Swamp Rat vs Becker?

gytheran said:
Then I guess practicality is not really what you're concerned with.
Click to expand...

How do you figure? I'm not going to care if a I saved a few bucks if the knife I trust my life with breaks, bends or dulls prematurely. Maybe you think that, in a survival situation, money is a practical consideration... I don't. I need get the most performance that I can afford, preferably without wasting my money on theoretical advantages that mean nothing in the real world.
 
I was saying since you posed the exact same damn question in the SR sub forum it seems to be trolling. If you were looking for a legit answer it could have gone into the general forum instead...
 
Chameleonbear said:
I was saying since you posed the exact same damn question in the SR sub forum it seems to be trolling. If you were looking for a legit answer it could have gone into the general forum instead...
Click to expand...

How about actually reading the second post on the Swamp Rat forum. I explain the reason for the double post so that I won't have to deal with people looking to pick a fight over nothing.
 
Last edited:
While Swamp Rat knives are probably of better quality than Beckers when it comes to materials and all that, both companies use materials of high enough quality that it shouldn’t be a deciding factor. Workmanship is also great on both. So in my opinion what it comes down to is the design of the knife and its intended use. The Becker BK7 is bigger than the Rodent 6 and has one of the best handle designs for chopping that I have ever seen. I have looked at many Busse kin knives and I don't think any of the knives that are within the BK7's size range would be able to outchop it. That being said, the Rodent 6 looks like it is made to be more of a combat knife. It is shorter, has a slim design for both handle and blade, would be really nimble and quick in the hand, and looks like it would be really handy in a fight.

While the BK7 comes with a sheath, it has to be said that that sheath sucks. So both knives will require a new sheath.
 
taiChiFighter said:
How do you figure? I'm not going to care if a I saved a few bucks if the knife I trust my life with breaks, bends or dulls prematurely. Maybe you think that, in a survival situation, money is a practical consideration... I don't. I need get the most performance that I can afford, preferably without wasting my money on theoretical advantages that mean nothing in the real world.
Click to expand...

Because cost is a practical matter. I can do more with a $150 going with Becker than you can with Swamprat.
 
SR101 (52100) is going to hold an edge longer and be tougher than 1095 (I've seen a few broken Beckers before, usually from batoning in the cold, but never a broken rat or scrapyard) However, 52100 is a little less rust resistant (I haven't had any problems with mine though) besides that it's mostly subjective (ergo's, blade design, handle material etc) IMO I prefer micarta handles over the plasticy becker handles (also they are more grippy) The larger beckers have a thinner grind compared to most swamp rats even the ones that start at the same 3/16th, swamp rats keep their thickness more, which means beckers will cut better due, but have less steel supporting the edge/blade. I have a couple Swamp Rat's but no Beckers yet, I'll plan on getting a BK9 down the road though. I like both, but if I was only getting one, and money wasn't part of the equation, I'd take the Swamp rat, if money was (plus you I didn't want to wait the couple extra days + $ for a sheath) I'd go Becker.
 
Skystorm said:
I like when Busse's come in the mail, the sheath takes up less space in the garbage can :D
Click to expand...

I guess the stock sheaths on Busse kin knives are ok as long as you're not in any sort of hurry to take the knife out in the field and actually use it, don't mind sending a knife you just bought back right back out for a new sheath, or plan to just stick it in a box or something. The one on the Rodent Solution I picked up did manage to minimize the damage of the knife trying to escape through the side of my bag when it was crammed behind the seat of the truck with other bags...at least only the very tip poked through so not all that bad. It was at this point I found a reason to be somewhat glad it didn't come with what anyone would consider an award-winning edge. Plus the sheath came with a slip of paper letting me know who "sharpened" the knife so I'll know to look for a different name next time around.
 
So far the responses between here and the other forum have been interesting to say the least.

I've been collecting knives since I was a child and never felt the need to belittle someones choice of knives or another knife company who I have no interest in. Through over ten years here though, it seems to be an issue among fans of X brand versus Y brand.

X brand has a sheath, though I will replace it with a custom

Y brand does not come with a sheath, thats a deal breaker. :confused:

What a product costs is subjective, consumer A will think a 15.00 Mora will do the job just fine and think that "expensive" Becker is too much, when a 1.00 kitchen knife out of the bargain bin at the gun show will actually do any job just as well. For example I got my late grandmothers old butcher knife and treasure that thing more than my most expensive knife and use it constantly. I found its mate for a buck at a gun show. No sheath on either.

Everything is subjective. The collectors that buy 1000.00 art knives and never use them still serve a purpose to feed the artisan making them. These same people would think your 150.00 is not near enough money to get a true flawless example of the craft. 150 may get the handle material.

Sorry for the mini rant. keyboard off. :p
 
I have all the major Beckers, and have a couple of Swamprats and a bunch of Scrapyards (Regulator, 311,511 711 and a 911 on order) I like knives. What can I say. And I don't have to buy sheaths for the Bussekins cause I make my own. Let's not get into another pissing contest about who's got the better blade. They are all good.
Just one man's opinion.
Balding
 
leatherman said:
So far the responses between here and the other forum have been interesting to say the least.

I've been collecting knives since I was a child and never felt the need to belittle someones choice of knives or another knife company who I have no interest in. Through over ten years here though, it seems to be an issue among fans of X brand versus Y brand.

X brand has a sheath, though I will replace it with a custom

Y brand does not come with a sheath, thats a deal breaker. :confused:

What a product costs is subjective, consumer A will think a 15.00 Mora will do the job just fine and think that "expensive" Becker is too much, when a 1.00 kitchen knife out of the bargain bin at the gun show will actually do any job just as well. For example I got my late grandmothers old butcher knife and treasure that thing more than my most expensive knife and use it constantly. I found its mate for a buck at a gun show. No sheath on either.

Everything is subjective. The collectors that buy 1000.00 art knives and never use them still serve a purpose to feed the artisan making them. These same people would think your 150.00 is not near enough money to get a true flawless example of the craft. 150 may get the handle material.

Sorry for the mini rant. keyboard off. :p
Click to expand...

I agree. I'm broke. I buy knives on a whim when extra cash is available. Becker rule their price point, as do busses. if I had $400 to buy a knife you dam right id buy myself a beautiful ash-1. I also would love to own a sar-4 and my favorite is from the kin is the m6. but money IS an issue for me so the only actual busse infi I have ever owned is the MBC. Becker offers me a great blade at a price ME MYSELF and I can afford. if I had infinite money dam right is have busse AND beckers. I love my beckers but I also tip my hat to through kin as well, they make some damn good blades. no hatred or bad blood here. both are great, both do what a knife should, and both make their respective followers very happy. at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what name is on your blade as long as you are happy
 
leatherman said:
snip
Click to expand...

^^Didn't really want to reproduce the whole thing, but very well said. I appreciated this post.

As far as I'm concerned, an item is worth what YOU want to pay for it. All I can offer is my impressions on whether or not a product was worth it to me.

For my part, I purchased a RatManDu. I like it. It's a great knife. Is it functionally superior to a Becker? I sure haven't noticed much of a difference. Is the handle more comfortable? Not really. I think it LOOKS cooler, and the overall aesthetics appeal to me more. But I do think the ergos on a Becker handle are generally better.

What really puts me over firmly on the side of the Becker camp isn't just the price. It's that Beckers are just so much fun to mod. I spend zero time in the Swamp Rat section, so I don't know if they're quite as rabid as we are, but you can get a Becker at a great price, use the heck out of it, and mod it so that it's exactly the knife that you want it to be. I'd be surprised to hear that people do the same with a Rat. It's all perspective though. A lot of us here LIKE modding knives, and making them our own. A lot of people also like to just get a product that they're happy with out of the box. So people will understandably have different perspectives on whether a knife is worth it to them.

I'm sure a lot of people would never even consider spending $3500+ on a folding knife. But I know for sure I'll spend that some day, because I really really really want a custom Darrel Ralph Gun Hammer. Will it be functionally better than a $35 Kershaw or Benchmade? Probably a little, but certainly not 100x. But it will make me 100 times happier, so it's worth it to me.

And, to be honest, the other reason I go Becker is because I really far prefer Beckerheads to the folks over in the Busse subforums. Not that they're not great people, I just think that we have something truly special here, and everyone, from Ethan and Toooj, to our trinity of mods, to the long-time 'Heads, really makes you feel proud to own a Becker knife.

In short, I buy Becker because they represent values to me. Good value per cost, and more intangible values, like generosity, modesty, and camaraderie. Oh, and creativity too.
 
Room for both here in my house .....my edc is my scrapyard 511, but i sure love my ratmandu, super knife. If im in the woods or camping,fishing my bk9 is always there(also rides in my truck everywhere w/me)...between SR6 and bk7? Totally users choice. I am not a super fan of the bk7( i know-sacrilidge) but i shore love my 14, 5 and my favorite knife of course, my BK9. So i guess it is ok to love Beckers and Bussekin.;)
 
Comparison threads tend to go beyond the knives and onto people's choices.

Its a human thing, or a manners thing, not sure which. I read a post a few times to try and make sure I am getting the meaning. Sometimes its not so clear.

As far as trolling is concerned, TaiChi isn't doing it. He posted a thread in each sub forum, in hopes of collecting balancing or tipping information. I commend that.

Shows that he cares about both sides interests.

Here is what I will say on the matter,

each person is allowed to like and do other things, especially when it comes to knives. There is a reason why I just came from a show with thousands of knives, all shapes and sizes, and prices.

Something for everyone.

Will SR101 cut anything better than 1095CV? No, it won't. It won't cut any better. Maybe cut media longer, but not better.

And I'm not so convinced that it will do that with a proper edge. Thats my opinion, since I've used the hell outta both. 52100/SR101/1095CV it don't make a damn bit of difference to me. Edge retention matters little to me, since, I use my knives until they are dull, and then I sharpen them again. So, since I'm gonna sharpen it anyways, how often doesn't even factor in.

That's about all I got on that one.

Also, consider this, we will discuss the topic, and not each other, or I'll close the thread, and hand out infractions.

Play nice.

Moose
 
I will say this... I am excited, I just acquired my first bussekin knife, I can't wait to get it. Granted it also isn't infi, it is elmax.
 
from my experience. they both function the same. you are not getting a advantage with either. but they are both excelint blades so post us a pic when you by the one
 
leatherman said:
^this^ is what I was hoping this was not going to turn into.

Not every knife owner wants his knives abused, not every knife owner wants his knife choices abused. I abuse my Machaxe, Busse Steel Heart, and Tramontina Bowie. I'm an equal opportunity abuser. I will NOT look down on others brand choices and I'd love to see that attitude with my other favorite knife group right here. The attitude above is depressing. :(
Click to expand...

Sorry to depress you. I said nothing about abusing a knife. I just stated a fact. He took his shiny knives and beat feet outta there at 230 in the morning. I dont look down on anyone for their blade choices. Not sure where you got that from...Have a good day.
 
No worries. :) Thanks for clearing it up! 2:30 AM eh? The fellow must have been pretty traumatized. :p I bet he'd keel over if he saw what I did to my Steel Heart E pounding it though a car hood and into the rocky ground behind it. :D I almost spit the mounting nut as well, till I discovered my leather maul was chipping out, darn mauls are expensive. ;)

The things a person would do on a bet.

I hope to get another Campanion someday soon, was my first Becker, got it back in 2001. I miss that little railroad spike. I got the Machaxe shortly after and spent way too much on the Eagle sheath but that sheath is awesome! The Brute is one other grail Becker for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top