SHTF Fixed blade

As far as the Busse-kin companies (Scrap Yard and Swamp Rat), they follow the same basic production model of limited runs available for special order. No stocking dealers that I have ever found. So, buying a moderate to high-priced knife sight unseen. Having said that, I have owned quite a few. My take on the Dumpster Mutt is that it is a heavy blade for its length and the handle sucks. Undersized and under-length for the blade heft. I absolutely love the design of the Scrap Yard Scapper 5 and own a Combat Grade and a LE in INFI. My go-to knives for anything other than EDC. I do not EDC a fixed blade, but rather carry a Spyderco Endura 4.

so... how does one go about finding one of these knives?

I think that was the original point about many of these makers is that most of us don't want to camp out and wait for things to drop, or have to get on lists and that kind of thing. It makes even LESS sense when you're talking about a $80 knife versus a $300+ knife. At least at the high price you can talk yourself into thinking you're waiting for a handmade custom knife, but at $80 I think I may just go buy a RAT or a Becker, people have those in stock everywhere.

There is a robust resale market over on Bladeforums.com
If you know what you are looking for and its value, AND you can find the right-minded seller who is not looking to rape you, you can make out OK. The DM's are going for $120 and up depending on fit and finish. Haven't seen many Yard Keepers, but I am sure that they come up.

As far as new, you just have to keep checking the manufacturer sites or reading the Bladeforum.com forum sections relative to each.

Kind of a nasty, expensive hobby there, too!

Originally Posted by CGoodwin

Kind of a nasty, expensive hobby there, too!

I recently joined USN and see that there too. I see guys post pictures of their collections of knives and all I think is "man that would add up to a really nice AR!"

Originally Posted by rob_s

Are those something that is readily available? I thought they were just as hard to find. I like the look of the Yard Keeper and the Dumpster Mutt, and would order a YK if I knew where to order from and they had stock.

i emailed the sales dept about a couple, the Scrap Muk, and the Yard Keeper, I will let you know that they tell me. I hope the Muk hasnt already ended its run, it looks great, but at Steel: 154 CM...Yikes.. I better brush up on my sharpening skills.

for anyone that was interested.

Hello. The Scrap Muk is a past model and is no longer available and it is hard to tell when or if it will be available again. How it works with Scrap Yard is that we put one or two knives up on the order page at a time and leave those knives up for 4-6 weeks for ordering. Once they come down from the order page they are no longer available and may never be available again. We just put the Regulator and De Regulator on the order page last week, so it will be a little while before a new knife goes up. We do not send out email confirmations when knives are available. Thank you.

Renee

I HIGHLY reccomend the proprietary steel, INFI, in any make or model. The stuff is amazing and I don't think I even have fully grasped its potential and the CS of the companies that sells them are excellent. Just go look at what NOSS gives them on his unusual tests on youtube.


Rob, if you are interested in some BUSSE knives let me know. I have a few I could part with.

In a SHTF situation I would want an ESEE-6. But currently I only have an RC-4, RC-3, and Izula, haha.

Don't run first line any more , but this is my pig sticker

I have two Strider fixed blades, a DB and ZM. I like smaller blades that I can conceal if need be. I don't worry about loosing them....never lost a firearm so why would I lose a knife?