Swamp rat recommendation

R

RussDXT

Joined
Jan 13, 2015
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I am considering a SW RMD and need a better informed opinion. Also looking at the sw solution and the Busse mean street cg 20th anniversary.



I already have a the ESEE Izula, 3mil, 4, LS, and 5s. In addition to the ESEE's I have a dpx heist (made by lionsteel) and a sog seal pup elite. I will probably try to sell the dpx and sog.



Thoughts. I am thinking something for a backcountry pack (a position currently held by the LS and 3mil).
 
RMD will do as a pack knife very well. Although it will take more time to sharpen than the ESEEs, but the steel is much better and will hold an edge longer.

RS has a very comfortable handle, a bit on the heavy side for it's size, but it truly is a tank of a knife. It's a worker, and can be ordered with full flat or even hollow grinds from Custom Shop.

Mean Street has quite thin and narrow handle, so it's more of an EDC knife for odd jobs here and there rather than a knife to be used for extended amounts of time.
 
I second the Solution as being a tank. But the RMD is deceptively fast in hand and comfortable for being as robust as it is.
I'm torn every day as to which to take, my RS or RMD.
If I had to choose one forever it would be the RMD just for extra size.
Neither of mine will ever leave my possession.
 
Lance23 said:
I second the Solution as being a tank. But the RMD is deceptively fast in hand and comfortable for being as robust as it is.
I'm torn every day as to which to take, my RS or RMD.
If I had to choose one forever it would be the RMD just for extra size.
Neither of mine will ever leave my possession.
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I'm right there with you Bro! Well, except I have to admit that I haven't used the solution. Rodent 3 is what goes with me almost everywhere though. 3 RMD's and an Infidu. I giving my son one of the RMD's though
 
By the way, I tote my RMD in a one of two Armoralleather leather sheaths. The Rodent 3 is a custom shop satin that I got off the exchange. I rides really well in the KSF back pocket sheath.
 
kenash said:
By the way, I tote my RMD in a one of two Armoralleather leather sheaths. The Rodent 3 is a custom shop satin that I got off the exchange. I rides really well in the KSF back pocket sheath.
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How well, if at all, does the Solution fit in the KSF sheath?
 
Lance23, I've got to learn to post pics. I took some great comparisons, so I'll try. In words though, keeping in mind that my KSF sheath in formed to the R3, the Rodent 3 handle sticks out only 3/4" which is enough for easy extraction. That 3/4" is about all that sticks out of my pants pocket (right rear). The Solution handle sticks out a full two inches. That may make someone with not so nimble fingers happier, but it's much more "out of pocket" carry. I'm working from home today (more like 1/2 day) but I'll try to figure out posting. I'm not too fond of Photo Bucket though.

edited to include amount of pocket exposure.
 
As a huge fan of ESEE knives as well as the RMD I will say the RMD holds its edge a good bit longer than my ESEEs do and about the same amount of effort sharpening them. People who enjoy knives really owe it to themselves to try the Swamps take on 52100 it is just a remarkable alloy.

I carry my RMD in a custom made Armorall leather sheath and for being an 11oz knife it really handles very well, its extremely light and fluid in the hand. When I hit the woods I carry my Izula 2 on my neck and my RMD on my hip.
 
Thanks kenash that really helps!
I think I would be okay with how much it protrudes, now just to find one and test how I like it.

OP, buy the RMD, it's just a little more and I think you'll enjoy the extra blade.
 
Russ, don't worry about the INFI version, on the knife this size it is not really an upgrade. Only if corrosion might be an issue where you live.
SR-101 takes a better edge and holds it better than INFI. INFI shines on big choppers, but even there SR-101 isn't that far behind.
 
elof_alv said:
Russ, don't worry about the INFI version, on the knife this size it is not really an upgrade. Only if corrosion might be an issue where you live.
SR-101 takes a better edge and holds it better than INFI. INFI shines on big choppers, but even there SR-101 isn't that far behind.
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I couldn't have said it better.

The SR101 RatManDu is arguably the finest utility fixed-blade knife ever made. Rather than buy the INFI version, buy 2 SR101s, put one in your vehicle BoB and one in your home BoB, and you will be all set for the apocalypse.
 
RussDXT said:
I think I'll put an order in for the rmd. Can I use my spyderco sharp maker on it?
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Yes but... be aware that bussekin knives tend to come with rather obtuse edge-angles designed for toughness, very hard use, and may require serious grinding (as they are also quite thick) to give an acceptable geometry for maintaining with the sharpmaker. When you place your order, see if you can't specifically request that the knife be sharpened to 15-20 degrees-per-side at the factory. I'm pretty sure that the Swamp can accommodate such a request as each knife is hand-sharpened prior to shipment. Definitely ask.
 
chiral.grolim said:
Yes but... be aware that bussekin knives tend to come with rather obtuse edge-angles designed for toughness, very hard use, and may require serious grinding (as they are also quite thick) to give an acceptable geometry for maintaining with the sharpmaker. When you place your order, see if you can't specifically request that the knife be sharpened to 15-20 degrees-per-side at the factory. I'm pretty sure that the Swamp can accommodate such a request as each knife is hand-sharpened prior to shipment. Definitely ask.
Click to expand...

They will adjust the edge for you if you ask.
 
Well I have narrowed it down to a rmd with 20degree grind or a Busse sob. The busse interest me because of the corrosion resistance. I can't find may reviews on the sob but many on the rmd that call it the best knife around. Still leaning that way. Thoughts?
 
I really like my SOB in hand, have not taken it bush yet. Is it worth the premium over an RMD..... I really don't know and only you can answer that for yourself. I, like many, think the stock standard RMD is the greatest iteration of a knife in that size about ever. It has the correct combination of ergonomics, size, weight and durability. I have a couple of them and will probably end up with another drop point version before I am done.

My present user RMD is however giving me the shyts. I have been working on the edge (20 degs per side) and while it looks BEAUTIFUL, it is basically blunt....!!! :( Well that is an exaggeration, it cuts and will mostly shave but not like I expect. To the point I had to pull out my user BATAC last night and slice up a few phone book pages to make sure the RMD was as bad at it as I thought. I had to put it away last night or it may have wound up in one of my ponds....!!!!!!! Back to the belt with it when I have a day off.
 
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