Swamp rat, Scrap yard.? New to the kin

bubbaskyjacker

bubbaskyjacker

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I'm a knife guy, have yet to pick up a kin blade. What would be your first if you could do it again.

I have to stick with the Kin as I can yet commit to a 500$ knife.

I did see a used rodent 9 that is a good price, and a beefmandu but he wants a little to much for it.

I almost picked up a rodent 6 last week, the guy selling it did not respond to his emails for a week and then contacted me once he sold it 😡. I posted twice in the thread . Any way I'll cry later.


What would be your first if you could do it again.
 
My 1st was a Custom Shop Rodent 4.

Starting over I'd skip that and go for a used TGLB probably can find a used one $350-375
 
What size range are you looking for and what will you use the blade for? Also what is your price range?
 
I do like that one!

I'm wanting a blade 5-7". I have plenty of 4+ inch blades and I don't feel they are really big enough. I want to use it as a heavy use, camping, backpack ready for what I can throw at it.

Price wise I would like to stay below 250$ but that Team Gemini is quite appealing.


But I also would like to hear what everyone else would pick.
 
Hindsight said:
Ratmandu is always a solid way to start.
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I was definitely going to suggest this. I happen to have one for sale.... LOL.

But really seriously, the ratmandu is probably one of the best all around Swamprat knives out there and is at a good price point to dip your feet in the world of these knives without feeling like you're taking out a second / third / ninth mortgage on your house.

It gives you the exact blade size you want in some great steel (SR101) and with the same warranty as busse. The ratmandu is a huge favorite of mine and lots of other people, most of us have several of them.
 
You could always snag up a regulator off the exchange, great blade .333 thick and can be had between $125-$175.
 
echaraska said:
You could always snag up a regulator off the exchange, great blade .333 thick and can be had between $125-$175.
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That's another really excellent suggestion. Those regulators can be had in various different combinations and they're just about everywhere so they are a really good steel:dollar value.
 
Were I to give advice to new SAR folks who were on the fence about Busse and kin, I would do all I could to encourage them to start with the Scrapyard 911 and 511 pairing and then beat the crap out of them. That is such a great field-ready combo that is easily available right now (this isn't always the case).
 
Im more of a scrap yard person. The grips feel better as a user and they're the same steel as a rat.in some cases you can find an infi scrapyard.
 
Another vote for Ratmandu. It was the first one for me, and is one that I go back to often when heading out.
 
What price? War dog, B4,411, regulator...you got a ton to choose from! Stalk the exchange with cash in hand and when you see what you want grab it cuz someone else is typing I'll take it as well! So know how much you want to spend and what you want and happy hunting!
 
I would recommend you run away now. It's easy to get knocked into the trough. I would describe ganzas as a way to incite a feeding frenzy. Unless you have a very strong will (I don't), you will end up with more blades than you should.

That said, I started my personal bussekin journey with a Busse SAR 4. Mostly because I thought I could afford it and wanted to see what all the hype was about. I've had some, sold some, and have started moving most anything not Busse and kin out of my collection. And I'm waiting on 4 blades from the last ganza!

If you really want to start down this path, stick around for the next ganza and see what it's about. I'm sure you can find something you'd like to go for, and get the full expereience.

Good luck!
 
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