Rat Daddy Question

GregB

GregB

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Joined
Dec 18, 2000
Messages
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Well, it looks like I might have to part with my Rat Daddy. I haven't had the heart to use it yet, but I'm thinking I'd like to before I put it on the block. I was wondering, how a couple of good splitting sessions will affect the resale value on something like this? I'd like to hear feedback, guesstimates, estimates, pro's & con's, etc.

Thanks,

GregB
 
GregB said:
Well, it looks like I might have to part with my Rat Daddy. I haven't had the heart to use it yet, but I'm thinking I'd like to before I put it on the block. I was wondering, how a couple of good splitting sessions will affect the resale value on something like this? I'd like to hear feedback, guesstimates, estimates, pro's & con's, etc.

Thanks,

GregB
Click to expand...

Go ahead and beat the heck out of it then sell it to me half price :D
 
it'll definitely limit your market. some guys might want to buy a mint one for a collection -- if you use it, you'll exclude them from your potential market (especially with so many FBMs on the exchange lately.)

BUT, there are still plenty of people that WANT a daddy! I would think you'd have to knock off about 40 bucks if the edge is still pristine after using it hard -- maybe 60 bucks if you rolled or dinged the edge. I assume we're talking CG and not LE???

it's a fun one to use, but if you've swung a FBM before, it's not THAT much different -- just subtle nuances in the handle...

Good luck :thumbup:
 
Xaman,

Please elaborate on how it compares to an FBM. I've had a straight handle, standard FBM, a Fatty & some other family knives. The straight handle felt like a pinky pincher and was worth way to much in trade to keep. The standard felt like a boat paddle to me, not what I was hoping for. The fatty, felt way too heavy. The RD "feels" pretty good, but is a little long. Rat mastiff was good, but I kept RD instead. I like my Basic 9, although the handle feels a little shorter than I remember. Dog Father is good, but a little heavy and not a fan of the square choil. I'm still searching for "The Ohio chopper". Want to try a standard FBM with mags or an SE.

GregB
 
Greg,
I agree with what has already been said about using this Rat and subsequently limiting its resail value. For whatever reason, Rats seem to take a bigger hits when made users than Busses. In some extreme cases, using a Rat can make it VERY difficult to sell on the secondary market if you decide later that you don't want it.

All that said, I would ask myself, "why do I want to use this?" If it is to just see if it might be your perfect chopper, then you WILL take a hit in the secondary market. You may also find that you really like it, and then tear yourself apart deciding whether or not to keep or sell it. If you say, "screw it, I need to sell it" after you have used it, your inner desire to keep it may impact your asking price, which then may be too high for a quick sale.

On the other hand, if you don't try it out, then you will get more for it, possibly close to top dollar, and the sale might go a little quicker. You also likely won't feel as much angst from getting rid of it, but instead you may feel bad for never having tried it when you had the chance.

Unfortunately, there are two sides to every coin. I don't envy your position. One thing you could do is sell it and request that if the buyer at some point does decide to sell it, then you be given the right of first refusal. Certainly, it has been done before.

Good luck.
 
GregB said:
Xaman,

Please elaborate on how it compares to an FBM. I've had a straight handle, standard FBM, a Fatty & some other family knives. The straight handle felt like a pinky pincher and was worth way to much in trade to keep. The standard felt like a boat paddle to me, not what I was hoping for. The fatty, felt way too heavy. The RD "feels" pretty good, but is a little long. Rat mastiff was good, but I kept RD instead. I like my Basic 9, although the handle feels a little shorter than I remember. Dog Father is good, but a little heavy and not a fan of the square choil. I'm still searching for "The Ohio chopper". Want to try a standard FBM with mags or an SE.

GregB
Click to expand...

Wow - you've already tried a load of blades :thumbup: The Rat Daddy seems to be a non-infi version of the SHBM to me, with a better handle (IMO) -- no Busse pinky.

The RD is definitely "in between" the dog father and basic 9, with micarta of course. It's also very similiar to the rat mastiff - you may have been better off keeping that one if you think the RD is a little long.

But with all that said --- you seem to be looking for some pretty specific and minute details in your perfect chopper. SO, I think you ought to give it a try. What I said before was based around simple chopping performance -- in other words, x amounts of chops moves x amount of wood. But none of that includes the subjective nature of how one "feels" to you -- which is obviously important to you (and me too.) I'd rather swing a knife that feels right to me 100 times than I would swing one that feels wrong 87 times :cool:

I have a WELL used RD, I'b be glad for you to give it a try if you want to pay the shipping costs. With USPS prices lately, it'll probably cost you 25-30 dollars round trip... PM me if you want.

-eli
 
I have used my Rat Daddy a bunch, and it is easily the baddest blade to come from the swamp. I wish I had two.
 
I appreciate the info. Xaman, I may take you up on it if I decide to move mine, unused. What do you think is the going rate for the RD now unused? Used? Dwayne said the sheath was $125 new, although I doubt you could get it for that now. Has it decreased or increased in value? I'd imagine the wait time would make it an easy sell and may help to move the RD.

GregB
 
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