Grades of Respirene-C

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Jan 21, 2024
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Purchasing my first Swamp Rat knife with a Respirene-C handle, I was surprised to notice that it is a completely different material than the Respirene-C that I had on an old Scrapyard knife. The one on the Scrapyard looks and feels more like a rubber, while the one on the Swamp Rat is rather like hard plastics.

I was surprised considering the discrepancy between the statement from the SR knife descriprion on the Busse website: "...you can rest assured [...] that you are holding the most shock-resistant, and least vibration transference grip on the planet". Especially that it doesn't seem to me to be shock absorbing enough. It is not close to the likes of Kraton, Scrapyard Res-C, not to say about Santoprene - which is actually the most shock absorbing material from everything I've tested in terms of knife handles.

(1) First I am curious why the Busse Group uses two different materials under the same name (and why haven't they invented a different name for the second).

(2) Second, does anyone have any insights about the properies of the Respirene-C grade used by Swamp Rat? I am not concerned about the shock absorbance, as the thinness of the handle allows wrapping a Theraband gold rubber sheet over it to solve the issue. Having an external rubber band over the actual handle thickens the handle offering a better hand filling, offers true shock absorbance and better traction, while also allowing to change this rubber layer anytime when it gets weared out (while the actual handle is sturdy, stable, and time-proof - hopefully). This is something I do to some of my wooden and micarta handles as well while chopping and batonning. However, what really concerns me is the handle durability. Being like hard plastics, isn't this type of "Respirene-C" handle prone to chipping or cracking if my knife accidentally drops on a hard surface? How durable is it compared to the Scrapyard one? Should I expect a plastic deformation, elastic deformation, or a crach, if I drop it? How durable is it against aging in time? Does ultraviolet radiation age it quicker? (for example polypropylene ages quicker compared with ABS plastics when exposed to direct sunlight). How about solvents? How about the melting temperature? What exactly should I avoid to be sure that I won't destroy it by missadventure? I know it is covered by the warranty, but I always prefer to understand how to properly care my gear rather than get into warranty claims caused by missuse. Knowledge gives power and I want to gain some knowledge about this material and its properties. Because this is a proprietary material, I cannot find any information about its properties anywhere over the internet. Any input from anyone is highly appreciated.

Thank you!
 
It will help to know which models you are referring to. They did change the material composition in a few knives lately and announced it in the threads here. But I totally understand the confusion as a new buyer - different material properties under the same name.

I’m sure we can help better if you give us more details (or even pics of the model).
 
I have not noticed this. All I have noticed is that the surface on some resiprene seems smoother and stiffer than others which seem a little more spongy. It may just be varying densities of the same product. if you look at the parent product, you can see that it is available in various densities and hardnesses.
cumDqX1.jpg
 
It will help to know which models you are referring to. They did change the material composition in a few knives lately and announced it in the threads here. But I totally understand the confusion as a new buyer - different material properties under the same name.

I’m sure we can help better if you give us more details (or even pics of the model).
The two models I was referring to are Skrapyard SOD and Swamp Rat Free Rein Wakizashi. Picture below:
Link to the external pic
(for some reason the forum doesn't want to load an image from a Google drive here as a picture).

I have even talked over the phone with Becky, but the only thing she could tell me was that it is different because the one from Swamp Rat is different than the Scrapyard.
 
I have not noticed this. All I have noticed is that the surface on some resiprene seems smoother and stiffer than others which seem a little more spongy. It may just be varying densities of the same product. if you look at the parent product, you can see that it is available in various densities and hardnesses.
cumDqX1.jpg
Yeah, this is the kind of information I was looking for. 🤩 Where did you get this table from?
 
The two models I was referring to are Skrapyard SOD and Swamp Rat Free Rein Wakizashi. Picture below:
Link to the external pic
(for some reason the forum doesn't want to load an image from a Google drive here as a picture).

I have even talked over the phone with Becky, but the only thing she could tell me was that it is different because the one from Swamp Rat is different than the Scrapyard.
When the Yard released the Scrapizashi sword Dan Busse said they needed to wrap the handle because the Res-C couldn't handle the torque.
Now years later we have new Res-C molds other than just the Basic and Regulator handle.
When people got the Tnt 15 they noted that it didn't feel like old Res-C, Jerry (or Dan) let people know that it had a different hardness level. I assume it was because of the torque.
🍺🍺
 
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Our Resiprene IS NOT from Resirene and please note that they had to abandon their attempted use of the trademark.

We have been using the "Resiprene" trademark since the introduction of the Busse Basics in 1998.

The ONLY difference between the harder and softer Res-C handles is the hardness. It is the same material.

We have used different hardnesses of Res-C for a long time. Please note the very popular Mudder Handles.

They are much harder than the other small Res-C handles.

Let's Drink!

Jerry

.
 
Welcome to BUSSE.....
See....even the Boss Man himself will provide any truth you need.....Thanks Boss!
 
Can anyone speak to the maximum safe temperature of Res-C? I would like to Cerakote one of my blades and was wondering if the low temperature cure could be used on a Res-C knife. Alternatively, would Busse re-handle a blade I chose to have Cerakoted? I've had Blown Deadline custom coat one (micarta handles) and the results were great. Thanks y'all!
 
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