Ratmandu Disaster! Advice?

M

moorejav

Joined
Jul 14, 2011
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Got my first Ratmandu two months ago. Took it on a 40 mile backpacking/fishing trip. Fell in love! Second trip out last week, elk hunting, I meant to take the lanyard off. Well, I forgot to take it off and we got into some thick brush. When I got back to the Jeep it was gone. Figure in the thick brush a branch slipped through the lanyard and took it right out of my kydex sheath! I am sick about it.

Anyway, I need to get something cheap to get me through till I can afford another one. I was thinking a kabar becker companion, or SRK out of the AUS 8 cause I can get either for just under $60. Sugggestions? Will use it hunting, fishing, camping. Will use it quite a bit... I loved the feel of the Ratmandu and I'm afraid I won't like either of these. Other suggestions are welcome. I love the finger groove at the base of the blade on the Ratmandu, and neither of these have it...

I hear AUS 8 might have a little better corrosion resistance, I do get rained on quite a bit where we go hunting/fishing...

All opinions appreciated.
 
Oh no! My condolences. I've got my first RMD arriving today. The BK2 is a great knife, and many people swear by it. It weighs in at about a pound.

If you have a grinder, you might be able to grind in a finger groove into your BK2. Just a thought.
 
What about a 511 for right now? They're not TOO pricey, and are very similar in most respects. Also... that finger groove is called a choil, and many people put them on their knives themselves when they don't come with them.

I have a BK2, and its a great knife. You know it won't let you down when you hold it for the first time. Which to me is important. I've never handled a swamp rat so I can't say how it compares, but the BK2 is actually a better slicer than you'd think, and has what I consider a pretty comfortable handle. For the price, I don't see how you could go wrong on this one.

Also, if you can find a BK10, its a slightly thinner knife (3/16) with a swedge, but they're out of production, so they might be harder to find.

Also, you might try an ESEE 4 or an ESEE 6.
 
There are quite a few fixed blade buck knives for hunting available. Many of which are under your $60 price range. The 420HC comes nice and sharp from the factory and holds a decent edge, especially for the price. There's too many to mention, but a nice Vanguard would hold you over for the season.
 
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