Rat Trap Warranty.

ohmyheckinslc

ohmyheckinslc

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Nov 4, 2005
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After repeated unanswered eMails to Swamp Rat, and much searching, I can't find any official answer as to whether the fantastic Swamp Rat warranty will cover the Folder. It looks like they wanted to revise the warranty on the folder, and that they were working on re-wording it, but then the threads seem to go dry. What's happened with this? If I order a Rat-Trap, will it be covered by the same warranty that covers the other Swamp Rat knives? I'm not trying to spark a bunch of "FOLDERS AREN'T PRYBARS" responses. I just want to know, from somebody who KNOWS, rather than somebody whose cousin's friend's sister's aunt's pool-boy's lifemate saw Ferris pass-out at 31 flavors last night. :cool: I admire the trust Swamp Rat seems to place in its customers, and the confidence SRKW seems to have in their products, I have little regular use for a fixed-blade, but carry a folder with me everywhere I go, and think the Rat Trap should have a place in my collection. Also, it would be appreciated if the nice folks at the Swamp could answer their eMails.
 
Here's the way I like to look at the warranty for the folder. If you are honest with us and you don't intentionally try to break it we will take care of you. If you have trouble with it let us know and we'll take care of you. I wouldn't do any prying with it as S30V is not a steel that has a lot of lateral strength, even lightweight prying can cause damage.

However, as I've stated before the Rat Trap is not the strongest toughest folder on the market, it was designed to be a lightweight reliable EDC, if this is the way you treat it, it will treat you right. It is a great knife that you'll forget you are carrying until you need it, and it won't pull your pants down in the process. If you won't a heavy duty do everything knife I'd suggest a Howling Rat.

Also, we'd strongly suggest that you not take it apart. We don't want a lot of knives coming back to us in pieces because the owner couldn't put it back together properly. ;)

:D:D
 
Hey Heck,

Swamp Rat has never stated that their warranty was any different than with the standard line. I would interpret this as the warranty stands. Also, there has been a recent event in which a Rat Trap was broken through extremely hard use and it was handled true to Swamp Rat's warranty. No problems, whatsoever.

As far as answering emails, I know that the shop has been super busy lately with some upcoming changes and I'm sure that they will answer your email as soon as they are able. If you do not hear from them soon, give Eric an email at e.isaacson@insightbb.com . He will get you taken care of. :thumbup:

Welcome to the Rat Forum, Heck. I hope you stick around and share your experiences...and of course, pictures of your Rat Trap when you get it. ;)

:D

Added: Oh, Hi Eric! :D
 
Thanks guys. I appreciate the answers. I'm not planning on chopping a car door off of its hinges, deflecting 12 gauge slugs, or anything like that, at least not until Busse's Infi folder finally shows up... :D
 
ohmyheckinslc said:
...at least not until Busse's Infi folder finally shows up... :D
Click to expand...

We're all waiting for the Busse folder for the exactly those reasons. :cool: :thumbup:
 
360joules said:
there has been a recent event in which a Rat Trap was broken through extremely hard use and it was handled true to Swamp Rat's warranty. No problems, whatsoever.
Click to expand...

Yup, that was me, and I am being taken care of. Have no fears. Great knife and a GREAT company.
 
Thanks for that info Vinny, though I'll probably never need that kind of coverage, it's VERY nice to know that it's there, if necessary.
 
Yes, I guess I was really asking more than I should from any folder, but I was so damn excited to get my first Swamp Rat! I'm now anxiously waiting for a Howling Rat, which should better suit my needs.
Anyway...you're welcome, glad I could be of some help.
 
"S30V is not a steel that has a lot of lateral strength, even lightweight prying can cause damage." - Eric

I have heard this before. Why does this steel seem to be so well thought of? I know it is supposed to hold an edge very well, but good enough to make up for this kind of weakness? Also, why didn't the Swamp use SR 101 for the RatTrap?
 
MVF said:
"S30V is not a steel that has a lot of lateral strength, even lightweight prying can cause damage." - Eric

I have heard this before. Why does this steel seem to be so well thought of? I know it is supposed to hold an edge very well, but good enough to make up for this kind of weakness? Also, why didn't the Swamp use SR 101 for the RatTrap?
Click to expand...

It works very well on blades made for cutting tasks that dont involve heavy impacts or prying. Most stainless steels are not suited for high impacts.
SR101 would rust in a sweaty pocket. S30V is very stain resistant. It holds its edge for a long time. It is very well suited for folders
 
MVF said:
"S30V is not a steel that has a lot of lateral strength, even lightweight prying can cause damage." - Eric

I have heard this before. Why does this steel seem to be so well thought of? I know it is supposed to hold an edge very well, but good enough to make up for this kind of weakness? Also, why didn't the Swamp use SR 101 for the RatTrap?
Click to expand...

What Rat said.... different materials for different tools. Jennifer and Jerry said the same kind of thing about the D-2 they used for a while. See here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=258583
 
Many knowledgeable knife-lovers believe knives are made for cutting things (imagine that!). This isn't a slam at Vinny or anyone else. I know guys that use their knives only for slicing or push-cutting, nothing else. If they need to chop something, they get an axe. If they need to pry something, they get a prybar.

Swamp Rat knives, along with a small handfull of other makers, give us the ability to do a good many of these jobs with a blade, even if a blade may not be the best tool for the job. It helps, because it's much easier to have the blade around than a blade plus an axe, a prybar, etc., etc. The thing is, the Rat Trap doesn't fall into this category.

As Mr. Fink (he makes me call him that :( ) said, the steel used for the Trap has attributes that make it work very well in it's intended role - great corrosion resistance, great edge-holding capability / wear resistance. Also, the design itself is what many look for in a knife - thin, lightweight, big, low-riding, etc.

The steel, combined with the design, make up the best folder I've ever owned. These same characteristics, however, inherently make this a knife that is not suited for some tasks that are easily accomplished by a fixed-bladed SR-101 knife. This in no way detracts from the attractiveness of a Rat Trap; it's simply two different levels of performance, and both are the best at what they do. :thumbup:
 
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