GSO 5.1 vs the INFI or SR101 Ratmandu

OBX351

OBX351

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Sep 29, 2014
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Not sure if this is the right forum for this question, I have it up in the Survive! forum but I am looking for a less biased forum.

Just curious if anyone's compared the 5.1 to the Infi Ratmandu? That is to say if the price was equal and you got a quality kydex sheath with the RMD. I know this is NOT the case. Maybe the standard RMD might be a better comparison due to price...you pick and tell me what you think.

I've done a lot of work with all three knives and I have gone back and forth on which one I like better. I would be happy to share my insights and the one that I've settled on as my #1 knife but I would be curious to see what you guys say about it. There is not right or wrong answer I think they are both good knives.
 
I prefer my RMD to the 5.1, which I sold. I like the ergos and the steel better. 3v seemed ok, but 52100 was easier for me to sharpen, so I am more likely to use it.
 
Where do you get an infi ratmandu? I haven't handled either of them, but I often hear the ratmandu has amazing ergos. Of course people love the S! Too
 
I agree I told Guy S at Survive! about it. He told me I would love the next gen GSO handles.
 
The SR101 RMD imo is the best 5 inch production knife on the market right now. INFI isn't worth the cost (about double unless you get the INFI one at cost via a show) and the Survive knives don't match the RMD in the ergo department, also I prefer 52100 (SR101) over 3V or INFI.
 
I agree, it's hard to beat the ergonomics on the RMD. Just don't buy one with the black paper scales. They look cool as hell but they are so slippery it defeats the whole purpose. I had to wrap mine in some camo tape to get some good grip. Should also mention mine is the Prototype version (full flat grind, slightly longer blade, but only came with the black paper handle) pictured in the center:

BusseampSwamprat_zps39f6bc97.jpg
 
You cannot go wrong with any of these. There is no doubt in my mind that INFI will be best. But it will also be more expensive and harder to get. The GSO 3V is very tough and has a very well designed edge better than the rat. The steel is probably very close in performance between the two. But the Rat will rust faster. Really, performance is so close that you cannot make a bad choice.
 
GSO would be my pick.
INFI is better suited to much larger blades; will have the poorest edge retention (think rolling vs chipping).
 
I'm taking advantage of this thread because I think my question doesnt really deserve its own thread.

I've been forever into military knives and since forever someone always told me to just get a Ratmandu. however, I dont dig some small details like blade wideness and choil.

So to all Bussekin sages, I ask: Is there some special snowflake Ratmandu that has no choil / that is made in INFI / that is more pointy?

Should I look into the custom shop?

Am I really talking about a Busse Axe Hammer and not a Ratmandu?

Thanks in advance
 
Radjxf said:
GSO would be my pick.
INFI is better suited to much larger blades; will have the poorest edge retention (think rolling vs chipping).
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INFI is a better overall steel in any knife that will be used hard. INFI rolls and does not chip and that is infinitely better. chipping creates a high stress area that can propagate the chip into a crack and eventual fracture(this has happened). Rolling is much better. I have had several custom 3V knives that chipped where INFI rolled. The chips were not small either. Old INFI is much harder(Higher Rc) and will hold an edge longer than 3V. The original INFI went over 3000 cuts on 1 inch rope and still shaved.
 
AntDog said:
Nice pair!
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TrojanSteel said:
However, the next GSO line up has redesigned handles....

That's a damn good lookin RMD.
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Thanks guys! Don't mind my daughters pink shoe in the photo. No worries though, she has a pink Native 5 to go with it:

7YpBdWDXN-OYEOi27crC1vl5RgO3bGuFi5KC87TYFc4=w1188-h891-no


It is good they are working on the handles at GSO. Don't get me wrong, they are fairly good as they are, better than Esee which is one of my Fav companies, but the RMD just blows everything out of the water for me.

As for the perfect RMD for you DPC? I don't know, I am not a Busse head by any measure. I am however usre there is one exactly like you want, somewhere. There are so damn many though. And it will likely cost you. I would get the RMD and go from there. Try asking your question over in one of the Busse sub-forums. They will know better.
 
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