So I discovered Swamp Rat and now I may have to have one

Gravelface said:
Louisiana does have a few perks, no state regulated knife length laws. Hell, only time I ever ran into one was at my local college, and it was either 5.5" or 6" max fixed blade length for carry while on campus.

Spent a good 4 years in Texas though.....Copperas Cove, Lampasas. Spent countless weekends in Austin, Fredricksburg, Burnet, A few trips to Dallas area. But one day, I NEED to make a trip to Alaska though. Seems like a good time could be had!!!
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You owe it to yourself to make the Alaska trip. It is very hard to leave once you are there.
 
Gravelface said:
Louisiana does have a few perks, no state regulated knife length laws. Hell, only time I ever ran into one was at my local college, and it was either 5.5" or 6" max fixed blade length for carry while on campus.

Spent a good 4 years in Texas though.....Copperas Cove, Lampasas. Spent countless weekends in Austin, Fredricksburg, Burnet, A few trips to Dallas area. But one day, I NEED to make a trip to Alaska though. Seems like a good time could be had!!!
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Jason, you or anyone else for that matter heading up here let me know!!! Door is open to any of the forum Brothers I know. At least the door is open until around June 2014. Planning to be heading south around then if all goes OK.
 
Am looking at a couple of Swamp rats - recently found them as a maker. I need an all around hunter and camping knife. Just wondering on how they hold up on field dressing a deer - including the rib-cage and hold and edge clear through till it's boned out. Not sure where to ask - so I thought I'd through it out there - I too may need to get one soon - been on the site daily drooling.
 
Husker, about the only steels you'll find that will hold an edge longer than SR-101 (Busse heat-treated 52100) while field dressing will be some of the more recent high-end stainless steels. However, they will be FAR more brittle and much more prone to chipping if you hit bone while dressing the animal (given the same edge geometry).
 
Welcome husker red! A while back I did a seasons worth of dealing with deer and pig in huge quantities, more than 50 in total. I can say with confidence that SR-101 outperformed nearly every knife I used that season, some super steels included. Blew INFI out of the water. :p But I expected that, INFI is an impact steel meant for toughness not wear resistance.

One of the few that stood its ground, and stood out was a Master Smith knife. That thing was unbelievable. But you get what you pay for.

Get your hands on a Howling Rat Little Mischief, or a Rodent Solution, heck even a R3 or 4 will be outstanding. :)
 
husker red said:
Am looking at a couple of Swamp rats - recently found them as a maker. I need an all around hunter and camping knife. Just wondering on how they hold up on field dressing a deer - including the rib-cage and hold and edge clear through till it's boned out. Not sure where to ask - so I thought I'd through it out there - I too may need to get one soon - been on the site daily drooling.
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D'oh! Where are my manners? Forgot to say Welcome to the Swamp!!! Thanks for reminding me Dwayne!
 
Thanks for the welcome - my first post - will be plunging into swamp soon as owner I believe

Thanks for input - will take any that comes along for advice - had heard SR101 really dulled quickly with bone - like cutting up through rib cage etc. Some recommended 1095, but wasn't sold on that opinion. Last fall for deer I used a new knife (stand-by at sharpener but is not an all around knife as it has too thin of blade), new knife was of cheaper quality and one deer's rib cage ruined beyond repair the serrations on that knife. I can't have that happening - I like what I see of SR's and think I will spring for one - any other advice is welcome - thanks for the replies. May have to jump in soon....
 
Welcome husker. SR 101 holds an amazing edge. It will have no problems with rib cage work. I have butchered around 150 to 200 deer in the last few years and have had zero issues with my knives. I have also used a lot of INFI blades too with no issue. The Ratmandu is a great all around knife. I have butchered a deer or ten with mine and it held up great. If there is a specific model that you are wondering about just let me know. I have probably used it at least once. ;)
 
Thanks Hindsight,
Been looking at Rodent 4 or 6 and RATMANDU CG-5 - current offers. Thinner blade of smaller two might be better and still be strong or would 6 with extra 1/16 be okay? Thought R3 or solution might be a bit short for the broad versatility i'm after....????
Thanks for all the input
 
Welcome Husker!

Sr-101 holds its edge very well! Any offering from the Swamp is a great choice. The Ratmandu is a favorite by many and many people have several! Just know that one is never enough! Lol.. Keep us updated on your choice.

Welcome to the madness!
 
The R6 is what I consider an all around beast. It can handle all of the heavy tasks and yet still be capable of the smaller ones if needed. The RMD and R4 are really what I like for medium to small tasks. Please let us know what you decide.
 
I'll add one more thing about SR-101. It gets freakishly sharp. I regularly sharpen at 20 degrees and SR-101 seems to get a finer "crisper" edge than most steels I have worked with. I can't wait to sharpen my RMD when I get it. (hey Hindsight, Crack the whip for me buddy :) )
 
SR101 (52100) is a fantastic steel and always has been, and few do it as well as the Swamp does. In fact short of a blade made by Ed Flower I would say the Swamp does 52100 better than anyone. It offers great toughness, amazingly edge holding, it is easy to field to sharpen, and really its only downside is its lack of stain resistance. I know I am not alone in this camp when I say I acutally much prefer SR101 to INFI.
 
blame it on god said:
I'll add one more thing about SR-101. It gets freakishly sharp. I regularly sharpen at 20 degrees and SR-101 seems to get a finer "crisper" edge than most steels I have worked with. I can't wait to sharpen my RMD when I get it. (hey Hindsight, Crack the whip for me buddy :) )
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Consider the whip cracked or was that a beer can cracking. ;)
 
Thank you guys for the input - I'm convinced on SR101 - will be looking to put in an order soon - will repost what size I go with.
 
Mind if I throw a spanner in the works? :eek:

Swamp has a Custom Shop which gives you more options... :D
This is what I got :cool: :
 
Oh My Goodness!


Sweet.
 
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