Ratmandu or Esee 5 ??

L

lionknife

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Apr 18, 2007
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Am thinking about buying a Ratmandu or Esee 5 . Anyone had experience with both or just one ? What do you feel are pro's and con's of the knives ? Cost for the knives are about the same . Anyone care to comment ?
 
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Unfortunately I can only speak for eSEE 5 which is a great knife, very robust and seems to endure more heavy service that Ratmandu..
 
I think the quality on my ratmandu is better than my friend's Esse 5. You can pick up a RMD for around the same price too, I got mine for 140 but It didn't come with a sheath like the Esse does.

Plus I like sr101 steel a tad bit more than 1095.
 
I own both. Only one ESEE 5, but several RMDs.

So, I'm very Swamp Rat biased. Love my RMDs.

The ESEE 5 is very thick.

How do you plan to use the knife? Factor that into your purchasing decision.

To me, the RMD feels more "refined" as it is more comfortable in my hand.
 
The ESEE 5 is noticeably thicker with a lower grind, which means it will be more resistant to lateral forces (prying) but it won't cut through things near as well and the RMD. I think the RMD has a much more ergonomic handle than the thicker blockier ESEE 5 handle. As far as SR101 (52100) vs 1095- 52100 is tougher per volume than 1095, though the thickness of the ESEE will more than make up for that, 52100 will also have better edge holding, both will be easy to sharpen, 1095 has a little better stain resistance than 52100, though I've never had any rust on my RMD and the coating protects both knives anyway. If I was going with a camping/woods and general use knife I'd go with the RMD for the (IMO) better steel and ergonomics, if I was choosing a knife for a urban GHO/BOB that I could break into or out of buildings and fences with I'd go with ESEE 5 (though the RMD could take on this role easily as well)
 
I've heard it said more than once, the RMD is one of the best swamprats ever.
I've never held an ESEE 5, but .250 is too thick for me.
I find it hard to imagine a scenario that the RMD wasn't sturdy enough for.
Cons? I could live without the choil, but it's not a deal breaker.
 
Ratmandu. I prefer thinner knives in this blade length.

GregB
 
The RMD is a near perfect design for it's size. Strong, versatile and attractive.

The ESEE 5 is an odd knife. It's both very thick and saber ground, has a huge handle and a bit of a stubby blade for all that steel. When I held it, it felt awkward, and I wasn't really sure what to do with it. Too short to chop with and too fat and thickly ground for mid sized tasks. I didn't care for the design, at all.
 
It depends on what it will be used for. If you compare the steels, I would choose SR101 over 1095 any day of the week. The Ratmandu can endure heavy use for a small, light knife. The ESEE 5 is a heavier design. It can also withstand heavy use and has an advantage in chopping because of the heavier weight. Remember though, neither one is a really a "chopper". I think the Ratmandu will work better at every other task. Warrantees are a dead heat. ESEE wins on price because of the great sheath thats included. If you forsee more chopping you probably should go with the ESEE Junglas and bypass the ESEE 5 alltogether. If your going to do more "knifey stuff", then Ratmandu all the way.

Unklfranco
 
Ankerson said:
Just about anything I can think of that a knife would be used for. :)
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I would certainly agree with this. I have the 5 and it basically sucks as a knife, but there are a lot of guys that want an "everything tool" that will hold up to ridiculous punishment. The 5 is a great answer for those who want to do any silly thing they see on the web including splitting wood, prying open stuff, stabbing...well...anything, and using as a bearing block for bow drilling.

I'm not saying that anyone should do these things, but the 5 is pretty crazy tough for those that do...and it will cut stuff too, but I'd agree that it's a knife second.

Interpret that as you wish.

Seriously though, for fans of splitting wood via batoning...the 5 wins:D
 
The RMD is a much better all round knife than the ESEE 5. The RMD has SR-101 steel that holds a great edge, thinner blade, and is more ergonomical than the much thicker ESEE 5.
 
unit said:
I would certainly agree with this. I have the 5 and it basically sucks as a knife, but there are a lot of guys that want an "everything tool" that will hold up to ridiculous punishment. The 5 is a great answer for those who want to do any silly thing they see on the web including splitting wood, prying open stuff, stabbing...well...anything, and using as a bearing block for bow drilling.

I'm not saying that anyone should do these things, but the 5 is pretty crazy tough for those that do...and it will cut stuff too, but I'd agree that it's a knife second.

Interpret that as you wish.

Seriously though, for fans of splitting wood via batoning...the 5 wins:D
Click to expand...


I used my RMD pretty hard, beat the snot out of it just like the rest of my Bussekin knives doing those things in your post and it held up great for a 5" blade that's not too thick to be used as a knife. :D

For the tougher stuff I have my Tank Buster and we all know what they are like.

That said for a rough use field knife in that 5" range it's really hard to beat the RMD, SR101(52100) is a good steel.


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The bow drill argument is also a moot point. The tube rivets on the RMD work just fine for a divot if need be!
 
So much RMD love thought I'd put up a photo. It a snapshot of most of my RMDs that I have posted on the Web before, but fits here in this thread too.

photo-181.jpg
 
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