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.