RMD vs. RC-6

cut it out

cut it out

Joined
Apr 11, 2010
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NO BRAND WAR!!!!! I love and own both brands but which for light chopping 2'' saplings and a like? I have a bunch of 4" knives but for scouting and light chopping and other chores would you guy's like to have? I no its feel and stuff like that but I dont know any one who has either so I gotta wing it. any one with both it would be great to see in hand and side by side pics please would help alot also. will proly end up with both eventually but things are tight so can only get one now. thanks
 
Machete :)

I like both companies alot, that said, I REALLY love the balance/feel of the RMD. That and once they stop making them again, it should retain it's value very well even after use.
 
I don't have the RC-6 though it's on my list of knives to buy.

I do have an RMD and it's my favorite fixed blade. IMHO. it has perfect size, ergos, balance, toughness, and cutting ability for an all around woods knife.

You should also consider that probably before too much longer the RMD will not be available from the Swamp Rat Company Store at a very fair price. If you wait and have to buy it on the secondary market, it will cost a lot more.
 
I have a RMD and have handled a RC-6. I would go with the RC-6 unless you plan on spending a significant amount of time reprofiling the RMD. The angle on mine was >50 degrees (inclusive). Great steel but the edge profile is not great.
 
first - a 6" blade is undersized if you're planning on cutting down many 2" saplings IMHO.
second - both companies make a great blade. The advantage to SRKW is resale value, the advantage to ESEE is future availability.
third - between these 2, it really is all about which one feels better in hand.

if you're looking for a general purpose camp knife with occasional sapling removal, either should do fine. If you're looking for a tree removal tool that can do double duty as a large camp knife, I'd look at a dogfather, BWM, Basic 9 or 11, or Junglas.

personal experience, the ESEE6 feels great in hand and chops well for its size.
 
I'd also recommend something longer for light chopping, I have the RMD and have also handled the RC-6, both great knives, but just between those two I'd say RC-6 because it's 1inch closer to be an adequate chopper lenght, which I'd say is at least a 8 or 9 inch blade. On another note, if you are planning on getting both eventually, I'd just get the RMD now then while its still available from the company store and you can get the color combo you want for cheapest it'll be. Then you can still get the RC-6 later since it's regular production. I was trying to choose between the Bravo-1 and RMD about 2 months ago, I decided the Bravo-1 was the slightly better choice for what I wanted it for, but somehow ended up with both.:confused::p
 
Grab an ESEE Lite Machete, which will tear up 2" brush/saplings and an RMD, atleast if you don't like the RMD you should always be able to get your money out of it.... and the Bravo/ESEE6 will be around for a long time should you decide to get one later.
 
Gotta go with the RMD. You mentioned Light Chopper. The handle on the RC6 doesnt hold the butt of your hand well during vigorous chopping. I have this issue with my RC5 what has the same exact handle design and size. Take a look at this youtube post as well as look for the part about handle and chopping. Excuse the bad english but this guy has an awesome collection of knives and does extensive testing, he is well respected:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ceiQHd0Q94
 
the chopping thing would be very small amounts, occasionaly I need to remove a sapling here and there. I usually carry a 4 incher and it is just a tad small but I do make it work by bending the tree to stretch the fibers. good point about the limited availability of the RMD though.
 
the BK2 is on my short list also but the thickness is to much for the knives I am looking at, but it will be one I get adventually!:D
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Gotta go with the RMD. You mentioned Light Chopper. The handle on the RC6 doesnt hold the butt of your hand well during vigorous chopping. I have this issue with my RC5 what has the same exact handle design and size. Take a look at this youtube post as well as look for the part about handle and chopping. Excuse the bad english but this guy has an awesome collection of knives and does extensive testing, he is well respected:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ceiQHd0Q94
Click to expand...

the BK2 is on my short list also but the thickness is to much for the knives I am looking at, but it will be one I get adventually!
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=jRFQyY5zszo&feature=related

8:00 Minute mark shows RC5 vs BK2. Mentions handle slipping using proper chopping grip. For chopping the RMD might not be as good as other for its handle is also shapped on the end to make it easy to slip out during chopping. However, the RMD (I believe) is available with a G10 handle. But honestly I would do the BK2 with a Micarta handle. You will be cheaper than both and IMHO have a better chopper.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=735265
 
Also consider the A1 or even the S1 Fallkniven. I had a chop off between the RC5 and the A1 (Which is lighter yet longer)...the A1 put the RC5 to absolute shame. Not to mention batoning was better on the A1. The slippage on the RC5 killed it...and once again you would have this with the RC6 and the RMD. The Convex grind on the A1 made feather sticks and tinder easier. Just overall much better performer. The A1 is more in line with the size of the RC6 and the RMD then the RC5. Plus the A1 blade thickness is not overly thick on the A1..but certainly no whimp either. IMHO the A1 or S1 would be a better pick...just my $0.02.
 
I have the F1 and love it to! but right now I'm stuck on those I stated. thanks guys. it would be great if there were good knife stores in every town like wal-marts!!!!! where you could just go feel and look.
 
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