Swampwarden or Izula for Bushcrafting?

BBQ BOY

BBQ BOY

Joined
Feb 24, 2009
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Hey ya'll I already have an Izula and love it even though I rarely get to use it. Anyway I was thinking of having a sheath made for my Busse Skinny Ash and want a smaller knife piggy backed onto the larger sheath. The purpose of the knife would be for some bushcrafting, skinning and cleaning fish if needed. Originally I was going to go with a smaller Busse for this purpose such as the BAD but the knife maker(Martin Swinkles) recommended the Izula or Swampwarden instead for the set up we have chosen. My question is how will the Izula or Swampwarden fair in these task?
Before I spend a lot of money on the sheath and set up I would appreciate a non bias answer on how this knife will perform as a bushcrafter.
I'm brand loyal to a certain extent and sometimes will push my brand but like I said I respect yalls opinion and a unbiased one too.
Also, des the Swampwarden have an option for scales?
 
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Moving this to the Swamp Rat forum where you'll get comments from people that own the Swamp Warden.
 
Oops. I didn't even realize there was a Swamprat forum since I was just introduced to Busse a couple weeks ago.

Thanks,
BBQ
 
BBQ Boy,

I have both the knives in question but i don't exactly do much bushcraft ;)

I can, however, give you my impressions of both knives.

The Izula is a bit stouter all around, it is shorter (in blade and handle, and a bit thicker. To me, both are very comfortable, with the edge here going to the Warden. The warden has a longer handle in relation to the blade, and this sits very well in my larger than average hands.

In pictures the blade shapes look very similar, but in real life there are noticeable differences. My Warden trended towards a spanto style edge. The Izula is more a traditional, modified clip (i would call it). As such, the upward slope after the belly is significantly steeper on the Izula, while it climbs more gradually towards the spine on my Warden.

The powder coat on both is excellent, but my Warden in moss green had a very unusual texture to the coating that is unique to SRKW knives if i i understand correctly. This is much grippier than the smooth coating on my Izula.

I have battoned my Izula through seasoned white oak before with no trouble, i am still re-profiling my warden and have not had the chance to pound on it, but i have confidence that it would preform admirably.

My Izula came with a better factory edge than my Warden, but all knives eventually need sharpening so this wasn't such an issue for me. Also I'm a bit of a nut about sharpening so i find any excuse i can.

SR101 is far superior to 1095 in my opinion. The Busse heat treat is hard to beat, and 52100 is highly regarded even treated in a more pedestrian manner. Both companies have ridiculous, no questions asked warranties.

The Izula comes with more accessories and accessory options. The sheath that comes with the Izula is exceptional. I wear it daily over my belt buckle. Obviously the Warden does not come with a sheath, but judging by your OP, this isn't an issue for you. There are also Micarta scales available for the Izula, I have these on mine and find them comfortable, many other people find them too short.

I have not had to deal with ESEE's customer service but i have heard excelent things about it. I have dealt with Eric concerning some issues i had on an RMD i ordered. The service I received was outstanding!

For what its worth, my recommendation goes to the Warden. Its availability is somewhat limited and its very reasonably priced. For the money, you won't be disappointed by either knife. Really you can't go wrong here either way, both are exceptional knives and exceptional values.

I hope you find this comparison helpful. I will try to get some side-by-side pics for you soon, but I'm leaving for the weekend so i may not be able to get it done.

-- Adam
 
I have both and I say it is a toss-up in terms of will the knife get the job done. I like both. I like the scales for the Izula, but maybe that is not an issue (I like the increased pocketability of flat scaleless knives too). I love SR101, but the Izula is perfectly functional. Handle shape is a personal preference. I like the Izula better than the SW in this respect. I have a mashed cat sheath for the SW, which I like better than the sheath that came with the izula (obviously not an issue for you). None of this helps, other than to underscore that both are good and very similar blades.
 
I'd say go for it. I have SW's and think you're going to find the handles on both the SW and Izula to be too thin for whittling and bushcrafty type stuff. However they'll make great little skinners. If you wrap the handles they'll be decent for whittling and such, but then they'll stink to high heaven after the first fish is cleaned.

So, either one, although I prefer the SW (don't like the pinky hole on the Iz and 101 is a far superior steel) will make a great little piggyback.
 
For a knife piggy-backed to a larger blade I'd choose the Swamp Warden hands down. It has a better handle IMO, better steel and slightly thinner blade stock.
For a neck knife the Izula wins out for me just because it's lighter and shorter.
 
Get both. That's what it looks like everyone on here did, including me. But when I got the third one, it was the SW. You can't hurt it. Wrap 550 paracord for fishing, let it stink until you get home. Unwrap, and clean it. Done deal - till the next trip.
 
My SW has done everything I have ever asked of it. Incredibly handy, especially when worn around the neck.

I have never used an Izula...
 
Seriously, you post the same thread in the Esee forum, what sort of "unbiased" answers are you going to get in a "Brand" forum......NONE.

I say get the Izula now, and when you are done throwing money away buy a Swamp Warden. They are the best in the business.

I went through MANY brands on my quest for the "best" and now I have saved lots of money as I don't have to try out so many knives anymore. Busse Family is it. Don't get me wrong, I still buy other knives, but these are Custom knives from individuals, never production.

People always bring up warranties....."in case it breaks...blah blah blah. I buy Swamp Rat because it WON'T break. I don't feel it is even necessary to harp about customer service or warranty "even though both are the ABSOLUTE best:D".

So get the Izula, or get them both and try them both out. YOU decide what you like and forget what everyone posted in both threads. Ultimately YOU are the only one that matters as knives won't get you girls, are not status symbols, and no one in the neighborhood will think you are the shiznit because of the knife you carry. So go out, get YOUR knife and beat it like a rented mule!

And now time for a brief musical interlude.....Name of the band is Acid Bath, you decide if it's your cup o tea
[youtube]B12xFDlB1wc[/youtube]

All I am trying to say is get the Warden;):D
 
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I have a Swamp Warden and find the handle is just about right for my small-med hands. With a double wrap of paracord, it feels really good and just fits in my pocket easily.
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I don't have a Izula, but I noticed that ESEE is anouncing an IZULA-II with a longer handle. Almost the same handle size as the Swamp Warden. That seems to indicate people may have criticized that aspect. I think the compact dimensions of the IZULA sacrifice too much usability for a extended use knife. It may be a more convenient necker size though.

Personally, I would get the HRLM or RMD over the Warden as a bushcrafter.
 
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