- Joined
- Oct 23, 2002
- Messages
- 1,147
Probably just repeating the words of those who are already owners...
Just opened the box on my new Camp Tramp! This is my first Swamp Rat knife and the first time I have seen or held one, other than pics online. I will try to give initial thoughts of fit and design now, then come back to give a better description and set of impressions after some use.
I pulled the sheathed knife out of the box, first looking at the handle and then the sheath. Wrapping my hand around the handle for the first time to remove the knife I was pleasantly surprised by the texture of the handle material. It looks like ordinary black knife handle material, however it feels much better.
If any of you are rock climbers this analogy will make sense; the shoes worn by climbers are designed to be tough as nails, but have the ability to be tacky enough to edge into rock and grip the surface even when there is little purchase to stand on this is what the handle felt like to me. It was not cold plastic, it was not smooth either, it was almost like a synthetic skin, but at the same time seemed like it could take significant abuse.
The handle shape was also a nice surprise. It easily fit into my hand allowing me to either choke up on the blade and use the finger choil in the steel or grip it as though I would be chopping, something I think could be done very comfortably. If any of you have had trouble with knives having too large a grip this knife will make you happy. I believe it can be handled very well both with and without gloves. Someone should post multiple pics of the handle from different views.
The blade design is as shown on the website, very useful and practical design. The edge was razor sharp out of the box, as my now hairless arm would demonstrate. The edge was not the same as on my Natural Outlaw from that other company; guess I didnt know that ahead of time. It seems to be the standard symmetrical edge, which we are all used to. I do very much like the Asymmetrical design on the Busse blades, but for most this will be easier to sharpen. I think the coating is the best I have seen (OK, it is the Busse finish I love) and seems like it will protect the blade well and does not reflect a lot of light.
The penetrator tip came standard and makes it look like a truly combat efficient weapon and would be right at home on the front lines as it would in the backcountry, or for that matter carving up a Turkey!
Overall the fit and finish on this knife are exceptional, much more bang for the buck than most any other knife I have ever seen let alone owned. I would not be surprised to find out first hand that these are true performers, and once I do I am sure I will end up with the rest of the collection.
This is one knife that will definitely be going with me on my next backcountry trip, replacing what I used to carry which was both handmade and twice the price!
Just opened the box on my new Camp Tramp! This is my first Swamp Rat knife and the first time I have seen or held one, other than pics online. I will try to give initial thoughts of fit and design now, then come back to give a better description and set of impressions after some use.
I pulled the sheathed knife out of the box, first looking at the handle and then the sheath. Wrapping my hand around the handle for the first time to remove the knife I was pleasantly surprised by the texture of the handle material. It looks like ordinary black knife handle material, however it feels much better.
If any of you are rock climbers this analogy will make sense; the shoes worn by climbers are designed to be tough as nails, but have the ability to be tacky enough to edge into rock and grip the surface even when there is little purchase to stand on this is what the handle felt like to me. It was not cold plastic, it was not smooth either, it was almost like a synthetic skin, but at the same time seemed like it could take significant abuse.
The handle shape was also a nice surprise. It easily fit into my hand allowing me to either choke up on the blade and use the finger choil in the steel or grip it as though I would be chopping, something I think could be done very comfortably. If any of you have had trouble with knives having too large a grip this knife will make you happy. I believe it can be handled very well both with and without gloves. Someone should post multiple pics of the handle from different views.
The blade design is as shown on the website, very useful and practical design. The edge was razor sharp out of the box, as my now hairless arm would demonstrate. The edge was not the same as on my Natural Outlaw from that other company; guess I didnt know that ahead of time. It seems to be the standard symmetrical edge, which we are all used to. I do very much like the Asymmetrical design on the Busse blades, but for most this will be easier to sharpen. I think the coating is the best I have seen (OK, it is the Busse finish I love) and seems like it will protect the blade well and does not reflect a lot of light.
The penetrator tip came standard and makes it look like a truly combat efficient weapon and would be right at home on the front lines as it would in the backcountry, or for that matter carving up a Turkey!
Overall the fit and finish on this knife are exceptional, much more bang for the buck than most any other knife I have ever seen let alone owned. I would not be surprised to find out first hand that these are true performers, and once I do I am sure I will end up with the rest of the collection.
This is one knife that will definitely be going with me on my next backcountry trip, replacing what I used to carry which was both handmade and twice the price!
