Question about “Basics” (I think)

H

Hamp

Joined
Jun 19, 2002
Messages
168
OK … this is going to sound stupid but what I THINK I want is a knife with the heft & thickness (.25) of a Steel Heart or Battle Mistress but with the handle of a Swamp Rat (Resiprene). Aren’t all the Swamp Rats 3/16” thick? Were the Basics ever made in a Steel Heart or Battle Mistress length & weight?

Thanks!
Hamp
 
Basics were (are) great working knives, but the comparable sized Rats are actually (dare I say it?) better designed for their intended tasks--they are the evolution, after all. The big ones are more massive and blade-heavy, while the smaller ones are slimmer with better edge geometry. That said, am I giving up my Basics? Nope :p

Okay, okay...I'll give the Basics the edge with M-INFI, but a slight one. ;)
 
Get your hands on a used Basic 9"... I made some tests/compared with a B9 and a SRKW Battle Rat a few years back. The B9 came in #1 when it came to chopping (Full flat grind and asymetrical edge may be the reason) and hard wood work, the BR was close behind (and looks much cooler IMO) and in some more "soft" tasks better.
just my 02,
ALIass
 
I am of the opinion that in use cutting soft material like Wood(hard and soft)
Hair/rope/flesh, that there will be no real comparison, that the Basic will out
do the rat by a wide margin. :eek:

On the otherhand if you want to cut abrasive filled Sod, or chop cement
blocks or rebar, the rat will look better longer. ;)

Try the Basic, if you have tried other large knives I think you will be quite impressed.
 
Sounds like the general consensus lays with the Basic 9 … any idea how much I’ll have to cough up to get one? It’s my understanding that Busse hasn’t made them in a while so I don’t know if the collectors market has driven the price up. Maybe I should just save up my ramen noodle money & get a SH or BM. Truth is I had a BM a couple of years ago but had to turn it loose cause I needed the $pondulix. The plan here is to put this thing together with an “Altoids” type survival kit & keep it in the truck of the car. I have to admit that I’ve considered cheaping out with something like a Becker or Ontario RTAK. I just have visions of seeing them turn into a warped piece of dull *#@& if I ever actually use one of them. The Fallkniven A2 was another thought, as I understand VG10 is good stuff but the price is higher than the Swamp Rats so that lets that out. Do the Basics & Swamp Rats show up in the spiffy nylon sheath with the Altoids tin sized pocket?

Thanks for the help!
Hamp
 
Hamp said:
Do the Basics & Swamp Rats show up in the spiffy nylon sheath with the Altoids tin sized pocket?

Thanks for the help!
Hamp
Click to expand...
The SRKW does, the B9 will come in such a sheath, a Kydex or a cardboard one or whatever the guy selling the gem has for ya´!!;)
The sheath for the BattleRat is the same size as for the B9, maybe you could get one over at the "Ratplace"
:D
ALIass
 
Hey Guys..

I love the Rats,, but God do I miss the Basics!!

come on Jerry,, Bring back the Basics!!!

:)

ttyle

Eric...
 
I have both the Basic 9 and a newly arrived Battle Rat. I'll have yet to play with the new Battle Rat, but there appears to be very little difference between the two - both great knives - and I love 'rubbery' grips. The modified infi will have the advantage of better rust resistance but I doubt an average user will find any other difference between the two steels. I love the penetrator tip on the Battle Rat and I'll have to try and grind one on my Basic 9. For value for money, I think the Battle Rat will be hard to beat. The only grump I have about the Battle Rat is it took over 6 months to arrive, and then without the sheath.
 
Hey Glenn...

No worries on the sheath mate,, I can take care of you on both the Battle Rat and the Basic 9..

Drop me a note if you like..

ericn@mnsi.net


ttyle

Eric...
 
Anybody out there got a Basic 9 or a Battle Rat they wanna get shed of?

Thanks!
Hamp
 
I picked up a used Basic 7 with a BuyBrown sheath, and like it much! Not sure, but the blade looks to be "bent" a bit when looking down the blade compared to the handle :confused: Still works though...
 
I finaly finished my quest for the Basics 3,5,7 and 9If I had to sell off all my knives I would keep the Basics they are tough and feel good in my hand. My Basic 5 and Surfire 6P share a combo sheath by Leatherman and it's all I need.
Peace
Bob
 
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