First swamp rat help

D

D.C.Johnson

Joined
Nov 23, 2012
Messages
941
Looking to head to the swamp to get my first rat cant decide between the ratmandu cg or rodent 4. Like to hear some feedback. Mainly wanting a camp/hiking knife. Thanks -David
 
Thanks in part to this forum, I've spent the last year or so buying way more knives than I need. BK 2, BK 16, 14, 9. Entrek Javelina and backup utility. Swamp Rat Rodent Solution. CS San Mai Master Hunter. ESEE 3 and Izula 2. There are more, but those are the main ones that fit into the catagory of your question. I also have a Ratmandu with a Mashed Cat kydex sheath. All great knives, but if you gave me the option of only taking one for camping and hiking it would be the RMD. It's just big enough. Just small enough. The handle feels like it should live in your hand. I beat the heck out of it at a recent campfire get together. Scuffed up the coating. That's it. The blade came out as sharp as the day I bought it. It really is a fabulous knife, and while I'd be more than willing to sell any of the other knives, I'm saving the RMD for my 2 year old son. Of course I'm going to use the daylights out of it first, but that knife is a keeper.

I've never held a rodent 4, so I can't comment on it. Just my opinion of the Ratmandu.
 
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Good luck with your choice! The reviews for both are pretty awesome :thumbup:
 
Both are great knives, its really up to what you like best. They are both similar but different knives. The handles being the biggest difference. With the R4 its a love/hate relationship among the masses. The RatManDu has a huge following.

Which design just simply speaks to you? Its a very personal decision.

Mine? I'll eventually have both, but I do have the RMD for some time now and cant be happier. :)
 
Another big vote to the RMD.

Took one camping this past summer up on Lake MI for a week. A 711 did a lot of heavy wood prep, a MBC and XM-18 did a lot of food prep, etc. and the RMD did everything else. Detailed fire prep, food prep, fishing tasks, cutting twine, straps, cordage, boxes, all sorts of basic camping tasks.

Had I not been well outfitted with my EDC MBC and XMs, just the 711 and RMD pair would have easily covered all tasks.

My RMD on this trip was a Custom Shop FFG Satin variant. But all RMDs have very favorable traits. It's a great size for around the campsite of for hikes and the handle is very comfortable no matter what material is chosen.
 
I think they're both pretty great knives :thumbup: both of them are a great choice. Good luck choosing
 
Think ill end up going with the RMD. Looks like a perfect fit for my needs and its obviously a favorite among many. Now to decide color :)
 
RMD is a must-own Swamp Rat knife. It can be a "first" or an "addition" but it should certainly be experienced.
 
They are both great knives that are capable of many tasks. The best bet would be to get them both. :D
 
RMD was my first Rat. Got me hooked. For general outdoor use it is a fantastic choice. I convexed the edge on mine so not only does it cut like no one's business, it holds an edge a long time. It is a very tough knife.

R4 is a bit more compact and still has the choil.

If you carry a hatchet you could ever go down to a Rodent Solution. Which is a fantastic little blade in its own right.
 
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