The Scrapper 5 may be a nearly perfect all-around knife, it's a bit large for an EDC, and a bit small for a chopper, but it can do either in a pinch, along with anything you'd want from a mid-sized knife. It's relatively light in weight, and comfortable in hand.

I like it. It's a great knife.

I think I still prefer to carry my Comp. Finish SJTAC. But if I should decide one of these days to carry a 5" blade, the S5 will be my first pick.

Jim VERY accurately summed up my views.

But, ya’ll know me. I have to add extra clarity and details.

I REALLY feel the S5 is very close to being the perfect all-around knife, but I will add that I think the S5 best suited for: “all-rounder” in trail, woods, camp, and similar uses.

Because as Jim mentioned, I also feel the S5 is just a bit large for EDC.
Personally, I always EDC a folder and with as many sub-4” fixed blades as I own and have tried, I still find good quality folders to offer more bang for the buck in performance vs. “Practical to carry”. Ultimately, I think there are better fixed blades when pure use is the only consideration. But, “CARRY” is a HUGE factor to me for my EDC blades. And for me, folders win hands down for carry. For those willing and able to carry a fixed blade for an EDC blade, more power to you for that ability and end resulting better knife. But, that is EDC. I define EDC as urban/public daily use and carry. In those situations, unfortunately, I feel a bit more at the mercy of sheeple.

If I were to carry a fixed blade for my EDC in my situations, I would be looking for very light-weight AND very small. But, still large enough for a full handle. I don’t care for 3 finger handles or skelly handles. The Swamp Warden and GameWarden. I actually have a Shaker (I keep forgetting about – I need to sell.) I find it too small for my preferences as well. For my uses, I have quite a few good folders that offer more handle and more blade and carry a lot better than these smaller knives.

For my purposes, the Vex would be my current choice for small, light-weight, easiest to carry fixed bladed EDC knife.
The Vex is simple perfection in design. Slim, light-weight yet comfortable ergonomic handle and EXCELLENT task duty blade shape with no frills or wasted space = all function!

I think I rank (in order): SS4, Bog Dog, MPLE and HCLE are all worth considering. I think the HCLE could rank very close to the SS4 with some handle modifications. The HCLE’s handle is just a bit too small for my large hands.

On local community trails, I may either carry a small fixed blade up to S5/RMD size, but more often still just carry a folder. However, in deeper woods, camping and on less public trails, I am NOT going to fold to the mercy of sheeple. I will carry what I want and can carry legally. In the woods and on trails, I carry a fixed blade. If I WANT to carry a Waki or NMFBM or DFLE, I will. But, in reality, I tend to prefer something like the RMD or S5. Both offer the BEST compromise (IMO) between function and ease of carry on trails.

For my uses, purposes and preferences, and with some slight modifications (to the ramp, choil, forward Res-C hump and coating), the S5 “IS” the BEST knife from a purely logical, practical and rational approach!!! But, we don’t all always concede to logic, practical and rational views, do we???

IMO, the S5 offers enough increase in blade size to give it much more versatility on the trail, in the woods and around camp over many similar smaller Res-C knives without adding much weight and (IMO) for woods and trail use, the S5 won’t add enough noticeable difference in carry compared to a smaller Res-C knife.



For comparison:

S5CG………………………….= 6.75 ounces; .185” thick; 5.125” blade; 10.125” oal

DMCG........................= 9.0 ounces; .270" thick; 5.25" blade; 9.75" oal
Ratmandu (G10).........= 11.0 ounces; .189" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
Ratmandu (micarta)....= 10.0 ounces; .189" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
Desert Jack (stripped).= 10.0 ounces; .175” thick; 6.0” blade; 11.25” oal

SS4........................= 5.5 ounces; .200" thick ; 4.25" blade; 9" oal
Bog Dog..................= 5.0 ounces; .140" thick ; 4.75" blade; 9.56" oal
Mud Puppy (LE)……… = 5.0 ounces; .185” thick; 3.25” blade; 8.25” oal
Yard Keeper LE..........= 7.5 ounces; .268" thick; 4.5" blade; 9" oal
Howler (2nd gen-Res-C).....= 5.5 ounces; .188" thick; 4.5" blade; 9" oal

Vexillarius…………….. = 5.25 ounces; .14” thick; 3.75” blade (from front of choil); 8.25” oal
HCLE 3.5” blade……. = 6.25 ounces; .170” thick; 3.5” blade; 8.25” oal
HCLE 4.0” blade……. = 6.5 ounces; .170” thick; 4.0” blade; 8.75” oal

HRLM.......................= 9.0 ounces; .190" thick; 4.13" blade; 9.3" oal
SAR5…………………………. = 11.0 ounces; mine 0.200” (stated .1875”), 5.0” blade; 10.0” oal


Without getting too carried away with breaking down the detailed comparisons above:

The DMCG is really the closest to compare when both size and weight are considered, yet the S5 offers a bit roomier handle and a bit more blade length while still being considerably lighter. Some people appear to appreciate the standard Res-C handles. For me, the DMCG having the “Small” Busse Basic handles were too small. But, I cut and sanded my DMCG’s Res-C to improve it’s fit and feel in my hand. With the mods to the Busse Basic Res-C handle, the DMCG’s handle is sufficiently comfortable now. So, the DMCG’s handle is not the issue anymore.
However, in all fairness and if handle modifying is considered, I felt the S5 needed the front Res-C guard blended into the metal guard which improved feel, comfort and balance IMO. And, In the end, although REALLY very close, I prefer the feel and balance of the modified S5’s handle over the modified DMCG’s handle. I also prefer the blade shape and thickness of the S5, I prefer the over-all weight and balance of the S5. And I prefer SR-101 for it’s edge properties over SR-77. So, while the differences are quite minor and subtle, in the end, I prefer the S5.

The Bog Dog is another very reasonable comparison. I would define the Bog Dog as an “ULTRA”-light knife. But, it is a pretty thin blade and while Swamp’s D2 is reputably very tough, there is little question that SR-101 is tougher and with the S5’s 32% thicker blade AND the extra toughness offered by saber grind vs. full flat, the S5 feels and “IS” much tougher and more substantial, while still being very light-weight. The Bog Dog is arguably more of a slicer. The S5 is arguably more suited for most anything short of any real chopping.

But, when comparing blades - with handle, size, weight, comfort and other preferences being a separate issue, the RMD vs. the S5 is probably the most significant competition – just a bit more relevant IMO than the S5 vs. DMCG. I don’t have the other thinner Dumpster Mutt’s. But, those might actually be closer comparisons.

Personally, I prefer the S5’s blade shape (not including the ramp and choil). For my purposes, I have already decided my S5 will need the ramp removed (already done) and the choil rounded and slightly enlarged up into the guard a bit (soon to be done). I also felt the forward guard hump of the Res-C needed removed and blended with smooth transition into the metal guard (already done and NICE improvement for a very fast and easy modification!! - *** But, for those considering, be VERY careful not to cut away too much Res-C or you will expose the tang!)

I like the light-weight handle of the S5 for feel, balance and over-all weight and improved ease of carry.

In regards to the RMD, I have analyzed the blade and I have determined I could drop the point on my RMD to give it a blade shape I prefer and very comparable to the S5’s blade shape. And modifying the RMD’s blade would be as easy as modifying the S5’s ramp and easier than modifying the S5’s choil. But, the RMD’s handle weight and over-all weight are still factors. I don’t consider the RMD’s weight or balance a big problem. I just think the RMD could be slightly better with a little lighter handle, over-all weight and slightly more blade forward balance. So, I wish and would like to skeletonize the RMD’s handle. But, skeletonizing the RMD’s handle would be a significant, time consuming modification.

However, I have to point out and concede some compromise between the Res-C and micarta (especially in smaller knives):

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Res-C

Pros: VERY lightweight, moderately durable, cost effective (cheap), practical, some shock absorbing properties (most relevant to choppers), "can" be sculpted with blade and sandpaper

Cons: Not as nice looking or as high end looking as micarta or natural materials, not nearly as tough and durable as micarta

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Micarta

Pros: VERY tough and durable, stable (won't shrink, rot, or break down), Nice looking (*Very nice if buffed up and darkened a bit!) (Not quite as exotic as some natural materials, but considering how much tougher, more stable and cost effective it is, micarta is a VERY worthy consideration for one of the nicest all-around "USER" handle materials available)

Cons: Costs a bit more than Res-C, but generally "can" be very reasonably priced. Weight - Not really that much heavier than many natural materials, but a little more weight and density. Busse has always used full tangs with micarta. Full tangs offer extra strength and toughness that is appreciated in some knives, but often over-kill. Properly designed hidden tangs or skeletonized tangs can offer PLENTY of toughness in many knife designs (see all Res-C designs) and offer lighter-weight handles.


Comfort is very subjective and often handle shape and size is much more relevant than material.

Grip also varies on both materials with different factors such as texturing. Fit in hand, design and shape of handle is more relevant to me than grip of material.

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Both the S5 and RMD can be modified to have similar end results, just different handle materials and ultimately, the Micarta handle will always be heavier - even if skeletonized. I do prefer micarta on smaller knives if I can keep the handle weight and balance reasonable. I honestly think a LOT of the Busse and kin knives could be a notch or so better if some weight could be removed from the handle heavy tangs on certain knives (not all) by making them hidden tang or even better IMO would be skeletonized tangs. Personally, (along with stripping it’s coating) I think the RMD needs it's tang skeletonized to "kick it up a notch".

But, the modifications to the S5 are a LOT easier and faster.


In the end, I am splitting hairs. The S5, Ratmandu, SS4, Vex and many others are really EXCELLENT knives! And ALL very worthy / worth owning and using!

But, my trail/woods knife battle is now primarily between my S5 and RMD. It WILL be a TOUGH battle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

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