Swamp Rats vs. Beckers

tuica

tuica

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I realize that this will possibly open up a war between conflicting blade brand lovers, but are Swamp Rat knives really twice as good as the Becker products? The prices asked for these might indicate that.

I am specifically looking at adding a 9" blade to my collection ( I recently purchased a BK2), and am re-discovering all of the new products in the marketplace. Was looking at the BK9, then the 9.5" Swamp Rat got my attention. Would like to sample the Rats at some point.

Realize also that there may be no real answer to this question - much like "is a $1,160 SIG Sauer, twice the value of a $580 Glock?"

Simply looking for some input by those who have much more knowledge than I on this subject.

Thanks in advance...Cheers.
 
They're different. The steel of the swamprat is a better steel, especially for a 9" chopper.The handles are also a better material. Both are also more expensive and made in much fewer numbers than Beckers. There is nothing wrong with Beckers, they are a fine product and they may be all you may ever need in a knife. Swamp Rat and my favorite Scrap Yard are just next level in performance and durability.
 
While I don't own any Swamp Rat knives, it is safe to say that 51200 is a better steel than 1095. Not that the Becker's 1095 is a bad steel.
You get some pretty nice stock handles on the Swamp Rats, too. With the Beckers you'll have to pay extra for micarta, the grivory will work, but micarta is nicer and grippier IMHO. SR also has the better warranty, at least on paper but as long as you don't intentionally damage your knife I think KABAR will set you right.

All in all, it depends on what you like in a knife and if the material upgrade is worth it to you. You won't make a mistake with either one.
 
I've looked a lot at the Swamp Rat line, and they do have better steel, no question about it. The question you have to ask yourself is this, Tucia: Will the added quality of the Swamp Rat knife be worth the price? Or can you be a happy camper with a lesser knife. And keep in mind that the "lesser knife" has a track record, and a fan base, like few other knives. It is a reason the beckerheads call the BK9 for "The King".

If you have the disposable income, and want the more expensive knife, then go ahead and buy the Swamp Rat. I know that the Swamp Rat brand has a good reputation, and the steel is excellent. Design and handles and all that jazz, is purely subjective. So there is no objective way of determining who of the two are the more comfy/ergonomic/cool.

If you'd rather save some money, go for the Becker BK9. The King will not let you down in any way, and you can abuse it, modify it, and treat it as bad as you want, cause it's only $78.
 
Thanks for the thoughtful replies, folks. I certainly see the appeal of the Swamp Rats, and am leaning towards them. Nothing like the joys of trying out different brands of a particular tool. And blades are certainly less expensive to sample than firearms; motorcycles; or automobiles! Cheers.
 
Both are great companies with great knives. Both retain their value pretty well. I have never dealt with SR warranty but from what I hear they set things right just like KaBar. I own and use both brand of knife and couldn't speak more highly of either. (I would hate to leave out the Junglas as ESEE is also one of my favorites.) I don't think you could go wrong with either.
 
At least get the BK9, try it and see what you like and do not like about it. If you feel the need, go for the swamp rat, it will be a great one to save up for.
 
Just because it's fun ;) (it's a 3 minute video, feel free to skip around :p):

[video=youtube;iCphmLgvaV4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCphmLgvaV4[/video]

Anybody have a video doing this with a BK9? There must be one out there...
 
Its already been said above: both are great knife companies (And Esee too). Personally I'm a big Swamp Rat fan, but I respect the Beckerheads as well, they're solid knives - good steel, designs and warranty. No point in discussing the cost really, anything more than a Mora is just luxury :P
 
Also the Busse, Scrapyard, and Swamprat knives basically have a forever waranty on the knife, not the buyer, and covers any major damage to the knife. From what I've heard, you'd pretty much have to destroy the knife in an obviously intentional manor, like cutting it in half with a blow torch, to be denied repair or replacement.
 
tuica said:
That's a fair number of sticks at that range. Thanks!
Click to expand...

:D There were more sticks, but I wanted to cut the video down, it's still pretty long at 3:09 of a guy throwing a knife at a rotted-out oak. I left in every miss to show the severity of impact and torque on the blade, none of which had a noticeable effect on the edge or blade as a whole. The impact against the handle/spine that smashed the large section of bark from the trunk actually shifted the micarta scales slightly so they aren't perfectly flush. I could send this in under warranty (by the way, this doesn't constitute 'abuse' in Swamp Rat's terminology), but it's hardly noticeable. I need to really mess-up the knife before I'm willing to pay shipping-costs ;)


Regarding diminishing returns, one must establish a baseline and use threshold first. Two tools might be equal in 90% of tasks, but if that last 10% is essential or is valued highest by the user, the performance-value of one tool might easily calculate to twice that or the other tool. Material quality, durability, weight, balance, ergonomics (handle design), blade-design, cutting performance, warranty/CS ... *shrug*

But to keep it simple, I dislike the BK-9 handle - shape, material, etc. - and that in itself is sufficient to keep my from spending $100+. But I do like the Rodent 9 handle. If it is equal in every other way to the BK9, I am already willing to pay more than $100 just for the handle. But not only do i prefer the shape of the handle, I prefer the materials as well, the retention and durability it provides, etc. Then there is the difference in steel. I also prefer the quality of the Rodent's "crinkle coat". I also prefer the choil, the beveled spine, the balance... and it makes a great thrower :cool:

If the BK9 speaks to you and/or the Rodent 9 handle or its extra weight turn you away, :thumbup:. Get what you want, what you'll use and enjoy. Don't settle for less if you don't have to. PLENTY of BK9 users out there will expound upon its awesomeness. I cannot contradict them. But I prefer my R9 :)

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