Rodent solution vs ratmandu? What to buy

A

ASharpCanadian

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Sep 12, 2011
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I know these are 2 different sized knives, thus what to buy is gonna depend. Im still wavering though- I think Im gonna pair this with a larger survival knife like an esee 6/junglas so the solution would seem smart since it could do the small knife things and the big guy could handle the big stuff. That and I wouldnt want to dress a hare with a ratmandu but the RMD seems a better all around size. Of course the answer is both but that aint happening anytime soon $$ so if you could only get one....Im in Canada and theyre gonna be hiking/bushcraft knives.
 
They are both great knives. I lean towards a RS as it's size makes it easy to carry or pack with hardly any weight/space gain. The RS can do most things in a pinch, the RMD excels at light chopping but otherwise it being much cooler looking it really isnt' as needed IMO for most bushcrafting skills. The RS also is cheaper :)

On that note, I have 2 of each but have only really used the RS and carry it in a pack. I rotate larger knives but none of them remain with the pack.
 
Take our word for it. RMD... I've got 3 and I'm tempted to get another. I never in my life want to be without one... :D
 
pick up a ratmandu or howling rat if you want something a little smaller. I would go with the howling rat if I was going to pair it with a larger knife. if you are worried about more intricate tasks like dressing a hare, pick up a small delicate blade like a spyderco delica or a canadian belt knife, etc. I picked up one of the old old timer sharp fingers for that sort of task.
 
The RMD is imho a well designed, highly ergonomic tool made of superior materials with an excellent f&f, so if you are going to get a larger blade anyway, get the RMD now while it's available at a good price. The RMD is an excellent "all-around" blade, with enough heft for light chopping, enough length for batonning thick wood, thick enough for digging and prying but still thin enough to slice (when sharpened to a thin angle) and not bind overly much when splitting materials. It is quite durable, has great edge retention, and is lighter than many "heavy duty" knives while still more than capable of handling the same tasks. Again, the handle is highly ergonomic - many users report that it seems to just fit their hand like it was meant to be there - and the choil allows for choking up to do finer tasks, like dressing that hare. It has a narrow point for stabbing and drilling... I could go on, but I'll stop there.

The RS is an excellent, and again highly ergonomic design, same level of durability and f&f, in a much smaller package (indeed not much bigger than the Warden), the perfect size for hunting white-tail (if you have a hatchet or saw for splitting that pelvis, although maybe you could baton through it with the RS, haven't tried that). The RS, for me, is a perfect general hunting/utility fixed-blade, definitely ideal for processing smaller game as well as just whittling and carving, slicing materials as needed, etc. - the same uses you might put a folder of similar size to.

Bottom-line, however, is that the RS is not a general camp/"survival" knife. I'd pair this knife with a larger blade or a hatchet&saw for the big stuff if going out in the woods with that in mind. I'd be (and am) perfectly comfortable taking the RMD solo (a saw might be nice but isn't all that necessary) - the RMD can handle the tasks of the hatchet (paired with a baton) as well as the tasks of the RS (though a bit more bulky than might be ideal). Key point however - be sure to reprofile the edge of either knife to an angle that suits your needs, the Swamp tends to leave them somewhat obtuse to handle more extreme beatings so if you want a thinner slicing edge it'll require tending to.

Alright, that's my $0.02 BOTH great knives, each with a specific niche. Good luck!
 
chiral.grolim said:
The RMD is imho a well designed, highly ergonomic tool made of superior materials with an excellent f&f, so if you are going to get a larger blade anyway, get the RMD now while it's available at a good price. The RMD is an excellent "all-around" blade, with enough heft for light chopping, enough length for batonning thick wood, thick enough for digging and prying but still thin enough to slice (when sharpened to a thin angle) and not bind overly much when splitting materials. It is quite durable, has great edge retention, and is lighter than many "heavy duty" knives while still more than capable of handling the same tasks. Again, the handle is highly ergonomic - many users report that it seems to just fit their hand like it was meant to be there - and the choil allows for choking up to do finer tasks, like dressing that hare. It has a narrow point for stabbing and drilling... I could go on, but I'll stop there.

The RS is an excellent, and again highly ergonomic design, same level of durability and f&f, in a much smaller package (indeed not much bigger than the Warden), the perfect size for hunting white-tail (if you have a hatchet or saw for splitting that pelvis, although maybe you could baton through it with the RS, haven't tried that). The RS, for me, is a perfect general hunting/utility fixed-blade, definitely ideal for processing smaller game as well as just whittling and carving, slicing materials as needed, etc. - the same uses you might put a folder of similar size to.

Bottom-line, however, is that the RS is not a general camp/"survival" knife. I'd pair this knife with a larger blade or a hatchet&saw for the big stuff if going out in the woods with that in mind. I'd be (and am) perfectly comfortable taking the RMD solo (a saw might be nice but isn't all that necessary) - the RMD can handle the tasks of the hatchet (paired with a baton) as well as the tasks of the RS (though a bit more bulky than might be ideal). Key point however - be sure to reprofile the edge of either knife to an angle that suits your needs, the Swamp tends to leave them somewhat obtuse to handle more extreme beatings so if you want a thinner slicing edge it'll require tending to.

Alright, that's my $0.02 BOTH great knives, each with a specific niche. Good luck!
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Good stuff man- thats more than I needed, solid points and good info its much appreciated. I was thinking something along the same lines TBH I'll prolly just end up doing everything with the RMD. Its gonna be
stuck in a nice sheath for EDC and itll prolly be a "survival knife" with a firemaking kit in pouch in case I lose my pack. In the pack I'll have a folding or sven saw and a Junglas or hatchet. My visas gonna groan part of me wishes I had never learnt about bladeforums. a small part.
 
Honestly, I couldn't decide either. I have both on order, and they should be coming with the two Rucki's I ordered. Not yet sure if I will keep them both, but I suppose they will excel in different areas. I have a number of Swamp Wardens, and while I like them a LOT, the handles on the RS look really nice and ergonomic, while the thinner blade (edge to spine) on the RS vs. the SW should make for a very nice bird and fish knife. My Cabela's Visa is gonna be hurtin' next month, that's for sure!
 
I'd say it depends on your esee buy. If your going with the junglas, get the RMD- if you want the 6, get the RS so you have sizes covered.

If cost is the big issue, sheaths might make or break you thinking too...
 
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