Thinking about ordering my first scrapyard

edctac said:
What are the specs, I don't see it on their site. I do kinda like that on too, thanks for making this harder for me to decide :p
Click to expand...

The go to specs thread is here. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ghts-of-Swamp-Rat-Busse-amp-Scrap-Yard-Knives

The ratmandu does have a much better handle and is worth the cost if that is the size you really need.
As an original camp tramp user, the camp tramp 2 711 is still my recommendation if you can only get one. It is not nearly as big as you think and extremely versatile.
 
I think I will go for the 711, the handle is what sold me. I will prob get the 511 eventually, but for now I have a few knives to fill that role. How would you guys compare the 711 to an ESEE RC-6?
 
The RatManDu is a classic. Ask anyone who ones one. Here are the specs:

-Blade Length 5-1/8"
-Overall Length 10 1/4"
-Stock thickness 3/16"
-Steel is SR101

Check out this thread for a comparison between the RatManDu and the 511:

http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=007795

By the way, I agree wtih the OP of that thread. The RatManDu is arguably the finest knife ever made in its size range. And we are not alone in feeling that way.

You can order one here:

http://www.shop.ratknives.com/product.sc?productId=208&categoryId=1

EDIT: Ah, never mind. I see you already made up your mind to buy a 711. Good choice. You won't be disappointed. :thumbup:
 
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In my opinion there are only 2 knives you have discussed that you may regret not owning.
The Ratmandu and the 711! Miss the opportunity and you may regret it. If you are leaning 711, I say pull the trigger.
here are 711 and ESEE 6 side by side for your viewing, hope it helps.
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Nice swedge mod on that ESEE-6. :)

The closest recently made knife in the Busse lineup that compares to the ESEE-6 is the Boss Jack. And the OP can buy two to three 711's for the price of one of those.
 
Just to chime in, I recently purchased a 511 and I think it's a fantastic little knife. I had read all about the handle size beforehand and decided to go ahead and give it a try anyhow. I'm really glad I did. I'm a pretty large guy (6'9) with good sized hands and I don't have any problems with it at all. I like to use it for fine work and I tend to choke up on a blade in that scenario anyhow. Just my 2 cents.
 
And I'm just the opposite. I'm 5'10" with medium-sized hands and I sold all my small Res-C handled knives (except my mudders) because the handles were a little too tight for me.
 
I too am in the market for a do-everything fixed blade around $200 and I actually find the smaller handles of the 711 appealing. It allows for a longer blade without having an enormous knife, but I can see how that would be quite an issue for those with bigger hands. I'm 5'11 and I'm not really sure what size my hands are (medium, maybe?) but I measured with a ruler and 5" is plenty of handle for me.

For 711 owners, do you find it reasonable all around knife? By that I mean do you ever find it too big for tasks? I'm leaning towards the "a big knife can do what a small knife can do, but a small knife can never do what a big knife can do" philosophy.
 
I agree with your knife size philosophy, and I have been carrying my 7-11 ever since I ;):thumbup:made a sheath for it!
 
I don't own a 711, Misanthropia, but I own its classic cousin . . . the Camp Tramp. And yes, the 711 can do it all and then some. :thumbup:

FYI, I keep my Camp Tramp in my home BOB (bug-out-bag) and my RatManDu in my vehicle BOB. No matter what the emergency might be, I never feel under-equipped with those blades. They are my two favorite Busse blades. In fact, I prefer them over my INFI blades. If you can afford it, get BOTH a 711 AND a RatManDu. You will never regret it.
 
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If you get the 511 you'll love it, but always wish you got the 711. I have the SOD and it is my absolute favorite knife, even over my Busses and Swamprats. Just do it! 711
 
Hi edctac , The 511 IS a really nice knife , especially for the money . However with you owning the BK2 AND BK10 , I'd say you have the 5" blade thing pretty much covered . I have a 711 and it really is quite a knife . I can easily see why people say it's like the second "camp tramp" or "SOD" . You are just in time to get it right from Scrap Yard too at a really great prise . The Ratmandue is tooted as being the best 5" knife most have ever had , but again you have 2 knives already in that range . Unless you just don't want something a bit bigger , I'd go with the 711 for sure .

P.S. make sure to show us what you bought once you decide ;)


................................................
HOLE MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
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Since the Boss Jack was mentioned I snapped a couple pics. I don't know how I am finding the free time to do this, but since this is the Busse forum; I gotta post Busse pics.
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Res-C is hard to describe. I have many Krayton handles on old knives.

Res-C is a Much, Much better handle material. It is much sturdier. Much more comfortable on the hands in extended use. It provides great grip, even when wet, without tearing the hands up as much in use as Krayton or other soft handle materials I have used.

It does not twist or roll about on the tang either. With many of my Krayton handled knives, I can feel the Krayton squishing and shifting about. It peels from the tang much easier, and over time, this gets worse, especially in hot weather.

Res-C is much firmer in the hand, and feels more secure at the same time. It is great for isolating the hand from chopping shock as well.

When the Busse (or scrapyard, or swamprat) site says that the Res-C does not absorb moisture or oils or fluid, they are getting to the heart of it. Krayton feels like it picks up oil from your hands, and then can get slippery at odd times (like when the temp increases), then you wipe it off, and it is "too sticky" until you sweat some more and then it gets slippery again. It is odd.

With Res-C, even when my hands are wet, or sweaty, it still feels fine (at least to my hands).

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why it is not a universal handle material in the knife industry. (it must be more expensive to use, or process or something that prohibits less makers from using it).

The ONLY thing I would change about my B11 handle is to rehandle it with the newer version of the basic handle (the one that is minus the finger grooves) It does not need the finger grooves, because the material provides a good enough grip without them. They would be fine on a 3 inch blade, but for swinging hard, they aren't really necessary, and give a bit too much traction to either side of the handle.

This is not an issue on the newer handles, as they are made without the finger grooves on the sides of the handles (or traction patches I guess you could call them) , and also have a slightly increased circumference (which for me is all bonus).
 
I too am a big fan of Res-C handles, especially for their ability to absorb shock. Where Res-C can get into trouble is when it's used on a short, thick knife. Res-C is light . . . much lighter than Micarta or G10. Add to that the fact that you have to cut the tang down in order to surround a handle with Res-C and you end up with a tendency to create knives that are blade heavy. That's generally not a problem in Camp Knives and Choppers where you want the balance to be blade forward. But on a utility knife or slicer, it can make controlling the knife difficult. So, for example, I love my Mud Puppy with its 3.5" blade and my SS4 with its 4" blade. The balance on those knives with Res-C mudder grips is absolutely perfect for me. But I sold my Scrapper 5 with its 5" blade because it balanced too far forward for my liking.
 
Thank you for posting a pic that I could not. I bet with all the discussion in this thread and the photos that many people are considering the 711 and Ratmandu. I would buy another Ratmandu if I didn't have a couple coming from the Knoboganza. Heck, I may order another anyway.

Really digging the Honey Badger avatar!
 
Tempting offer. I buy not sell or trade. Someday I may get into all that. It is a tempting offer though, just not for me.
Summation=no thank you
Honey Badgers are awesome! I hear they don't care.
 
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