Ratmandu Availability

dgebler

dgebler

Joined
Feb 12, 2012
Messages
265
So I have been into knives for a while, but mostly folders and I have been using my ESEE 5 for most of my light camp chores but I think I am ready to step up to some Busse kin and I think after some research/forum reading the Ratmandu is the best choice for me. I just wanted to ask those who know Swamp Rat what you think about long term availability of this knife. In order to preserve my marriage I should wait a while (maybe christmas) before buying another blade but I wondered how steady is the availability (I have no problem waiting a little for a factory order) or if you think they could up and discontinue this knife at any time?

And while I am at it what the heck is Ganza? (Sorry like I said I am a Busse Newbie) I see reference to this (company, event, dealer???) with the INFI ratmandu and have no idea what the deal is.

Thanks!
 
The Ratmandu CG is available currently for purchase from their website. I have not heard of an INFI RMD being released, but that doesn't mean it won't happen, or isn't planned.

Yeah, while I like my RC-5 (ESEE), it is NOT the knife for "light camp chores". :) The ESEE-3, Bark River Gunny, or one of the smaller Swamp Rat, or Scrapyard knives would be great for that. Even the RMD may be a bit big, but is a great all arounder.
 
Yea...I don't even really mean "light camp chores" I would have been more accurate if I said "infrequent camp chores". If I am camping I want my fixed blade to be able to handle some pretty heavy lifting, firewood prep, etc. as I rarely carry an axe or hatchet.

Also, I understand it is available now for purchase, just wondering if anyone knows if it will probably still be available in 4-6 months or if this could be discontinued or hard to get in this timeframe.

Thanks again,
Drew
 
The INFI RMD was just offered at the last Blade Ganza 2014. I have a couple on the way from there.
 
I don't know what Swamp Rat's production plans are, but I will say that the Ratmandu has been available for quite some time now on their site. Worst case scenario, order it a few months in advance - that way you'll still have an order placed, but (I believe, feel free to correct me) that you don't get charged until the knife is actually built.
 
You get charged around 7-14 days before it ships most the time.

The RMD can handle light camp chores all the way to chopping trees down. I have used it for both. It depends mostly what the person using the knife is capable/comfortable using it for.

There is sometimes a notice before a blade is pulled from production, but even that isnt promised. It could just go away one day, and there is no way for us to know if that day will be in 4 months or 4 years. But luckily the RMD is a great blade, and not difficult to get right now, and most likely will still be obtainable without much difficulty even after they are pulled from production in the exchange and other 2nd hand sites. But like with many other blades.... Once they are no longer available on the site the price goes up....
 
Thanks guys...heck, not even sure why I started this thread anyways...you all know Im just gonna have to buy one regardless! Wait till christmas...please I will be lucky if I can wait till the next payday!

So the ratmandu really seems like alot of knife for the money...what's the catch??? Is this like the crack dealer who gives you a discount on your first rock, knowing you'll be coming back to buy no matter the price?
 
dgebler said:
Thanks guys...heck, not even sure why I started this thread anyways...you all know Im just gonna have to buy one regardless! Wait till christmas...please I will be lucky if I can wait till the next payday!

So the ratmandu really seems like alot of knife for the money...what's the catch??? Is this like the crack dealer who gives you a discount on your first rock, knowing you'll be coming back to buy no matter the price?
Click to expand...

No catch as far as I can tell. Maybe that they don't come with a sheath? But putting together your own setup is half the fun:

6hrSkHz.jpg
 
dgebler said:
what's the catch??? Is this like the crack dealer who gives you a discount on your first rock, knowing you'll be coming back to buy no matter the price?
Click to expand...

It is precisely like that! You get RMD to fill that fabled 'perfect camp knife' role... then in few months you find yourself with a Busse/Kin chopper (it's more fun than axe...), EDC knife (quality is important for edc...) a bigger camp knife (for the colder months when more fire wood is needed).... And then backup set... and a backup set for the backup set... :eek:

I know that there is a whole lot of folks around here who started with RMD and now have 'a few' ;) Busse/Kin knives... Myself included... :D
 
elof_alv said:
It is precisely like that! You get RMD to fill that fabled 'perfect camp knife' role... then in few months you find yourself with a Busse/Kin chopper (it's more fun than axe...), EDC knife (quality is important for edc...) a bigger camp knife (for the colder months when more fire wood is needed).... And then backup set... and a backup set for the backup set... :eek:
Click to expand...



And then something for bird&trout.

And then large game field-dressing............

And after that you can start on piggyback dream combos, LOL :) :D
 
dgebler said:
And while I am at it what the heck is Ganza? (Sorry like I said I am a Busse Newbie) I see reference to this (company, event, dealer???) with the INFI ratmandu and have no idea what the deal is.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Busse Combat runs Ganza sales a few times a year. Details are in the Busse Forum, and there are offerings from Swamp Rat and Scrapyard as well as Busse. You get to see ahead of time what the offerings are, and then when they give the 'Go!' if you get your order put in quickly you have a chance at scoring. There should still be some stickies up from the most recent BladeShowGanza. This year's Blade Show, and the last ganza have been the only places to score an INFI RMD thus far.
 
Get yourself an Ratmandu. My first Busse kin knife and still my favorite. I have four now, but my favorite RMD is as pictured, Tanker gray/Black canvas. I have an INFIdu on order from the Ganza also, but I'd never get rid of my SR-101 deal. I know what that'll du, so to speak.
 
Ratmandu is a must have IMO! If you can get a RMD (INFI/ get it! The Sr101 is great steel.......if naked, it will require more attention as rust is a possibility. If you want the coated SR 101 RMD, you can order it now from SwampRat @ $158.00, last time I looked. SwampRat Custom Shop, you can get it anyway you prefer. The Ganza RMD (INFI) will be hitting the exchange soon as folk's usually order enough to share with new member's and those that missed the Ganza. Also, one of my personal favorites is the RMD Bowie..............another sweet knife worthy of consideration.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj213/SuperSubis/009.jpg
 
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calc said:
That paper canvas... I've been fighting the urge to order another one just to try it out. How grippy is it?
Click to expand...


Sadly, not grippy enough for me. The Black G10, though, is pretty good when wet, and not bad at all when bloody. And has the nice dark black contrast like the black paper.


Both in G10

eyPNw7y.jpg
 
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