If not Cold Steel,Busse,Swamp,Scrap then?

messer454

messer454

Joined
Oct 2, 2006
Messages
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I have a coworker that left me stumped with a question today after I tried to explain my preferences to him about a 9" bowie style knife.

His question "If folks don't like Cold Steel b/k of advertising etc. etc., and they can't afford a Battle Mistress, and they don't want to check Bladeforums three times a day (like me) for the discontinued Swamps and soon to be Scrap Yard "Dog Father" just what in the world are they buying where they can pick up the phone and have it in 4 days?"

He is interested in a 7"-9" heavy type field knife between $150-200. He doesn't really like the computer or Ebay. He likes my old Recon Scout and Trailmaster. Carbon V Cold Steel in this size is hard to find right now even if you want one. I have handled the Ontario RAT and don't like the handle myself. TOPS seem a bit high to me for the steel used. He wants something heavier and stronger than a Kabar type. I admit that I too am a bit frustrated that Swamp Rats and now Scrap Yards are not easier to get. Price for being good I guess.

So my question is if not Cold Steel, Busse, Swamp, or Scrap then what? Is there nothing between the two sides so to speak? (Incidently I have a Battle Mistress on order but my coworker thinks I am nuts haha).
 
Try Ferhmanknives.com i have their cold fusion and love it, Ill be getting there peacemaker,last chance or first strike next.
 
Have you looked the Kabar site lately?
They have a 9" big bowie. Supposed to be pretty tough too.
OR Kershaw's D2 Outcast, big knife with a recurve too.
 
I like Fehrman's knives. After that, he could look at the Beckers (if any are left), Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works (some great bowies that feel really good in the hand), or perhaps one of Dozier's larger ones.
 
Ranger Knives. Awesome guy to deal with and you can even get custom touches within your price range. Call Justin at Ranger and you will not regret it.
 
The Scrap Yard Dog Father will not be one of the "gone in a flash" limited offerings. Check in over there once in a while or just keep an eye out on the forums for people excitedly posting about them being available. They should be available for quite a while. (weeks) Great price for such a high performance blade. Probably is the best value going. (once it gets going ;) ) I have not been keeping track of when it is supposed to be released, but it should be relatively soon.

Many other good suggestions here as well. :thumbup:
 
Ranger's a good suggestion and the Trailmaster's also a classic. If you want one they're still out there in Carbon V. I was thinking of picking up one myself...
The Becker BK9 seems a little easier to find in stock right now than the BK7, but act quickly if you're interested.

Also, I took the handles of my RAT, they're not my cup o tea either. I'm experimenting with different wraps now.
But the stock micarta grips really aren't bad at all and your friend might like them...
 
Not in any particular order:
Fallkniven A2
Ranger 9
Becker
Ka-Bar
Fehrman
Extrema Ratio
 
RD-9! Tougher than your pal will ever need and better customer service than the knife will ever need (should it ever need any).

Next suggestion is that Kabar heavy bowie. Probably the best value ounce for ounce. Yeah, the RD-9 and Battle Mistress and Dogfather will be tougher and stronger, but unless your friend is chopping up a dozen tanks every weekend and forbidden to use modern machinery or explosives, the difference probably won't be felt.

The RD-9 is cooler, though. Have your friend bug Justin for the new version.
 
Messer454: I would suggest something from the RD Series from Ranger Knives. Justin is great to deal with, and makes fantastic blades, at a great price. I can not say enough good things about Justin & his knives.
 
Thanks for the info guys, you are telling me exactly what I wanted. I am looking hard at Ranger and Fehrman. Ranger I had heard of but Fehrman in my own state I had not. I really like the 5.5" Fehrman for myself.
 
In addition to Fehrman and Ranger, also look at Samuray Bowie by G-Sakai from SRS-15

G-Sakai-HSE-007.jpg


and RosArms Taiga.

RosArms-Taiga-07.jpg


On my opinion first superior in steel (high speed stainless) and has very good ergonomic, second has superior ergonomic and very good steel (Soviet BG42).

Thanks, Vassili.
 
ashtxsniper said:
that looks like a trailmaster
Click to expand...

Most likely it is, I will not be surprized if CS sells G-Sakai knives in US under CS brand. However steel is different and just amaizing, I guess it is ZDP189 for big knives.

Thanks, Vassili.

P.S. Many Spyderco knives are made by G-Sakai
 
The Sakai and Ros Arms knives look very good indeed. The RTAK II looks like a winner too. Crap they all look great to me! keepem sharp
 
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