Swamp Rat Ratmandu ongoing review.

I can't wait for this...... Nice job. What stones were you using please. I'm always interested in people's choice of progressions.
 
Thanks brother.


DMT extra coarse.
King 1k
Suehiro 3k
King 6K


Then refined with a 1micron Cubic boron Nitride strop and a 0.5 micron cbn.

Honestly the waterstones are all fluff.

I just love the polish and the "zen" of the techniques used.

Fun times.
 
Batoning a piece of oak


After a good few whacks

I was surprised it split. Oak is brutal to work with. But I'll chalk that up to selecting a great piece to split.


A twist of the knife and two pieces of oak are had.

I began to carve the oak to round off the corners. I'll save this piece for a homemade knife I'm working on.

Carving was very difficult.

Only small pieces could be removed.

Again no hot spots or uncomfort from the handle.

It's actually quite ergonomic.

I have a love hate relationship with finger choil.

It removes a critical part of the knife for powerful cutting.
Yet allows the knife to transform to a more manageable size for smaller light use tasks.

I found using the finger choil for long periods to be uncomfortable.



Now time to check for damage.

The blade still feels insanely sharp.

No visible damage or feel damage on the finger nail test.
However the paper never lies.



Some slight variation. Small fuzzy areas. Overall very Sharp.



However I've lost the ability to make s curve cuts without snaging.

Using an old trick, I strop the blade on the meaty ulnar side of my palm. For a minute or so

The results, a full s curve can be made now despite the damage seen.

I'd argue that the Jerry knows a thing or too about steel.

The performance is amazing

If I wanted to fully remove the remaining rolls a fine white ceramic hone would do the trick.

17° per side seems to be the perfect geometry for the Ratmandu.

With proper use, chipping is not an issue even with more acute geometry.


For $170 plus fees

You get the "king" of carbon steel survival knives.

The steel lives up to the hype.

I have more preference for clean,simple lines and less Tactical army looking knives.

However the steel is just that good on the Ratmandu for me to look past that.

In the end, I think this is a great knife but its an amazing knife if someone loves the Becker ESEE and Survive! Knives.

I'd argue the Ratmandu to out class alot of these knives with its killer heat treatment and price.

Yet the wait time, lack of sheath, reprofiling, and lines of this knife will keep others away.

In the end if your a survival knife guy the Ratmandu shouldnt go unnoticed.

It might be your favorite blade.

The SR101 has a noticeable performance among my champion blades



Yet there's a new A1 Pro out calling my name.

Hahahaha
 
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Great review so far, I hope you continue to add to it as time goes on.

I find it interesting that you address the lines of the knife as possibly being a turn off to some. Ever since I first saw the RMD I was attracted to its lines. I found them to be unique and very appealing to my tastes.

My first experience with SR101 was with my Rodent Solution. It came pretty dull and thick behind the edge so I reprofiled to 15 DPS and convexed the edge. Now that knife cuts like a laser, it is unbelievable. I think I'm going to reprofile my RMD now but to 20 DPS for a knife that size, it's what works best for me.

Keep up the good work and looking forward to watching this thread grow.
 
Thanks Accelerator.

Glad to share and ramble.

I honestly bought this knife just to see what all the fuss was about.

I can see why its so highly recommend.

It's the best in its class for carbon steel, tactical style, survival knives.

Only time will tell If I keep this beatiful blade.

The problem is that there are other knives I want an opportunity to experience.
 
That's kind of funny you picked 17DPS, thats what I decided on for mine too. I did mine on a Ken Onion Worksharp, and haven't used/tested it for jack yet, but geometry feels right at that angle.
 
Excellent ongoing review. Thanks for doing this. I enjoyed reading your observations.
 
Haha me too, can't wait to get my hands on that Lam. CoS steel.

I just can't seem to let go of my Ratmandu yet haha
 
Nice one man, I like watching your progression through the steps. I kind of like Swamp Rat knives, when I get them used after someone else has fixed the edge and acquired a sheath :) And I really like 52100 steel with a great heat treat. I am more curious about who makes that birch bark puukko though, and am looking forward to your thoughts on the new A-1. Which reminds me I should get on with re-handling the A-1 I have, I miss using that knife.
 
mistwalker said:
Nice one man, I like watching your progression through the steps. I kind of like Swamp Rat knives, when I get them used after someone else has fixed the edge and acquired a sheath :) And I really like 52100 steel with a great heat treat. I am more curious about who makes that birch bark puukko though, and am looking forward to your thoughts on the new A-1. Which reminds me I should get on with re-handling the A-1 I have, I miss using that knife.
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Thanks Brian, haha yea, keep those eyes peeled in the b/s/t

The Puuko is make by Daniel Knives here on bladeforums in the knifemaker section, great blade, also 52100.

Can't wait to get that new A1.

Rehandle ah?

I've always been intimidated by the hidden pins in the handle, I just don't know how they work.
 
Looks like you've tested the heck out of that swamprat, Thanks nice review. I used to have an older Ratweiler I still regret selling it as it was easy to sharpen and held a nice edge. I just wished they would offer them without the choil's that's my only complaint. I do like them other than that.
 
d762nato said:
Looks like you've tested the heck out of that swamprat, Thanks nice review. I used to have an older Ratweiler I still regret selling it as it was easy to sharpen and held a nice edge. I just wished they would offer them without the choil's that's my only complaint. I do like them other than that.
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An email to the Busse custom shop I'm sure could fix that complaint ;)

Thanks for readin' homie
 
DeadboxHero said:
Thanks Brian, haha yea, keep those eyes peeled in the b/s/t

The Puuko is make by Daniel Knives here on bladeforums in the knifemaker section, great blade, also 52100.

Can't wait to get that new A1.

Rehandle ah?

I've always been intimidated by the hidden pins in the handle, I just don't know how they work.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I will check out Daniel Knives.

Not really any hidden pins per se in the one I have, the lanyard hole was the only actual pin, the rest is just notches in the top and bottom of the tang that the Kraton molds into. Just drilled out the lanyard tube and then cut one side off the handle with a sharp boning knife much like filleting a fish :) Going to make it a hidden tang with micarta with a stainless hilt.
 
mistwalker said:
Thanks for the info, I will check out Daniel Knives.

Not really any hidden pins per se in the one I have, the lanyard hole was the only actual pin, the rest is just notches in the top and bottom of the tang that the Kraton molds into. Just drilled out the lanyard tube and then cut one side off the handle with a sharp boning knife much like filleting a fish :) Going to make it a hidden tang with micarta with a stainless hilt.
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Yeah man check his facebook, he'll make what you want.

That handle project sounds awesome!
If ya could, show us the progress on that handle my man.

When my handle wears out I'll do the same some day.
 
It's a rainy and cold night. 40°f with a steady down pour of rain.
Time to play in the woods for a brief moment.

I figured it was time to test the all weather capabilities of this awesome blade before a real trip in the mountains.

I hiked into a sweet area by my house, I was completly soaked when I got there. Luckily I have a good layered clothing system.

It's a riparian forest area, very mucky and wet even without the downpour.

Once in the thick underbrush the rain was less intense.

I found a small area that could use some forest management as there were several small tree crowding a small area.



I picked a tree about the size of my wrists put together.




I'm always surprised at the power this Ratmandu packs for its size. It's not that big, heavy or thick but deals an amazing amount of destruction for what it is.

The handle is incredibly comfortable when chopping.
Even with wet, frozen bare hands.

I was able to deliver a great amount of power to the tree.

I'm sure a lanyard would benefit by adding my grip at the end of the handle for more leverage and power.

I would have shared more but the camera died.

In the future, I'd love to used this knife as a one tool option and make shelter and fire for a night.

Next time friends.

Carbon vs Stainless,
I've always been a proponent of stainless knives for my environment. Especially since I do more camping in bad weather to beat the crowds, practice my skills and enjoy the peace as well as the elements.

Carbon steel simply takes more maintance. Not only does it require a bottle of oil, but time.

When hiking long distances the last thing on my mind is checking my blade for rust.

I'm usually exhausted from making shelter,gathering fuel, Firecrafting, food prep, and other camp tasks.

When I got back from my little excursion my Ratmandu was completly soaked. Just like me.


No rust to be found. Even without oil. It seems a highly polished edge on carbon steel inst just for looks. I'm impressed.
I guess its time to reevaluate my opinions.

As mush as I love stainless for its insane wear and corrison resistance, carbon steel just shapes a better edge in the least amount of time.



The Micarta was soaked and cold to touch, but remained grippy without blister forming friction.








The handles dried fast in a warm dry area.
Overall the Ratmandu is a sweet package.

The steel is still razor sharp.

I get giddy just thinking about it.

Lastly it time to share with you all what I've been using as a sheath,
Duct tape and cardboard.

Just thought everyone could use a good laugh hahaha.
 
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DeadboxHero said:
An email to the Busse custom shop I'm sure could fix that complaint ;)

Thanks for readin' homie
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Sounds good and Thanks again, you certainly are a hardcore knife beater. :D Nice pics too especially at night and in the rain and cold and still out testing. :eek:
Have a good one and stay safe out there.:thumbup:
 
DeadboxHero said:
It's a rainy and cold night. 40°f with a steady down pour of rain.
Time to play in the woods for a brief moment.

When I got back from my little excursion my Ratmandu was completly soaked. Just like me.


No rust to be found. Even without oil. It seems a highly polished edge on carbon steel inst just for looks. I'm impressed.
I guess its time to reevaluate my opinions.

.
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Very cool. Yes, one thing old school knife makers know that is all but a lost bit of knowledge these days, is that a mirror polish on blades does help them resist corrosion. Rough finished blades will rust a good bit quicker than ones with a mirror polish.
 
d762nato said:
Sounds good and Thanks again, you certainly are a hardcore knife beater. :D Nice pics too especially at night and in the rain and cold and still out testing. :eek: Have a good one and stay safe out there.:thumbup:
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Thanks brother, I was jones'n bad for some action.
I have a busy busy schedule.

But winter has come, which means more free time outdoors haha!
mistwalker said:
Very cool. Yes, one thing old school knife makers know that is all but a lost bit of knowledge these days, is that a mirror polish on blades does help them resist corrosion. Rough finished blades will rust a good bit quicker than ones with a mirror polish.
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I've always heard the old timers talk about it but I never realized how well it worked. Good stuff.
 
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