Opinions on Benchmade DPT Rant

B

Brian6244

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Aug 25, 2004
Messages
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What are your opinions of the Benchmade DPT Rant? I am looking fora 4"-5", drop point bladed, stainless steel knife, light weight but strong with a no slip grip and a decent finger guard. This knife seems to fit the bill for the most part. I'm not quite sure about the 440C steel though but I may just be being a "steel snob" in that respect (I am quite partial to S30V). What are your opinions of this knife? Is there a better knife that fits my criteria? What do you think?

Thanks...

10505.jpg
 
Friend has one of these. Balance is nice, very solid, came very sharp too. Extremely comfortable in the hand, grip is great. Only problem I'd have with it is being 440C. But that really just depends on what you use it for.
 
I don't think you will be disappointed. I've been more than satisfied with mine for almost a year. Price was a plus, less than 40 bucks on E-bay. Really, what's so wrong with 440c? Back in the day it was fine and I suppose still is? I often carry my Buck 110 from the 70's in 440c and it's never failed to perform. That's why you get a knife that fits your description for 40 bucks. This is one fixed blade that IMO would double as a decent back-up blade or defensive knife if needed. Lightweight, concealable and fast with a nice profile for reverse grip slashing. Maybe a Kydex sheath for quick deployment would be an idea? What was you primary use for it? I've seen so many user reviews that will take something like this and use it to split small logs by whacking the spine and reporting that it failed in the field when they should be using a hatchet.
 
My use would be primarily outdoors and it would in fact need to hold up to batoning, or as you say "splitting logs by whacking the spine." :)
 
I think it's a great knife for the outdoors but I would not use it as a "spine whacker"....a small belt hatchet or 'hawk would be my choice for chopping plus they are fun to wear in the field stuck in a belt a la "The Patriot" but that's another forum. I recommend a Camp Hawk or Trapper from Dana Turner at Fort Turner Tomahawks for a good portable chopper. I tend to believe that knives are cutting tools and although many are more than adequate for other duties, I would not jeopardize damaging one past it's usefulness unnecessarily. I think you'll have a good time with knife AND 'hawk!
 
I LOVE mine! Sharp, fits great in the hand, and the rubberized grip is awesome.
 
If you want a similar knife that has a more comfortable handle, is more substantially built, and has an S30V blade, check out Cabela's Alaskan Guide model of Buck's Vanguard hunting knife. I think that the Rant is just a ripoff of one of Buck's most popular designs. The Rant has a rather thin hollow grind that is great as a skinner, but is not as robust as Buck's design. With the S30V blade this is a real winner:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c...matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=alaskan+vanguard&noImage=0
 
Its a great little utility but its not really up to the job of log splitting. It will be fine for kindling but I personally wouldnt want to use it on anything substantial.
 
It is substantially more expensive than the Rant and even the Cabela's S30V
Vanguard, but you might want to have a look at the Fehrman Peace Maker. It is a similar utility knife with a 4 inch blade, but made from super tough S3V.
 
Looks to be a terrific utility knife. Is there a secure (stays attached to the belt-line and keeps the knife until pulled) sheath available which allows for horizontal carry at the belt-line for a right hander?

best,

oregon
 
I considered a DPT Rant too, as a lightweight small fixed blade. You might also want to consider the Outdoor Edge Blackwood Design Hybrid Hunter. There is one on a Knifeforums sale thread for $30 "shipped" in New condition. I think titled as "12-FS. Al Mar, Swamp Rat, etc..."

(Is this post a faux pas? I'll reread the FAQ... If so, "sorry." Just trying to help a brother out...)
 
Nothing wrong with 440C. I enjoy sharpening my knives, it's like a form of meditation. You don't get to do it as often with s30v. :grumpy:
 
Jeff Clark said:
If you want a similar knife that has a more comfortable handle, is more substantially built, and has an S30V blade, check out Cabela's Alaskan Guide model of Buck's Vanguard hunting knife. I think that the Rant is just a ripoff of one of Buck's most popular designs. The Rant has a rather thin hollow grind that is great as a skinner, but is not as robust as Buck's design. With the S30V blade this is a real winner:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c...matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=alaskan+vanguard&noImage=0
Click to expand...
That is a very nice knife but why would anyone coat an S30V blade and more importantly why would they ruin and otherwise beautiful knife with that gold emblem on the blade? :( If it weren't for that I probably would have already placed an order. ;)
 
I'm with Jeff Clark on this one - I'd opt for the Buck Vanguard, Cabela's Style ;) Since you are a fan of S30V, this knife seems right up your alley. The only prerequisite of yours that it doesn't match is the "very Grippy" handle. Although, I'd suspect that the Vanguard would be ok... my $0.02 worth. Happy hunting :)
 
How about a Fällkniven F1?

f1-web.jpg


Total length: 210 mm (8.3")
Blade length: 97 mm (3.8")
Blade thickness: 4.5 mm (0.18"), tapered
Tang: Broad, protruding tang
Weight (knife): 150 g (6oz)
Steel: Lam. VG10
Blade hardness: 59 HRC
Handle: Thermorun

I've just traded for one and I'm very impressed.

maximus otter
 
This Fallkniven F1 looks like a great knife. However, I am not familiar with laminated VG10 at all. The way I understand it is that it is actually a 420ss laminate. Is that correct? How would this hold up to splitting wood via batoning?
 
Sandwiched is probably a better description. The VG10 is clearly visible along the tang. Ill get my calipers out later and give you some more idea on the thickness.

OK:

Blade thickness is 4.5mm
VG10 Thickness looks to be 1.5mm
 
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