fixed blade steel quandary?

Joined
Feb 10, 2013
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I'm a folder type of guy but I'm getting ready to purchase a fixed blade that is going to see some flesh cutting and small bone breaking use. (Dis-membering frogs) I have been looking at a Swamp Rat Rodent 4 with the sr-101 steel vs. a Bark River Gunny in cpm 3v. Just wondering if I will be satisfied with the edge retention of the sr-101 or should I go ahead and spend a little more cash and get the 3v blade. Any suggestions/ experience would be appreciated.
 
I would go with the Swamp Rat. You will be satisfied with the edge retention of the Sr101. It is modified 52100, a high wear ball bearing steel.

Swamprat's warranty is just stellar. The steel will be some of the toughest you can find. They do a great handle treatment too. Plenty of grip, when your hands get wet or guts all over them.

It is a bit more prone to rust than the CMP3v will be, but should not be an issue. I carry high carbon steel all the time.

Bark River makes a lot of cool knives. There are a few complaints that pop up now and then, with both their grinds and heat treat. I have seen more than a few posts about edge blow out on their knives.

They are hand ground, and this can be an issue. If it happens, based on prior posts about it, they won't give you a new knife. They will just grind a crap load off your damaged knife. Grind the edge back, taking away tons of material.

Another issue with Bark River, is that they tend to polish up their handles till they are shiny and bright. Pretty, bright, shiny micarta looks great, but is very slick in the hand under use. You can find many threads asking how to "fix" the handles so they are not like holding a slippery fish!
 
r-101 will work just fine, 3v blade will hod a bit better

why do you need a fixed blade for frog cleaning?? My cousin and i when we were younger used out pocket knives and they worked just find

I used either my Spydy tennasious or my Boker mag. bull dog
My cousin would use his buck 110
 
I take the legs off right on the spot so pulling a knife out of a sheath is easier than opening and closing a folder with a not so compliant slippery frog in my off hand. Thanks for the input so far guys... the swamp rat is starting to sound as Bad A$$ as it looks.
 
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