Warrior Vs Rock Salt

[Shanklick]

The main things the knives really share are company make, blade steel and bi-directional FRN scales. I own both but being such different knives they are for different purposes. What you are planning to use the knife for should most likely be the biggest reason for your pick. If it is just collecting or to fondle then maybe taste in knives and projected collector value or similar reasons that are important in this area.

Slitting peoples throat from behind is not a required need to own the Warrior but it's design is clearly both visually and documented as a fighting "tool" first. The serrated spine makes easy work of every rope I've put it up against so far. It is truly an amazing knife in the hand when executing reverse grip techniques. The serrated spine can have an advantage against some clothing and other tough fibrous material when the blade only has the heft of a really not-so-large or heavy fixed blade. It is one that has to be held to be fully appreciated in this role. The fact that it works so well at mundane tasks is just a really nice bonus.

The Rock Salt would still be my choice between the two for camping and most normal knife tasks for a blade in that size range but it is no slouch for most things you would use the Warrior for either. I don't have enough good things to say about either knife really but unless collecting or actually planning to use the Warrior I would pick the Rock Salt if forced to pick between those two. Just more practical overall and about half the price right now. It was so much knife for the money to me even before the price drop. It is still one of my top few favorite fixed blades out of some heavy (expensive) competition.

If it is just H1 in a fixed blade you are mostly after the Aqua Salt is another great knife for even less money. I haven't tried a Jumpmaster but have seen them for sale in between a Rock Salt and Warrior in price. I still say the most important thing is to decide why the knife is being purchased to help you decide which one will work best for you.

I don't think you will be unhappy with any of them no matter what you decide.

[Stephen]

Rock Salt! Much better for outdoors and/or fighting, also 1/2 the cost.

[StangBang]

Rock Salt, Half the price of the warrior and it still looks cool :D

When the warrior comes down in price I will probably get one of those too though... lol

[Peter1960]

If I would buy one of the two, I would choose the Rock Salt ... I'm no mall ninja :D

[The Deacon]

Don't own either, probably never will, but if I were to purchase one of those two it would have to be the Rock Salt. While I find Spyderco's production of offensive weapon for the IDF laudible, I have no need to sneak up behind people and slit their throats and absolutely no desire to own a knife designed for that purpose.

In all honesty Paul I think the "coup de grace" move was taken out of context by the reporters at SPOT and not part of the curriculum. Although, that scenario reminds me of a few Rambo movies and MMORG's. :) .

If only it could be attached to a pole for make-shift spear...

In all honesty, I think you're confusing "slitting throats" with "chopping off heads", as was reported in Wired Magazine. It has been posted more than once here, by Sal, Kristi, and/or Mike Janich, that the IDF's intended use for this weapon is for "sentry removal". Now granted, perhaps I've watched too many war movies, but exactly how do you think that would be most quietly accomplished with a knife?

[MCM]

2 Words.......

Blow gun.
:p







Were all the rage in the 60's. Remember?

[ChapmanPreferred]

I own the Rock Salt, but would be pleased to also add a Warrior to the knife stable. I tend to purchase Ed Shempp collaborations so I would always follow that leading. Excellent ergos, very high hollow ground and bread from the cutting compatition of blade sport.

[Blerv]

In all honesty, I think you're confusing "slitting throats" with "chopping off heads", as was reported in Wired Magazine. It has been posted more than once here, by Sal, Kristi, and/or Mike Janich, that the IDF's intended use for this weapon is for "sentry removal". Now granted, perhaps I've watched too many war movies, but exactly how do you think that would be most quietly accomplished with a knife?

I didn't mean any disrespect in that. Slitting throats is very Navy Seals. I mean that in the movie way with Charlie Sheen. :) . A large knife vs throat isn't much of a fight no matter how designed. Personally I heard that line and couldn't stop laughing...because it's stupid.

The best way to dispatch sentry is with a sniper. It's not a knife but let's get real here. Truthfully the Warrior seems to make more sense as mention above in a trapping sense. It has elements of the P'kal model without sacrificing the orthodox style that 99% of trainers practice.

PS: Its nice to hear the second edge works great on rope. I expect even Israel's ninjas to cut that more than throats :) . A dull tactical/survival knife is stupid and that second edge alone makes a ton of sense.

[Sequimite]

I tend to purchase Ed Shempp collaborations so I would always follow that leading.

+1 on that. I started with the Barong and went backwards through his collaborations. The only one I don't have yet is a Persian.

[2cha]

Rock Salt. Always been attracted to the forward blade angle of kukri type knives. Finally went beyond "what the **** is that?" and bought the Kuhkri. Love, love, love the blade angle. Truly awesome.
Hold backs:
1) H1--if ever a blade cried out for M4, this is it. Until somebody really beats up the Rock Salt--chops down some mesquite or splits some hardwood, I'll hold off. I have H1 for endura and aqua salt--maybe once I get chance to put through paces, I'll bite on Rock Salt.
2) That's a big knife.

Why no warrior? Appeals to the (bloated and gloating) teenager within me. The sensible part of me says: "you can't even pretend that the Rock Salt will get enough use to justify purchase."

I kinda like the teeth on the back of the blade, its a bit like getting a chinook and a hawk in one knife: slicer on one, side cutter on the other.

[VashHash]

Rock Salt. It's more versatile and the high hollow grind makes it slice and dice like no ones business. It's great for everyday chores and nothing to mess around with when it comes to SD or sentry removal even if that wasn't it's sole purpose. I like tools that multitask but it doesn't hurt to have a few "special purpose" tools. I'll get a warrior eventually but if i had to choose i'd pick the Rock Salt because of versatility. A former member of the forums swore by the rock salt as an SD knife and someone else had one flat ground. I could only imagine the damage a flat ground rock salt could do in the kitchen.

[StangBang]

Just got my rock salt in the mail today and I'm blown away. I threw it on my order when I pre ordered my blue manix 2. I spent more time messing with the rock salt!!! Great knife!!!! Really makes me wonder why i didn't buy it earlier... That being said, I feel I need a warrior now :D

Get the rock salt though. I paid $109.99 for it and the cheapest i've seen a warrior is $211.99. So go for the Rock Salt first, then if you like it later on get the Warrior

[Donut]

I think the Rock Salt would spread butter better. :)

[Seanski]

I'd pick the Rock Salt because the only way I would carry either of those is as a survival tool and then it would be instead of an axe.

[Chiba]

Okay,

So 72% of you would pick up the Rock Salt.
This must be why their out of stock everywhere...

I'm able to go check out the warrior in person tomorrow so I'll see how it feels. One thing I found out today from calling Spyderco is the Warrior has a Hollow and not flat ground blade.

I read over all of your replies again and decided that this is a great thread :)

Thx
Chiba

[jabba359]

I'd also go with the Rock Salt (oh wait...I already did!). It seems much more practical for use and is only half the price.

My only justification for the Warrior is the cool sheath. Wish I had one of those for my Rock Salt. I suppose that in an extreme situation, I could also tie the Warrior to a long pole and use the curved, serrated top edge as a whale rescue blade... :p

[Billy]

I picked the Rock Salt too. I've had mine for a little over a year now, and it is probably my most used fixed blade. It sees alot of time in the yard in the role of general cutter, hacker, chopper and light machete (I have alot of palms, brazilian pepper trees, carrotwood trees and ficus trees that need trimming/pruning often). It also does really well in the kitchen, but the dropped handle can be a bit inconvenient sometimes. Overall, it is a GREAT knife and, as has been mentioned, extremely versatile.

With that said, the Warrior is just plain ol' BADAZZ, but I honestly can't see ever really using it. :o

[Farmer Brown]

Rock Salt.

Can't go wrong with something closely resembling a machete / bolo / itak.

But there's no reason why I wouldn't get both, if I had the cash to spare.

[Chiba]

Well after checking out the warrior today I'm inclined to agree with 75% of you and get the Rock Salt by Ed Schempp! The only problem is their sold out and Spyderco has no eta.. I'll probably end up waiting until my local store gets it in.

Does anyone know where their actually in stock?

Chiba

[Michael Janich]

I love the Rock Salt--and Ed Schempp's other designs. It happens to be the fixed blade in my bug-out bag because it offers the best compromise of utility function, weapon capability, and light weight that I've found. That, and the fact that it's H-1, make it a great choice.

However, having dug deeply into the history of the Warrior knife while writing the book on it for Spyderco, I have grown to like and respect the design a lot more than I used to. The minds behind it--Randy Wanner and Bob Taylor--put a lot into its development and refinement and, as a combat weapon, its history is every bit as compelling as other iconic blades like the F-S dagger.

As for the throat cutting and sentry removal things, I regard the Warrior right up there with crossbows and blowguns for that type of application: B-movie hype. Suppressed weapons and precision rifles are the real tools for that. However, for back cuts, draw cuts, and utility use on fibrous materials, the serrations on the Spyderco Warrior cut like magic.

Stay safe,

Mike