Small Blades Compared

About a year ago, I did a small knife comparison and time for a new one. Did some buying and selling (mostly buying):) and have some sweet new blades! Some of this is apples and oranges I know, but wanted to get them all out anyway. Here we have:




The Weiner Dog- I’m gonna do a serious chat on this knife dang it! No Weiner jokes!! I’ve been loving this knife! Big thanks to Jared for hooking me up and note the sheath…a Jrod original- some of his earlier work…like the first week! It came pretty sharp and I put some time into the edge and it’s nasty sharp now!

Koyote EDC convex- Pretty new to me and I’m loving it. The grind is interesting to me- doesn’t cut paper well but eats wood like a beaver! Such a sweet knife…this and the Weiner are getting a lot of love here.

Bandicoot- been my edc for months now. Don’t know if you can see it, but Horn Dog put and edge on it and it’s a laser. Someone once described it as part knife, ice pick and…pry bar? It’s awesome, and my martial arts self has big love for it.

Mora 911- I have had it for a little but haven’t used it until now. Wanted to find out what Mora’s are about.

Izula- had it for a bit too and just started using it last week with the warmer weather. Nice for dropping in the shorts when you want a weightless blade. Just got the scales and it’s been even more comfortable. It’s a little fella but works big!

Howling Rat- took my last comparison title. Works way bigger than it should for it’s size. My favorite woods blade in this size..up til now??

Bark River Gunny- Just got it on Saturday. Been curious about it for some time. It’s a hard use blade for sure!

Rat/ESEE 3- My in car blade. Tough enough, sharp, great sheath and pointed pommel. Me like! 1095 took a verbal beating in a thread over at the swamp recently. Me, I like it. Easy to sharpen and plenty tough.

In the kitchen- No photos…

Did some veggies, pork, steak and chicken. Probably no surprise here- the Mora was king. Not as good as a real kitchen knife- but heading there. Thinner blade and a nice grind did the job. After the Mora, it’s pretty much a toss up between the Koyote and Weiner Dog. The thicker blades slows them a bit, but dang they both go thru meat like a laser…nice!!!

Ergos

WD- so nice- the mudders are so great and the choil functions nicely with this blade. I can use and use it and use it with no hot spots.

Koyote- so perfect in the hand. Zero hot spots and very comfortable. Great balance in hand and sizing of handle and blade is spectacular. This and the WD have been getting the most love. Refined is a word that comes to mind- the most refined knife I have.

Mora- Nice big comfy handle…it’s a handful for me in a good way.

Izula- I was pleasantly surprised with how comfortable this necker is to use. I just started with it last week and enjoyed it so much I ordered the scale. They add some width and it’s even more comfortable.

Gunny- To be honest, I’m struggling a bit with it. With the WD and Koyote- it was instant love and amazement. The handle is comfortable enough, although the front lower guard is a bit sharp to me. Unlike some folks, I have no problem with the thumb ramp, I choke up and my thumb passes it nicely. More heft than the others…what else? I need to give it a chance.

RC3- This knife works for me. The handles are small, but I don’t have the biggest hands.

Howling Rat- One word will do- Sweet! Maybe another- perfect! I like the big choil too.

Bandicoot- For me, this is one bad a** tactical knife. It’s very alive in the hand and is a pleasure. I have no problem with the smaller handles that are too small for some folks.

Fuzz Sticks and stakes:

The WD and Koyote were neck and neck here. Just effortless with the wood, great control and able to do finer shavings and bigger cuts equally well. The Izula surprises me with how well it cuts and the Howling Rat does great for a bigger blade. The Mora was harder for me to control with finer work- don’t know if it’s me or the grind, but I struggled to keep it from biting the wood too deep. The RC3 and Bandicoot did pretty well- nice control, but they just can’t compete with the Koyote and WD. I think I need more time with the Gunny. Although it’s the tank of the group, I feel like I should have done better with it- I would shave shallow, shallow and then deep. A little later in the day I did better with fuzz sticks..I’m going to say operator error kept it from doing better. But, when I got the WD and Koyote, I was able to cut and shave like mad from the get go…so, who knows!?

Overall, there is a wide range of blades here. Lost in the woods with one blade I would want my Howling Rat- no doubt about it. It does it all well, from the small stuff to being able to make a shelter. With a larger blade like the Camp Tramp/Kukri/Battle Rat- tag on the Weiner or Koyote and you are ready for anything! From a tactical sense, if a friend was deploying it would be the Coot all the way…sharp and nasty. For martial arts practice that and the Weiner are up there…while the WD is faster, I like ‘Coot a bit better. The Gunny is interesting and time will tell for me…I’ve bought and sold a couple Bark Rivers and wonder if they are for me. It’s a big, tough knife for sure. If this is the Bravo 1 little brother, than big brother must be a bruiser! The Mora is nothing to sneeze at- processes wood and food quickly and tough enough! Plus, it’s got a very comfortable handle…all for about $15! The Izula is the big over-achiever of the group. Does a lot well and is comfortable and tough. I like the steel a lot and these add on scales are a cool touch. The RC3 is another all rounder..does a lot well and will remain my car knife for a long time I’m sure! Plus, it’s got a killer cool sheath!

I didn't baton with all of them this time...just a a few of the new ones. They all held up well! I beat on these one hard and they all stood up well- including the Mora and tip of the WD.

so what does this tell me? I have too many knives? Yes. Besides that? A lot of good knives that cover a lot of ground. Big thanks to Dan for the Weiner Dog, a new fav of mine and thanks again to Jared for helping me on the buy!

great write up! I have no need for another small knife, especially with a SAR 3 coming, but for some reason I feel compelled to get a Mora or two.

and you're right on about the WD....such an excellent little blade

You lucky person you! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I didn't realize this was about need <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nice write up! Thanks!

Great review buddy !

Love that Koyote knife, I borrowed a pass-a-round one a while back.
I did have a pic of it next to my old Bandicoot but can't find find it now !

Nice write up and pics RN. Thanks for posting!

Very nice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />-the WD is hard to beat. As for Moras............ya just never have enough or the right combo <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />. They are awesome IMO. Have them all over the house- shop- cars etc. Also great little gifts.I actually like the WD better than the BDLE. Great review RN-Thank You <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

How about a Mora clone blade outta SR101 with a mudder grip !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

RN-How do you compare the Swamp Warden and the Izula? I have a SW pre-ordered and will hopefully get a SAR3, but have never held the Izula.

Also if the Yard ever make a Scrap Warden I WILL buy some of those <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

love the Weiner Dog!

The man can make a work knife!

Don't have one to compare it with, but did see a photo recently, the handle was longer on the Swamp Rat...I'm sure someone here has both and can comment!

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

As for neckers, I've seen Mag post favorably about the Boker Plus CLB Edit. Lots of people like the knife, but wish they'd put a bit more effort in on the sheath. Still, for about $35, it's worth looking into.

Thank you for taking the time to do this. Good to see a BandiCoot in comparison. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Great review. Thanks for taking the time to do it and sharing it with us.

I have found I can't do fuzz sticks with a Mora nearly as easily as with an RC3, or Blindhorse Bushcraft either. I think it is the difference in grind.

That's strange to hear buddy !Scandi grinds, especially thin ones like a Mora,just eat wood !
Maybe it's just cos ya more used to a traditional grind eh ?

I guess it's a matter of practice...I have been struggling with the Gunny, but got out later yesturday and made some awesome curls. With the Mora, it just ate the wood making the stakes, but when I tried for the fuzz sticks, I couldn't control the angle in entered the wood and the blade just plunged in and threw chunks!

It certainly processed the wood fast though and it would quickly give me a pile of small stuff to burn no problem. Figure some more time with the blade will be helpful for me...