The blades on the two look very similar, with a little bit more cutting edge going to the 511 due its smaller choil size. The grind on the 511 starts a little closer to the spine, but not a great deal maybe 1/8" or so. The blades are also very close in width, but I didn't caliper either, so this is just a guess.

The handle on the 511 is just a bit small in my hands but not its not a deal breaker for me. I have lots of knives with small handles. Of course, I have large hands, so small to me may be okay for another. The RMD feels better in my hand, and while I like micarta, I think the res-c would provide a better grip better in slimy situations like blood, fish innards, or general messy cutting.

The balance on the 511 is right at the end of the res-c, just onto the blade. Pretty close to dead center. The RMD is weighted toward the handle, so the balance point is well onto the micarta. I guess that either would be okay for chopping something, but really, unless it was meat, or fish, or a quick chop to something, they would beat you to death trying to chop anything of size or volume. The RMD might do a little better due to what I perceive as a bit more weight. Again, I didn't weigh either one, so its just a guess. They are both just too short for chopping too much or for too long IMHO.


511 feels lighter in my hands and seems like it would be quicker to move so skinning or extended use would be a little easier. The balance is great, and the more I hold it the more I enjoy it. I believe that this balance would reduce hand fatigue if you were using it for a while such as butchering up some deer steaks.

I didn't answer your questions numerically but i think you get the idea.

I think that the blade size of the 511, RND and even the Scrapper 5 area are as big as I would want in a hunting knife, and would do quite well for camp chores, even a little bushcraft.

I like them both, its why I have both...

YMMV

Doc