Ratmandeux

R

rpn

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Mar 17, 2008
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Here's something I posted at the Yard, figured I would bring it over here too...

I've been uber-curious bout this knife for a long time and barely read about folks using it. Saw a deal on ebay and thought I would check it out. Here are some pics and 1st impressions which I'll add too as I use it more.

I'm also going to mix it in a bunch with the War Dog. I know it's apples and oranges, but I tend to view the War Dog as a mix of woods knife and overall bad a** knife! In my mind, I've wondered if the RMDx could fill a similar roll...that and strikes me as poor man's busse Walking Dead blade!

Here they be!







A little difference in thickness! I really like the idea of a thinner blade with the RMDx...I'm getting much more into 1/8" knives lately, that's plenty tough for me.



Speaking of tough, I beat on it like I was mad at it. No problem...





Sucker can chop well too. Color me surprised! I really liked the handle here..nice size and shape.





It cut pretty well doing this notch, stake and green fuzz sticks. Came to me a bit dull and I need to put more time into sharpening it.







I did this notch with the War Dog just to see and it's easier to manage...luv that knife!



I mentioned the Walking Dead earlier..bring on the skull stabbing trial!
This is probably 80-90% power into these stabs. I have a great grip on both knives.





War Dog penetrates more...

This last pic is hard to see, but just did a hard slash on a tree...was surprised to see the penetration on both actually. Not sure which was better, maybe the Ratmandeux.



Using the RMDx was better than I thought. Seemed an odd size until I used it. I really need to bring the edge up to speed. The War Dog has a great edge and is easy to maintain very sharp. I know a lot of folks have chopped off that top guard and I can totally see why. It helps the knife look tough and gorgeous, but it's hard to use changing grips. I'm really liking the handle so far and the thinner stock seems like it is full of potential. When it landed this week it had catch and release written all over it. I'm not sure right now and want to use it some more and get it in the kitchen. I'll post more as I use it and add pics.

I will say I am reminded again yet what a cool blade the War Dog is. It's soooo light and bomb proof. Plus, it's just a great user and has intangibles I just love. I remember testing it against the S5 and while the S5 performed better ina range of activities, I just liked the War Dog better.
 
Brought the kiddos out for a stroll and to check out the ratmandeux a bit more. We found a hawk/owl pellet right off the bat...



Getting a bit better feel for the grind of the RMDx...the War Dog is far more natural for me, but I'm improving with the Rat.











Gave it a little spin in the kitchen and it did better than I thought it would for a big knife. I had spent more time on the edge which helped I'm sure. Tortilla espanola or as I like to tell my wife when I cook it- tortilla gringa!



Thought this pic might help folks size this knife more...



I'm still enjoying the knife and it's interesting. The handle is a pleasure for me to use, but I need to get it out after this last round of sharpening. Think I'm going to bring along my Becker 15 too and see how they compare.
 
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So I took it out again to look at it more. Decided to bring a little more company...

This DFarmer is roughly in the ballpark size-wise...closest I have. I seem to remember this chopped almost as well as my old Camp Tramp.



Chopping this hard/dry stuff and they were awful close. The DFarmer did bind up a bit more- I figure b/c it's thinner at 1/8". I chopped a bunch of different things and they were very close...I got the idea the Farmer was better with greener wood.



Here we go with a bigger challenge. At 20 chops, 40 and 60. Seems a wash to me.







Let's see how many to get through this small greener limb...





13 for the RMdx and 8 for the DFarmer. Guess I was right on what I thought about the green wood.

Thought the Farmer did better with a little finer work.



I also brought along this Becker I got a bit ago. I enjoy the heck out of this knife.





I feel in more control with the Becker than the RMDx. I'm able to move from finer shavings to taking chunks off...same as with the War Dog. While I have a better feel for the grind of the RMDx than before, I struggle more with it compared to the other knives. I think they left more steel on this convex and started the plunge later than on other convex edged blades I have.

Overall, it's a pretty cool knife. Does a number of things well and and was surprisingly good in the kitchen and as a chopper. Getting back to my original question- is this a bad a** all rounder and wood knife like my War Dog? In some senses yes, but the War Dog fills that role for me better.

Fun knife to check out. If I didn't stumble into an AR right before the CT ban, I would probably keep it and remove the top guard. But, I have to finish paying off that gun, so this one will go on to a new home.
 
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That's some good pics Bro, thanks for the post!!! I agree that the R6 is the poh-mans TGLB. There ain't nothing wrong with that, as I am really liking my R6 as well...
 
Thanks Russmo! Nothing wrong with it at all!

Added some final pics and thoughts. Interesting knife. :thumbup:
 
Thanks guys.

I really like seeing comparisons and user pics- always helpful for me when I'm deciding on/choosing a knife.
 
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