Alternatives to the Case Sod Buster Jr. ~ Can any of them unseat the champ?

The Case Sod Buster Jr. is a very popular traditional knife with many people. I grabbed a handful of knives to see how they compete.

[@stevewalker4638]

German Eye are dang good knives.

[@DanielEPiza]

I liked the Bear & Son 👍🏻

[@rustyminer]

Good choice my friend

[@KandaJE]

I kinda agree, while I'm not really into sod busters, The Rough Ryders seem to be the best value for the money. I have this pernicious belief that Case XX seems to be trading in on its Age (kinda like Buck) and charging more than they are actually worth. At times, one does not always get what one pays for...

[@rustyminer]

Case is priced five times higher than the rough Ryder, so, yes, the rough Ryder wins on value for most people

[@RandysWSG]

Excellent! I do like the grey Case a lot. I have a Roper smooth bone lockback that I like a lot too.

[@rustyminer]

Thanks for stopping by Randy. Roper knives have made it into a regular carry for me. Their stockman is a decent carry

[@JoelPerri7777]

Yes, the roper “sodbuster” is also a good choice, and it has 1065 carbon steel, and it’s a lockback like the bear and sons. But it was only about $15 from SMKW. I would recommend. Also, the imperial sodbuster is a case knockoff, but other than the softer steel, they’re great little knives for about $10. Cool video

[@JollyPeanut]

Nice knives I like the Tater Skin 👍I would always send back a knife with cracked covers CKW tend to be cheaper & give return shipping labels. Cool video buddy.

[@rustyminer]

Thanks for the tip on CKW. I do shop there and will keep that in mind when making a decision

[@jumpemupjohn]

I have a vintage Carl Schlieper [ German Eye ] from the early 50's ... bigger, stronger, better, & pre-dating the CASE type .., but i do carry a Case CS Sodbuster [ the Schlieper is retired ]

[@rustyminer]

Thank you for sharing. Those German Eye brand knives are keepers for sure. I see why you retired it. There is something about the Sod Buster in the hand that I enjoy. And in the pocket too, now that I think about it. But they are not "hard-use" knives like you say.

[@Sav-E.]

Check out Fox Knives' 500 Lockback. Pricier alternative, but i really like mine.

[@rustyminer]

Thanks my friend. I will have to take a look............oh yeah. Those look very nice

[@BaxtersBlades]

Fantastic Video Rusty! I Love my marbles! It came clean and perfect for $10. I dont like the liner locks on the RRs. Just dont feel good in the hand. I like the Roper tumble weed for a lock back alternative. Just did a Soddy Sunday about this same topic. Had no Idea yah already did it! Thanks for sharing!

[@rustyminer]

I watched your video and yes, I believe you got a better marbles AND paid less too 😉 I love my Case, but I can't really explain the difference. I do have some single bladed knives I find as good as the Sod Buster Jr and may share my opinion on them in the future.

[@BaxtersBlades]

@@rustyminer the Case are nice. Took me along time to get one!

[@rustyminer]

@@BaxtersBlades I won a Case Mini Copperlock and decided to try out traditional knives. So the first pattern I bought was the sod buster jr. I have a synthetic one and a navy with red shield. I grabbed two of the gray Crandall pocket worn . One for carry and one for the safe

[@rustyminer]

@@BaxtersBlades carbon steel really is the way to go, IMO

[@ElGranRojo903]

At a tractor supply for $15 I got a ropers tumbleweed jr? I believe it’s a lock back/sod buster hybrid it’s really nice came in a cream color

[@rustyminer]

Right on. Thank you for shaing. Yes, I like the Roper brand too. I don't have the Tumbleweed jr. but a mini trapper and a stockman. I bet the Tumbleweed Jr. is worth $15 all day long.

[@danielfilippini5606]

Opinel knives also have a sod buster type blade. I got the #8. Darn good knife.

[@rustyminer]

I hear good things about the Opinel knives. So much so, there's no doubt they make great knives

[@gregvanderlip7726]

Marbles seem nice they have a vg10 brass handled one i like alot

[@rustyminer]

I am finding most of my Marbles knives to be very good. The one in the video is lacking in quality a bit.

[@burgknife758]

Good morning 🙂 i picked up a bear and son halloween sod buster yesterday .i got it from red hill cutlery first purchase from them but think ill be buying more .

[@rustyminer]

Nice pick up burg. I grabbed a Red Hill Cutlery exclusive as well. It's a trapper though, but very nice. A step above the standard bear and son trapper from my experience. Enjoy your new knife

[@IchibanOyabun]

Need the Schrade Imperial IMP22. in the mix. 👍

[@rustyminer]

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for sharing your input

[@IchibanOyabun]

I think you’ll like it! It’s a lot like the Sod Buster. Just a little more on the inexpensive side. I think it’s pretty much the same quality!👍

[@ericpitre4031]

These are cool, but, yes a but, Case is just kewel❄️❄️

[@rustyminer]

The Case wins in my mind too. I grabbed 3 of them. Two grey crandle and one in navy

[@tombrown4683]

Hi Rusty, of course the Case is the overall choice but Bear is worth considering. I like the 1095 but i dislike steel covers, scales or handles whatever is right. The Tater Skin is a pretty good choice too. Eye of the beholder I guess.

[@rustyminer]

Morning Tom. The covers on the bear and son are slippery. They look great but need more texture. It's just a tad over twice the price of the rough Ryder but USA made and a better steel. They are all decent knives, just some better for other people than others. I grabbed almost 100 rough Ryder knives this summer, so I must like the brand 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ Working on a giveaway video soon

[@michaelfuxeklint4909]

Does this knife give apples a bad taste after a while ??

[@rustyminer]

No