Swamp Rat and SYKCO Chat

[elof_alv]

Yeah, I might have noticed a shifty character resembling those around my van this morning...

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I didn't have a ton of time, but here she is doing what she likes best. Before and after a taking out a nuisance grapevine.

 

[Hard Knocks]

Nice. I don't think I've seen a bad color combo on these yet

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Anybody else grab one of these babies?

 

[hhmoore]

I skipped this one for a variety of reasons...but my dislike of fullers cut the consideration off right from the start.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I fully understand brother. It's like choils, you either like them or you don't.
For me, I guess I love the Ratweiler enough to overlook the fuller. Never had a chopper fill my hand like it.

 

[elof_alv]

Yeah, but people who hate the choils should just move on instead of growing roots in the choil powerhouse like Busse group and whinging about choils all the time!
I’m not a big fan of choils, but despite of that I have... let's just say many... Bussekin knives, because they have other design aspects that overweight the choil dislike.

 

[Hard Knocks]

I've got a love-hate relationship with them (choils). IMO it makes perfect sense on the Ratweiler --> balances right, comfortable, and flows with the design. Now that little sharpening choil on my steak knife catches every time I cape a game animal with it. Solution? I cut steaks with it instead of trying to make it into a caper lol

For fullers, I'm neither for or against, as long as they work for the design. I think the stock thickness and balance is about ideal for the Ratweiler in INFI. I don't know how much the absence of the fuller would change that, but the package feels right to me the way it is on this one.

The bulk of the buyers want a choil and most like fullers, Jerry understands that, and he's building blades that the majority of the market wants. Although if he'd build one of those DS6's choilless I'd be on that like a hen on a grasshopper. That one screams for it IMO. But what do I know?? He's already sold me two in the configuration they are now

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Dang Dave, did you either....
A. Think you needed a DS6 in reserve for when you wore the first one out or.......
B. Needed one for your left hand and another one for your right hand? Are you amphibious?

 

[Andy the Aussie]

I live in a Utopian world... I like both fullers and choils....

 

[Hard Knocks]

Dang Dave, did you either....
A. Think you needed a DS6 in reserve for when you wore the first one out or.......
B. Needed one for your left hand and another one for your right hand? Are you amphibious?

Nah, I can use either hand just as well The first one just felt lonely, poor little guy

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Holy Crap Daveman! Whats your Busse handle?
Those DS's shore are purdy.

 

[Hard Knocks]

About half of those are my cousins. He was trying to get my dog soldier as soon as it came in lol. Decided I'd better find another one before he packed mine off

 

[elof_alv]

DS is a fine knife, just feels right when in hand

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Hey guys, who's making the best Kydex sheath at a decent price for these INFI Ratweilers? I want a pancake model.

 

[Hard Knocks]

If you want a pancake-style specifically, I'd say go with a Mashed Cat.

 

[elof_alv]

I suppose a good survival knife might need to be used as a paddle when SHTF happens...
Mashed Cat does have a certain classic pancake appeal and his drainage style seems optimal for a sheath.
I haven't seen any activity from PawPaw in a long while, his pancake sheaths also have a nice and a bit different look to them.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

My reasoning for a pancake style was for if I ever felt the need or wanted to lash it onto the outside of a pack or any gear for that matter.
I take it that's not a popular option.
I saw a SWEET, wet molded, leather sheath in the makers area for $50 shipped. Ol boy can do as many as you need. It was tempting.

My current 3/16 Ratweiler I bought off of Chiral. And I commissioned him to make me a pancake Kydex sheath. Prolly a one-of-a-kind. I love it!

 

[Hard Knocks]

I take it that's not a popular option.

Not at all. Most of my kydex is pancake-style, although I do like those slim fold-overs. But since you asked specifically for pancake-style, that's why recommended Eric..........he builds one of the best, if not the best of that style. The mix of great retention with super slick ease of draw is just right for what I like and is forgiving of most any handle style.

If you go with a fold-over then you really have to watch the handle-style of the knife or it can/will be too tight because there's less movement in the mouth of the sheath. So for handles that flare out/have much contouring toward the ricasso of the blade, I generally stay away from taco style kydex. Flat slabs like what the RMD has are perfect for fold-over sheaths.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Thank you Dave. You know the funny thing is, years ago I acquired the tools to make Kydex sheaths and even some Kydex. Back when .080 was popular. I made a few but never mastered the art.
I may get back into it when I retire but for now, this baby only deserves nothing but the BEST!