For my big chopper... Swamp Rat or Scrap Yard? (Micarta vs. Resiprene C)

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wacki

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Sep 12, 2009
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I just bought a Ratmandu and I'm loving it. I want a chopper.

Swamp Rat or Scrap Yard? Since they both use SR101, I guess this question is more like "Micarta vs. Resiprene C". Whatever Resiprene C is... horse matts?
 
The micarta looks better and is tougher, but in my hand res-c is much more comfortable, especially when doing a great deal of chopping.
 
You might also go for a custom in 3V. 52100 is a cool steel, and Swamp Rat does it really well (I love my RMD also), but you're paying quite a premium for a steel that's really around 7 dollars a foot. I mean, as long as you're not going for the straight up INFI...
 
you're paying quite a premium for a steel that's really around 7 dollars a foot
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Got a link for that? I wonder what justifies swamp rat's cost. And why nobody else does it cheaper.
 
http://newjerseysteelbaron.com/shop/52100/

That's where many of the makers on here, myself included, get the stuff. Plenty of other makers do 52100 cheaper. That being said, however, you get the Bussekin name and one of the best 52100 heat treats in the business. No denying that Swamp Rat makes great blades. Not saying you won't get an absolutely killer chopper. Just that you can probably throw customs in the mix too, and go for 3V, which some consider a better steel for chopping purposes.
 
Res-c will considerably lighter in handle material and all the steel in the exposed tang.
 
For a big chopper I would want a full tang blade with micarta. Not as comfortable most likely but I just personally prefer micarta.
 
I know James Terrio does a lot of work in 3V. Think Big Chris does also. Hmm, Rodent Rucki might be a good buy though... Or a Scrapizashi. But then, I'm pretty darn fond of short swords...
 
I would go with the rubber, don't like exposed tangs much - hot in summer, cold in winter, slicker, more shock. Smaller the fixed blade the less difference.
 
for utility you'll definitely get more performance and comfort per unit weight and per $ with res-c. As long as you aren't beating your handles that it definitely the way to go.

The rats definitely look better though, and have the extended tangs if you ever did have to hammer tip first into something.
 
Ya it's looking like CPM3V is ridiculously expensive.

crimsonfalcon07 was talking about getting high quality choppers on the cheap. I'm just trying to figure how what shops he was talking about and see example prices/pics.
 
wacki said:
Ya it's looking like CPM3V is ridiculously expensive.

crimsonfalcon07 was talking about getting high quality choppers on the cheap. I'm just trying to figure how what shops he was talking about and see example prices/pics.
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The Surviveknives GSO-10 is a 10 inch 3V chopper with a sheath comes in right about $225.
 
If its an occasional chopper, or just because you want a big knife, micarta is more attractive and "up-market." That said the shock absorbing properties of Res-C make it the clear choice for a chopper that you plan on using hard. If you do manage to destroy the handle, its covered by Scrapyard's warranty anyway, although I don't find it to be as delicate as some people make it out to be. I frankly wish we could get more big INFI knives with Res-C handles.
 
SY 9-11 and SR Rodent 9 are cut from the same blank, the only differences are choil shape and tang/handle.

If your intended use is hard chopping and battoning then Res-C is much better use handle, comfortable, absorbs shock better. The R9 handle is a 50/50, you might love it or hate it...

SR-101 is very good steel, holds very good edge, is easy to sharpen. I'd say the price (I do not think is that high if you look at 52100 knives in that size on the market) is due to the heat treatment and really, quality of those knives is at par with a lot of custom pieces.
 
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