GSO 5.1 vs the INFI Ratmandu

OBX351 · Jun 26, 2015

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.

Riz! · Jun 26, 2015

Chiral did a sweet review of the 5.1 when he got one. There are a lot of comparisons to the RMD. I have had an infidu a regular RMD and the 5.1. The only knife I still have is the 5.1

OBX351 · Jun 27, 2015

I'd love to read it. Could you post it here??

Silver Needle · Jun 27, 2015

Quite a read. Grab your comfy pants and a snack.

Seriously though, Chiral has a very active and detailed mind and this is a really well done comparison and review.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-to-SYKCO-511-SRKW-RatManDu-Cattaraugus-225Q

OBX351 · Jun 27, 2015

TY! He does a great job in his reviews!

Hard Knocks · Jun 28, 2015

OBX351 said:
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.

Probably no surprise if you've read my sig line, but you just named my two favorite blades. No way to go wrong with either of them IMO.

Silver Needle · Jun 28, 2015

Hard Knocks said:
Probably no surprise if you've read my sig line, but you just named my two favorite blades. No way to go wrong with either of them IMO.

But you like the GSO a teeny tiny bit more, right???

Hard Knocks · Jun 29, 2015

As similar as they are, they still have their differences, Silver. I love the RMD for it's tough-as-nails steel and awesome handle and balance, the GSO especially for Guy's grind/blade geometry, and for the 3V steel that is tougher than heck and doesn't need coated. Right now, at this window in time, I would grab one of my custom shop drop point RMD's over either production blade. BUT, in a short time, when the new runs of GSOs hit with the new handle contour, look out!! I believe the redesigned handles were influenced in part by chiral.grolim's excellent review and the handle contrast between a 5.1 and the SwampRat HRLM (same handle exactly as the RMD). These new runs may just be the best of both worlds.

Silver Needle · Jun 29, 2015

Ok, fair enough =)

Hard Knocks · Jun 29, 2015

Lol. Respectfully submitted, of course.

jbs121s · Jun 29, 2015

I love them both, but if I could only choose one I would go with an Infi RMD due to the fact that I hate sharpening 3V and would really hate field sharpening 3v if the need arose.

Revolverrodger · Jun 30, 2015

I do not see any single benefit of the RMD over the gso 5.1

OBX351 · Jun 30, 2015

I agree

OBX351 · Jun 30, 2015

Hard Knocks said:
Probably no surprise if you've read my sig line, but you just named my two favorite blades. No way to go wrong with either of them IMO.

Yeah I've found that out too, at least with the LE INFIs. But I find that I keep going back to the 5.1 and I am really looking forward to trying out the new handle.

Lennyo3034 · Jul 15, 2015

Revolverrodger said:
I do not see any single benefit of the RMD over the gso 5.1

I had both, but ended up selling both. I preferred it over the RMD for the grind and edge geometry, but would definitely not say it's better than the RMD in every way. The handle on the RMD is much more comfortable to me and felt better balanced. Being a manufacturing engineer, fit and finish stands out to me, even if it doesn't affect performance and the RMD definitely had an advantage there.

In the end, I decided I didn't like the size of either knife and ended up with a couple 4.1s.

Silver Needle · Jul 15, 2015

Lennyo3034 said:
I had both, but ended up selling both. I preferred it over the RMD for the grind and edge geometry, but would definitely not say it's better than the RMD in every way. The handle on the RMD is much more comfortable to me and felt better balanced. Being a manufacturing engineer, fit and finish stands out to me, even if it doesn't affect performance and the RMD definitely had an advantage there.

In the end, I decided I didn't like the size of either knife and ended up with a couple 4.1s.

Someone had better fit and finish than SURVIVE!???

Seriously though, I've never handled any members of the Busse family, so I can't really say much.

Good call on the 4.1's!

OBX351 · Jul 15, 2015

Lennyo3034 said:
I preferred it over the RMD for the grind and edge geometry, but would definitely not say it's better than the RMD in every way.

I have an SR101 RMD and for the life of me I can't believe how hard it is to carve, feather stick and do fine work with it because of the edge geometry. I bought it second had but I stroped out all the microfolds and dull spots to where it slices through paper effortlessly and it still doesn't carve as well as the INFI RMDs or any of my GSOs. I am surprised Busse lets their working knives go out with such poor edges. In it's defense it does baton and chop very well for it's size but so do all of my GSOs.