Ratmandu or Esee 5 ??

So many nice, brand new knives in the pic above!

I agree that they're relatively different knives. ESEE 5 is a SERE knife, thats what it is FOR, as a general use knife it's not going to be as user friendly as a the Rat. As a SERE knife, the ESEE would be better (duh).

One point:
Warrantees are a dead heat.
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They're close, but the ESEE waranty IS better. None of the Bussekin cover intentional damage, while ESEE does (in writing, no relying on goodwill). It's literally the best warranty of any product, anywhere vs a silly great warranty.

/flamesuit
 
shunsui said:
A better choice would be an Esee 6 and the Ratmandu.
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THIS!

It's exactly what I was thinking when I read through this thread... the 6 is really close to the RMD while the 5 is a whole different beast. There is a better system available and that comes with the 5 when it comes to: coming with a sheath, molle-back, pouch etc. But you can find someone to make all of that for RMD too.... (ask me how I know:D) what I'm pointing out is that the cost isn't "really" the same... you should end up paying a little more for the RMD when it's all said and done.

The ergo's on the RMD are great, the choil on it and the 6 are "dumb" in my opinion for knives of this size so the 5 has a slight advantage there but again I don't see them in the same category because of the weight of the 5. Just thinking outloud......


Eli
 
shunsui said:
A better choice would be an Esee 6 and the Ratmandu.
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Don't see the point of carrying 2 knives of around the same length and thickness etc, that's a lot of extra weight to carry around when the knives could both be used for the same thing.

I could see carrying a large chopper like around 8" to 10" blade and a smaller thinner knife like the RMD for the smaller things like food prep/cleaning game etc.
 
I think he meant a choice "between" the two knives not both of them together;)

Atleast I hope that's what he meant.... who knows.


Eli
 
Toxie said:
So many nice, brand new knives in the pic above!
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Thanks!

Was a snapshot in time. Several are users, that photo is a few months old.

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I'm not arguing, Jim. But the 5 is going to split wood better. Saber grinds are thought to beat for beating through wood.

I have no doubts that either choice would be very difficult to break, and I'd prefer almost any choice that is not the 5....but there are some non-knife tasks that it excels at.

I've used tapered rivets as bearing blocks and they are not good. They get hot and the heat spreads through the rivet and can/will burn you on the other side. It's probably rare that anyone reading this would even use that feature, but those that do will appreciate a dedicated divot (which can be DIY added to many handles BTW)
 
unit said:
I'm not arguing, Jim. But the 5 is going to split wood better. Saber grinds are thought to beat for beating through wood.

I have no doubts that either choice would be very difficult to break, and I'd prefer almost any choice that is not the 5....but there are some non-knife tasks that it excels at.

I've used tapered rivets as bearing blocks and they are not good. They get hot and the heat spreads through the rivet and can/will burn you on the other side. It's probably rare that anyone reading this would even use that feature, but those that do will appreciate a dedicated divot (which can be DIY added to many handles BTW)
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I don't normally use the short knives for those tasks anyway, something larger like a NMFBM would really fit the bill for the harder stuff.

That said the RMD is one of the better choices around for a non stainless 5" knife.
 
A bit OT -

I have had an RC-5 (ESEE-5) for several years - great knife. The blade finish is stout - mine had some use before the picture below (The Becker BK-2 was new - not so pretty now - a better splitter - less drag.). The Becker BK2 is the sleeper @ < half the ESEE-5 price - same .25" 1095 steel. Mine was a local store 'special' - and included the aftermarket Micarta grips, which are a bit large and rough - easily 3D contoured, however. The OEM hard plastic-like grips are fine for most hard use. You'll need longer screws for the Micarta grips.

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Stainz
 
I would get the RMD, perfect size, excellent balance and very very sharp. Go for it. I have owned two, CG and LE, both are great.
 
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