Rmj tactical vs swamprat

I did email rmj, and they said i could have a jenny wren in about 2 to 3 weeks. Its really tempting. Its a tough decision.
 
Rodriguez7 - Since you said definitely between RMJ and Swamp Rat, I didn't want to say anything. I appreciate Shaw11b mentioning my work. They've just come out and there haven't been enough on the market to build a reputation yet, but I've tested them pretty thoroughly against chopping hardwood, cutting sheet metal, and smashing cinderblocks, then testing the wood chopping again after the abuse. Mc5aw is right in that everything is a matter of balance (doing one thing well will necessarily mean not doing something else as well), but I feel like mine are a nice middle-of-the-road design that will do well for both military applications (the intended end use) and outdoorsman applications. If you have any questions you'd like to ask about my 'hawks, shoot me a PM.

Shaw11b - Sounds like you haven't been sitting still with it since it got to you. Good! :) Glad it seems to be serving well.
 
Storm crow, yes I have not put it down. I can't speak highly enough about it. I have played with the RMJs which for me were too light toy wood working. The bench made 172 or K5 same thing is a great breaches but too heavy and the grind couldn't chop wood. A full tang hawk should be a jack of all trades master od none. My Storm Crow so far has done it all. A few things I didn't mention was the sharpened beard made short work of green limbs and vines and after all I put it thru it still cut carrots like a champ for me and my daughter.

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My RMJ Shrike S13 is pretty much filling the duty you are looking for. I carry it almost daily on hikes where I have used it to cut tree limbs,briars and branches that have fallen onto the trails. While it's not a hatchet or axe it cuts through green wood nicely. Similar but with more cutting power than a golok IMO. I have cleaned fish with it, killed a copperhead that nailed my dog, tied it to a stick to use the spike as a long reach retriever, I've punched the spike through numerous old tires-sidewall and treads side ( no reason, just cause I could) . It goes into my truck whenever I'm in it. I have carried it( but not used) on operations at work. I'm sure any of the above listed Hawks would fit the bill but I can only report on my findings. (it supposed to throw decent also but I'm not going to throw it).
Bill
 
Man, tough decisions all around. I like them all, I did email stormcrow also. Im thinking of picking up one of his hawks, beautiful design. Thanks guys for all the info. New addiction now. I have always liked hawks, but never owned a high end piece like these. I just own some cold steels, sog and a condor. Storm crow looks like he does some really good work.
 
Rodriguez you will not be disappointed. RMJ makes a beautiful durable hawk but I like storm crows better
 
Well last night I ordered one of storm crows smaller spike hawks. Cant wait to get it in. It will be put to the test when I receive it.
 
Did you go with the combat or pry spike? I know it was a hard decision for me to choose
 
Congratulations on your decision, and I'm glad you chose to support one of the makers in this community.
 
amflud said:
Congratulations on your decision, and I'm glad you chose to support one of the makers in this community.
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I love his designs. Im sure i'll be plenty happy with it. Besides, it was quite a bit cheaper than rmj's. I think I may order a jenny wren eventually. But this will do for now, storm crow was quick to respond, and quick to ship. Im really happy with his service.
 
I see you decided but ill still offer my opinion.

Im a big fan and supporter of swamp rat. The SR101 steel is quite impressive. And i have tried my share of different steels. As someone mentioned Oger chopped a car completely in half, right thru the frame with a KDSH and didnt damage the thing. Sure the coating was worn off and it wouldn't shave arm hair anymore but it was still fully functional and a sharpening away from perfect. This proves how amazingly the steel holds it edge and just how strong the metal used is. Sr101 is 52100 with Busse's heat treat. An amazing steel.

The RMJ is an amazing piece of metal too, i cant deny that, but i dont believe there is ANYTHING an RMJ can do that a swamp rat hawk can not, And id be willing to stand up with a swamp rat hawk against a similar styled RMJ and put it to the test. We know the KDSH can chop a car in half, break cinder blocks like hunks of butter, and then still chop your firewood for you, what else could possibly be needed? And at the price of the RMJ its not worth it in my opinion unless its from a collectors stand point.

As far as the Storm crow / Helm Forge Hawk goes, This is the first im hearing of them but my initial impression is I like them, they look practical and seem to be priced fairly. Very important things to me.
 
Rodriguez7 - Thanks! I do have to throw the caveat out there that yours got shipped so quickly because it was from a batch that I had already built and had it on hand, but the next batch will be a little bit down the road. Not far, but a bit. I need to upgrade equipment just a bit to streamline the process, which I will be working on next week. Got enough folks wanting 'hawks that I will be busy for a while building them. Thank y'all! :D

Worldwood - They're new. I debuted them at Blade after a long time spent developing them and testing. The steel is 4140, the same as RMJ uses, though alloy selection is only part of the quality of any blade. I like its toughness, and have built axes, hammer heads, and dies for my 100 lb. ram power hammer from it. Practicality is the goal, as military usage is what they're intended for. I have no desire for something I build to fail our men in uniform when they need it.
 
Storm Crow said:
Rodriguez7 - Thanks! I do have to throw the caveat out there that yours got shipped so quickly because it was from a batch that I had already built and had it on hand, but the next batch will be a little bit down the road. Not far, but a bit. I need to upgrade equipment just a bit to streamline the process, which I will be working on next week. Got enough folks wanting 'hawks that I will be busy for a while building them. Thank y'all! :D

Worldwood - They're new. I debuted them at Blade after a long time spent developing them and testing. The steel is 4140, the same as RMJ uses, though alloy selection is only part of the quality of any blade. I like its toughness, and have built axes, hammer heads, and dies for my 100 lb. ram power hammer from it. Practicality is the goal, as military usage is what they're intended for. I have no desire for something I build to fail our men in uniform when they need it.
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As a veteran myself thank you for ensuring quality for those that serve! I agree 4140 is very tough, I also strongly agree steel is just the beginning of the quality on any blade. You have to start with quality to end with it though, but even a great alloy isnt worth much if not properly heat treated or left with a bad grind or thin/weak edge. I checked out your site, very interesting im really digging the smaller spike hawk like Rodriguez just ordered. Im tapped for cash at the moment but i will be sending you a message for a price quote on one of those smaller ones shortly.
 
Well I would love to have an rmj, and a swamprat, but they cost so dam much, and im still in the process of trying to get all my rifles equipped with good glass. Other wise I would have all 3. I got lucky, stormcrow had pretty much what I wanted in stock, and I didnt have to wait. I have my share of swamprat knives, and im impressed by their heat treat on their sr101. Its some good stuff, I think it might be better than the infi knives I have. I will put stormcrows hawk through the ringer, it will be with me on my elk hunt this year, and the rest of the hunts and hikes I go on. He seems to have a nice heat treat down on his stuff according to his site. Triple temper, triple quench. Im excited to get it.
 
rodriguez7 ... It sounds like you made a good decision. I hope the new hawk serves you well. Realistically speaking, there's nothing the average person can do in the course of using a higher end hawk to make it fail. Ding it, yes ... break it, no.
 
worldwood said:
I see you decided but ill still offer my opinion.

Im a big fan and supporter of swamp rat. The SR101 steel is quite impressive. And i have tried my share of different steels. As someone mentioned Oger chopped a car completely in half, right thru the frame with a KDSH and didnt damage the thing. Sure the coating was worn off and it wouldn't shave arm hair anymore but it was still fully functional and a sharpening away from perfect. This proves how amazingly the steel holds it edge and just how strong the metal used is. Sr101 is 52100 with Busse's heat treat. An amazing steel.

The RMJ is an amazing piece of metal too, i cant deny that, but i dont believe there is ANYTHING an RMJ can do that a swamp rat hawk can not, And id be willing to stand up with a swamp rat hawk against a similar styled RMJ and put it to the test. We know the KDSH can chop a car in half, break cinder blocks like hunks of butter, and then still chop your firewood for you, what else could possibly be needed? And at the price of the RMJ its not worth it in my opinion unless its from a collectors stand point.

As far as the Storm crow / Helm Forge Hawk goes, This is the first im hearing of them but my initial impression is I like them, they look practical and seem to be priced fairly. Very important things to me.
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A lot of people know my love for the Swamp Rat knives but while a bunch of people mention here that the KDSH chopped a car in half but there is a vid on the RMJ site of the Shrike cutting a Cobra helicopter in half. IMO if you need a hawk that simply wont fail going threw hard abuse 4140 simply outperforms 52100.
 
I would not disagree 4140 might out perform 52100 in hard use, I still feel the KDSH can handle anything i will ever need to do, and at the price of the RMJ its not worth it to me. Now Storm crow uses the same steel as RMJ and is priced about the same as the KDSH, making for a great alternative!!

Helicopter, car, both steel and sheet metal and i bet both hawks would have succeeded in the chopping the car and the helicopter in half.
 
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