swamprat r6 or fehrman last chance, need help.

[rodriguez7]

Im looking to buy me a new outdoors, all around hunting knife, something where I can carry only one knife, and work a whole elk in the field, or do whatever is needed. I contacted the custom shop from swamp rat, to have a rodent 6 customized with a drop point and the top guard removed, and a full height flat grind. The price difference is not much difference from a fehrman last chance with a kydex sheath. I am stuck between these two knives. I know the 3v in the fehrman will hold an edge longer. Which is important, and a big plus. But I really love the look and feel of swamprat. This is a tough decision for me for some reason, and I need some help. I am completely stuck between these 2.

 

[zcd]

Good luck figuring that one out, they're both nice beefy knives:

 

[TheSnakeman]

in my experience 3v and SR101 are not that far off in edge retention
but 3v is much more stain resistant
so yeah you are going to have a tough choice
GOOD LUCK!!

 

[rodriguez7]

Nice pictures man, thanks for that, it does help out a little. I figured I would have a tough time with this decision. I also emailed fehrman, asking if I could mod the handle a bit. Waiting on a reply. Im thinking ferhman might be the right choice. As much as I love swamprat.

 

[markksr]

Swamp Rat R6

 

[rodriguez7]

They're both beautiful, I guess what it comes down to, is toughness and raw edge retention.

 

[tjiscooler]

The swamp rat is the most comfortable fixed blade I own. If they are that close comfort will win out! Also look into who's warranty is better. I'm pretty sure swamp rats is as good as it gets though

 

[zcd]

They're both beautiful, I guess what it comes down to, is toughness and raw edge retention.

I'd say that both steels / HTs are great performers, and it should come down to which one you like more That.. or the standard bf answer of "both" (as I've done...)

 

[tjiscooler]

yeah they are different enough to buy both ahah.

 

[chiral.grolim]

Honestly, IF you can afford to get both, you WILL be able to sell whichever you do not like and recuperate the cost.

The Rodent 6 is notably longer than the Fehrman which might make it more useful for batonning and such. The Fehrman may be heavier and handle-heavy due to the handle design compared to a customized R6 - FFG and no top-guard, that Rodent 6 should balance perfectly right at the index groove. What finish will each blade have? Satin will trump coated for drag-reduction in deep cuts through again e.g. cardboard or splitting wood with a baton. I am not sure which knife will be thicker behind the edge, but edge-geometry and edge-finish (coarse vs ultra-fine) will trump chemistry in wear-resistance. That said, CPM-3V should be more wear-resistant if cutting abrasive materials like cardboard, and should be tougher too, but SR101 isn't your everyday carbon steel - what Busse does with 52100 seems to change its performance level.

Honestly, it really should come down to COMFORT in use + performance. Unless the cutting performance and toughness of one is leagues ahead of the other, the one that is more comfortable in your hand, more comfortable in use, is the one you'll prefer. I've sold-off nicer high-performance knives because they weren't as comfortable in my hand as something with lesser steel or slightly worse geometry. Sometimes it's easier to alter edge-geometry than handle shape (if you have to grind), and the former usually won't void your warranty, whereas the latter...

zcd, which handle is more comfortable?

 

[rodriguez7]

I do have my share of busse's and swamprats, and I find that swamprat holds a better edge than infi. I also have a fehrman peacemaker. But after I saw a customized swamprat in the swamp forum, I really liked the way it looked. I know my 3v knives hold one hell of an edge on elk hide, but im not sure how sr101 will hold up to it. I did get a final price quote from the swamp, and its not much cheaper than fehrman for the work im getting. So price is up in the air on this one.

 

[rodriguez7]

Buying both of course would be the right answer. But I wont ever get rid of them if I did, im not good at selling anything. I just end up keeping them. Besides I already bought 2 grand worth of tomahawks this winter, its a dam sickness. I guess im just looking for that perfect knife, I was thinking of going custom, but I would be in the same dilemma as this. These are close enough to custom for me.

 

[zcd]

Honestly, IF you can afford to get both, you WILL be able to sell whichever you do not like and recuperate the cost.

The Rodent 6 is notably longer than the Fehrman which might make it more useful for batonning and such. The Fehrman may be heavier and handle-heavy due to the handle design compared to a customized R6 - FFG and no top-guard, that Rodent 6 should balance perfectly right at the index groove. What finish will each blade have? Satin will trump coated for drag-reduction in deep cuts through again e.g. cardboard or splitting wood with a baton. I am not sure which knife will be thicker behind the edge, but edge-geometry and edge-finish (coarse vs ultra-fine) will trump chemistry in wear-resistance. That said, CPM-3V should be more wear-resistant if cutting abrasive materials like cardboard, and should be tougher too, but SR101 isn't your everyday carbon steel - what Busse does with 52100 seems to change its performance level.

Honestly, it really should come down to COMFORT in use + performance. Unless the cutting performance and toughness of one is leagues ahead of the other, the one that is more comfortable in your hand, more comfortable in use, is the one you'll prefer. I've sold-off nicer high-performance knives because they weren't as comfortable in my hand as something with lesser steel or slightly worse geometry. Sometimes it's easier to alter edge-geometry than handle shape (if you have to grind), and the former usually won't void your warranty, whereas the latter...

zcd, which handle is more comfortable?

The Fehrman handle is fat, and really fills your hands. I have size large hands, and it fits well. The R6 is a smaller grip with a hump that fills the center, but not towards the outsides of my hand when gripping it. If I was gripping it hard I would say that the Fehrman fits ME better, but that both knives have very good ergos, and we all fit different knives differently. So get both

 

[TrojanSteel]

What about the Shadow Scout? The blade style seems more in line with the Swamps, longer functional edge for batoning... The LC's edge before curving up is only about 3 inches long.

 

[rodriguez7]

I've looked at the shadow scout, if it was a little thicker, with a bigger handle I would consider it. I would like it as thick as a bravo 1 at least. Any one know how ferhmans 3v compares with bark rivers?

 

[number41]

I've looked at the shadow scout, if it was a little thicker, with a bigger handle I would consider it. I would like it as thick as a bravo 1 at least. Any one know how ferhmans 3v compares with bark rivers?

Don't think you can compare the two! Fehrmans heattreat should be more consistand (smaller company semi production versus mass produced)and there have been less complaints about edge chipping, etc. I've seen some complaints of edge chipping in BRKT knives but then also remember that this might also be due to poor sharpening skills! (probably are)

 

[rodriguez7]

Does anyone have any pics of the last chance next to a becker bk2 or swamprat m6? Just trying to get a feel for the size. Or even a busse sar4. Thanks.