All, looking for your thoughts on whether the current offering makes a good survival knife. I can only afford one (outside of everything else I own) and am wondering if I should consider this or wait for the next blade. I've really been taken with reviews on the Scrapper 6 and the SOD. Haven't found all that much out there on the Regulator. Not too excited about blade geometry (worried a bit about the tip failing) but if it's more than functional...

I don't NEED to get one now...but this isn't always about need <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In my NOT scientific opinion the Reg is a really good blade. It is prybar thick (somewhere between .331 and .333 inch thick). The tip is not fragile. BUT the thought is that IF you need/want a dedicated chopper, get a DF or a SOD. I am sure others will chime in that have used the reg/tt reg more than I have. Oh, and BTW, WELCOME! You have found the BEST blades and the BEST site on the internet! This place has some of if not THE best folks anywhere!

Oh, guess I should add that I would NOT be worried if this were the only blade I had for "survival", and it should not be the only blade. IF you cannot afford two REALLY good knives, get the Reg and another smaller EDC type fixed blade. Just my 2 cents and hope it helps

If you could only afford one knife of this size, I would get a son of dogfather. However, you aren't likely to see those go for the same price as the regulator is. So really it's up to you.

Hey Bruce, haven't heard from you in a while. Hope you've not been sick. Also I DO agree about your 5-6 inch blade length, but I wa going on the assumption (yeah I know) that it would be needed to build or do EVERYTHING and Just MY opinion is that 7 1/2 is better.

As a collector of survival knives, I have come to the conclusion that most any knife could be considered a survival knife. The variations are endless. The Regulator can surely do more than some of them I've seen. Just put a good Swiss Army knife or multi-tool in the sheath pouch, and the Regulator is good to go. If you have the unpleasant job doing close quarters hand-to-hand combat in the Marine Infantry, the Regulator would definitely help you survive. On the other hand, if you're in the AF and piloting a Predator remotely to rain down death on your enemy, you might want a knife with a nail file so you don't break a fingernail on your keyboard.

There is no issue with the tip of either version of the Reg.The knife is a brute and not going to fail anybody and is great for any type of survival. That being said there are the RMDs availible at presnt and the prices on these knives are a stael. I rarely pay under 200 bucks for any knives much less knives of this quality. Welcome to the yard <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I think the Ratmandu is a good medium size survival knife. I'd prefer a bigger knife, if it was practical to carry. Actually, the trend in recent years has been more like the Bear Grylls knife, a small 4" blade. Remember the Rambo knives and the Buckmaster? Those were all the rage at one time. I think that ruggedness is a prime consideration no matter what size you choose. Most any of the Busse-made knives would do as a survival knife. Certainly the Camp Tramp is a proven survival knife. That big Regulator might not chop quite as well, but it will chop and it can stick things, too.

I also agree with Vic that a nice Multi Tool carried with ANY of these knives makes them much more versatile. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the comments and for the welcome! I've been lurking from the sidelines for a few months and finally decided to take the plunge and regiser

Ok, I should back up a bit. I've got a "few" other knives. Most recently, I've ordered a Gossman 5" Kephart. That, with an Orion K2 Kaper and my swiss army blade (and a few other randoms here and there in between) makes me think I should be decently covered. Looking for something in the lines of a chopper, less of a sticker. If I'm worried about hand-to-hand, I've taken a wrong turn somewhere in the woods! In which case, I'm more liable to turn to my 44 any way ;o)

The RatManDu is one nice looking blade. Maybe, if I can sell some more stuff, I'll do that and then wait and see what comes next on this site. Maybe by then I can afford another one. And no, I am unwilling to pay most of the secondary mkt prices out there. Yikes!

Other opinions or thoughts?

I think the Regulator is a great blade. It can do everything from chopping to fine carving. When I go out the Regulator finds its way to my hip most of the time. The thing is tough, you wont have to worry about the tip, or any other part of it.

You can't beat the price, probably the best value SYKCO has put out. If you wait to see what is coming next you my wait awhile, and there is no guarantee the next offering will be more "survivally" than the Regulator. If you like one of the older models you will have to pay Secondary prices or make it to a Show and hope Busse brought what you want.

For I big allaround knife this is it for me, every task I have thrown at it the Regulator has eaten it up.

I tend to think of a hollow handle as being a big plus for a survival knife; less because it allows you to store things in it, which is nice too, but because it's easier to mount on a stick to make yourself a spear. Many survival knives also have a pommel that can double as a hammer. I consider the Deregulator/Regulator model to be a very good "Camp Knife", which is similar to a survival knife, but to be used more specifically for batoning to split wood and for general cutting tasks. It's a pretty good chopper due to its weight, but is balanced less blade-heavy than a dedicated chopper -- it's more of a general purpose, heavy use knife. Based on the price and its capabilities, I'd strongly recommend buying a Military Overrun Deregulator with sheath (or a Regulator with sheath, but I personally prefer the Dereg).

For a chopper, if you can make it to one of the big shows (or get a proxy), the Dog Father is your best bang-for-the-buck Bussekin option ($139.95). If you can't do that and/or money isn't a big factor, Busse Combat is currently selling the Bushwacker Battle Mistress (Micarta-handled Combat Grade is $347.00), and a Competition Finish upgrade will be offered in this Sunday's KnoboGanzaaaa Spring 2010 Part One (for $387.00). I have one of the Competition Finish BWMs from Knob Creek (along with several of the CGs) -- No offense to the BOSS Jack and Terror Monkey fans, but I considered the CF BWM to be the best "new release" they had at the show.

That is a fact Jim- I bought a BWM in Eugene and it is awesome <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. Troy had three ( I think) and all went off the table during the show. A DF is a graet idea - but i am not seeing too many around except at KC and maybe at Blade ? Luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Seth has pretty much nailed it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> The Regulator/DeRegulator is one OUTSTANDING deal right now - perhaps the best for a LONG time!!! I certainly would not be concerned about tip strength or anything else - it's backed by the best warranty in the business. And if you add a good multi-tool as Horn Dog suggested, you're ready for just about anything. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
By the way - Howdy and Welcome to the Scrap Yard! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Best knife for survival for the money right now. Yes, absolutely. My SOD although is the best knife I have ever owned. It just fits me perfectly.

Man I hope so. one of the few knives i will buy two of (for a total of three). Once I got my SOD I was immediately worried about loosing it and having to buy another at secondary market prices. Can's wait til it comes around again.

I think the reg is a great survival knife for the money. Maybe a bit large, but many survival so called experts believe a large knife is better than a small knife. The logic being that you can do most things with a larger knife that you can do with a smaller knife, but you can't do the things with a smaller knife that you can do with a larger knife. There is nothing that will be perfect for every occasion. I'm new to Scrapyard knives so do not have the Dogfather or SOD to compare. I bought 5 Regs and have one in both vehicles and one in my BOB. I also posted a thread on my Reg/psk a while back. Tried to search it for a link but my connection was too slow. I also carry an SOG multi tool and Craftsman folding utility saw in my Kit.

Welcome to the Yard

Dumpster Dan

I don't have much to add to what's been said already, but I thought I'd chime in anyway.....

After some mild testing with one of my Mil Reg's it is my conclusion that the design is an "in between". By this I mean, it has the profile of a fighter; thickness of a massive chopper; is too long for "camp chores" and too short of concerted chopping. As such, if you're the sort of person that likes compromise (not a negative term - more of a "multi purpose" jack of all trades master of none meaning) survival gear then I would wholeheartedly recommend the Mil Reg. Its a screaming good deal!!!

While I fully plan on using one of my Mil Regs EXTENSIVELY this hiking / camping season, my "big" survival blade is and will remain a DogFather.

I'm an advocate of the "blade trinity" for survival, but I'm also a "gear geek"....

SAK or Multi-Tool
4-5" Fixed Blade Full Tang
10+" Chopper