Game Warden alternative?

crapgame said:
Dimensions and ergonomics are what I'm looking for so I'm willing to give up some of the features like the boutique steel and the convex blade.

I'm looking for something I can pocket carry but which still has enough handle to use.

I was thinking about that Rat3 but I wish the blade was a bit shorter for carry.
TOPS Ferret looks a bit too small.

I'm planning on traveling in Europe next spring with this knife. I think there's a slight chance I could lose the knife at some point so I don't want to go too high end.
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I wouldn't want to pocket carry my game Warden but then again I have the thick bladed one. Save up and get the real thing. It is bomb proof.
 
The only knives that I can think of that are the same size (within 1/2") are: Tops Tracker or CAT, and Bark River Woodland. Game Warden is a 7" overall knife, 3" blade (2 3/4 edge). Most of the knives already mentioned are much larger or smaller. I would go custom.
 
You might try finding a Swamp Rat 'Swamp Warden'. It is skeletonized, but it's a handy little knife, and fairly easy to cord wrap. Lightweight and good for pocket carry. Although it's discontinued, you might find a decent deal if you place a thread in the Wanted to Buy forum. It'll be over $100 but shouldn't exceed $150-160. A used one might keep the cost down, and will still have the warranty as it transfers with the knife.

Sime size as the Game Warden, mostly... The handle is a little different.

SRKW_Chopweiler-SwampWarden.jpg
 
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The RAT Cutlery Izula is very similar to the Game Warden, as is the RC3, as has already been mentioned. The Izula will only set you back $50 or so. It has a skeleton handle, like Jaxx's Swamp Warden above, but is much easier to find, less expensive, comes with a sheath, and is probably 99.999% as tough- with an equally excellent warranty.
 
samhain73 said:
I would go custom.
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You can get very high quality working customs from several of the makers here on BF.

You might need to increase your price limit a little for a knife in the Game Warden size range.

This one is my favorite pocket fixed. (old pics from when it was new.)

100_0914.jpg



100_0915-1.jpg



It was made by Stomper (he has his own forum in the makers area, JK Handmade Knives )

Similar in size to a Game Warden. 3" scale to tip, 2 3/4" convex edge, 6 1/2" OAL. It sure isn't INFI , but O1 works very well for me with Stomper's heat treat. Mine has green micarta scales(John offers many choices) and black liners (extra $$). Also has thumb serrations (extra $$).

If you like it....talk to John about price (mine wasn't too far from your $100 max), you might be able to come close to your limit. And he is a great guy.

Just be sure to check out our makers here before you buy, you will be suprised how far $100 will go.
 
There really IS no substitute for a Game Warden. You ARE going to end up getting one any way. I LOVE mine.
 
yes Jaxx is right, the SwampWardens are pretty close in overall size, but made from SR-101
1jnvq0.jpg

with a Farmer. Harder to find but I see them from time to time
Good Luck ;)
 
Izula, about a 1/4 of the weight of a GW, bomb proof, a dream to pocket carry, holds a great edge, slices nicely, sharpens easily, and all for about $50 :thumbup:

ETA: Similar warranty to Busse.
 
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I love my game warden, but I no longer have much urge to use it since I got an izula. Blade length is about the same, handle might be a little shorter, but still more than enough grip for me. 5/32" thick so it is very strong for its size. This is the closest in comparison to the game warden if you ask me. It is also rumored that RAT is going to start making micarta scales for them.
 
Dantor said:
yes Jaxx is right, the SwampWardens are pretty close in overall size, but made from SR-101
1jnvq0.jpg

with a Farmer. Harder to find but I see them from time to time
Good Luck ;)
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That looks about right- I own a Game Warden and 2 Swamp Wardens.

However, just to throw something else out there... even though I own all those Wardens, when I want to carry a fixed blade I stick a Swamp Rat Vex (short for Vexillaris) in my pocket. Limited release, was right at 100 new with Micarta handles (G10 was a little more) and runs a bit more now. Full flat grind with a convexed edge, D2 steel. Very useful practical shape, excellent usable point. Pretty too.
 
crapgame said:
Dimensions and ergonomics are what I'm looking for so I'm willing to give up some of the features like the boutique steel and the convex blade.

.
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In my opinion the blade steel is about the most important part of the knife.

I'd carry a S30V meat cleaver before I'd carry a sebenza styled knife made from cheap chineese "no name stainless" steel.
 
Game Warden, dare to dream. That is a sweet knife too bad you can't find one. Brings me to another question when a maker or manufacturer has a model that is so popular why not keep it in production. i.e. regular sebenza, game warden, buck mayo tnt. I don't get it some knives are popular and so well designed and made they are classics and regardless of changes in technology with new materials and construction methods the design is still good. Frustrating, really frustrating. I like stuff that is well designed, well made and made with high quality materials. I don't care if was last years, or last decades model, I want stuff that works. I could give a fat rats but about if its the latest and greatest. Case in point you can still buy knit polo short sleeve shirts and their still a classic as is a knit button down, its a classic you don't see designers quit making those do you. I gotta stop just thinking about it makes me want to find somebody with one of these companies in the marketing department and go ape on their arse. Especially the regular sebenza, somebody deserves a good swift kick in the rear, the kind that elevates their rear end above their shoulders.

Didn't mean to hijack your thread. Sorry.
 
MikeC said:
Case in point you can still buy knit polo short sleeve shirts and their still a classic as is a knit button down, its a classic you don't see designers quit making those do you. I gotta stop just thinking about it makes me want to find somebody with one of these companies in the marketing department and go ape on their arse. Especially the regular sebenza, somebody deserves a good swift kick in the rear, the kind that elevates their rear end above their shoulders.
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Designers don't make polo shirts, producers do. Jerry and Chris are designers *and* producers. They didn't get into design to knock one out of the park, and just produce it ad nauseam for the rest of their careers. Design is about seeking, whether the market agrees with the findings or not.

Busse and CRK are small shops. They can't afford to keep large catalogs in production. They have to choose carefully what stays in production, and that is largely a function of the principals' design sensibilities.

Man... I remember the height of the GW craze. It was silly. People were buying ridiculous numbers of them. GW's were falling off the trees. People were complaining about there being no other Busses on the market.
 
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Good luck in your journey to find another knife that can still look so pretty after this type of abuse that comes in at a more affordable price. If you find it, please let me know :)
 
I want to thank everyone here for so many great replies to my first post at Blade Forums. On the down side, it looks like it's going to cost me in the end because it just reinforced my desire for a GW while also turning me onto about 8 other knives I want.

I've got a little time before I leave so I might get several and see which one will work out best for travel. Might just abandon my plans for having a fixed blade about town and get a larger fixed blade for the forest and an SAK for city use. I'll be mostly in Germany and Slovakia.

Still want that Game Warden.
 
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