Howling Rat Question

[Super X]

Sounds like what I want is a HWLM but I doubt I can find one for a reasonable price. Anyone wanna trade? Lol

The Sykco 511 looks great, but I've got the 711 on order and the 511 is a little bigger than I want for this type of knife. The 411 would probably be a good one.

I've looked pretty closely at the handle. It looks like if I don't like the choil I may be able to take the handle off, do some grinding on the ricasso and end of the tang, then reattach the handle so the knife is at least 3/8 inch shorter overall and the cutting edge will be that much closer to the handle. I wonder if anyone's tried that. While its off I could refinish with gunkote.

There does not seem to be much difference in the HR v/s HRLM. Do you prefer Micarta over the RES-C? The HRLM comes up fairly often on the exchange.

 

[fumbler]

There does not seem to be much difference in the HR v/s HRLM. Do you prefer Micarta over the RES-C? The HRLM comes up fairly often on the exchange.

I like both micarta and Resp C.
The only reason I would go with a HRLM is due to the longer cutting edge/lack of a big choil.
Do you have both? If so, is the extra cutting edge of the HRLM a benefit?

On a side note, I ordered up a Rodent Solution (it shipped today, can't wait!). The RS looks like it might be closer to the F1 in a beefier design.

Anyone wanna comment on the Rodent Solution vs Howling rat?

 

[Super X]

Fumbler,
No, I have 2 HRLM. I guess when it comes to choils, you either love em or hate em. Maybe they should offer both options when they release a new design. They would probably sell more, as a person would probably want one of each. I would like to handle a HR with the Res-C handle to see how I like it. Congrats on the RS, I don't have one but would like to. It should be a fine knife.

 

[leatherman]

The Rodent Solution is more like the Busse Active Duty in its overall dimensions and utility. The handle is slimmer and longer as well, and to me that makes a huge difference.

The slimmer blade of the Solution makes for a more useful overall utility knife, small choil is a good thing as well. I've used my Active Duty a LOT, and my Howler quite a bit and I tend to prefer the slimmer blade of the AD. I had always wanted an AD with SR101 steel (holds an edge better than INFI) and I got my wish in the Solution.

 

[chiral.grolim]

I like both micarta and Resp C.
The only reason I would go with a HRLM is due to the longer cutting edge/lack of a big choil.
Do you have both? If so, is the extra cutting edge of the HRLM a benefit?

On a side note, I ordered up a Rodent Solution (it shipped today, can't wait!). The RS looks like it might be closer to the F1 in a beefier design.

Anyone wanna comment on the Rodent Solution vs Howling rat?

I own an HRLM and RS (and RMD all the same pattern) and would definitely put the RS as closer to the F1 design, an excellent general utility knife, smaller and lighter making it more useful to me for everyday tasks, whatever you might use a puukko for. Mine rides in a leather belt sheath.
I really like the HRLM and carry it for hunting sometimes, very robust and able to handle larger tasks with ease, but it is so much larger than the RS and smaller than the RMD that it doesn't see nearly as much use as either of those. Still, I am loathe to give it up and continually seek new opportunities to put it to use. It's just such a great size and feel. *shrug*.
The RMD is perhaps the most comfortable knife I've ever put to use - gloves or barehanded, choking up on the choil for detail or back for a meager chop, it easily becomes an extension of the body, an excellent "all around" outdoors knife.
Coating on all these blades, along with robust edges from the factory, reduce slicing ability compared to your average kitchen knife... I don;t own an F1 so can't compare to that. All are quite comfortable in use, highly ergonomic.

 

[Gravelface]

The Gen 1 Howler is easily my favorite small Swamp Rat knife, the small choil sealed its place. In the Res-C world, it is the Gen 1 Howler, Camp Tramp and Battle Rat.

It almost feels like a different knife over the large choil, and were there sabre and flat ground Gen 1 and Gen 2?

 

[rpn]

Great 3 knife set. I regret selling my 2nd gen HR for that reason...