Scrap Yard Knife Company

SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard

Posted By: Toast

SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 04/30/10 09:31 PM

DWRW posted some weight and other specs over on the SwampRat sub-forum on Bladeforums.

Camp Tramp......... = 14.1 ounces; .24" thick; 7.325" blade; 12.5" oal
(SY) Yard Guard.... = 16.0 ounces; .277" thick; 7.25" blade; 12.4" oal
(SY) SODCG.......... = 15.7 ounces; ??? thick; 7.5” blade; 12.5” oal
(SY) SODLE…………. = ??? ounces; .25” thick; 7.5” blade; 12.5” oal

The Yard Guard / Hook has a slightly shorter blade by 1/4". The mass is greater than that of either the Camp Tramp and the SOD and the blade is of thicker stock. Dan posted that the regulator was tested and the Saber grind was chosen as it produced a better chopping blade. The Yard Guard / Hook has the most pronounced saber grind of these knives.

For those who have the Yard Guard / Hook and either the Camp Tramp or a SOD, how do they compare as a chopping and / or all around camp / wilderness / survival knife? I had a micarta scaled mini-mojo and found it to not have the chopping ability I desired (it had magnum grips and a pronounced handle heavy balance). Although I appreciate the input of anyone wanting to give some I am most interested in what those who can do a side by side comparison have to say. Thanks.
Posted By: Joe Fowler

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 04/30/10 10:30 PM

Isn't the SODCG 1/4 inch think?
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 04/30/10 10:32 PM

Yes I believe it is, or close to. The original poster of the specs did not post it (I assume he either does not own one or was using the info from Scrap Yard which does not list the two version separately).
Posted By: RN

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 04/30/10 11:12 PM

I have a CT and had a Yard Guard- the CT just smoked the YG in chopping. Great looking blade though!
Posted By: bodhi_

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/03/10 09:02 PM

Funny, I didn't know the SOD was longer and heavier than the Tramp. The SOD is a pretty good chopper because of the forward balance. It just wants to cut. I've never owned a Tramp, in fact I bought the SOD to give me a ResC medium sized camp blade. Still might go for a bigger one if Dan ever releases a short sword.
Posted By: Dumpster Dan

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/04/10 03:38 AM

Quote
Funny, I didn't know the SOD was longer and heavier than the Tramp. The SOD is a pretty good chopper because of the forward balance. It just wants to cut. I've never owned a Tramp, in fact I bought the SOD to give me a ResC medium sized camp blade. Still might go for a bigger one if Dan ever releases a short sword.

That has to be one of the best hints ever slipped into a post for my attention...I didn't even see it coming <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Dan
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/11/10 08:16 AM

I have to say I am surprised by the lack of input. Only one poster can give a comparison? I am a bit surprised by the result. Not that I do not believe it but it seems the YG should be close if not better. At least according to the stats it is heavier, likely more blade balanced (though I do not have both), thicker stock and a saber grind.

RN, if you had to put numbers on the comparison with the CT being 100%, where would you rank the YG? 50%, 70% as efficient?
Posted By: RN

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/11/10 11:39 AM

Ugghhh...that was about 2 years ago or more...I thought the mass would have helped the guard too, but the tramp was dominant...much better penetration I remember...

I'm pretty sure Horn Dog did a test where both were included if you want to run a search...
Posted By: Anonymous

Post deleted by Private Klink - 05/11/10 03:25 PM

Posted By: dl351

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/11/10 04:31 PM

It seems to me that the Guard/Hook has more of an obtuse angle due to the lower grind than the SOD. Because of that, the SOD cuts and chops better. I'll say though, I have a Guard and SOD, and I just love the way the Guard looks!
Posted By: Anonymous

Post deleted by Private Klink - 05/11/10 04:39 PM

Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/12/10 06:20 PM

I have little doubt that both the CT and SOD are better choppers overall as they both have a sterling reputation in that role. My question is more based on wanting to know how much the difference in performance is. I can only afford one (if that (health issues)) and have a new YG. I am trying to decide if it is worth the effort to sell or trade it for one of the others. I love the YG design and I think it is the best looking scrap yard knife going but wonder as to its overall usefulness and practicality.
Posted By: Private Klink

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/12/10 07:32 PM

Toast - if you are happy with the Yard Guard, then don't sweat it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I have both knives,and they are both great, and very suitable for camp knives. You can't lose with either one, and since you already have a Yard Guard just put that money toward something else - preferably a new knife! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Stump Buster

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/12/10 09:56 PM

Quote
Toast - if you are happy with the Yard Guard, then don't sweat it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I have both knives,and they are both great, and very suitable for camp knives. You can't lose with either one, and since you already have a Yard Guard just put that money toward something else - preferably a new knife! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

+1 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

If ya already have the YG and Love it...forget about the rest and enjoy what ya have!!! That being said....I wish I could follow the same advice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />!!!
Posted By: ThePitbullofLove

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/14/10 06:27 PM

Hmmm...no Camp Tramp nearby,,,,
[Linked Image from images43.fotki.com]
Posted By: dl351

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/14/10 07:59 PM

I'll say, we all have a bit of a sickness here! I've been trying to "thin the herd" slightly, and can't decide for the life of me which knife should go (well, none should really go). I have the YG, SOD, Regulator, Regulator TT, and a Chopweiler. I think I have more 7" blades than any other size, which isn't bad since 7" seems to be fairly versatile. Oh the illness!
Posted By: RN

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/15/10 01:31 AM

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

[Linked Image from i432.photobucket.com]
Posted By: Private Klink

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/15/10 01:40 AM

They're all great knives! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: myketheknife

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/15/10 03:44 AM

I just got a SOD today & can't wait to compare it to the Hook.Maybe next weekend.
The hook/guard is a fine med. chopper IMO, if thats all you have.
Love the recurve too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: ZenbaaS

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/15/10 07:46 AM

Quote
I just got a SOD today & can't wait to compare it to the Hook.Maybe next weekend.
The hook/guard is a fine med. chopper IMO, if thats all you have.
Love the recurve too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

The recurve is really awesome. Everytime I see it I just want one. I've also been eyeing a SOD, looks like a really nice blade <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: DotD

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/17/10 03:13 PM

Only have the CT and the SOD SG
The SOD has more weight forward for chopping, and the CT has a more balanced feel
to it. That being said, times are going to have to be pretty tough, or the deal
is going to have to be pretty bloody good before I part with either of these two.

[Linked Image from i292.photobucket.com]
[Linked Image from i292.photobucket.com]
[Linked Image from i292.photobucket.com]
[Linked Image from i292.photobucket.com]
Posted By: stjones

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/17/10 04:12 PM

WoW are they ever close to the same! Thanks for the comparison pics DotD. This is the first time I`ve seen these blades side by side.
Happy Birthday as well!!!
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/17/10 07:20 PM

I am anxiously awaiting your results.



The answer of "Buy them both" would be great but that is not the world I live in. My choices are sell the only one I have (before I use it so I do not get killed on the price) or try to exchange it for one of the others. If there is little or no large benefit to the SOD CT over what I have I may keep it. Though, I still might end up having to sell it anyway.

It seems to me, from the regulator testing that Dan posted, that the YG YH should be right up there with the other two in terms of chopping. It has more mass, is more forwardly balanced, and a more pronounced saber grind. In no way does this dispute the SOD and CT superiority but these factors seem like it should be somewhat close at least. A side by side comparison would be great.
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/29/10 06:44 PM

Myke,

Have you had a chance to do your comparison yet?
Posted By: myketheknife

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/29/10 08:36 PM

Sadly no.I was going camping this weekend,but the rain is keeping me home.Tomorrow is supposed to be the nicer day so I'll probably go out & do it tomorrow.Here is a bit of chopping I did with my BWM,TT Reg,SarQ & Yard Hook.
I traded the SarQ for the SOD & a couple of folders.
choppoff
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/29/10 09:29 PM

I will check it out. Thanks.
Posted By: myketheknife

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/31/10 12:56 PM

OK,Got er done.
The SOD is stripped,satin finished & mirror convex edged.The Hook is factory.Both edges were touched up before the chopping with a ceramic rod & sliced paper.
Found a good seasoned log on the verge of being punky but was solid.
[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

First the Hook,114 whacks.
[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

Then the SOD,110 whacks

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

And just for S&G my old $5.00 machete with a filed edge,104 whacks.

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

A little baton work.Oddly enough the Regs only took a couple of whacks to split the same straight grained peices of wood as used for the SOD & HOOK,but the SOD & Hook took several more hits to split them.

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]
So,the Sod has a convex edge & bounced out quite a bit & the Hook has a factory edge & bit deep & had to be pulled out a few times.
I guess the convex edge helped push the wood away from the blade & not hold it in.
So I suppose if the Hook had a convex edge it would have gone through with fewer whacks.
All in all I'd say if you have a Yard Guard you don't gain much if anything by switching to a SOD.
And the Hooks/Guards look better while doin' the job at hand.


Oh & BTW I managed to whack my hand with the hook while messing around after the work was done.It's a nice clean cut to the bone on the knuckle.Took a vicadin so all is good with no more pain for now.
At least I will have a good pic for the scars thread.
[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]
Posted By: Private Klink

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/31/10 01:55 PM

Nice pics, but OUCH!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Don't do that again!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: myketheknife

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/31/10 02:26 PM

No promises.
Posted By: RN

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 05/31/10 02:37 PM

Glad to see you still have 10 fingers!

Nice chop off...go SOD!
Posted By: El CacaFuego

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 06/01/10 03:47 AM

Lol, looks like you will have a good one! Thanks for the chop off, and your blood sacrifice too!
Posted By: Dumpster Dan

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 06/01/10 03:57 AM

Quote
OK,Got er done.
The SOD is stripped,satin finished & mirror convex edged.The Hook is factory.Both edges were touched up before the chopping with a ceramic rod & sliced paper.
Found a good seasoned log on the verge of being punky but was solid.
[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

First the Hook,114 whacks.
[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

Then the SOD,110 whacks

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

And just for S&G my old $5.00 machete with a filed edge,104 whacks.

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

A little baton work.Oddly enough the Regs only took a couple of whacks to split the same straight grained peices of wood as used for the SOD & HOOK,but the SOD & Hook took several more hits to split them.

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]
So,the Sod has a convex edge & bounced out quite a bit & the Hook has a factory edge & bit deep & had to be pulled out a few times.
I guess the convex edge helped push the wood away from the blade & not hold it in.
So I suppose if the Hook had a convex edge it would have gone through with fewer whacks.
All in all I'd say if you have a Yard Guard you don't gain much if anything by switching to a SOD.
And the Hooks/Guards look better while doin' the job at hand.


Oh & BTW I managed to whack my hand with the hook while messing around after the work was done.It's a nice clean cut to the bone on the knuckle.Took a vicadin so all is good with no more pain for now.
At least I will have a good pic for the scars thread.
[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

Wow it looks like you might have a scar to remember the chopping <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

Great pics and nice work

Thanks for sharing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Dan
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 06/08/10 06:37 PM

Nice review. Sorry you damaged yourself. Not sure if its any better or worse that the fighter of the group is the one that zinged you. Is it your impression that if both had the same finish and convexed edge they would have been even closer together in performance?

I have often wondered a bit at convex edges. There seems to be quite a large proportion of people on the boards who say it is the end all be all of edge treatment. Convex edges would be ultimately stronger and can be very sharp. I just wonder if V-grind can be made sharper overall because it has less blade material behind the very edge (not counting the transition to the secondary grind and all that).
Posted By: myketheknife

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 06/10/10 08:03 AM

Quote
Nice review. Sorry you damaged yourself. Not sure if its any better or worse that the fighter of the group is the one that zinged you. Is it your impression that if both had the same finish and convexed edge they would have been even closer together in performance?

I have often wondered a bit at convex edges. There seems to be quite a large proportion of people on the boards who say it is the end all be all of edge treatment. Convex edges would be ultimately stronger and can be very sharp. I just wonder if V-grind can be made sharper overall because it has less blade material behind the very edge (not counting the transition to the secondary grind and all that).
No actually,I think if the SOD had a V grind it would have done even better & if the Hook had a conv.edge it wouldn't have done as good as it did.The V ground Hook bit deeper & took bigger chunks off the side of the notch but would bind at the bottom of the notch whereas the SOD with the conv. didn't bind,but it didn't bite deeper/slice as well either.On the other hand the front belly of the Hook would bite before the recurve back half & the SOD bit the full length of the blade that came into contact with the log thereby removing more wood.So yeah the Sod appears to be the better chopper,but I don't think the difference is worth worring about.And I don't think convex edges are worth the trouble.You don't need a belt sander/mouse pad/strop for v ground edges.You can kick back in your favorite chair & sharpen a V grind.And with Bussekin steels strength isn't really an issue.
Or even modern non Bussekin steels.Sure a v edge will roll more or even chip,but you really have to be abusing it.
I would love to hear other opinoins/points of view,because my experience is pretty limited.
I still say stick with the Guard because it's prettier.
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 06/14/10 08:46 AM

"I still say stick with the Guard because it's prettier." A nice summation.
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 06/14/10 07:36 PM

"Or even modern non Bussekin steels.Sure a v edge will roll more or even chip,but you really have to be abusing it."

I have wondered the same things. To me, at least, it seems harder to get and maintain an extremely sharp convex edge. V-grind seems to sharpen easier and to get ultimately sharper then, my at least, convex edges. I do not have a belt sander so that could certainly skew my opinion. I do think a convex edge retains a nice 'working' edge far longer then a V-grind.

Does anybody convex their folding or small edc knives? My impression is that even expensive folders, at least with <5" blades, do not come with convex edges. My impression is that many on this forum and on bladeforums feel that convex edges are always the better way to go. If this is true then why does it seem few small knives come that way?
Posted By: Toast

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 06/14/10 07:42 PM

Quote

[Linked Image from i760.photobucket.com]

I was reading through your post again and got hung up on this picture. It took me a while to figure out that the Yard Hook was not blued with a deeply reflective finish. I feel stupid but my head is killing me (my excuse at least).

Sorry that you got bit. Thank you again for preforming and posting the comparison.
Posted By: Rainwalker

Re: SOD, Camp Tramp, and Yard Hook/Guard - 06/14/10 08:24 PM

Nice job guys. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I've always wanted a CT, and was glad when the SOD was released to help fill that gap, and I feel like it does quite well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> But being a self proclaimed knife nut... I still want a CT some day... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
© 2024 Scrap Yard Discussion Forums