Rodent 5 as a camp knife?

I'd personally choose the Rodent 5 versus the hugely popular Ratmandu. Here's my reasons.....

My first Bussekin was a Custom Shop Ratmandu and while it was certainly a nice knife, it ended up getting traded a short while later. The ergonomics were good, but not great and the balance was handle heavy which I believe is not desirable in a knife over 5" if you needed to do some light chopping.

I was later able to play around with a Rodent 4, which I believe has superior ergonomics compared to the RMD. The Rodent handle design lends itself well to choking up and down the handle while still being very comfortable and secure in these positions. In the standard grip, the handle literally felt locked into my hand which is quite comforting.

I also much prefer the slightly convex saber grind on the Rodent series versus the standard saber grind of the RMD. This will add strength to the blade/edge, forward weight and quite possibly allow for a sharper edge. The Rodent 5 should also be better suited for chopping than the RMD due to being more forward balanced and secure when choked back.

The R5 also happens to be $12 cheaper than the RMD, which isn't much but still saves you some bones. I'd also recommend looking at the Scrap Yard 511, which is an outstanding value at $90. It's basically the same blade with a different choil and handle design.

Other knives which aren't currently in production that I'd recommend would be Scrap Yard's War Dog & Scrapper 5 and also Busse's Boss Jack Pork Shank & HG-55.
 
To be honest I have been more drawn to the R5 because of the looks of the handle. I like the RMD to but something about the R5 handle......
For some reason I hadn't thought about Scrapyard Knives. Are the handles as comfortable as Swamp Rat? Heck of a knife for the price it appears.
 
Kalsu said:
For some reason I hadn't thought about Scrapyard Knives. Are the handles as comfortable as Swamp Rat? Heck of a knife for the price it appears.
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Kalsu, the Scrap Yard '11 series is the Rodent series blades with Res-C handles and different choil. You get slightly more of a cutting edge on the Rats (except for 3, it has shorter blade than 3-11)
Personally I'd advise against 5-11, unless you had really small hands. 5-11 has a smaller handle than 7,9, 13-11 which makes it feel awkward in hand. The size of the handle works on 3-11, but 5 feels really funny.
Other than 5-11, I would highly recommend the rest of the current Yard series.
Here are the 4s and 3s with RS for comparison:
 
elof_alv said:
Kalsu, the Scrap Yard '11 series is the Rodent series blades with Res-C handles and different choil. You get slightly more of a cutting edge on the Rats (except for 3, it has shorter blade than 3-11)
Personally I'd advise against 5-11, unless you had really small hands. 5-11 has a smaller handle than 7,9, 13-11 which makes it feel awkward in hand. The size of the handle works on 3-11, but 5 feels really funny.
Other than 5-11, I would highly recommend the rest of the current Yard series.
Here are the 4s and 3s with RS for comparison:
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Thanks for all the pictures and the help. I am still hearing the R5 calling my name......
 
I have pretty small hands (size 8 nomex gloves) so that 511 might work out. Really at that price could you go wrong? Still that R5 is one heck of a good looking knife.
 
Okay. I did it. I ordered an R5. Also sent an email to Azwelke about a kydex sheath. Now the wait, 3-5 weeks according to the Swamprat website.
 
Kalsu said:
Okay. I did it. I ordered an R5. Also sent an email to Azwelke about a kydex sheath. Now the wait, 3-5 weeks according to the Swamprat website.
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I bet you order a couple more rats before you receive your Rodent 5.....:eek:

But seriously, I believe the Rodent 5 will be a much better choice overall than the 511. The 511 is a nice knife for what it is, but the ergonomics are just perfectly designed for versatility on the Rodent series. The 511 is also noticeably blade heavy which most people do not like in a blade this size.

Not to mention, if you ever wanted to EDC the res-c handles of the Scrap Yard line are a pain in the butt (IMO). They tend to catch on clothing and bare skin if given the chance. The micarta handles of the R5 will not present these problems, and is just small enough to easily be concealed if necessary.

Congrats!
 
I ordered 2ea R5's and 2ea R7's on 5-5-2013. I had them in hand by 5-22-2013. Granted I ordered the day they were released but it shouldn't be a long wait, just be patient. It IS SO WORTH THE WAIT!!! The R5 is a superb knife and I find it considerably more comfortable than the RMD.
 
Ok guys...not trying to stir things at all, but I'm very curious how the "humps" can be more comfortable than the RMD handle. I'm speaking to use, not just gripping it and initial thoughts on simple inspection.

And I am a fan of both Res-C and RMDs. Not every RMD CS variant appeals to me and not every knife sporting Res-c is my favorite, but many are excellent for my needs/likes.
 
Oh..and more to the topic of this thread...my campsite choices are a SYKCO 711 and a RMD SE.
 
RussMo said:
I ordered 2ea R5's and 2ea R7's on 5-5-2013. I had them in hand by 5-22-2013. Granted I ordered the day they were released but it shouldn't be a long wait, just be patient. It IS SO WORTH THE WAIT!!! The R5 is a superb knife and I find it considerably more comfortable than the RMD.
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Wow that was fast! Hopefully I get mine that quickly. If not I am prepared to wait.

The handle was one of the biggest reasons I went with the R5. I like the material and have read good things about how if feels in the hand etc. Time will tell but I am thinking I am going to like it.
 
aaaa_cccc said:
I bet you order a couple more rats before you receive your Rodent 5.....:eek:

But seriously, I believe the Rodent 5 will be a much better choice overall than the 511. The 511 is a nice knife for what it is, but the ergonomics are just perfectly designed for versatility on the Rodent series. The 511 is also noticeably blade heavy which most people do not like in a blade this size.

Not to mention, if you ever wanted to EDC the res-c handles of the Scrap Yard line are a pain in the butt (IMO). They tend to catch on clothing and bare skin if given the chance. The micarta handles of the R5 will not present these problems, and is just small enough to easily be concealed if necessary.

Congrats!
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Thanks. I agree. I like the looks of the 511, but I think the R5 will be a better fit for what I am going to be using it for. Nothing against the 511 though. I am not planning on EDC the R5 at this point, but who knows. Now if I am going to carry a fixed blade I grab my Rodent Solution. Thanks for all the input also, I greatly appreciate it. I am pretty new to the fixed blade world and all its finer points so all the information really helped.

Oh yeah the next Swamp Rat knife I want is a Rodent Rucki. Those things look awesome.
 
Need2Know said:
Ok guys...not trying to stir things at all, but I'm very curious how the "humps" can be more comfortable than the RMD handle. I'm speaking to use, not just gripping it and initial thoughts on simple inspection.

And I am a fan of both Res-C and RMDs. Not every RMD CS variant appeals to me and not every knife sporting Res-c is my favorite, but many are excellent for my needs/likes.
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As I have stated before I like the RMD and will use them. But the hump as you say just adds more grip to the hilt unlike the widows peak (hump)on top of the RMD right where my thumb would go. It's just an annoyance I'd like to grind off. The Pommel area of the RMD is to small and infact tappers off, also disliked. I can fist hold the RMD and push cut all day so in that regards the RMD is a great knife, BUT the R5 is by far more comfortable to me and how I hold a knife. One of the best attributes to the R5 is more weight in the hilt. This is just my opinion!!!
 
Kalsu said:
Wow that was fast! Hopefully I get mine that quickly. If not I am prepared to wait.

The handle was one of the biggest reasons I went with the R5. I like the material and have read good things about how if feels in the hand etc. Time will tell but I am thinking I am going to like it.
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I really think you will like it a lot!!! Holding it like a shank (sideways) or vertical is very comfortable. With the hilt that big gives you other options of holding it and all I have found great. Just one of the best knives to come out of the SWAMP...
 
RussMo said:
As I have stated before I like the RMD and will use them. But the hump as you say just adds more grip to the hilt unlike the widows peak (hump)on top of the RMD right where my thumb would go. It's just an annoyance I'd like to grind off. The Pommel area of the RMD is to small and infact tappers off, also disliked. I can fist hold the RMD and push cut all day so in that regards the RMD is a great knife, BUT the R5 is by far more comfortable to me and how I hold a knife. One of the best attributes to the R5 is more weight in the hilt. This is just my opinion!!!
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The upper protrusion...dorsal style...on the RMD is more often than not where my thumb rests since I use the choil for most tasks with the RMD or move my hand toward the rear of the handle for chopping.

In ATL I plan to handle the humps...perhaps I'll be inclined to do recite some lyrics from the Humpty Dance as I do so.

Russ, you already know I'm not picking fights or stirring the muck...I'm genuinely curious about da humps.
 
For light to heavy chopping i have no issues with the RMD. i have a couple of both RMD CG and RMD SE... but for the campsite, and chopping id much prefer the CG.

It can handle its own.
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I think the RMD, R5,6, and 7 would do great in that role as would the 711 from the yard. Honorable mention is the Esee 6 and BK10. I ordered a RMD and handled and or fondled a friends RMD. I have the Esee 6 so I can vouch for those.
 
Hi Guys, I know I'm late for my $00.0.2 worth, I paired my Rodent 9 with my Rodent Ratmandu, my Rodent 7 with my Rodent 4, my new Mod. Rodent 6 with my Rodent Solution, my summer Long Knife for the Ohio woods is my Rodent Rucki, I luv them all and tgey serve my special purpose to use each one, one of my fav's is my Ratmandu but in the colder weather my Rodent 7 shines, ofcource my Rodent 9 is my fav survival knife but the larger knives I often pair off with a smaller blade to cover all bases, but when I got my Mod. Rodent 6 it became my go to 1knife carry especially in the summer camp, I had it thinned down from the original .265" thickness and I had the top gaurd taken off and now it look's like a beefy Ratmandu on steriods it came out awesome the Custom Shop at Swamp Rat did a wonderful job, what impressed me is the fact that when they took the top gaurd off they did it in such a way that it became a natural chopper for such a knife blade knife, I know it started out from a robust knife but that area that they blended fits my thumb perfectly when I drill down on the tip and allows a better chopping motion when I chop with it, ofcource my Rodent 7 is a very good chopper bit for a 6" blade my Mod. Rodent 6 is a light weight that punches like a heavy weight, oh yeah I paired my Rodent 5 with my Rodent 3, so I have a slight advantage to compare each knife to eachother, like I said my Mod. Rodent 6 is my fav as a 1knife camp carry this way all I need is my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet or my Voyager Tomahawk a Wicked Tough Saw made by Wicked Tree Gear and I'm pretty much set although I can go with a Case Test Trapper or my Solution, but my trio the Mod. Rodent 6, my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet and my Wicked Tough Saw allows me to do alot of camp choirs that I need to do. The Rodent 4, Ratmandu and the Rodent 7 are all great camp knives but that Mod. Rodent 6 is just a perfect camp knife for me IMO, it's my fav.
 
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