if there is one thing I would change about the RMD, it would be to make the handle lighter. ...... Not that the RMD feels too handle heavy. But, I just would prefer the handle to be a little lighter.
+1. I've got to agree with you again, KnifeGuy. My straight handled Satin Jack with a 6" blade is lighter than my RatManDu. Both knives are 3/16" thick and both have about the same blade width. So the difference has to be in the weight of the handles.
I don't have the older straight handled Satin Jack and my SJTAC is quite a bit different. But, I do have the SR Desert Jack which is basically the Swamp Rat version of the straight handled Satin Jack. The Desert Jack has a more curvy handle, so may not weight exactly the same. And it is possible that the blade thicknesses may be different between the Straight handled Satin Jack and the Desert Jack (????)
But, here are some specs:
Desert Jack (stripped).= 10.0 ounces; .175” thick; 6.0” blade; 11.25” oal
Ratmandu (G10).........= 11.0 ounces; .190" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
Ratmandu (micarta)....= 10.0 ounces; .190" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
DM....................= 9.0 ounces; .268" thick; 5.25" blade; 9.75" oal
The blade thickness of my Desert Jack is thinner. Plus, the handle height is less. I am sure these two factors pretty much account for the 6" bladed Desert Jack weighing the same as the 5.3125" bladed RMD.
Again, I don't feel that the handle weight is a big issue in the case of the RMD and HRLM. I just feel it would be a little better if they skeletonized the tang.
Personally, I do not like the excessively heavy handle on the M6. With much larger blades like say a Rat Mastiff, the handle weight of the M6 might be OK. But, I think the balance of the S6 is WAY better than the M6. To me, the M6 REALLY neads something done to the weight of the handle. Maybe it's just me (???).
I like the handle shape of the RMD a LOT. I would NOT want to change the shape of the handle. I would actually like to see it more often! So, skeletonizing is the probably the best option I know of.
A tapered tang would also reduce weight as a second option. But, I think skeletonizing might be better.
The RMD is pretty much the same blade as the MASSIVELY thick DM. But, notice the RMD weighs more. The difference in oal is due to the tiny little handle on the massively thick DM.
The DM weighs a LOT in the blade. And considering the DM is NOT a chopper, it is probably too blade heavy. The DMLE would likely be a big improvement.
But, to me, the RMD is a much nicer knife than the DM for my uses. But, there is something cool and unique about overly thick and chunky DM.
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