it in for good fit and retention.
I have ordered R6 without the top guard and with a different blade configuration and will have it sent for kydex pants in US first, before it boards a plane to Australia.

 

[bleedingfinger]

Hey congrat on your blade Elof! I think we are both going to be very happy.What blade configuration did you order?...Yes I have decided to send it in for a fitting after emailing pawpaw's...Ok I will email Swamp Rat and give them actual specs on the edge...is 15 degrees what I want? I really dont know...I want to chop kindle,rope...general camping,a little brush clearing etc..but alot of cutting and slicing,even food/butchering...not a hunter so not skinning.I have alot of smaller very sharp knives so I want this to have have some brute/edge retention to it.....any suggestions on what to specify?

 

[chiral.grolim]

...Ok I will email Swamp Rat and give them actual specs on the edge...is 15 degrees what I want? I really dont know...I want to chop kindle,rope...general camping,a little brush clearing etc..but alot of cutting and slicing,even food/butchering...not a hunter so not skinning.I have alot of smaller very sharp knives so I want this to have have some brute/edge retention to it.....any suggestions on what to specify?

The 3 most common complaints about Swamp Rat are: 1) Difficulty achieving quick communication with customer service, 2) long wait times, & 3) fat edges. Most of the Swamp's knives are designed to be tough, military combat style, and the Rodent 6 seems to follow that pattern. As such, while I don't have one to measure, I'd guess from photos that the primary bevel doesn't taper all that much and the edge is ~0.05" thick, ~40 degrees per side - hair-shaving sharp, but VERY obtuse. While bringing down the apex angle won't change the thickness beyond the secondary bevel, it will help improve cutting efficiency and actually extend the life of your edge via reduced resistance from the cutting medium.

As an example of edge angles, I use my Rodent 9 at 20-degrees per side for chopping seasoned oak branches with no sign of edge damage. At some point I will bring it lower, as it is still thicker than I'd like for non-chopping tasks. Others here may have other input to give.

 

[elof_alv]

I'd say that for description of your intended use you could have it convexed (or do it yourself).
With SR-101, it will be easy to maintain really sharp, just a strop after use, and with thicker blade it will cut and slice really good, and convex is really good for chopping.