Same though I'm not fussed about choil shape.

I prefer the look of the round, but I think square is a bit of a 'Yard trademark and I don't think it makes all that much difference in most use.


Also I'd loooove to see a Hell Dog.
I.e. a 'Yard fighter with Hell Razor-esque lines.

i just made one not too long ago that almost fits your description to a T with a micarta handle and man that sucker is a brute. I call it big girtha. its 20" long 1/4" thick and 3" wide at its widest point. Its made out of 5160 though,but man that thing is a brute. Dang near chopped my leg off underestimating it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

well i didnt cut myself but chopped right through a 3 to 4 inch inch tree limb and barely missed my leg

Ummmmm ..... pics or it didn't happen! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

K.G. Lowder will be at work tomorrow, I'll try to talk him into posting a pic of it next to our new Dogfathers (hopefully they come)..Lowder, myself and another guy wanted to have a chop off and keep our self in the 20" max limit... in the mean time I'll pm you a photo of mine next to the D.F.

Nevermind your P.m.s are full!!!

Wow.... I didn't realize they were full. Thanks for the heads up. I just archived them all and back to zeros. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Bruce.

"Killer" sounds like a strong term considering the legendary status of the CT. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

And honestly, even with subtle differences and especially with Dan having recently released the SOD, I am not optimistic about the Scrapweiler concept anymore. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> .... But, who know. Maybe in a few years. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

For my uses and preferences, I think the Scrapweiler concept has a few minor improvements over the CT or SOD. But, mostly just splitting hairs again.

Mainly, I still view the Scrapweiler concept as a Chopweiler with a Res-C handle. But, I prefer the Scrapweiler to have about an 8" to 8.5" blade. ... maybe just to be different enough from the CT and SOD. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

For comparison:

Camp Tramp...........= 14.5 ounces; .236" thick; 7.325" blade; 12.5" oal
Yard Guard...........= 16.0 ounces; .277" thick; 7.25" blade; 12.4" oal

Ratweiler (orig.)....= 20.1 ounces; .25” thick; 7.5” blade; 13” oal
Chopweiler - Micarta = 19.1 ounces; .25” thick; 7.5625” blade; 13.1875” oal
Chopweiler – G10.....= 20.5 ounces; .25” thick; 7.5625” blade; 13.1875” oal

NMSFNO.................= 21.5 ounces; .25” thick; 8.25” blade; 14.0” oal
FSH (full flat grind)..= 22.0 ounces; .27” thick; 8.1875” blade; 14.4” oal

I scored a G10 Chopweiler (actually 2, but had to sell one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ). I WISH I had been able to score a Chopweiler with the shaped micarta like the old Ratweiler scales. Vox scored one and I know there are a very small few out there.
Borrowed Vox's pics:




I saw a pic of one from an April 2008 show as well.



I LOVE my Chopweiler, but I would rather it be lighter over-all, lighter in the handle and more forward balanced. The micarta scales would be a bit of an improvement. I went with G10 because (at the time), Swamp Rat micarta scales were VERY fuzzy. But, recently, Jerry has obviously improved finish level of micarta. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> The radiused micarta like on the old Ratweiler and Rat Mastif were AWESOME. Having those contoured/radiused scales on the Chopweiler would be ideal - better feel, better looks (compared to flat fuzzy micarta) and even a bit lighter in handle. The G10 looks pretty nice, but kind of flat and boring vertical grooves. I had hoped and even posted back then that I would have liked to see the Chopweiler have the angled/slanted grooves like the RMD and with radiusing. That would have been VERY nice. But, it didn't happen. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Since I photo-chopped this concept, the NMSFNO has come out and it actually has about the size blade I would like to see on the Scrapweiler. The NMSFNO and Chopweiler have a few similarities. But, mainly differ in the NMSFNO being about 0.625" longer in blade, different handles and convex vs. Saber. Otherwise, the general blade shapes are pretty close. Both having a dropped point close to what I like. The NMSFNO actually has a long flat edge with a tighter radius edge at the point vs. a bit flatter radius on the Chopweiler. I would prefer even flatter still. And a bit higher spine arch than the NMSFNO.

The CT = 7.375" blade
The SOD = 7.5" blade

The Chopweiler = 7.5" blade... But, is really longer.

The micart/G10 scales on the Chopweiler extend further onto the tang and further from the grip area than the Res-C handles. So, if you measure the "traditional" way from the edge of the Res-C or edge of the micarta/G10, the blade lengths are VERY close at 7.375" for CT and 7.5" for SOD and Chopweiler.
But, if you line up the grip areas, the Chopweiler actually has about a 1/2" longer blade than the CT - which would be about 7.875".

**** One thing I always felt could have been improved on the CT and BR was the choil. For me, the guard was to large and the choil was extended too far from the handle. I reground my CT's (and BR's and many others <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) choil back up and into the guard/ricasso to have it closer to the natural grip - which feels much better in my hand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Signature or not, I am not a fan of Dan's flat choil. - Sorry Dan.

I didn't pick up the SOD as I have a CT and had long ago satin finished my CT with my CT being a very common user for me.

I would prefer more of a dropped point and not really a fan of clipped blades - although I probably have to concede that the differences are often mostly just aesthetics.


Now considering all of the above. I will throw in something else. I would actually prefer the Scrapweiler to be at about 0.20" - 0.22" thick. Not 0.25".

My CT with coating removed (and dimples) is at 0.236" thick and feels quite nice.

But, my similar length Yard Guard is thicker at 0.277. Unfortunately, the Yard Guard does NOT balance nor feel as nice as the Camp Tramp to me.

And considering the taller blade and length of the Scrapweiler concept, I don't want to add too much weight and looking to retain great balance.

The SARSquatch is only 0.1875" thick and feels quite nice.

And the WAKI with "EXTREME" toughness is ONLY 0.195" thick in SR-101!!

So, to balance nicely, weigh less over-all (nicer to carry) and be a good all-round camp knife / slash chopper, I think the Scrapweiler Concept would be better served at 0.20" - 0.22" thick - IMO. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

A full convex blade would be VERY cool (like the NMSFNO) for utilitarian function. But, otherwise, I like the saber with arched spine for still being good function and cool looking - like in the concept. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />



Maybe someday...... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


Yeah... I would be ALL over it!!!!

I try to keep "Planting the Seed". But, Jerry has recently made it clear that he doesn't like Photoshop concepts posted. He feels that there might be legal issues with duplicating such designs..... even after I started adding disclaimers giving full rights to the concepts to Busse. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

So, by designing certain things, I "may" have "Killed" the options (?????) or at least "as drawn"... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

...... so, I don't photo-shop and post modified designs anymore.

But, I seriously disagree with Jerry's view on this. I can appreciate the some industry's including the knife industry have gotten to where design is everything to their "Branding". But, customers help design products ALL the time.
Customer input has driven production of goods FOREVER!!! And it should!

But, if limited to only being able to provide design input to written or verbal suggestions, there is WAY TOO MUCH left open for interpretation. It is often just way too hard to describe certain details. Knife design is such a situation that is too hard to describe in writing or verbally - unless making a simple obvious change such as No thumb ramp or similarly simple. But, that is not often the case.

I have a significant history in sales and management and an appreciation for ACCURATE and CLEAR communication. But, that can be hard.

Unfortunately, with something like knife design, I feel actual in hand proto-types are FAR and AWAY the best option. But, that isn't very realistic or practical for most of us. So, Second best is EASILY pictures, drawings and/or photoshoping. As long as it takes me to photo-shop a concept, it is still a WAY faster and WAY more "CLEAR" and accurate method for conveying my ideas.

Without such clarity, things like the following can (and "DO" OFTEN) happen:



Same concept, different industry application:




...... anyway... I would think my FULL disclaimer giving FULL rights and entitlements to design would be sufficient... But,.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />


--------------------

I like the Mega Muk a LOT as well. I think it needs to be a good 0.25" thick. Tall Big hunk of blade. "MEGA" Power Chopper with a blade/edge shape great for Camp use as well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> .... Need a Seriously HEAVY duty cutting board. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

If only I had a KMG and more skill......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

.

wah KG you obviously put a lot of thoughts into this. But I think one of the reason why the CT recieved a "legendary status" is that it's just the perfect knife for camping and go to knife for long hikes. It is somewhat light enough to be carry around all day and it can still do a good amount of wood chopping AND fine close up work. Any longer would be a pain to carry in the woods and any shorter would not go well with chopping. The SR101 is just the perfect steel to go with the CT. For long distance campers/hikers it helps a lot to have a steel that pretty much don't need sharpening on a week long trip.

I do agree with most of what you said. I wouldn't mind having those options; but if it means that Dan won't consider it in the distance future then no <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />.

Jerrry and Eric didn't give in the whole "Mini" deal years back (Those of you who don't know what it is; well it was basically like this thread but 50x bigger with 50x more posts. Kind of funny because it was like the death chat but the only topic was the "Mini". Many of us wanted the Swamprat "Mini" but of course it never happen), but I truely think that if enough of us want it then maybe just maybe Dan will give in and give us something like what KG wants <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />.

what's the "mini"?