Swamp Rat KW vs. Scrapyard Knives

S

SteelSnob

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Sep 7, 2009
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I already have a dogfather that I love and I've been eyeing some swamprats. How much better are swamprats? Is it worth the price difference? What are the pros and cons?
 
All knives in the Bussekin family, Busse Combat, Swamp Rat Knife Works & Scrap Yard Knife Company present a quality product. The design, performance & materials are the best to be had at the price point of each knife company. You will never be disappointed in a Scrapyard knife just because it costs less than a Swamp Rat knife or a Busse Combat knife. Get the best that you can afford and then beat the crap out of it! With their Lifetime Warranty you will be happy with which ever one you choose.
 
"how much better" is a vague term - each have their selling points. Scrap Yard has an amazing price to performance ratio, and still comes with the industry's leading warranty. Swamp Rat generally has a bit more aesthetically pleasing designs, and uses more expensive handle materials. For many folks, the "upgrade" in handle materials can be a "downgrade" - the res-c handles at Scrap Yard are crazy comfortable to use, and they absorb shock really well for chopping.

However, on the flip side, Swamp Rat's handles are more durable, and Swamp Rat's line favors different steels from Scrap Yard. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either company - you need to ask yourself which knife fits your needs, not which company. I own blades from all three Busse family companies, and I love them all.



Eventually, you'll end up with some INFI and then you're really trapped. Say goodbye to your hard-earned cash :D
 
Depends if ya want rubber handles or G10/Micarta....would I trade my G10 handled Ratmandu for a Scrapyard S5....hell no, not even for the INFI version !!!
 
Me neither. But with Scrap Yard currently sharing SR101 steel with Swamp Rat, the difference between the two companies pretty much comes down to handle materials. For my money, I generally like Res-C handles for choppers and camp knives (i.e., Scrap Yard) and Micarta/G10 handles for EDCs and utility knives (i.e., Swamp Rat).
 
SteelSnob said:
I thought SY uses S77 steel. Did they change recently?

Btw thanks for the responses.
Click to expand...


SY initially released the "majority" of their standard lines knives with SR-77. But, even early on, they had a limited release SS4 out of INFI.

Then, quite a few knives were released with 154CM (MPLE, BDLE, Muk...)

Then, they released the S5CG in SR-101 - Previously Swamp Rat's steel.

Also, the secret test knife (Regulator) is SR-101.

Then, the S5LE was released in INFI.

So, a lot of diversity in steel use from Scrap Yard. And IMO, the variety of steel use is for the better.

IMO, SR-77 is incredibly ULTRA- tough - EXTREME abuse steel, but with a bit of compromise in edge properties/qualities (IMO).

Personally, while you have to give credit to SR-77 for Quality - if ULTRA-Extreme toughness is your high priority, I still prefer SR-101 for my uses. SR-101 has a PROVEN record for being more than sufficiently tough for 99.99999% of uses, while offering VERY high quality edge properties/qualities (better edge qualities than SR-77 IMO). Unfortunately, SR-101 has ONE downside (only one IMO), but worth noting: SR-101 is relatively highly prone to corrosion/rust. Not really more so than 1095, 5160 or O1 steels, but significantly more prone to rust/corrosion than any other Busse and kin steel. SR-77 will rust, but it is not too hard to maintain.

In smaller knives - especially if geared towards primary focus of cutting, and if corrosion is of concern, 154CM can cut about as well as SR-101. It gets very sharp - as does SR-101. But, 154CM is harder to sharpen - especially by hand in the field. Not too bad with a belt sander. ;) :thumbup: 154CM is stainless. It is not as tough as SR-101, but pretty tough for stainless and a good choice for many knife applications.

INFI is of course the BEST all-round knife steel. Good edge properties, Extreme toughness, pretty darn good corrosion resistance at about the best short of stainless and reasonable to sharpen.... But, Incredibly Expensive. :(

So, really, Busse and kin as a very good variety to choose from. No doubt I and many others would most often choose INFI "IF" you can afford it.

Honestly, I have a few INFI pieces, but it is VERY hard for me to justify the cost. - ESPECIALLY when I like SATIN finishes ONLY and Busse charges WAY more for a simple satin finish. :mad::thumbdn:
Also, I don't personally have too much problem passing on $250 - $350 4" bladed knives with Talon Holes and Non-functioning Elf Choils. But, to each their own.


But, between Scrap Yard and Swamp Rat theses days, it is mostly in the handle and some in design options.

As Bruce said:

bld522 said:
..... the difference between the two companies pretty much comes down to handle materials. For my money, I generally like Res-C handles for choppers and camp knives (i.e., Scrap Yard) and Micarta/G10 handles for EDCs and utility knives (i.e., Swamp Rat).
Click to expand...

:thumbup:


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