This CAN'T be right!!!???!!!!

[Walking Man]

This is from the SW website:
"Having directed all marketing and advertising as Vice President of Busse Knife Company for the past ten years, I have continued to push for a line of super high performance production knives to replace the Basics. Not only would these knives need to outperform the Basics but they would also need to be more affordable for the average military, law enforcement, and search and rescue personnel. There have been considerable obstacles to overcome, as far as production limitations, budgetary concerns, and available personnel."
Please someone tell me this isn't true! (rats outperforming basics! well, I never.)

 

[Dr. Thor]

I think you are a very angry person, and should seek counselling.

 

[Troy H]

Please someone tell me this isn't true! (rats outperforming basics! well, I never.)

Oh yes, Rat Brother. We're ALL THAT! :thumbup:

 

[ronybear]

That statement is referring to the Swamp Rat series, the Basics were the knives before the Rats. No they will never replace INFI!!!

 

[Walking Man]

I think you are a very angry person, and should seek counselling.

I think you rats should seek an usher.

 

[Dr. Thor]

For the record, I own 1 Rat, and 1 Busse. At this time I have plans to buy another Busse, but no plans to buy a Rat... yet.

 

[Walking Man]

For the record, I own 1 Rat, and 1 Busse. At this time I have plans to buy another Busse, but no plans to buy a Rat... yet.

EXCELLENT!

 

[Evolute]

Please someone tell me this isn't true! (rats outperforming basics!

"Outperforming" is rather vague, when the performance parameter isn't mentioned. Is it in regard to performance-per-cost? A fair case could probably be made for SRKW. Chopping efficiency? The Swamp Rats I've handled were more forward-weighted and had more acute edge grind angles, which probably add up to more effective chops. Hardness? Some of the Swamp Rats are made to a higher Rockwell hardness than the Basics were. Coating durability? The desert tan coating on some Swamp Rats is generally longer lasting than the black finish on the Basics.

There are plenty of other possible parameters to compare: Rust-resistance, lateral strength, toughness, wear resistance, ease of sharpening, angle of bend before taking a set or snapping/shattering, heat resistance before the temper is ruined, quality of finish, etc.

The Swamp Rats and the Basics each have their own areas where they excel in performance over the other. If you were talking about generalized scope of performance across all areas, I'd guess that the Basics would probably best the Rats... by an amount so small that many wouldn't notice. In certain areas, though, the Rats would definitely win.

Better play it safe and buy up both.

well, I never.

Don't worry... You're young, it's not too late.


Mike

 

[Greg45]

All I know is, with or without comparisons to anything, Rats Rock!!! :thumbup:

 

[djolney]

All are excellent. Buy them all.

 

[PoorGuy]

I would contend that the Swamp Rats have indeed out performed the Basic line. As I've never seen side by side comparisons of their technical abilities, I will instead look at how they have performed in the sales arena.

The Basic line was released and deceased before I had even heard of Busse or Swamp Rat, but from what I gather, far more Swamp Rat knives have been made and sold then have been the Basics. You can put any kind of asterisks next to these sales records, but the fact remains that there are more Rat knives in the world then there are Basic series Busse knives.

As total units sold is only one indicator, I look to the secondary market to provide additional insight. What I find here is that despite being more rare, the Basic line is out sold by Rat knives in both time before sale and in price increase over retail. Again, the sales performance of the far more plentiful and less collectible Rat knives totally eclipses the Basic line.

All of this goes to prove that Rat knives do out perform the Basic line - in sales. :thumbup:

One more thing to consider here. One non Basic line Busse shares the same metal and handle as the Res-C Rats. I hope everyone hasn't forgotten that the Tali-Whacker was the knife that spawned SRKW in the first place. I guess this means that a Busse knife and a Rat knife can actually perform exactly the same.

 

[Walking Man]

I would contend that the Swamp Rats have indeed out performed the Basic line. As I've never seen side by side comparisons of their technical abilities, I will instead look at how they have performed in the sales arena.

Good point, no where does it say what the performance goal is. It could refer to sales, or comfort, or blade geometry. Then again, the basics probably ended before their time was over, were more expensive, and weren't marketed as well (probably).