If the 711 is close to the SOD I think a Cold steel ReconScout is a blade of the same size but the trail master is a little to big. The Trail master is better to compare with Swamp rat M9.

My cold steel recon scout is a real workhorse, I can't say anything bad about it.
(used it to dig, work, chop, batonning,pry,throwing...)

But if I think to compare it with the SOD, the ReconScout will be out gunned by the SOD for sure !


just my 2 cents,

Try an Ontario Ranger series or Rat in a similar size. That was what sold me on Bussekin--my Dogfather chopped circles around my OKT Ranger 9.

Now, my 5160 Ranger 9 from Justin is a different story. I like that one just as much as my DF <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> There's a few brands/makers that I consider relatively on par with Bussekin, although Bussekin are generally my got to blades.

Ontario, I would never buy another.

1311 vs lightsaber.

Get a rig made up and do a mechanical chop off to failure. 711 vs ka-bar sounds like a fair comparison.

What I was thinking <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I'm actually game for this. Free weights + pulleys + steel arm for consistency.

Chop wood? Or steel? Concrete?

Go till it can't slice paper?

I'm more than happy to execute a "scientific" test. Noss's destruction tests were entertaining but I prefer accuracy over thrill value.


I'm spending a ton of money on Busse, Swamp and Scrap Yard and I would like to prove to myself that I'm getting something extra for my money.

Sounds like a good test. But I can tell you from experience the kabar knives I have had are good but not kin good.

The Ka-Bar was designed to be a fighting knife first. It really isnt a good comparison.

Maybe a Becker BK-7 vrs a 711

Given the fan fare on the forums, I'm willing to believe you. I think I've dropped >2K on Busse-kin blades kydex sheaths so far. So tell me how to prove to myself that it was not in vain.

Give me a quick ... do this in an hour test. Or a long scientific & controlled test. I don't care. Just give me a way to prove it to myself.