My First Swamp Rats (Pics)

CongRats, Willieboy!! Those are two great ones to start with. :thumbup:

And welcome to the Rat forum, GregY! :D
 
Great blades!

Forgive my newbie ignorance, but is a M6 and a RatManDu basically the same knife with just different grips and color options?
 
M67Chucker said:
There is no info there on different models except what's for sale. Are there any links that explain all the different models currently available including RMD's.
Click to expand...

M67,


At one time, you could go see specs and pictures of current and past knives at the SwampShack http://www.swampshack.com/ , but the SwampShack hasn't been updated for quite a few months. :( :confused:

The M6 is pretty much larger than the Ratmandu in every way: the blade is longer, taller and thicker and the handle is longer, taller and thicker.

However, the Ratmandu is very similar to the HRLM. The RMD and HRLM have the same handle, same blade thickness and the belly of the blade has very similar curves - there are some minor variations of the blade shape at the spine and the blade drops a little more on the HRLM. The Ratmandu's blade is about 1.125" longer than than the HRLM's.
The thumbramps look a little different, but function very similarly in the hand. My thumb naturally falls just at the forward side of each ramp. The RMD ramp just flattens out. The HRLM has a recess forward of the first bump and has two bumps. For me, when I get around to tweeking my HRLM, fixing the choil, stripping the coating, etc., I will probably extend the recess forward just a hair. I like the recess, but my thumb needs just a tad more room for movement. The flat over the RMD's ramp works very well for me.

A notable difference aside from blade length is the choil. The RMD has a functional choil. The HRLM has a choil that is too small to use and too large to not be made useful - wasted space! :confused: :confused:

I have not yet modified the choil on my HRLM, but I will. Many others have taken a dremel or appropriately sized drum sander to theirs to make it work. I am actually O.K. with having to do this because it is a simple fix and it allows me to shape the choil how and "WHERE" I want it. I like my choils in close like on the SS4 and Bog Dog.

Here are some dimensions on a few recent releases and notable comparisons:


M6..........................= 16.5 ounces; .234" thick; 6" blade; 11.68" oal
Scrapper 6 LE............= 12.5 ounces; .268" thick; 6.25" blade; 11.44" oal

Ratmandu (G10).........= 11.0 ounces; .190" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
Ratmandu (micarta)....= 10.0 ounces; .190" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
DM..........................= 9.0 ounces; .268" thick; 5.25" blade; 9.75" oal

HRLM.......................= 9.0 ounces; .190" thick; 4.16" blade; 9.3" oal
Yard Keeper LE..........= 7.5 ounces; .268" thick; 4.5" blade; 9" oal
Howler (Res-C)..........= 6.0 ounces; .188" thick; 4.5" blade; 9" oal

SS4........................= 5.5 ounces; .200" thick ; 4.25" blade; 9" oal
Bog Dog..................= 5.0 ounces; .140" thick ; 4.75" blade; 9.56" oal

Yard Guard..............= 16.0 ounces; .277" thick; 7.25" blade; 12.4" oal
Camp Tramp............= 14.5 ounces; .235" thick; 7.325" blade; 12.5" oal


Also note from the above info that when comparing similarly handled micarta (Not the G10 RMD) the RMD is only about 1 ounce heavier than the HRLM - from blade length.

But, notice that the M6 is 6.5 ounces heavier than the RMD = 65% heavier!!! The weight difference is VERY obvious in the hand.
The M6 is much more stout and heavier in the handle and blade than the RMD. So, I continue to point out the RMD doesn't really compare to the M6.

If you want more of a extreme tough, heavy, tank knife, the M6 is probably your choice.
If you want a sufficiently tough all around use knife, I recommend the RMD or HRLM. (actually, I recommend both!)


The following are some pics of the HRLM stacked on the RMD. Notice I pinned the handles together as the holes line up perfectly. The handles are for all intensive purposes exactly the same from the pommels up to the thumbramps and choils. Where the thumbramps are slightly different and choils are different.


For the record....... The HRLM and RMD ROCK!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :D


SwampRat-HRLMstackedonRatmandu-blad.jpg


SwampRat-HRLMstackedonRatmanduchoil.jpg


SwampRat-HRLMstackedonRatmanduhandl.jpg


.
 
M67Chucker said:
There is no info there on different models except what's for sale. Are there any links that explain all the different models currently available including RMD's.
Click to expand...

There is a place you can look. I'll get the link for you and post it later today.

The M6 and Ratmandu are really different knives. My picture is misleading. I'm sure there are better comparison pictures. The M6 is much more stout while the Ratmandu is smaller and sleeker. I like the Ratmandu better and predict it will be one of Swamp Rat's most popular.

Welcome from another newbie.

Nevermind, DWRW posted the link.
 
Thanks a ton for the info guys. I bought the M6 recently and think its great, but I was having problems finding out info on the RMD that so many on the forums love. I will surely check out those links.
 
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