M9 LE Vs RMD LE?

TerryBlinski · Mar 24, 2011

Greetings,

I'm new here, but a buddy of mine has an M9 LE and my bro has a RMD LE, what knife is better? What knife do you prefer?

Does anyone have comparison pics handy? I think I want the M9 LE but it might be too costly to find one.

Thanks,

Terry.

Thrill · Mar 24, 2011

Welcome to the Swamp first of all. Both knives are really different in size and have completely different uses in my opinion. The M9 LE is a beast of a blade and will serve you well as a chopper. It will be pretty difficult to find one as well. The Ratmandeaux LE is smaller and more versatile for a variety of chores. The best part is you can order one right now from the company store. I have the CG (combat grade) M9, not the LE. Here is a pic with it and the RMDx LE. The M9 is the top and the third down is the RMDx LE.

BRab · Mar 24, 2011

Thrill said it well, both great knives but very different. The Ratmandeux le will be cheaper and is currently available from the store. I rarely see an M9 le come up for sale on the exchange.

Nternal · Mar 24, 2011

The ratmandeux le is like a mini sword I love mine.

TerryBlinski · Mar 24, 2011

Thrill said:
Welcome to the Swamp first of all. Both knives are really different in size and have completely different uses in my opinion. The M9 LE is a beast of a blade and will serve you well as a chopper. It will be pretty difficult to find one as well. The Ratmandeaux LE is smaller and more versatile for a variety of chores. The best part is you can order one right now from the company store. I have the CG (combat grade) M9, not the LE. Here is a pic with it and the RMDx LE. The M9 is the top and the third down is the RMDx LE.

Wow, thanks for the pic. Really puts them in perspective.

My only complaint about the RMD LE is, aesthetically, I don't like the double guard. I saw in another post someone sand down the upper guard and that, I thought, was a great improvement (I'm not one to usually endorse meddling with a good thing). It really looked good without the upper guard, and I would imagine it's easier to choke up on the blade with the guard gone.

And, if I'm going to be real picky, I do have a preference for sabre ground blades as opposed to flat or full convex.

I gotta see if I can snag me a M9 LE from someone.

Hombre Secreto · Mar 25, 2011

You could just get a regular RatManDu and strip & polish the blade, or have someone do it for you.

That said, the M series are nice knives. I wish they would bring them back.

TerryBlinski · Mar 25, 2011

Hombre Secreto said:
You could just get a regular RatManDu and strip & polish the blade, or have someone do it for you.

Yeah, but that's a lot of work, and I think I read somewhere that stripped SW blades are prone to rust?

That said, the M series are nice knives. I wish they would bring them back.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I think the M9 LE is what I need. Does anyone know what the retail price was? (I asked my friend but he got it in a secondary market).

Nternal · Mar 25, 2011

TerryBlinski said:
Yeah, but that's a lot of work, and I think I read somewhere that stripped SW blades are prone to rust?

That said, the M series are nice knives. I wish they would bring them back.

Yeah, I think the M9 LE is what I need. Does anyone know what the retail price was? (I asked my friend but he got it in a secondary market).

I think as long as you wipe off any moisture/acid it should be fine.I have cut water bottles with mine and fruit and wiped it off and haven't noticed any difference.

Hombre Secreto · Mar 26, 2011

The coated blades are left fairly unfinished underneath, so polishing it would offer a bit better rust protection.

TewlMakr · Mar 26, 2011

Heres some pics of my ground down RMDxLE.
DONT MISS OUT ON IT!!
You can always grind it down . You CANT always buy the
RMDxLE!!!
Its a bitchin knife. Love it even more after i
messed with it!!

Thrill · Mar 26, 2011

Wowzer! Looks aewsome. Almost makes me want to get another just to have someone grind off that top guard.

TerryBlinski · Mar 27, 2011

TewlMakr said:
Heres some pics of my ground down RMDxLE.
DONT MISS OUT ON IT!!
You can always grind it down . You CANT always buy the
RMDxLE!!!
Its a bitchin knife. Love it even more after i
messed with it!!

That looks freakin awesome! I like it much better without the double guard.

If I got one, I wouldn't be able to grind it down, tools and I don't see eye to eye for some reason. Also, I was under the impression that knives that have been meddled with lose their warranty, is that true?

Nternal · Mar 27, 2011

I like the fact it has a dual guard, it makes it more of a fighter.

TewlMakr · Mar 27, 2011

Yes, it can affect the warranty.
Yep, very cool fightin knife!!

TerryBlinski · Mar 27, 2011

Nternal said:
I like the fact it has a dual guard, it makes it more of a fighter.

That's true stylistically, but does the double guard thwart functionality - ie, is it more difficult to choke up on the handle, blade?

Heck, I might just have to get one anyways. I don't see me scoring a M9 LE anytime soon.

BRab · Mar 27, 2011

I thought I was going to grind off the top guard on mine, but after holding it I decided to leave it. I got used to the top guard after a while, and I really like the feel of the knife. Choking up on the knife is not a problem for me.

TerryBlinski · Mar 28, 2011

BRab said:
I thought I was going to grind off the top guard on mine, but after holding it I decided to leave it. I got used to the top guard after a while, and I really like the feel of the knife. Choking up on the knife is not a problem for me.

Yeah, I figured it would probably grow on me too.

sar5 · Apr 29, 2011

Thrill, no kidding that could be a perfect "smaller knife" to our m9's, is it to late to have our sheaths made for. Pggy back rmdxle,

TewlMakr said:
Heres some pics of my ground down RMDxLE.
DONT MISS OUT ON IT!!
You can always grind it down . You CANT always buy the
RMDxLE!!!
Its a bitchin knife. Love it even more after i
messed with it!!