Hey, needing advice for first swamp rat.

XtianAus

XtianAus

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Mar 3, 2016
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Hey i am thinking of getting my first busse/SR with starting off with the beloved rmd.

Alot reviews i have read/watched say the edge comes fairly blunt. Should i/could i ask them to add a finer edge geometry, or leave it as is?

Any other advice or experiences with the rmd would be great too.
 
The one I received from the Swamp wasn't bad at all. It's a fairly robust blade with the saber grind, but nothing a fine stone can't touch up. You could always watch the exchange for a custom shop full flat grind version.
Great knife for sure !!!!
 
The edge on my RMD came just fine. Not crazy sharp but it has seen plenty of use without needing to touch it up. Edge geometry lends itself to a camp knife that will be batoned regularly.

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I've reprofile pretty much every knife I intend to use as I haven't been seeing any these days (of any make) that are sharp enough for me.

If you use it, you will end up sharpening it anyways. Why ,it start out sharp like you want it?

If you are collecting, then don't bother it's not worth it. I'm a knife lover but my requirements are that my knives get used or they get sold. (and no, that's not my wife/gf/so speaking).
 
Great choice for a Starter! I had one and it was sharp. The only way you can do better is by getting an INFI -Du....the INFI version. Either way you can't go wrong. It is a great knife that carries well and has a billion uses. Welcome and don't hesitate. ...you won't regret it.
 
Is your name an indication that you are in Australia? (or Austria?) If so, whereabouts?

The RMD is a great knife, and given that it's one of the few SR blades that you can still order direct it's probably the one to start with. After that, expand your horizons with a Rodent 6 (RMD on steroids/poor man's TGLB) and a Rodent 9. Or pick up a Jackmandu off the Exchange as they are a recent release and there are a few popping up at the moment.
 
ozgooner said:
Is your name an indication that you are in Australia? (or Austria?) If so, whereabouts?

The RMD is a great knife, and given that it's one of the few SR blades that you can still order direct it's probably the one to start with. After that, expand your horizons with a Rodent 6 (RMD on steroids/poor man's TGLB) and a Rodent 9. Or pick up a Jackmandu off the Exchange as they are a recent release and there are a few popping up at the moment.
Click to expand...

^This.

+1 RatManDu
 
I've got a couple RMD's. One is a user, has been used hard; the other still lives in its tactical cardboard sheath, as a backup. Neither of them came with an edge that suits me. Then again, I'm like the guy above that has to reprofile and sharpen every knife I get (well, except a Survive! knife, but they are the singular exception). However, both of mine came with a perfectly usable edge, not at all blunt. Just not as good as I could get them, so I reprofiled and sharpened the user. Great knife, one of my favorites, and possibly absolute favorite.
 
I've always found the factory edge geometry to be just fine on most of my bussekin blades. It can be a bit toothy but this is easily remidied by stropping. Once it is smoothed out a bit it is excellent for an all purpose edge IMO.

RMD is a great knife. I have more RMD's than I do hands... you know, just in case I grow more hands.

.
 
I feel like the blunt edge from the swamp thing is a thing of the past. The last few blades I received from them have had very nice usable edges.

If you want to re-profile an RMD you can do just about anything. SR101 will take a razor sharp edge.

I love the RMD but a recent new love makes me suggest you pick up a Jackmandu on the exchange if you can.
 
Awesome guys great to hear! Thanks for the variety of reaponses.
How do you find the toughness of sr101? Does it rust easily? I oil all my blades fairly reguarly so i am hoping it wont be a problem
Id love an infi blade but i am no where near being able to afford one.
Id even love a sr101 team gemini but not many pop up in the exchange :(

ozgooner said:
Is your name an indication that you are in Australia? (or Austria?) If so, whereabouts?

The RMD is a great knife, and given that it's one of the few SR blades that you can still order direct it's probably the one to start with. After that, expand your horizons with a Rodent 6 (RMD on steroids/poor man's TGLB) and a Rodent 9. Or pick up a Jackmandu off the Exchange as they are a recent release and there are a few popping up at the moment.
Click to expand...

Yes i sure am, from Sydney. Where abouts are you from?
And ahhh yes i love the look of those rodent 6 but not many pop up on the exchange either. And the shop doesnt offer them anymore...right?
 
Xtian, hi buddy! First SwampRat? For sure an RMD.

There's a good bunch of Aussie Rats here on the forum, some from the Sydney area.

If you're concerned about the edge, mention in your order that you would like it thinned down a bit. As was mentioned above, my newer orders have been better about thinner edges even without the request.

Bare SR-101 will form surface rust readily. I'm going to stress surface rust, as it is not prone to pitting, but it will darken with oil and use. Coated CG models, no need to worry, just a swipe of oil on the bare cutting edge. Still, I am a fan of bare SR-101 over the CG (coated) models, in part due to better grinds. Every satin or FFG blade I've got from the Swamp has come with better edge geometry than the CGs.

If you're going to use it for batoning and heavy use, though, just order one and dont look back. They are perfect for that kind of use straight from the shop, and that has earned them the reputation they have today.

Oh ya, SR-101 is tougher than heck :thumbup:
 
Mate, don't think twice about it! Just get one, you will not regret it.
SR-101... No issues with rust with basic cleaning after use, it chews up through our hardwoods without any issues, takes a great edge and keeps it for a long time.
 
HK, survive and busse fan, i know ive come to the right place! Haha :D
By memory the rmd only are available from the site as coated but i think i will take your advice on the thinner geometry too.
That is if i cant snag one off the forums because shipping to Aus from busse is fairly up there in price.
Nonetheless, the rmd seems worth it, ive only ever read or heard good things about it and all the reaponses from everyone above certainly confirms that. I am eager to try sr101 out and see what it can do
 
rcb2000 said:
Great pics HK :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks bud!

XtianAus said:
HK, survive and busse fan, i know ive come to the right place! Haha :D
By memory the rmd only are available from the site as coated but i think i will take your advice on the thinner geometry too.
That is if i cant snag one off the forums because shipping to Aus from busse is fairly up there in price.
Nonetheless, the rmd seems worth it, ive only ever read or heard good things about it and all the reaponses from everyone above certainly confirms that. I am eager to try sr101 out and see what it can do
Click to expand...

You are correct. No custom shop options right now. I only mention the satin version due to the grind question, but there is certainly nothing wrong with getting one started from the shop. You can get the color combo you want by ordering direct also.

You might not give up finding one in Australia. There could be more near you than what you think :)
 
XtianAus said:
Hey i am thinking of getting my first busse/SR with starting off with the beloved rmd.

Alot reviews i have read/watched say the edge comes fairly blunt. Should i/could i ask them to add a finer edge geometry, or leave it as is?

Any other advice or experiences with the rmd would be great too.
Click to expand...

I'd go ahead an put or have someone put a finer "v" edge.. but I had one an thought I'd have a pro put a convex edge... I was very disappointed... turned out way to obtuse. ..stick with a fine "v" imho
 
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