Ratweiler handle

[Hang_them_later]

I recently red a review in progress at http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/ratweiler.html. In this review ergonomics of the RW handle is discussed. The micarta scales are slightly lower than the blade which means that the top ramp digs into the palm when using an overhand grip. But when I examine pictures of the handle at http://www.swampshack.com/ the scales are totally covering the metal and no painful top ramp can be seen.

Are there any RW owners out there who have experienced this?

Leaving the metal of the tang exposed must be a pre production error of the early Ratweilers?

Sorry if this has already been discussed in this forum. I feel the need to get this explained because I have a RW on order.

 

[madfast]

i think you misread. cliff is saying when you choke up on the blade, the thumb ramp digs into your palm. it is never stated that the blade tang is above the micarta slabs. of all the swamp rats i have, they are ALL perfect in terms of fit and finish of the scales. the only thing to maybe complain about is the factory grind/edge. but it's a minor gripe, hit or miss, that can be changed by the user...

 

[Hang_them_later]

I really hope that I misread. But when I look at the last pictures in the review I think the micarta slabs look very small and the black tang is exposed more than one millimeter!

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

I really hope that I misread. But when I look at the last pictures in the review I think the micarta slabs look very small and the black tang is exposed more than one millimeter!

those pictures are far too small and grainy to make out any detail. The Tang does not protrude and make the knife uncomfortable. you are probably seeing the darker portion of the black canvas micarta where it is smoother near the tang.
Here is a pic of an Identical handle on my Rat Daddy:

 

[Cliff Stamp]

He has a point, several of the pictures in the review make it look like the micarta slabs actually don't run flush with the grip, and are actually below it significantly. This is because of the very poor lighting conditions. I'll redo them tonight and fix it. Thanks for pointing that out. Here is a picture of a Ratweiler which doesn't look like it was taken by a retarded monkey :

http://www.swampratknives.com/images/ratweiler.jpg

The scales are flush, there are a few problems with the grip though :

1) That apex hump is problematic in overhand grips, it digs into the center of the palm. I don't see it being prominent enough to be useful security wise. The only use I have found for it is when I am out hacking up something with Patrick and he does something fairly annoying, which is often, it serves as a nice impact point to clout him in the head with, as I would not want to risk dulling the actual edge on his overly thick skull.

2) The section of the guard which faces the index finger cutout in the choil, is way too sharp, in particular the very end could be described as sharp. That should all be heavily radiused.

On a side note it is actually fairly difficult to chop up remotes. I would have thought a light pop would cut them trivially, however it takes a decent swing :

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/swamp rat/ratweiler/ratweiler_remotes.jpg

Warning, remotes can include batteries and other assorted lovely electronic components which if cut could be damaging to your health or the knife, all the cutting in the reviews is either performed by, or supervised by a professional lunatic wearing proper safety gear [a salt and pepper cap].

-Cliff

 

[Troy H]

The micarta scales are slightly lower than the blade which means that the top ramp digs into the palm when using an overhand grip. But when I examine pictures of the handle at http://www.swampshack.com/ the scales are totally covering the metal and no painful top ramp can be seen.

Hi HTL,

I totally understand your concern about that...that would be extremely uncomfortable and quite honestly a good reason to consider a different knife altogether. But, as the others have stated, the micarta scales are flush with both the top and bottom of the grip. The edges of the micarta tend to get very dark with use, usually because of the oils on hands or gloves. It makes it difficult to see the contours of the handles.

 

[Troy H]

Cliff,

I always enjoy reading your reviews. I only wish that you would show more pics. Wait...not like that...you know what I meant. No jokes about me needing your reviews in comic book form.

As far as the review, I tend to agree with some of the statements. For instance, I've also noticed that the "apex hump" is a bit wide and pushes against the palm, almost opening my grip while in a standard grip position. In this regard, I wish that the hump was made a bit smaller. However, I find that hump extremely comfortable when I choke back on the handle to take a larger swing. Dunno....might be a bit of a comprimise. I am still considering thinning this out a bit on my knife.

I have never really found the "sharp" area near the choil to be an issue, though I did reshape the backside of that prominence to reduce the distance between my fingers when choked up into the choil. I also like that this modification does not leave a radius toward the grip. A little jag there gives me added security that my hand will not slide down the length of the blade when stabbing downward or otherwise.

Here's a pic:

I've also flattened the rear exposure of the tang to provide a flat surface for hammering...there's nothing worse than beating your hand with a baton when it gets deflected off a round surface.

I've never had any issue with the top spine ramp. Though, if it were any larger I would likely round it off with a file.

Overall, I think that the handle of the Ratweiler is the best that I've found straight from the shop, and easily modified for personal preference. I think that it's even better overall than the Ergo from that other company, but I'd love to see a fusion between the two taking the best parts of each.

Thanks again for the review, Cliff. :thumbup:

 

[Cliff Stamp]

The edges of the micarta tend to get very dark with use, usually because of the oils on hands or gloves. It makes it difficult to see the contours of the handles.

Yes, they are jet dark on mine and look just like the tang. I have annotated the reviews. I'll upload the updates shortly. Can I link to your picture in the above in the review to clearify the issue.

I have never really found the "sharp" area near the choil to be an issue ...

In general I don't notice it much, it does stand out for some work in the kitchen though when the knife is held sideways for paring and similar work, and it is fairly obvious when using the knife as a drawknife for wood work as this puts the apex of the point right into the palm.

Overall, I think that the handle of the Ratweiler is the best that I've found straight from the shop ...

It is up there from what I have seen, I like the Busse Fusion grip more though, it addresses though two issues specifically. The index choil is rounded and the top apex hump is supported by the micarta so it is way wider and the contact pressure is thus drastically reduced.

-Cliff

 

[Troy H]

Can I link to your picture in the above in the review to clearify the issue.

No problem, bro.

Now....'bout them Cliff Stamp comic books...

 

[Hang_them_later]

To all of you guys answering my questions in this thread:

Thank you very much for explaining the Ratwelier pictures. For a moment I was a bit nervous and confused! Now I'm looking forward to reciving my Ratweiler again!

 

[Cliff Stamp]

No problem, just get Frank Miller to do the scripts and I'll fill in the visuals.

-Cliff

 

[Guyon]

To all of you guys answering my questions in this thread:

Thank you very much for explaining the Ratwelier pictures. For a moment I was a bit nervous and confused! Now I'm looking forward to reciving my Ratweiler again!

Day 83 on my count. Looking forward as well!

 

[Hang_them_later]

Day 83 on my count. Looking forward as well!

Only day 30 for me I will go crazy looking at picturs of this knife for so many months. I'm beginning to see strange things already and this thread shows how bad it already is! Watch out for me on day 150!

 

[Rat-30]

At day 65+, I broke down and picked up a 'user' RW in Urban Camo - I love it!

The one on order is still inbound, but the pain is eased...

You can get them on the secondary market - keep your eyes open, and lube up the mouse...

 

[Hang_them_later]

At day 65+, I broke down and picked up a 'user' RW in Urban Camo - I love it!

The one on order is still inbound, but the pain is eased...

You can get them on the secondary market - keep your eyes open, and lube up the mouse...

Yes, hmmm ........... MUST HAVE STEEL!! Nerves of steel I mean.