ESEE-6 or Ratmandu (It's ESEE!)

H

Halberdier

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Apr 3, 2010
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Looking for a larger bush knife option. Size/weight/price similar between the two. ESEE-6 blade shape is better for batonning, but the scales are just bolted on, no epoxy. That's about all I see. Which one has better overall quality and toughness?
 
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Don't know about the 6- but the RMD has been called the favorite knife in that size by a whole lot folks...for me, I did prefer the earlier version that had a swedge...
 
I wouldn't worry about the scales on a RAT knife. Don't think I've ever heard of them loosening or breaking.

Both blades are winner for sure! and made by solid companies.
 
To put your mind at ease, both ESEE and Swamp Rat offer lifetime warranties on their knives that follow the knives, not just to the original owner. Both warranties cover damage to the handles.
 
The RMD is my favorite survival/utility blade. I, for one, would be willing to stake my life on it if the SHTF. It would be sitting in my BOB right now were it not for the fact that I'd have to kick my Camp Tramp out to make room for it!
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I like both too and can't find anyone saying a single bad thing about either. Is there anything about the steel that's significantly different?
 
The 10-series -- 1095 (and 1084, 1070, 1060, 1050, etc.) Many of the
10-series steels for cutlery, though 1095 is the most popular for
knives. When you go in order from 1095-1050, you generally go from
more carbon to less, from more wear resistance to less wear
resistance, and tough to tougher to toughest. As such, you'll see
1060 and 1050, used often for swords. For knives, 1095 is sort of the
"standard" carbon steel, not too expensive and performs well. It is
reasonably tough and holds an edge well, and is easy to sharpen. It
rusts easily. This is a simple steel, which contains only two
alloying elements: .95% carbon and .4% manganese. The various kabars
are usually 1095 with a black coating.

52100 -- Formerly a ball-bearing steel, and as such previously only used by
forgers, it's available in bar stock now. It is similar to 5160
(though it has around 1% carbon vs. 5160 ~.60%), but holds an edge
better. It is less tough than 5160. It is used often for hunting
knives and other knives where the user is willing to trade off a
little of 5160's toughness for better wear resistance. However, with
the continued improvement of 52100 heat treat, this steel is starting
to show up in larger knives and showing excellent toughness. A
modified 52100 is being used by Jerry Busse in his lower-cost
production line, and such high-performance knife luminaries as Ed
Fowler strongly favor 52100.

Source: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368828
 
bld522 said:
52100 -- Formerly a ball-bearing steel, and as such previously only used by forgers, it's available in bar stock now. It is similar to 5160 (though it has around 1% carbon vs. 5160 ~.60%), but holds an edge better. It is less tough than 5160.
Click to expand...


Really? The RMD SR-101 is similar to 5160? I have a 5160 knife. It's about as good as a well treated 1095, but not superior to it in any way that I can see.
 
I had an RC6/ESEE6. It was an excelent knife but I just never warmed to it. I much prefer my RMD from Swamprat and the SR-101/52100 takes an amazing edge and hols it exceptionaly well. I prefer the RMD due to its compactness. I carry mine in a homemade horizontal sheath accross the back.
 
10 days later and I'm still not fully decided. :)

Below is a scaled pic of the two. It's the actual size on my screen. It may not be on yours, but the proportion is correct.

The ESEE looks like the more blade-heavy knife here and is probably a much more capable chopper. The extra 1.25" is all in the cutting edge. I was looking for a larger blade, chopper type camp knife as an alternative to my Bravo 1. The ESEE is exactly that. It's a full step up in size. It's a little too large for a general use knife, but I can supplement it with a Becker Necker for the smaller tasks.

The RMD looks like a knife that fits your hand like a glove. I'm guessing it's more evenly balanced, and with these ridged scales, gives an unshakable grip. I think it'll do very well as a camp knife, combat knife and personal carry knife. The steel might be better, too. I can get it for an affordable price now, and that might change if it's discontinued. And it has the cool factor going for it all the way. But, it really isn't too far removed from the Bravo 1. In fact, the cutting edge is about the same.

The easiest thing is to buy both, but I'm trying to only buy knives I actually need and plan to use. I don't want to become a collector. The ESEE fits the job description better. If I do get it, I plan to epoxy the scales on, loctite the screws and seal the screw heads with epoxy.

I'm going to really miss the RMD I never had. :(



ESEE6&RMD.jpg
 
I've handled an ESEE-6 and own a Ratmandu. In my opinion, the Ratmandu has more comfortable handles for my medium/thin hands. The balance on the ESEE-6 is neutral enough that it doesn't excel at chopping, going by feedback over on the ESEE forum. Neither knife is particularly blade-heavy...

Hopefully that input is somewhat helpful (it's been a while since I've handled a -6).
 
I originally hated my RMD but that was due to the >50% inclusive edge. Once I finally was able to reprofile the edge the knife had performed very well. Holds an edge longer than my ESEE Izula with hard use. Good balance and also has the ablitiy to choke up on the grip for more detailed camp type work. Would not call it a chopper for sure simply due to the size and weight.
 
Halberdier said:
Really? The RMD SR-101 is similar to 5160? I have a 5160 knife. It's about as good as a well treated 1095, but not superior to it in any way that I can see.
Click to expand...

The alloying elements OTHER than carbon are in similar proportions. However, adding another .4% carbon can make a world of difference in any alloy.
 
For what the knives will do, and the minor differences in steel and handle shape. I would think the deciding factor would be the sheath options. Unless you could handle both and determine your preference that way.
 
Halberdier,
Thanks for the reference pic! It'll be archived now and probably see future use.
Also, if you have a seller-level account here on BF, you could purchase both from wherever then sell whichever one doesn't feel as nice in the hand. 'Feel' seems to be the deciding factor between similar ESEE and SRKW knives. With the RMD, you may need to re-profile the edge to suit your needs; with the RC/ESEE-6 you may need to re-profile the handle to make it more comfortable.
But it sounds like you're making an informed decision anyway. My RMD is a longer/stronger replacement for my Bravo1, so i agree that for a larger knife you should step higher than the RMD. Are you sure that the RC/ESEE-6 is long & heavy enough? To make a significant (to you) difference, i mean...

As to sheath options, kydex-benders can make you an RMD sheath to accomodate all the ESEE-attachments... but it'd definitely be less expensive to just get the ESEE blade and accompanying sheath if that's what you decide on.
 
biggest difference is the steel. The 1095 isn't nearly as hard/tough as that SR101 stuff, I can't touch it with my arkansas stones. I have to use wet and dry sandpaper. I got my howling rat in the mail last week. Fit and finish on both blades are good, but the Swamp Rats take it to another level. The finish is definitely more durable. I like the textured micarta alot too, that handle profile is one of the most comfortable that I own.
 
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