Of all these Hard Work knives which one?

evildick said:
Thanks for the video.

I like Busse a lot and would someday like to own some but right now I can not afford to get hooked on them. They are way to expensive for my budget.

The Ratmandu look cool and something I am going to look at as soon as I can.
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I beat the tar out of that knife in longer term testing trying to cause some kind of failure and it came out fine, and it's pretty much ideal blade length and thickness wise for a general harder use fixed blade with a classic blade shape.

I seriously doubt anyone would have any issues with that knife in use.
 
jonnyt16 said:
I feel the same way. And if you look at their specs, I don't like how they list blade length as "X" amount of inches when in fact the finger choil robs you of a full inch less of what the specs indicate.
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If you want to split hairs, the choil is still technically included in the actual blade length. What you are thinking of is the edge length, which is nearly always less than the quoted blade length, with or without a choil.

And in many cases of choiled knives, they act as a sharpening relief so you can get it sharp all the way down to the base of the edge. If the choil (if it is actually designed as one, not just a sharpening relief) is properly designed, you stick your finger in there comfortably and use the edge immediately forward of your finger with better control than if you didn't have a choil and just kept your hand on the handle for fine cutting. If you don't like choiled knives, don't buy them.
 
evildick said:
I was under the impresion that ESEE Junglas and ESEE was considered a very well made knife and better than the Ontario RAT Series that Randall invented for them. I was told that the Ontario RAT series was pretty good but may chip a little easier and that Randall fixed these problems when they became ESEE. I may have been mis-informed and dont know better. Why are you not a fan of ESEE, you have a right to not like them if you choise and I do not judge others for stating their honest opinion. Matter of fact I respect others who speak their mind in a proper manor.
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I ment that of the knives listed my choice would be the ESEEs. I have no problems at all with ESEE products infact my primary go to outdoors fixed blade is my ESEE 3 :)

However my one fixed blade forever choice is the Swamp Rat Ratmandu simply because it really is that good.
 
Here is a cool piggy back set up from Scrap Yard.
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This is a very functional budget combo.
Ontario RD9 Bush (3/16ths) and Mora Force (with the shoulders convexed)
I almost hate to say it but as a pure cutting tool, this Mora will probably out perform anything mentioned so far in this thread.
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I'd mix and match. Becker BK-9 (more comfortable to use than the Junglas IMO) and an ESEE-4 (I don't like the Laser Strike for some reason). That's my current bush bashing set up and I don't feel under-equipped at all.
 
Hadji Flip Me Over said:
And in many cases of choiled knives, they act as a sharpening relief so you can get it sharp all the way down to the base of the edge. If the choil (if it is actually designed as one, not just a sharpening relief) is properly designed, you stick your finger in there comfortably and use the edge immediately forward of your finger with better control than if you didn't have a choil and just kept your hand on the handle for fine cutting. If you don't like choiled knives, don't buy them.
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Thanks for explaining what a choil is, I had absolutely no idea :rolleyes:

And I've never had a problem getting the entire edge of my knives razor sharp, with or without a choil. Maybe you need more practice?

Oh, and I will continue to buy whatever knife I feel like buying. Suum cuique .
 
I'm partial to the Ka-Bar Becker knives because of the performance they offer for the cost. Ontario is a close second for the same reason, although I think the BK9 is more well rounded than anything Ontario offers but that's just my opinion.

I'm sure the other knives are well worth the money but I'm less excited about spending $200-300 on a knife when I don't get outside and use it enough to tell the difference between a $240 Buck Hoodlum and a $50 Ontario. And actually, I've seen videos of a Buck Hoodlum breaking while an Ontario RD9 did the same task without issue. Not saying the Hoodlum is inferior or overpriced (batoning a 3' seasoned fence post is a bit extreme) but as much chance as I get to play a $300 knife is not justified to me. Heck I got by great with a $20 pakistani bowie for years.
 
evildick said:
Lol, I get it, you would take/chose the ESEE's off of the list I provided. Not take them off the list.

Do you like th BK9 or Junglas better? Have you used both?
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Having used both the choice for me is easily the Junglas. It does big knife chores better than the BK9 does imo however if your after a one knife system I would lean more toward the BK9.
 
I have an Ontario RTAK-II that has chipped after 4 years of use. My room mate owns a BK9 that is very easy for him to sharpen. It is a decent knife, but I do not like the handle. After chopping for a while I always feel like it is going to slip out of my hand. For your question I would have to go with the swamp rat if I had to choose one brand because of their reputation for quality, and their thick tangs.
 
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I didn't review knife specs, assuming same form, length etc., the swamp rat materials and quality would drive it as my choice from your list...
 
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