SHTF Fixed blade

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.

Rob,
Like others have mentioned if you have an idea of what you want its really not that difficult and In my opinion worth it for what you get. I'm happy to show a little patience if it gets me what I want at a fair price, and something that will hold its value to boot. Don't like it, sell it and you'll get most of your money out of it. Here's a couple way's to try.

1. Email Scrapyard for next available
2. See if they will be at any shows anytime soon (Ex BLADE Show)
3. Shop and post the knife forums (Bladeforums etc.) good deals can be found!
4. Check Ebay regularly, many Busse's pop up there

My thoughts on some of the other criticisms are that they are a bit thick but I want that in a "SHTF" survival blade cause I will be beating the shit out of it for a long time (years), and on a "chopper" of that nature I think the handles are perfect. I want a fully wrapped (not scales) shock & chemical resistant, KISS handle that will allow proper continued use of the knife even if removed. If I have real criticism of the blades its that SR22 rust's a bit more that what would be ideal but if you've got lube for your rifle in "SHTF" you've got it for your knife. My 2cts.

I don't consider myself a 'knife guy', but I add my 2 cents FWIW.

My most recent purchase is a RAT (ESSE) RC3 which hangs on my emergency bag in the issue kydex sheath. So far, I'm very pleased with it's performance.
My old standby is my Randall Model 18 I bought 30 years ago. It served me very well during my career, is not a pretty collectors knife and should probably be treated to some new leather at some point.
Between the two I think I have covered the bases in blade length; the 3" RAT and 7" Randall..................

Originally Posted by Ranger325

I don't consider myself a 'knife guy', but I add my 2 cents FWIW.

My most recent purchase is a RAT (ESSE) RC3 which hangs on my emergency bag in the issue kydex sheath. So far, I'm very pleased with it's performance.
My old standby is my Randall Model 18 I bought 30 years ago. It served me very well during my career, is not a pretty collectors knife and should probably be treated to some new leather at some point.
Between the two I think I have covered the bases in blade length; the 3" RAT and 7" Randall..................

I like RAT a lot. Full flat grind, good blade geometry. However for the price I would like to see something just a bit better than 1095, though its good. At lest they give it an anti corrosive/anti glare coating which helps a bit.

Brian, what are the dimensions of this knife?

That thing looks mean.

That's the "TTW". To The Woods. I think it's about a 7.5" blade. It's hard to remember all the sizes. It may be 7". I can go up to 8" and still edge harden. I need another as the one in the picture was supposed to be mine but someone wanted it worse than I did

A note on ESEE knives. The owners of the company, over on bladeforum, recommend NOT buying an RC-5 unless you need to cut up an airplane or something like that. They say that their other models do basically everything else better.

I have the IZULA and I love it. I've been using it a lot at work as a makeshift paint scraper (when I get to the top of the ladder only to realize I left my scraper on the ground), to open paint cans, pull staples out of walls, and of course, as a knife. It's held up fine with no chipped edges or broken tip.

RAT USMS R-3. Great knife as is the entire RAT (ESSEE) line.

Originally Posted by bgoode

That's the "TTW". To The Woods. I think it's about a 7.5" blade. It's hard to remember all the sizes. It may be 7". I can go up to 8" and still edge harden. I need another as the one in the picture was supposed to be mine but someone wanted it worse than I did

That thing is beautiful, brother.

I'm trying to cook up a design, and of all the knives I've been looking at, that is the closest to what I think would be the best woodland knife.

Originally Posted by Navigating Collapse

That thing is beautiful, brother.

I'm trying to cook up a design, and of all the knives I've been looking at, that is the closest to what I think would be the best woodland knife.

Thanks!!! It's based off of Ricky Fowlers survival pattern. Not sure what the pattern was. I just changed it to be what I thought it needed.

Another vote for the BK-2/Campanion