Swamp Rat Ratmandu vs Becker Short Trailing Point BK15 - & photo request

C

crktm1612m

Joined
Nov 28, 2006
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163
I've had the RMD and loved it, but for half the price, the BK15 looks appealing. The handle ergos are without par on the RMD and the steel is great, but the choil bothered me a bit and it seemed very heavy, so I sold it. I realize they both have a choil, so that isn't much of a concern this time around.

The niche for me: hard use outdoors/work combined with large/belt EDC.

I like the blade shape and specs of both. As of this moment: I'll go with the RMD for steel and handle ergos OR I'll go with Becker for price and included sheath (although I'd probably do up a new kydex one anyways).

Any input from you all?

Also, anyone happen to have a photo comparing the BK15 to the RMD?
 
I'd go with the RMD if I were you. In the long run, steel and handle ergos will trump price and included sheath.
 
I love me some becker knives and currently have about 7 of them. i do have the bk16 tweener but not the bk15. I am a beckerhead and the ka-bar becker series are great hard use knives with a nice design and feel to them and the price is great!!!

That being said my RMD is my absolute favorite blade i own. the feel in the hand is perfect, the size and weight is perfect, the choil placement and size makes it very useful in the field, and they just look fantastic.

Either way you will be happy with the knife you choose!
 
I can take a 15 pic later today. In the mean time...

P1050736_zpsff3c9f9e.jpg
 
I have only one, low end, so-called Busse Kin, 7 1/2", parkerized Regulator and I love it. Still... Personally, especially based on these pics alone, I can think of no logical reason to pay 3 times the price for a RMD, sexy as they may be and as much as I'd like to own one. That's just me..



Guyon said:
P1050741_zps6e9446e3.jpg


P1050742_zps94e9f95a.jpg
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ichor said:
Personally, especially based on these pics alone, I can think of no logical reason to pay 3 times the price for a RMD, sexy as they may be and as much as I'd like to own one. That's just me..
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It's funny, I was about to comment almost the exact opposite - based on those pics alone, the only reason why I'd choose the BK-15 is because I couldn't afford a much better knife in the RMD. Steel, ergos, handle-material, even blade-shape... well worth 3X imho.
 
chiral.grolim said:
It's funny, I was about to comment almost the exact opposite - based on those pics alone, the only reason why I'd choose the BK-15 is because I couldn't afford a much better knife in the RMD. Steel, ergos, handle-material, even blade-shape... well worth 3X imho.
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Plus one here. Also, I think the RMD would take abuse that would break the Becker.
 
chiral.grolim said:
It's funny, I was about to comment almost the exact opposite - based on those pics alone, the only reason why I'd choose the BK-15 is because I couldn't afford a much better knife in the RMD. Steel, ergos, handle-material, even blade-shape... well worth 3X imho.
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Micarta is much nicer, and prettier, but Ergos of Becker handles is well regarded by 1000's of Becker owners, FWIW. I'm not certain why the blade shape of the RMD is much better than the Becker, seems like personal preference, and the slightly upswept, rather than drop point, is my own preference. The 1095 Cro-Van that Becker uses is highly regarded in the industry and IMHO the SR101 is mostly hype, tho' I will admit my fondness for the greater HRC of the RMD, the practical advantage, to me, is questionable. But, we can certainly agree to disagree. ;')
 
worldwood said:
Just a heads up... This thread is over 2 years old and the OP hasnt been active in months.
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Well, thanks but, since both knives are still available, that affects relevant discussion how? I just ran across the thread, which I found interesting and didn't notice the date. If the OP fell off the face of the Earth, matters not a bit to me. ;')
 
ichor said:
Well, thanks but, since both knives are still available, that affects relevant discussion how? I just ran across the thread, which I found interesting and didn't notice the date. If the OP fell off the face of the Earth, matters not a bit to me. ;')
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I wasnt replying to you. I didnt quote your message ???

The person i quoted sent a visitor message to another person who was wanting a comparison over 2 years ago... A person who hasnt been active here in months. This makes my (FYI) post VERY relevant.
 
worldwood said:
I wasnt replying to you. I didnt quote your message ???

The person i quoted sent a visitor message to another person who was wanting a comparison over 2 years ago... A person who hasnt been active here in months. This makes my (FYI) post VERY relevant.
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Well, all I saw was this:

NJBillK
Visitor message sent.

BECKERHEAD #362
Proud Supporter of JK knives #710
WTB Wenger Professional 4 layer, must have awl and marlin spike/sacking needle, Any Condition! PM WITH INFO!
Also Anything SwissBianco with a Sacking Needle/Marlin Spike!


Soooo.....since I was the one to reopen the thread today, I mistakenly presumed that your post was addressed to me. Apparently it wasn't... I apologize for the confusion.
 
No worries.

Back to the subject matter. You can get an RMD in clip point, drop point, trailing, bowie, harpoon.... Etc. Here is my drop point next to a BK2 for comparison.

DSC00660 by SharpMindz, on Flickr

Notice the BK2 was engraved by Ethan with his signature, notice my signature as i am a Beckerhead with several beckers and several rats. Im a fan of both "brands" of knives, they are my 2 favorite knife companies... I love the value to performance ratio with Beckers, they are great working knives for their price, and love the ergos, steel, and HT of Rats.

Is the RMD worth around 3 times the cost of a Becker Tweener??? This is completely subjective but lets think about it....

The ergos for the RMD handle is better, The steel on the RMD is better, the handle material used is better, the option to customize directly from the company is better, and the warranty is better.

Now im a huge fan of the becker bk16, not so much the 15 but thats due to blade shape, but just being 100% honest... The RMD is in a higher class. And therefor cost more, rightfully so.

The RMD is NOT overpriced. Go to the custom market, or go look anywhere you want for a similar sized blade made of 52100 with a solid HT and g10 or micarta handle material and find it priced under the RMD.... You will be surprised at how competitively the RMD is actually priced.
 
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