I see a reference to the Regulator being too thick to be a good slicer. What intended purpose does each knife do best? Any rules of thumb on blade size, thickness, as to what it does best? What do you anticipate the S5 doing best? Trying to get a grip on more knife knowledge. Thanks

not having seen one in person I see the Regulator as a fantastic hacking tool as well as a pry bar and poker.
As I wait for my S5 I imagine it as a good slicer, My Mud Puppy fantastic at that with the full height grind and LE finish.
but really for the S5 will be a great do-all knife, I do not fore-see it being amazing am one particular task, but at EVERY TASK.

I see the S5 as being a great little all purpose knife that can do everything, except chopping because if its small size.

There are some general rules of thumb, but they only occasionally hold true.

For example, conventional wisdom says that choppers should be thick, yet my Cold Steel LTC Kukri (pretty thin blade, especially by Busse standards) handily out-chopped every single knife I put it up against in a recent chopoff. Some of those knives were easily twice as thick as the LTC, yet it still chopped better.


Thickness is only a tiny part of the equation - edge style, blade grind, weight distribution will all play an important role. A 3/16 inch knife with a hollow grind will slice better than the exact same knife, except given a saber grind.

I agree with Mustardman about the thickness only being part of the story but I have also found that I don't really require a knife any thicker than 1/8" stock, most my blades in this thickness slice great and are still plenty tough enough for battoning etc !

The Regulator Bowie can certainly slice, with a good edge, but a thin blade like the Bird Dog is a better slicer. I have no doubt that it can chop and stick and slash, as well as pry and beat things. It's a classic combat/utility bowie on steriods. Like a beefed up Ka-Bar or Cold Steel Recon Scout, in better steel. It is more "fighter" oriented than the SOD, with more reach than the S6.

And as has been said, the S5 is going to be good all-around medium sized knife. I think the new Scrapper 5 will become as sought after as the SS4. I just love the design, the mudder handle, and the 3/16" thick SR101 steel. I can hardly wait to get mine and use it.

Too many variables Sigfest...I personally think the S5 will be a great all-purpose knife. It might not be the best chopper, etc. but I believe it will be able to do whatever you need it to do.

Typically, thinner = better slicer and thicker = better chopper, but as some have already pointed out, that isn't always the case. There isn't always a straight forward case of what a particular knife does well and what it won't do well...but there are some cases that are obvious...for example...a 24" machete does not make a good fillet knife. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> and so on...

I think it will be a great all purpose knife.

Without handling the S5, I have reason to believe it will be one of the most useful knives I know of. It looks as close to perfect for functional size and design with the mudder handle.

I really like the SOD, I don't see any big upside in the Regulator owning the SOD. To me it will not likley be a great slicer, or nimble knife even though it is perhaps better balanced in the hand then the SOD. I think the balance being closer to the handle would make it a weaker chopper. To me, it looks like a tweener not likley to be great at anything, but we will have to see what the experts say.

I think having the 5" S5, the 7" SOD, and obtaining the DF....would set anyone well for any occasion.....ok, a SY Bolo Machete would round things out nicely.

Exactly correct on all points IMO. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Hopefully the S5s will come back around again in the next year. I feel like I should've ordered more than I did when I had the chance.

Hey Dan, if you end up with a couple of extra in all black let me know, I'll take 'em. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The regulator is definitely not a "tweener that isn't great at anything". In six months I'll tell you exactly what it's great at, but there are a few items on that list <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />