I was totally partial to the Ratmandu because of the handle fit and thinner blade, but with the new edges on my mutts, I have more confidence in their cutting ability.
In all fairness, you should make sure the RMD has a comparable edge to your now customized DM. I don't feel it would be fair to use a RMD factory edge against a custom DM edge.
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The BATAC is almost in S6 or M6 class in overall size. It just might be the king in chopping. We shall see. At this point, I have no idea which will come out oun top in my overall judgement, at the end of the comparison.
I still don't view 5" blades as choppers much more than 4" bladed knives. So, chopping ability would rank pretty low on my consideration between these knives..... But, it is your test. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Battoning and other cutting chores seems more appropriate to me. I still view a 5" blade as just a larger than 4" blade that would do similar chores.
I don't see knives as much of choppers until at least 6.5" - 7" or more. But, that may just be me.
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