HRLM or RMD?

Buffalohump

Buffalohump

Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
6,199
I want to get in on the current Ganza but I cant decide between these two.....

I am leaning towards the HRLM because I have always liked the design and I NEED a smaller fixed blade.

It looks great to me, but the REAL question is: how does it cut?

I havent got the time/skills/inclination to do a major reprofile on the edge.

Thanks all! :thumbup:
 
Depends on the day. It cuts fine and I would think the edge geometry is pretty close to identical in both blades.

To really screw you up, I'll make this observation:

The HRLM is basically a "poor man's" Busse Badger Attack III.

The RMD is basically a "poor man's" Busse Satin Jack (straight-handle).

I say "poor man's" because a BA3/ABA will run you $700 now and a BOSS Jack (SHSJ re-release) will cost you $400. It has no bearing on the usability and nukulur toughness of the Swamp Rats.

After owning both, I like the RMD better. And I fought HARD to be in the HRLM camp - esp. 3 years ago when I was the only guy there. LOL The choil really did affect it. (And I had a knifemaker enlarge the choil for me.) You get a choil to choke up PLUS about an extra inch of blade on the RMD.

But get what you feel would be best for you. It's that simple.
 
Ratmandu for all the reasons state above. I've enlarged my HRLM choil as well, but the RMD is simply a great design that often rides in my pack and earns its snuff as a bushcraft blade, a hunting blade, and a camping blade. The HRLM can do it all as well, but I just don't find myself using it as much these days.

SwampRatHunters.jpg
 
For a general woods knife I like the RMD better. Those who posted before me hit the nail on the head.

Now for a do all hunting knife the HRLM is going to be my choice. I may reprofile it slightly but it is a little more nimble and has a nice belly to it. All of my hunts at this point are walk in so I don't need a large knife on me and the HRLM seems to be just the right size and set of trade offs.
 
I had the same "problem" a couple of days ago, both designs are really nice, but decided to choose the RatManDu due to its longer blade. Im very happy, Eric had my color (tanker gray / black canvas) in stock and sent it off right away, superb service. I´ll let you know how it cuts as soon as it arrives to me here in Sweden.
 
OK, let me be the lone voice in the wilderness. I bought 3 Howlers. One for me and one each for my sons. To me, they are the perfect hunting/game knife. And that's what I wanted. The Mandu is probably the better all around knife, but I tell you..........for a hunting knife, I vote for the Howler.
Cheers
Balding
 
HRLM is my go to. I take it with me ELK hunting and generally banging around the woods. But its hard to go wrong with either one. I own at least one of each and use them.
 
BOTH! And hurry!!! You will regret the failure to capitalize on this moment when you can get them both and only pay one shipping charge.

But if you can only get one... go RMD. It's more balanced IMO.
 
The HRLM is my goto .... That being said,,,, I got both...a few times over....:o
 
Alright the pendulum swung back and I went with a HRLM. I dont have a fixed in the 4 inch slot so that was the clincher.

Now I just need to figure out how to order a sheath from the store. :o
 
RMD is about as perfect a knife as you can get.

Ditto on the HRLM choil being too small. Other than that its a very fine blade.
 
Both are great knives, but for all round use I use my RMD.

I'd get both since they are both really sweet knives.
 
I went with the Howler because I already have a BATAC so I figured that takes care of the bigger knife requirements.

I like to have something in each category. With the HR I now have 3 inch, 4 inch, 5,5 inch, 8 inch and 9,5 inch.

So I figure I'm pretty much sorted! ;)
 
I kept my RMD and sold my HRLM because I already had lots of knives in the HR blade size that were lighter, but didn't have anything that I liked as well as the RMD in that size. I think the RMD is just such a classic looking knife that it is very appealing as a mid-size knife- it makes you want it! With that said, I actually think the Howler is a "handier" knife- better skinner, better tip feel and control, and still big enough to do 90% of anything the RMD can do. Obviously, I was torn- if a buyer hadn't come along, I would've ended up keeping both- the only truly ccorrect answer!
 
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