Hello all! I've been lurking in these forums for a while and learing a tremendous amount while doing so. I was curious to know if there were any opinions on which would preform better: the TOPS DART Tactical or the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp for general use as a camp kife, or if there are any other similar knifes worth consideration that would preform equally or better.
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TOPS DART Tactical v. Swamp Rat Camp Tramp
- Thread starter Phantazem
- Start date
Don't have the DART so i can't comment on that, but Paul Bos heat treated S30V and Trace Rinaldi design has got to be good. too bad it's quite expensive though.
don't have the camp tramp, but i do have the ratweiler. it's an excellent blade. i also have the bandicoot, so i know how comfy the reserpine can be.
i would also throw in the Ranger Knives RD-7. it's a stout blade and very cost effective. it's not much of a slicer cuz it's not ground very high, but as a camp knife it eats up wood with conviction.
the beckers are also very good knives for very little. the only downside is perhaps slippery handles.
don't have the camp tramp, but i do have the ratweiler. it's an excellent blade. i also have the bandicoot, so i know how comfy the reserpine can be.
i would also throw in the Ranger Knives RD-7. it's a stout blade and very cost effective. it's not much of a slicer cuz it's not ground very high, but as a camp knife it eats up wood with conviction.
the beckers are also very good knives for very little. the only downside is perhaps slippery handles.
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- May 19, 2003
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Check out the Heafner knives model # 17 camp bowie. (www.heafnerknives.com)
I have a couple and can personally vouch for this knife, It blows the cold steel trailmaster out of the water in terms of edge holding and pure chopping power hands down!! This thing will easily sail thru an 1 1/2" poplar sapling in one stroke at the right angle, and comes in cryo treated D2 tool steel w/lifetime warranty, all for under $260.00
worth a serious look!
One of them is currently in a "passaround" look for the comments/write-ups on the passaround forum.
Have a good one!
Darrell................
Keep Supporting real Metal!!
I have a couple and can personally vouch for this knife, It blows the cold steel trailmaster out of the water in terms of edge holding and pure chopping power hands down!! This thing will easily sail thru an 1 1/2" poplar sapling in one stroke at the right angle, and comes in cryo treated D2 tool steel w/lifetime warranty, all for under $260.00
worth a serious look!One of them is currently in a "passaround" look for the comments/write-ups on the passaround forum.
Have a good one!
Darrell................
Keep Supporting real Metal!!
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2004
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- 377
While I don't have the Camp Tramp I do own a Battle Rat. I will say this I have never owned a better knife! I chopped a 8" in diameter tree that fell on my shed into toothpicks in about two hours. I hacked away till nothing was left and I could still shave cleanly!! The blade holds a edge in my opion longer than s30v. I have still yet to sharpen it and that has been 6-8 months ago. I would recommend SwampRat to anyone. Thanks.
Check out Ranger Knives. You will not find anything but praise re: these blades.
www.rangerknives.com
I have the RD9 and it is awesome. Probably best dollar value out there. Plus, you can get them now. I believe there is a significant wait for anything by Swamp Rat.
www.rangerknives.com
I have the RD9 and it is awesome. Probably best dollar value out there. Plus, you can get them now. I believe there is a significant wait for anything by Swamp Rat.
acolonelofcorn
Banned
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- Mar 7, 2005
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They might say three to six weeks, but I got my battle rat in less than 2 weeks. Best damn knife ever. 
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I've had my first 3 Rats (HR, CT, BR) about 3 years now. The Howler was an EDC till the wife stole it, Now it lives in the kitchen. Guess I'll have to get another one as it was my favorite. What a handy size/shape!
Of the larger Rats, I reach for the CT most of all. I just like the 7" size for most uses. It won't chop like the BR, but is easier to handle for a lot of other uses. I use it every day at work and have been for over 2 years. Broke 2 Ka Bars doing the same things the Rat just laughs at.
The most bang for the buck in knives IMHO. The warranty alone just BEGS you to use it hard. All I got was tired. LOL The knives are everything they say they are.
Rob
Of the larger Rats, I reach for the CT most of all. I just like the 7" size for most uses. It won't chop like the BR, but is easier to handle for a lot of other uses. I use it every day at work and have been for over 2 years. Broke 2 Ka Bars doing the same things the Rat just laughs at.
The most bang for the buck in knives IMHO. The warranty alone just BEGS you to use it hard. All I got was tired. LOL The knives are everything they say they are.
Rob
I can't speak for the TOPS, but my Camp Tramp is an awesome knife, every bit as good as the previous posters' posts. I just cut down 3 Aspen trees that were damaged in a snow storm, and the Camp Tramp would snick off 1 to 1.5 inch branches with one swing. My neighbors were **very** impressed, to say the least.
As a general comment, if the knife will be used hard, I can't imagine that S30V will ever be as impact resistant as differentially hardened/tempered 52100. Just my opinion, I'm not a TOPS disliker, they do have several designs that I like.
As a general comment, if the knife will be used hard, I can't imagine that S30V will ever be as impact resistant as differentially hardened/tempered 52100. Just my opinion, I'm not a TOPS disliker, they do have several designs that I like.
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- Oct 24, 2004
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Indeed wetdog - neno beat me to the question?!?
If you use your CT alot & live here in FL, let me ask you about corrosion resistence - any troubles in that regard? I haven't owned my Camp Tramp long enough to make any meaningful observations about rust...
Phantazem: As I understand it, S30V is great steel for a pocket knife but too brittle for a larger design like a camp knife. So I think my CT would outperform the Tops knife on that score. Same goes for the Heafner bowie - SR101 steel is just going to be alot tougher than D2, no matter who heat treats it.
Get the Camp Tramp - you can't go wrong!
*I just checked the price on the Tops model - you could almost buy 3 CT's for the cost of the one Tops knife!
If you use your CT alot & live here in FL, let me ask you about corrosion resistence - any troubles in that regard? I haven't owned my Camp Tramp long enough to make any meaningful observations about rust...
Phantazem: As I understand it, S30V is great steel for a pocket knife but too brittle for a larger design like a camp knife. So I think my CT would outperform the Tops knife on that score. Same goes for the Heafner bowie - SR101 steel is just going to be alot tougher than D2, no matter who heat treats it.
Get the Camp Tramp - you can't go wrong!
*I just checked the price on the Tops model - you could almost buy 3 CT's for the cost of the one Tops knife!
Many thanks for all the great advise. I think the Camp tramp is the clear winner when it comed to "bang for the buck." I will look into some of the other knifes mentioned (the Ranger RD-7 looks pretty attractive at the price - if anyone owns both I love to hear some comparisons to the CT) and welcome any additional suggestions, but it looks like I'm gonna be ordering the Rat unless someone can give a good reason not to (I have no problem waiting for something if it is worth it).
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- Sep 29, 2002
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nenofury said:
Simply slicing open rolls of printing paper. No lateral pressure or anything like that, just getting the knife between the paper and cardboard and rolling it, holding the knife steady. My KaBar brand hasn't broken yet, that's what I let others use. But a WWII Camillus MkII and an Ontario both snapped at the tang handle juncture.
Just for S&G I laid the KaBar and the Ct out side by side. The only similarity is the blade length. Other than that, the Rat just overwhelms the KB. In thickness, width of the blade, everything. It's a bear of a knife.
Don't get me wrong, both of the Ka Bars were broken over a 15 year time frame and I was very suprised that they broke at all considering the very mild tasks they were put to (We used a paring knife in between KB's). Still haven't lost my faith in the KaBar brand, but no rush to get another Camillus or Ontario product.
Rob
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JGD
No major issues with rust. The coating is wearing, but I use S-L-I on the blade flats. I have had rust on the edge (left it out in the rain), but a few swipes on a loaded strop took care of that.
All in all, no big deal, it's not going to melt if it gets wet, just use a bit of care. Remember, the old sailors had carbon steel blades and they got by. I do like leather sheaths treated with a mixture of ~ 50/50 mink oil and beeswax. Think they call it a Montana Blend ? Anyway, I've had knives covered with sweat wiped off on the pantsleg, put back in the sheath and kept wearing with no problems. Wearing, not put away. Guess I should qualify that. Body heat dries things out after the sun goes down. LOL Well, usually. Fl in the summer ..........
Enjoy the Tramps!
Rob
No major issues with rust. The coating is wearing, but I use S-L-I on the blade flats. I have had rust on the edge (left it out in the rain), but a few swipes on a loaded strop took care of that.
All in all, no big deal, it's not going to melt if it gets wet, just use a bit of care. Remember, the old sailors had carbon steel blades and they got by. I do like leather sheaths treated with a mixture of ~ 50/50 mink oil and beeswax. Think they call it a Montana Blend ? Anyway, I've had knives covered with sweat wiped off on the pantsleg, put back in the sheath and kept wearing with no problems. Wearing, not put away. Guess I should qualify that. Body heat dries things out after the sun goes down. LOL Well, usually. Fl in the summer ..........
Enjoy the Tramps!
Rob
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- 1,774
The DART is in use by some pretty High Speed operators in Europe, and they are digging it. I am kinda biased of course 
The price is a reflection of the high cost of making knives out of S30V also.
Take Care
Trace Rinaldi
www.THRblades.com
www.Shivworks.com
The price is a reflection of the high cost of making knives out of S30V also.Take Care
Trace Rinaldi
www.THRblades.com
www.Shivworks.com
- Joined
- May 19, 2003
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Hmmmm...... I smell a possible torture test competition? I know the Tops & SR make real solid knives! And SR101 is some awesome stuff, but I'd bet the Heafner #17 would hold up just as good, definetely will chop better! So..... when I get mine back from the passaround, I'll get it's factory edge back on it and be willing to submit it to a torture test competition between the 3, especially the SR. Any takers?? I figured we'd could get a couple of the more well known fella's on the bladeforums to perform it & document it.
Anyone willing to donate a SwampRat Camp Tramp or Tops Dart for this?
Just a thought, figured this would be fun! And if the Heafner breaks
He'll replace it free
Let me know if anyones interested in this?
Darrell............
Keep Supportin real Metal!!
Anyone willing to donate a SwampRat Camp Tramp or Tops Dart for this?
Just a thought, figured this would be fun! And if the Heafner breaks
He'll replace it free
Let me know if anyones interested in this?
Darrell............
Keep Supportin real Metal!!- Joined
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Cliff Stamp would do it. LOL
In fact, he may have already. I do know he posted a pic of his ~250lb brother hanging from the handle of a Howling Rat that had been hammered into a door sill.
Now bear in mind, the HR is only 3/16" thick and thru tempered as opposed to the 1/4" differentally tempered Camp Tramp. Wonder what the Tramp would support?
When SR got that pile of D2 from Busse, Jerry wrote a thread about it (D2). Basicly it was D2 is great stuff till you go over 5" of blade length. Then because of the brittleness of D2 it becomes more suseptible to breakage. None of the D2 Rats were over 5". Man, do they cut though!
Both of these threads were over on the Rat Chat site, but you'll have to do a search. They may have been posted here in the Swamp Rat sub forum, but I'm not sure.
Rob
In fact, he may have already. I do know he posted a pic of his ~250lb brother hanging from the handle of a Howling Rat that had been hammered into a door sill.
Now bear in mind, the HR is only 3/16" thick and thru tempered as opposed to the 1/4" differentally tempered Camp Tramp. Wonder what the Tramp would support?
When SR got that pile of D2 from Busse, Jerry wrote a thread about it (D2). Basicly it was D2 is great stuff till you go over 5" of blade length. Then because of the brittleness of D2 it becomes more suseptible to breakage. None of the D2 Rats were over 5". Man, do they cut though!
Both of these threads were over on the Rat Chat site, but you'll have to do a search. They may have been posted here in the Swamp Rat sub forum, but I'm not sure.
Rob
i can comment on the Ratweiler vs the custom flat ground RD-7 i have.
the Rd-7 is a beast of a knife. it's definitely in the sharpened prybar category. it has a very thick convexed edge that is maximized for chopping, not slicing. it can readily slice the corner of a sheet of printer paper right off, but it's a bitch trying to cut cardboard with it's 1/4" thickness. the handles are large and fit well in my hand. it's heavy though and the balance is around the ricasso area or just above it.
the ratweiler is well known by most so i don't need to elaborate, just that the handle slabs are much thinner than the RD-7. Justin likes to use 1/4" slabs for a RD's 1/4" thick blade. the end result is a nice "rounder" grip, but added weight. the ratweiler's balance is right at the ricasso/handle interface or just below it. very nice balance. though the RD is advertised at 1/4" thick, a side by side looks like the Rd is slightly thicker than the 1/4" Ratweiler. the rat is ground thinner than the RD. both at the edge and the middle of the blade. Justin designed the RD to be very stout, not so much of a slicer but a camp/chopper.
keep in mind that my Rd-7 is a custom flatground version made of S7. the regular version is hollow ground 5160. the edge was actually thicker in earlier versions, but customers wanted a thinner edge so the newer ones have a thinner edge. but even with the thinner edge, the Rd is super stout, maybe even too stout for some people to say it's not sharp enough. the hollow grind only goes about halfway up the blade so you can see how stout the blade is designed to be.
last note: justin's original 5160 blanks came from head hog himself jerry busse. that's why the RD series looks very busse-like!
the Rd-7 is a beast of a knife. it's definitely in the sharpened prybar category. it has a very thick convexed edge that is maximized for chopping, not slicing. it can readily slice the corner of a sheet of printer paper right off, but it's a bitch trying to cut cardboard with it's 1/4" thickness. the handles are large and fit well in my hand. it's heavy though and the balance is around the ricasso area or just above it.
the ratweiler is well known by most so i don't need to elaborate, just that the handle slabs are much thinner than the RD-7. Justin likes to use 1/4" slabs for a RD's 1/4" thick blade. the end result is a nice "rounder" grip, but added weight. the ratweiler's balance is right at the ricasso/handle interface or just below it. very nice balance. though the RD is advertised at 1/4" thick, a side by side looks like the Rd is slightly thicker than the 1/4" Ratweiler. the rat is ground thinner than the RD. both at the edge and the middle of the blade. Justin designed the RD to be very stout, not so much of a slicer but a camp/chopper.
keep in mind that my Rd-7 is a custom flatground version made of S7. the regular version is hollow ground 5160. the edge was actually thicker in earlier versions, but customers wanted a thinner edge so the newer ones have a thinner edge. but even with the thinner edge, the Rd is super stout, maybe even too stout for some people to say it's not sharp enough. the hollow grind only goes about halfway up the blade so you can see how stout the blade is designed to be.
last note: justin's original 5160 blanks came from head hog himself jerry busse. that's why the RD series looks very busse-like!