Help with fixed blade decision?

S

Spydiefan04

Joined
Jan 8, 2005
Messages
819
I own/collect use many brands of knives from many brands, mostly Spyderco and W.R. Case (strange combo I know). Have been considering a quality fixed blade but am mostly into folders don't know much about high-end fixed blades. What I want would be between 4.5 to no more than 7 inches in blade length, no serrations. My question is what knives of that size would be best as a tough utility knife used mostly for cutting, no super heavy duty work intended but then again you never know ;) . I'm interested in Busse, Swamprat, Strider, Chris Reeve, and the Benchmade Nimravus looks really good. Also, just how "tough" are knives in this size from the above mentioned makers, please keep in mind that most expensive/toughest fixed blade with which I have experience is a 5 in small Ka-Bar. Any help or insight would be appreciated.
 
In the middle of last year I started a SERIOUS search for really tough knives to use in the field and I landed very firmly in the Busse/Swamp Rat camp. I have been stunned and amazed at how tough these knives are. I have been out chopping, prying and slicing with my Busse Special Forces Natural Outlaw and a Swamp Rat Ratweiler and couldn't be happier. There are other great knife companies out there and many of them may make a blade that suits the purpose you have in mind. I love my Busse/Swamp Rats because I think they will stand up to the uses that I could never have imagined. I would stake my life on their quality and construction.

Even still...there are other tough knives out there but for me the designs coming out of Busse are WAY more appealing than what I have seen elsewhere.

And last but not least...I found that there is an extremely helpful and cool community surrounding Busse. :cool: A very knowledgable group as well.

If I were you and I was looking for ONE (yeah right) heavier use knife that would take care of all the chores you would not put your collection of folders through I would look at the Busse SFNO first, then the Swamp Rat Ratweiler or Camp Tramp. I used to think a knife that big was overkill, but once you see what they are capable of and use them a little you will be hooked. Sorry for going so long. :yawn:
 
I'm looking for more of a slicer/cutter, I think the Camp Tramp is very thick, how well does it work for light utility/slicing, etc. I'm afraid it may be more knife than I'm looking for but not sure, I usally end up putting away the Ka-Bar and using my Spyderco Endura serrated bc of it being a better cutter, any thoughts. Also, how relatively thick are the other knives mentioned. Don't mean to be too lengthy but when it comes to expensive fixed blades I hate to admit it but I'm totally a novice. BTW I went to Swamp Rats website the Ratweiler looks wickely awesome, I think it would put my Camillus CU/7 that I keep in a drawer to shame. Also any thought on the Rat Trap, I've got a Buck Strider folder but never use it because of the blade thickness.
 
Spydiefan04 said:
What I want would be between 4.5 to no more than 7 inches in blade length, no serrations. My question is what knives of that size would be best as a tough utility knife used mostly for cutting, no super heavy duty work intended but then again you never know ;) .
Click to expand...

I would say Busse above all. No question.


Spydiefan04 said:
I'm interested in Busse, Swamprat, Strider, Chris Reeve, and the Benchmade Nimravus looks really good. Also, just how "tough" are knives in this size from the above mentioned makers, please keep in mind that most expensive/toughest fixed blade with which I have experience is a 5 in small Ka-Bar. Any help or insight would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Busse Knives are the toughest knives on the market. The following opinons ARE MINE SOLELY AND DO NOT REFLECT BUSSE COMBATS VIEW...

Ka-bar VS Busse: Busse. Strength, Thickness, Quallity, Warranty
Swamp Rat VS Busse: Can't go wrong with either. Busses will have infi which is Schweeeeeeeeet :D
Strider VS Busse: Not that familar, but S30V vs Infi. I would go infi. Personally, the handles and options of Busses appeal to me more.
BM Nimravus VS Busse: Without a doubt Busse. BM is awesome in the folder field, but Busse would dominate fixed blade wise. First off, Warranty. Second, Thickness. Third, I would expect edge retention.

Chris Reeve VS Busse: Busse. CRK are awesome knives, but if you live near me, the solid metal handles (If you are referring to the one piece series) are unpleasent to use even with gloves on in winter. Infi also is not that difficult to sharpen and shows good corrosion resistance, where as tool steel with rust aggressively (CRK does use a coating that helps)

Again, THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION. The companies mentioned above are definately brands I have, will or did purchase. I have just come to appreciate Busse's so much that they are my main expense.

The SFNO is a nice knife. For larger, a Steel Heart E or Fusion Steel Heart are nice. I enjoy my public defender very much as well.

If they are a bit outta your range, I wouldn't hesitate to go with Swamp Rat.



Final word. The above is only my words. I am not intentionally stepping on anyones toes. If the above is problematic, Jerry or Hammy, Please Correct it. :cool:
 
Dedicated slicers?

Busse leaner Meaner Street. The Company Store should have them soon.

Swamp Rat Safari Skinner or Bog Dog.

David
 
Spydiefan04 said:
I'm looking for more of a slicer/cutter, I think the Camp Tramp is very thick, how well does it work for light utility/slicing, etc. I'm afraid it may be more knife than I'm looking for but not sure, I usally end up putting away the Ka-Bar and using my Spyderco Endura serrated bc of it being a better cutter, any thoughts. Also, how relatively thick are the other knives mentioned. Don't mean to be too lengthy but when it comes to expensive fixed blades I hate to admit it but I'm totally a novice.
Click to expand...

For the camp tramp, you will have better luck on the Swamp Rat forum here on Blade Forums.


Forgot to say: WELCOME!!! :cool:

It may help to, if you do some search through past threads in here. A LOT of valuable and helpful info :cool:
 
No problem, I am the run-on sentence master :footinmou . The SFNO is .22" thick, so less than 1/4". The Camp Tramp is .25 straight up. I can slice up very thin curls of tinder and do other pretty fine chores with my FAT SFNO (.27"...I like 'em chunky!). It is a little more work than if I was using a thin slicer but it is still easy enough that I usually chose to do that than pull out one of my smaller blades. You will have a folder on you to do the real fine work. The large choil or finger groove near the handle really allows you to choke up and control the knife very well. It effectively makes the knife a 6" blade when you choke up. The SFNO has a 7" blade.

I am trying to think of something a little smaller for you (watch some of the big knife Busse purists pile on me like a wounded zebra on the Seregeti ;) ). You could look for an "E" handle Natural Outlaw which is a 6 1/2 blade. It's a discontinued model but you can often find one in the exchange. The Satin Jack is another legendary Busse. The TAC handled model will be taking orders soon but you may be able to find an older one in excellent shape in the exchange. Many of them are 3/16" 6" - 6 1/2" blade but a narrower blade which might suit you better(?). Check out these models at this link...

http://www.badmojo.tv/
 
Yeah, the Swamp Rat forum on their site is MUCH more active than here at BladeForums. For Busse's this is THE place to get the answers and the search tool is a great place to start (and one I often forget)!

RAT CHAT
 
You mentioned price being an Issue, I can swing a Swamp Rat no prob, but what is a typical price range for a new/slightly used Busse. I've heard they're indestructible and that's sorta where I was leaning brand wise due to warranty and other reviews I've read just never actually seen or handled one, most knife shops anywhere near home don't carry anything tougher than Ontario Spec Plus or Ka-bar. BTW I appreciate the input from all posters feel like I'm learning a lot fast ;) Also what exactly is INFI steel?
 
I think when he was referring to your range he was addressing the dimensions of the knife you were spec'ing out not price. Some of the knives he started listing were getting over 7 1/2". You are soooooo right about the grim selection of knives at any local knife shop. Depending on where you live you may be able to get your hands on one at a gun or knife show. If you were going to go for one bomb proof knife, I would spend the extra money and get a Busse. As mentioned above, from all the research I have done...Busse is the best.

Read a lot of stuff in this forum and don't be shy to ask more questions and you will definitely be able to narrow down the choices. I had the same concern of buying without ever having held a Busse. I did it and it exceeded my expectations :D
 
Spydiefan04 said:
You mentioned price being an Issue, I can swing a Swamp Rat no prob, but what is a typical price range for a new/slightly used Busse. I've heard they're indestructible and that's sorta where I was leaning brand wise due to warranty and other reviews I've read just never actually seen or handled one, most knife shops anywhere near home don't carry anything tougher than Ontario Spec Plus or Ka-bar. BTW I appreciate the input from all posters feel like I'm learning a lot fast ;) Also what exactly is INFI steel?
Click to expand...

INFI is a mystery than is Nuclear tough. Where's your location?? There may be a Porker (Extreme Busse Owner) near you that may be able to get together for a lunch or a show close enough to check out :cool:
 
What is INFI? One of the reasons to buy a Busse. INFI is a proprietary steel: Jerry came up with it, and Jerry makes beautiful knives out of it.
 
INFI is a proprietary steel developed by Jerry Busse.

Here is a link from the Busse Combat site

http://www.bussecombat.com/infi/

Here is another very helpful link to a .PDF file on steel and heat treat (which really as important as the steel itself) by Joe Talmadge. He mentions INFI specifically and talks about what Jerry has done with 52100 over at Swamp Rat. *VERY GOOD READING*

http://www.edcknives.com/pdf-files/Steel_v2.pdf
 
Just went to Rat Chat there are torture tests on the safari skinner and bog dog, man are those little knives tough. Are Busse and Swamp Rat the same company or not, I notice they both mention Jerry Busse and have the same warranty. Please keep info coming, is there a Busse knife similar to Safari Skinner, I just think it looks cool.
 
Sorry for the post building but going back a few questions. I have the Rat Trap and absolutely love it. It is big but light for its size. I carry it my pocket and barely notice it...and that is wearing a suit...not just jeans or khakis.

Yeah...there is a knife with similar construction but different steel. BusseCompanyStore.com should soon have the Leaner and Meaner Street models available for ordering soon. They would be similar in size I believe but these are made of INFI and the Safari Skinner is D2. The SS might be a better slicer and hold an edge a little better but the Leaner Street (.15" thick) and Meaner Street (.22" thick) have the Nuclear toughness that goes along with INFI. A good trade off in my book.
 
The Safari Skinner is made of D2: not as tough as INFI, but incredibly good for slicing.

Find a picture of the Busse Meaner Street.

The two companies are separate entities.
 
Thanks for the info on the Rat Trap, how does it compare to a Spyderco Military as far as blade design thickness, steel, etc? I know this is off the fixed blade subject but I do collect big folders and am always interested in a new one. And does it have stainles, or Ti liners and what's the handle material?
 
They are separate entities but at least early on Swamp Rat (run by Jennifer Busse, Jerry's wife) used the same equipment. I have to believe that they rely on Jerry's evil genious intellect to develop their heat treat protocols. They different business entities, but there is at least a pleasant "sameness" to me as a consumer :D
 
BTW the Meaner Street looks totally awesome too, I'm assuming it is in INFI. How would the leaner street how up to some serious abuse, I'm more after a slicer/cutter, but could it handle some serious abuse?
 
I think the blade on the rat trap is 1/8". Someone recently mic'd out the liners at .409" and I belive they have imbedded titanium liners with G10 scales. S30V with their proprietary heat treat. I trust they are getting max performance out of that steel! Very thin...VERY confortable...and Sooo smooth. Get it.
 
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