I used the new Scrapper 5 today. I have lots of 5" blade knives, but I wanted to compare the S5 to those most like it. Some of these are thicker and heavier than the S5.

The Al Mar SERE, SOG Team Leader, and Swamp Rat Ratmandu are very close in size. All have 3/16" thick blades. All but the Scrapper have full tangs with scales attached. The SOG has Zytel scales, the Al Mar uses Nylon, and the Swamp Rat has micarta scales. The SOG uses the new expensive 20CV Duratec stainless, the Al Mar uses S30V, and the Ratmandu, like the S5 has modified 52-100 or SR101 steel.


The light slim SERE may be the best slicer here. They all did well in notching and slicing.

The Team Leader cuts very well, but the handle is very rough and uncomfortable to use. It feels much like a green pine cone. I hate it.

The ratmandu and S5 were the most comfortable to use. I batoned all the knives through some Red Bay with no damage to the edges.





[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD020.jpg[/img]
Just for fun, I used the saw on my SOG Seal Revolver to see if sawing was easier than batoning. It wasn't, but the saw is handy on that knife.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD039.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD041.jpg[/img]
All these knives have good balance. I was able to stick them all on the first try, except for the SOG TL. I didn't throw the revolver.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD026.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD027.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD028.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD029.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD030.jpg[/img]
All these knives work well for all-arounders, but my favorites are the Ratmandu and Scrapper 5. If the SOG had a decent handle, it would do a lot better.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD033.jpg[/img]
I finished up by sticking a machete. I just love doing that and watching it vibrate in the wood! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/S5MOD035.jpg[/img]
I did not test for edge retention or try to bend them. I just used them as I would any knife and these are my impressions.

nice. shame about that SOG fallin behind. always wanted something from them, namely the tech bowie.

Great review as always Vic. Thanks for the info <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the reveiw and the great pics. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Great pics and review HD! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Would you say from your experience here with the S5 that it would make a sufficient hiking/camping knife? The reason I ask, is that I am planning a hiking/camping trip to the Smokeys in September and I'm trying to decide what knife to take along in addition to my EDC folder. The knife needs to be light and fit in my Vulture II pack. It also needs to be able to do regular camp chores like cutting up food, rope, etc...It also needs to be able to chop some wood if necessary either by chopping or by batoning (also shaving wood and cutting up smaller pieces for fire starting). Do you feel the S5 is up for this type of work or would I be better off carrying my Camp Tramp or a larger knife? I'm thinking the DF and the RD-9 are too heavy and large so the S5 would be perfect if it is up to the tasks...?

Thanks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nice comparison, Those are nice knives,,

Great review Vic.

And thanks for all the great pics.

I was thinking the S5 has AWESOME balance for a thrower. I kept wondering how long till you threw it. The S5 seems like one of the best balanced throwers I have and yet SO great for SO much more.

Good stuff Vic. I have always been intruiged by the Sere. The RMD and the S5 seem to me to be close to perfection in this size knife.

I hope Vic chimes in here. I am sure he will.

Obviousely, this question is directed to Vic.

But, quick question: Do you have an S5CG?

I ask because some of the questions you ask sort of sound like you might not understand how much difference there is between the S5, Camp Tramp and DF.

You obviousely have and know how big the RD-9 and DF are.

I assume you know about the Camp Tramp's size.

But, the S5 is a LOT smaller than the Camp Tramp.


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

Camp Tramp.....= 14.5 ounces; .236" thick; 7.325" blade; 12.5" oal


The Camp Tramp chops very well for it's size and weight.

The S5 "needs" to be batoned. I personally would NOT call the S5 a chopper. Chopping with the S5 will result in piddly chips not worth the time or effort. However, on the right sized wood, the S5 along with most knives with sufficiently tough steel can be batoned reasonably well. Toughness and length are the main factors for batoning.

Outside of chopping, batoning and whether you "Need" to chop, IMO, the S5 makes an EXCELLENT "Hiking/Camping" knife!!!

Personally, I almost never find need to chop on most of the trails I hike on.

However, it depends on where you hike. Vic does a lot of hiking in marshes where actual trail clearing might be needed from time to time. A machete will absolutely "RULE" where trail clearing is needed!!! There is NOTHING you mentioned that is even close to a machete for trail clearing. A Bark River Golok is good and a DFLE or Battle Rat is decent for some types of trail clearing.


But, for:
and short of chopping and trail clearing, the S5 will baton "suitable for it's size" and will otherwise be an OUTSTANDING "Hiking/Camping" carry knife! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I wouldn't put the S5 in a "Pack". I would carry it on my belt/side in a good sheath for handy access. But, that's me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


I can understand putting a larger knife in a pack if you already have a good handy belt knife readily available and you don't want a larger knife bouncing around on your side or pulling your belt down, but why would you put a small belt knife like the S5 in a pack??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

The S5 is ideally sized for belt/trail carry. It is very lightweight and short enough were it shouldn't even be noticable on your belt. It won't bounce around and won't weight your belt to one side. And on your belt, it will be WAY handier and accessible when you need it.

The only other option I can see doesn't apply to me, but if you have a Molle vest or a large backpack that sits on your waste. In which case, I would attach it to the front of the vest or front strap or similar "accessible" part of your pack.

Just some thoughts. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

+1

Vic and I have discussed the SERE in the past. I have one as well. It is a good knife. I personally feel both the RMD and S5 are better. But, I am not speaking for anyone else on that.

Personally, my biggest issue with the SERE is the thumb ramp. The SERE's thumb ramp REALLY doesn't suit my hands at all. But, while I "CAN" and did already grind off the ramp from my S5, the SERE has a very specific and well designed kydex type sheath that the thumb ramp and guard click into. So, removing the ramp would negate the "click" and hold function of the sheath.

Also, and I have never checked this yet even though the scals are star bit screws which I could easily remove, the scales seem hollow (????) - not sure. But, grinding them may ruin them and cause me to have to completely make new scales. So, while I know Vic has carried his SERE a lot, I have never really used mine.

But, for anyone who doesn't mind the ramp on the SERE and while the SERE isn't going to be quite as tough as SR-101, the blade, handle, sheath are all pretty nice.

I have actually been interested in the Team Leader, but as Vic says those scales feel like a pine cone. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />

I have the discontinued SOG Field Knife in BG-42. Great knife and design although (like I assume the Team Leader is) more of a slicer and not quite as tough as SR-101, but I don't like the pine cone scales. I wish they were nice micarta.

Aside from the scales on the Team Leader, I don't like the sharpening choil. I wish it wasn't there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" /> Otherwise, the Team Leader would probably be pretty good with some custom scales.

.

Great review and pics as always Vic !!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

I love how you tells things how they are " The Team Leader cuts very well, but the handle is very rough and uncomfortable to use. It feels much like a green pine cone. I hate it." LOL !!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I think my favourite of that bunch is still the Ratmandu but they are all decent knives ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks KG. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I have a CT, a DF and 5 S5's. I was aware of the size differences...just not sure if the added chopping ability of the CT would make it more suitable for a camping/hiking knife or not. As far as carrying goes, I usually have my EDC folder in my pocket so it is handy for minor cutting tasks. My pack has a ton of MOLLE connectors/straps and places to attach my S5 in it's nice Kydex sheath (thanks to David Brown)...I could also strap it to my side on a belt but I'm not always wearing a belt so that is why I mentioned putting it in or on my pack. My only concern for chopping is for getting wood for a fire. I won't be taking any with me and I have no idea what might be available there at the camp sites...especially the back country sites. I mentioned the CT as it is smaller then the RD-9 and DF but big enough to be a better chopper than the S5.

If I understand your post - you are saying that the S5 would be perfect for hiking and camping just not a great chopper...I don't plan on doing any brush clearing so that is okay that it's not good for that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I guess it boils down to whether or not I will need to chop wood or not and what type/size wood it is. I may get my Snatchet before the trip and in that case I'll have a small hatchet for chopping duties. Right now, without seeing your response to this and not knowing how HD or anyone will respond, I'm leaning towards either the CT alone...or the S5 along with the Snatchet (and my EDC folder in both cases). Thoughts?

Thanks for the great reply KG. The question was intended for HD but I like getting everyones input on these things. Thanks again! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />