HR or BAD?

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
2,038
Howdy all! first time posting here, and while I'm not sure I should ask this here, it was suggested that I post here, so I am. I'm looking for a good knife in the size of around a 3-4" fixed, for general EDC and camping purposes. I've narrowed it down to the Howling Rat or the Active Duty by the other half of the Busse team. What do y'all think? Is the BAD worth the extra ~$180? What is the difference between these knives functionally? I know that one is INFI, but is the steel in the HR really all that different? It seems pretty tough, and has at least as good a guarantee as the BAD. I think both have a convex grind on them (at least that's the impression I get from the BAD zero edge), so that's not too bad. I'm not a fan of the asymmetrical sharpening method- which is why the BAD would appeal to me. So, all ye rats of these parts, what say ye? Which would you get? If you have both (and I'm sure at least SOME of you do), which would you choose and why? Email me if you don't want to put something out here, I want the real poop! Thanks!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
To be completely honest for EDC I'd get the Active Duty. It is an incredible knife. Small enough to easily carry yet capable of handling any chore. It is of thinner stock so it will make a better slicer also.

If you want a great knife with a little more of everything the HR can hold it's own. It just isn't the slicer the AD is.

I hope that helps

:D:D
 
Yeah, and those ADs that were ground thinner, all the way to the spine cut and slice even better! Of course, there are only 2 of them, so getting one might be a problem. ;) :)
 
Think Chuck just dropped one of the thin pair off at my house yesterday :p On the down side, I'll probably be using it to skin possums and build a shelter now that my wife's seen it and banished me to the yard.:grumpy:
 
SpyderJon,

Welcolme to The Swamp!! You've narrowed your search down to a couple of great knives. So whichever way you go on this choice, you'll have a heck of a good knife to work with. Either one should do very well for your EDC and general camping work.

Given the large differences in design and high degree of subjective affinity in handle shapes between the HR and AD, I recommend you handle one of each before making up your mind which one is right for you. While the micarta scales of the AD are more durable (in an absolute sense) than the Resiprene-C handle of the HR, I personally find the handle shape of the HR much more comfortable. YMMV.

Since I like the handle shape so much and from the performance of my HR in the kitchen, plus its cheaper price :) , I give the nod to the HR. While my AD came shaving sharp from the factory, I keep remembering what I paid for it and I just can't bring myself to give it the abusive tough love it so richly deserves. ;) On the other hand, I don't feel bad at all spanking the HR for all its worth.

Besides, the money you save buying the HR can be used toward buying your NEXT blade from the Swamp Rat or Busse gang because, to paraphrase the potato chip commercial, "Nobody can buy just one." ;) :D :D

Hope I haven't muddied the water too much,
-- Greg --
 
I have to agree with Eric's take on it. If you can afford the AD, it is well worth the money. The HR is a bargain at that price. I couldn't decide so I bought both. I carry the AD every day and I take the HR with me on ocassion. I would seriously suggest you try both if you have the chance to find someone with both in your area. They are very different as far as handle is concerned. One option would be to buy both and sell off the one you don't like, there is one thing for sure, neither is hard to move for at least what you paid for them.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I sure have a difficult time ahead. I went to a knife show this weekend and found the most comfortable fixed blade I've ever tried, so I'm going to get one of those for a primary EDC fixed (it's only a 2 1/2" blade, so its legal most everywhere, and I don't have to worry about going from place to place). By itself its cheaper than the AD, so I'll get the HR because I can get this new custom and an HR for about the price of the AD. Of course, if I can get in on the anorexic BA III, that may change things... Thanks for all the help! Just wanted to give you all an update. Funny, didn't see any Busse knives, though I did see an ATC tomahawk. Of course it was a small show. Thanks, again!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
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