Swamp Rat Ratmandu ongoing review.

DeadboxHero

DeadboxHero

Joined
Mar 22, 2014
Messages
5,364
4 monthes have past and I've finally received my Ratmandu.

I'm stoked.


These knives have quite the cult following amongst bladeforums members.

Back in May, I sharpened a RAT 6 for a good buddy.

I reprofiled the edge. That's when I fell in love with SR101.
It took one of the best edges I've created with minimum effort. (My kind of steel) but has a legendary reputation for being very tough.

I had quite the journey getting this knife in my hand.

At first I was quite confused between Busse, scrapyard and Swamp RAT knives. They are all the same company, but also there not. There different divisions almost like Kershaw and ZT knives but much closer.

Here a quick initial impression video
https://youtu.be/PRpWc_Vfaok

I'll follow up with more written review later
 
Thanks Cobalt.




The knife comes in a "Tactical" cardboard sleeve. While many would scoff at a $170 knife not including a sheath in this price range, I feel most people have very particular tastes for sheaths from Kydex to ballistic nylon.

It also keeps the cost down and allows more focus on making more knives. Especially since there's a high demand.

A spec ops brand ballistic nylon sheath with front pouch can be had for $40. From what I can see, its a great sheath.


Honestly, I'm going to make a cardboard and duct tape sheath for now. Hahaha OK OK, if I get more time off I'll make a leather or kydex one.


The intial sharpness is poor. The bevel was even and polished looking but the very apex was possibly rounded. It appears to be incredibly obtuse, possibly 60° inclusive (30°per side)


I don't fault Swamp Rat for a lack in performance. Given that the knife has a reputation for being indestructible, a real concrete carver. A sharper, more acute edge is more prone to chipping then the steeper edge provided.


I was able to make tinder but was more difficult with the steep edge



When cutting in wood it took more force to make these large blunt cuts

It's very user dependent.

My preferred style is more calculated, precision use of my tools on proper mediums that don't destroy my edges.

It's when The Ratmandu is reprofiled to a more acute edge that it really shines. The heat treatment is the what really sets this knife apart from the Becker and ESEE knives I've used. Heat treatment is often overlooked but is one of the most important aspects of a knife that's often overshadowed by steel types and composition charts.

After 20 mintues on my Ken onion work sharp (the lazy man's way to sharpen; a real time saver) I was able to reprofile the edge to a 25° per side and mirror edge.

The performance doesnt disappoint when reprofiled. This is why I waited 5 monthes for this knife.



I can now make feathersticks with +20 curls. Perfect tinder for a wet day. A Hallmark of a great edge.

The edge takes such a fine apex with great bite and excellent edge holding.

The SR101 is a great steel. But it will be further explored in the field.

The handle is one of my favorites. The width is slim but it compensates with a hump on the back that really fills out my large size glove hands.



The Tan Micarta is very attractive and feels great in the hand. However the field will tell all if the traction turns into a blister maker during heavy use without gloves.


The blade coating is the most intense coating I've ever seen. It literally looks and feels like "lizard skin"
The perfect way to describe is Bad ass.



Its seems incredibly durable with no signs of wear so far from some batoning on my porch.

This is my first knife with a finger choil. Not sure how I feel about on a knife this small. My opinion is that a great handle design doesnt need a finger choil. But I'm open to new things I'll let the field use be the deciding factor.


Overall for my first impression. I'm stoked.

Some may feel that not getting a sheath and a razor sharp edge is a deal breaker.



I disagree. Most already kydex their knives and tune up their edges
As they see fit. Or send them to someone who can for them.

I feel everyone has a specific sheath material and way they like to carry as well as the edge to meet their uses.

I'd rather keep the cost at $170 and sharpen and sheath the knife for my specific needs myself.



I'll post more later.
 
Nice looking blade. I have a black on black ratmandu. It has been my primary camper for the last two years and splits logs and makes feathersticks with ease. I too fell in love with SR101 after sharpening. Seems to get sharper each time I abuse it.
 
Thank you for this thread :thumbup:
Very even assessment - the poor performance of the initial edge, the effectiveness of the steel in a thinner edge, the attractiveness of the design... I look forward to your updates.
 
Hunt Well said:
Nice looking blade. I have a black on black ratmandu. It has been my primary camper for the last two years and splits logs and makes feathersticks with ease. I too fell in love with SR101 after sharpening. Seems to get sharper each time I abuse it.
Click to expand...
Haha glad to hear. When I get more time from work, I go smash on some wood with 'er
cut it out said:
http://[URL=http://s655.photobucket.com/user/RUTTINGBULL/media/Mobile%20Uploads/5DCA7EE1-E792-48AF-838A-31248C91FFE6_1.jpg.html][/URL]The RMD is a great knife.
Click to expand...
Nice, yeah the RMD seems like the flagship model. Great size.
chiral.grolim said:
Thank you for this thread :thumbup:
Very even assessment - the poor performance of the initial edge, the effectiveness of the steel in a thinner edge, the attractiveness of the design... I look forward to your updates.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chirial. It's my pleasure to nerd out and share my observations.
Cobalt said:
Good ongoing review.
Click to expand...
Lots to cover!
 
I'm going to echo whats been said already..."the poor performance of the initial edge, the effectiveness of the steel in a thinner edge, the attractiveness of the design"
And look forward to the review.......and also add that the edge can be thinned before being sent out for an additional charge for those uncomfortable or rather not do so.
 
I enjoyed your previous review on the A1 .....though....

"The heat treatment is what really sets this knife apart from the Becker and ESEE knives I've used." It would be more accurate to say the blade steel is what really sets the knife apart from Becker and Esee since no one else uses SR101.
 
Here are some quick size comparisons with two of the most popular survival knives

From left to right, Schf26, RMD, BK-2

From my experience this is my sweet spot for a survival knife. Big enough for heavy use, small enough for fine use (My A1 being an exception)




I feel like the RMD gets compares alot to to the BK-2, probably the most popular survival knife of our time.

But there is a huge difference between the spine thicknesses.
The Ratmandu is more versatile, without compromising durability for hard use.

The BK-2 does generate more power and can even be swung like a small hatchet but the Ratmandu is more likely to be carried because of its lighter weight and better versatility.


Here is a comparison to a 162 Bushcrafter. The blade thicknesses are quite comparable.

These knives are in the same price range and are very polarizing.

Side by side, all the knives lined up by cutting edge. (Somewhat)

The Ratmandu is a great all-round size for survival, bushcraft and even hunting. Although more specialized knife would excel better at each task, in practice there is too much to carry on trips and the RMD puts everything in a single package.
 
Boggs said:
I enjoyed your previous review on the A1 .....though....

"The heat treatment is what really sets this knife apart from the Becker and ESEE knives I've used." It would be more accurate to say the blade steel is what really sets the knife apart from Becker and Esee since no one else uses SR101.
Click to expand...

Hahaha but of course. Yet I was trying to put emphasis on how important the the 40 hour proprietary heat treatment is that makes a fine grain, clean alloy with evenly distributed carbides that translates into a great mix of ease of Sharpening, edge holding, and toughness for the discernable user.

Of course the "kryptonite" probably helps :P

The field test will tell.

Thanks man.
 
HUH.......that was a mouth full.......and actually I understand I simply become very cynical when I hear these words put together "proprietary heat treatment " regardless of maker.

Keep it going, great so far...................
 
Boggs said:
HUH.......that was a mouth full.......and actually I understand I simply become very cynical when I hear these words put together "proprietary heat treatment " regardless of maker.
Click to expand...
Have you tried a knife constructed of SR101 yet? Might make you a little less cynical about the proprietary heat treatment if you do. ;) Oh, and if it makes it a little more palatable, you can substitute the words "transverse wave tempering" for "proprietary heat treatment" if you like.
 
Boggs said:
HUH.......that was a mouth full.......and actually I understand I simply become very cynical when I hear these words put together "proprietary heat treatment " regardless of maker.

Keep it going, great so far...................
Click to expand...

Hey.... Caffeine is a hell of a drug hahahha.

Thanks Boggs, opinions and critics are welcome.
 
Hi bld....


Certainly have the Ratmandu....so I'm not really concerned about the steel used since each has its own specific purpose and intent.....it just seems new makers like to use the term to the point it's become a "buzz word" to validate their work . Longevity of a maker is prove and in the case of Busse and Family they've already done that.
And thank you for the choice to use the term traverse whatcamacallit.

Deadbox...

I'll have my own opinions but I'll never be critical of someone that has taken the time to put together a comprehensive and though out review like you do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top