Tough decision

K

kwan_918

Joined
Mar 19, 2005
Messages
62
Well I’m glad I stumbled onto these forums and have spent substantial time looking through them; however now I’m faced with a tough decision, which blade to buy. I’m looking for a Camping/Hunting knife that’s going to see extreme conditions (-50F to 120F -- Rainforest to Desert) I’m worried about corrosion with A2, SR-101, and 1095 but sturdiness of D2. Any opinions on full tang vs. hidden?

My choices are:

BRK&T Forager or Fox River
Howling Rat
TAK-1 in D2 or 1095

Thanks in advance

~Kwan
 
I'd pick the Howling Rat: the Res C handles are comfortable no matter what the weather conditions, the blade coating is tough enough to provide good corrosion protection, the blade shape is incredibly versatile, and the heat/cryo treatment makes the blade very tough and sharp. On top of this is an incredible warranty.

If I could only have one knife with me, I'd be happy for it to be my Swamp Rat Ratweiler, or any of their other knives.

David
 
I prefer the Fox River of that group. Mike's treatment of his A2 is excellent. I have had no corrosion problems with it. I also prefer full tang to hidden tang. I believe the full tangs tend to be stronger and I like the looks.

Phil
 
kwan_918 said:
Well I’m glad I stumbled onto these forums and have spent substantial time looking through them; however now I’m faced with a tough decision, which blade to buy. I’m looking for a Camping/Hunting knife that’s going to see extreme conditions (-50F to 120F -- Rainforest to Desert) I’m worried about corrosion with A2, SR-101, and 1095 but sturdiness of D2. Any opinions on full tang vs. hidden?

My choices are:

BRK&T Forager or Fox River
Howling Rat
TAK-1 in D2 or 1095

Thanks in advance

~Kwan
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that you are either going to be deployed, or have some money to burn in these excercises. Are you going to be on long excursions? Can you get all three of the above? Can you talk about what you need this knife for? :D
 
Phatch, I like the looks of the BRK&T too…but agree with djolney on the down right ruggedness of the HR. Real purpose…Interior AK gets down right cold in the winter, the marshes are wet after break-up (late spring when the snow starts to melt), and yes the uh “trips” Uncle Sam sends me on get hot.

This knife must be a companion (yes I looked at these, a little out of my price range) while camping in the back country and with the family out of the truck, hiking, fishing, 4 wheeling, ice fishing, snow shoeing, etc.

I originally wanted a hunting knife; I’ve carried a Spyderco for 9 years, a BM 9100 auto (duty pocket knife ;) ), and a CS Bush Ranger. The Spyderco is a great light duty knife and usually gets taken everywhere. I’ve already broke the tip and belt clip but $10.00 got the blade re-shaped, sharpened, and belt clip fixed. I’ve not been real impressed with the BM (blasphemy I know) the steel seems good enough but the overall construction is lacking. The CS is well a CS; tough steel and an okay handle don’t care about beating it up.

To make a short story long I want this knife to be useful; be it field dressing a moose, getting food ready for cast iron cooking, cutting rope, or getting marshmallow sticks ready for my kids. Good steel says it all; razor sharp and has the wear with all of the above conditions.

Not asking much am I? Realistically I think any of the knives I’ve listed will do the trick but you all helped me decide on these so I figured a little more help wouldn’t hurt.

~Kwan
 
kwan_918 said:
To make a short story long I want this knife to be useful; be it field dressing a moose, getting food ready for cast iron cooking, cutting rope, or getting marshmallow sticks ready for my kids. Good steel says it all; razor sharp and has the wear with all of the above conditions.
Click to expand...

You seem to be leaving out the sharpened prybar jobs. In that case, I would whole-heartedly recommend the Bark River. Good steel, that A2 is tough, the convex edge stays sharp with just stropping it on your pants leg, and with any reasonable care, all you'll get is some patina rather than real corrosion.

If you find it works for you, you could also check out the Bark River Mini or Micro Canadians, for the closeup work.

I have no personal experience with the TAK-1, but anything by Swamp Rat is good. Great steel, also will not corrode easily if maintained even minimally, blades are coated anyway, and the handle is very comfortable, even under hard use. (I used their hatchet.)
 
i own both the HR and the fox river.....the HR seems to have a thicker edge, so the Fox is the better slicer........however, the HR was put thru a torture test by Cliff Stamp, so i know that its super tough

The fox is also tough, but i dont know its limits like i know the HR limits.

My suggestion: HR with a super slicing 4" folder

If you get the Fox, get it w/ micarta handles....the woods are pretty, but micarta is tougher in the field
 
I have been looking for something for the same purposes as you minus deployment (thanks BTW). I have pretty much settled on the HR and will be ordering one once I get a little more saved up.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
with any reasonable care, all you'll get is some patina rather than real corrosion.

Swamp Rat is good...I used their hatchet
Click to expand...
I foresee a quick wipe down at the end of the day, could be after some substantial time in marsh, lake, or creek. Is it going to be a problem with the A2? That is my main concern with the BRK&T

I’m really liking the look of the RAT hatchet; is it everything anyone could hope?
 
Steel rusts. Stainless rusts more slowly. A2 will not fall apart in the presence of moisture, though. When I get nervous, I turn to a bottle of mineral oil I keep handy, and rub some on the blade, then stick it back in the sheath. The inside of that sheath is probably an oil dispenser by now! :)

I sold my Ratchet because I had a similar Greco hand axe and I didn't use either of them often. But I recommend the Swamp Rat highly. It keeps an incredibly sharp edge through serious chopping. The handle has NO hot spots, even working hard in humid summer heat. It's a bargain, and very compact and easy to carry, too.
 
My opinion, thought nobody mentioned that, get Fallkniven laminated VG-10 steel blade.They have many models to chose from. It won't rust, 1/4 thick blade would take some punishment, VG-10-great edge holding steel.
 
What a decision, i think i thought more about this purchase than the last truck i bought. Anyway, ordered the HR today. Trip to the woods yesterday helped make my decision. I realized that this knife will prob see more camp fires than game guts. And although it may be sharp as a razor i was worried about sharpening the convex BRK&T.

I've heard that the sheaths are, uh lacking...does anyone make a better one for the HR...must hold secure and dry out, i was thinking kydex

Can't wait for my Rat to arrive, counting the days already. Thanks for the info...glad i found these forums :D
 
Check out On/Scene Tactical for a Kydex sheath for the HR. He's got the pattern, you won't have to send yours in for a fitting.

(Later on, consider picking up a Micro or Mini Canadian from Bark River. Good tiny knife for close up work, and you can learn to sharpen a convex edge. It's easier than a secondary bevel.)
 
kwan_918 said:
What a decision, i think i thought more about this purchase than the last truck i bought. Anyway, ordered the HR today. Trip to the woods yesterday helped make my decision. I realized that this knife will prob see more camp fires than game guts. And although it may be sharp as a razor i was worried about sharpening the convex BRK&T.

I've heard that the sheaths are, uh lacking...does anyone make a better one for the HR...must hold secure and dry out, i was thinking kydex

Can't wait for my Rat to arrive, counting the days already. Thanks for the info...glad i found these forums :D
Click to expand...

You'll love the HR. I've had mine for about 3 yrs now. Had is the word, my wife stole it after she used it once in the kitchen. I get to play with it every one in awhile and when it needs to be sharpened. It is my favorite Rat.

For a sheath, go to the Busse site www.bussecombat.com and click on sheath makers. All are excellent, offer both leather and kydex and have the patterns for Swamp Rat knives. Busse and Swamp Rat are sister companys if you didn't know. Their approaches for carry and use vary some. I have examples from all the makers if you want to e/m me offline for my take.
wetdog1911@aol.com Just put Swamp Rat in the subject line.

Rob
 
Well 9 weeks of waiting paid off...My HR arrived today :D

First Impressions:

This Rat is a TANK!!! I've never felt such a solid knife
Wait was long but worth it
The Swamp was quick to fix minor problem with the order
Res C is harder than i expected, has a good feel.
Cricke coating is not as rough as i thought, Which is Good...
Razor sharp
Decent sheath, i was worried about this, but the factory sheath will do for some time.
Feel, Size, and Blade design are perfect for camping/hunting/outdoor activities


Overall Very happy with my decision, Can't wait to get out into the woods this weekend, need to give this Rat something to chew...
 
I rather like the patina that develops on steels like A2. Some guys actually hurry it up by a vinegar bath that evenly distriubutes the patina on the blade. I'm not saying I recommend it but that the point is many people prefer a blade that ages with them as they grow to trust it from carrying it and using it for years and years. I know I do.

I think rust or corrosion will only be an issue if the knife you carry is neglected. So long as it is wiped off and maintained as has already been mentioned it shouldn't matter what you choose. Personally I like a 'blue' steel or something that will take on character after a time. But any of the knives mentioned so far would be great choices. A2 is some tough steel though. Hard to beat for shear toughness IMO.
 
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