Rodent 5 or ESEE Laser Strike for camp knife?

Kalsu

Kalsu

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2010
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Trying to decide between the Swamp Rat Rodent 5 or the ESEE Laser Strike as a camp knife. I posted a thread in the Swamp Rat sub forum asking about the knife since it is new. I thought here would be a better place to ask about the ESEE vs the R5. The price difference is pretty negligible to me. Just looking for the better knife between the two. So what do you guys think?
 
I haven't got to see the Rodent5 but I did get to see & handle the ESEE Laser Strike, & I told my wife that the Laser Strike would be next on my list ! I really liked it !
 
I just bought a new camp knife... After endless hours or research and the crummy fact that I don't have the chance to hold any of the ones I was looking at I decided to go with a swamp rat ratmandu. Either way you get an amazing warranty and a US made blade. My reason was that the sr 101 seems to be more popular on these forums.
 
I'd go with sr-101 for better edge holding over 1095 at 55 hrc, although I don't think the rodent 5's handle looks as ergonomic as the ratmandu's. so +1 for the RMD
 
I was just looking at the Ratmandu. Looks pretty sweet. I think that size knife would be perfect for me as a camp knife. I do like the SR-101 steel also.
 
Handle on Rodent 5 is really comfortable in my medium hands (Rodent 4 has the same handle) and R5 has about half inch more of blade than RMD.
52100 (SR-101) is somewhat better steel than 1095, and full hardness (59-60) vs 55-57 will hold much better edge.
 
If you're contemplating the Ratmandu, don't hesitate. Great knife. Probably my favorite blade.
 
Do the rodent Solution...no choil...closer to a bushcraft style blade. Now it isnt as long and wont be good for batoning or chopping. I find my F1, ESEE 4 to be a good length for 95% of what I need to do for camping. Yeah the Solution is a little short but it will be great.
 
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