rest assured, if i could have two, the other one would be my muddy snakeskin cgfbm.

+1
(I think thats the first time i've ever done that)
I really like big blades so i would pic my DFLE.

I hate these threads, it is soooo hard. I think I will say my 2nd gen Howling Rat, small enough for EDC but big enough for camping and batoning

hrlm

Between the ASH1 and the Dogfather it'd be a hard choice - but the ASH1 would probably be better all around.

I'm talking fixed blades only, of course. If it were one knife for the rest of my life to include EDC, I'd go w/ my big Spyderco Manix PE - as I don't think I'd be able to take my ASH1 very many places! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The RAT Cutlery RC3 may also be #1 if I had to pick one for EDC and survival/woods/camping use as well...

Hmmm....

The RMD is by far one of my favorite knives. It's the perfect size for everything. But, then again, I have my FFFBM. That thing just won't fail under normal circumstances. Well, neither one of them would.

I guess I'd have to just go with my FFFBM. I could probably re-bevel the edge to make it a better slicer. I still like it the way it is now: used. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Limited to one? I have trouble taking only 6-10 knives on a hunting trip. I'll play. Limiting the discussion to Busse family knives. Since the idea of gutting a deer with a Chopweiler or Ratmastif seems hard, the Ratmandu would get my vote. My ASH-1 is wonderful but seems to weigh about 5 lbs, so EDC that is out. Actually I also really like my HRLM but so far no good sheath for it Okuden on the way). I also have a S6 LE that is nice but RMD seems the best alaround.
Opening the discussion to all of my knives, my BRKT Gameskeeper II is virtually identical to the RMD only in A2 steel. I like the RMD handle better and the Okuden Sheath for it would be the swing vote.
Ron Athay

Mandu or S6.......................... Maybe my FBM.

very hard to say but FBM

Picking a single "Favorite" is always hard for me.

But, it is a little easier if the discussion is based on the way it was phrased by Pit:

"If for some strange reason you had to get rid of all your knives except one and this one had to be your sole knife for the rest of your life, which one would you keep ?"


So, this means the knife has to do every knife chore I could possibly need it for for the rest of my life... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />


Chopping is more for fun to me than a something I need and I can baton very well with small knives, so I would have to eliminate larger knives pretty easily. Plus, I am going to take advantage of a loop-hole in the wording and rely on machetes and axes for the big stuff if I have to. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So, for me, it would likely be a 4.5" - 5.5" sized knife.

I probably have to go with the RMD myself.
I normally favor smaller 3.5" - 4.5" bladed knives for most of my smaller tasks. But, if one knife has to do it all, I want a blade that can do the small stuff very well and still do some of the larger stuff reasonably well.

The RMD fits that description about as well as any knife I know.

The RMD has a VERY nice handle and the blade size and shape is about as do-it-all as I can imagine.


The DM is very similar in size - probably about 3/8" (0.375") shorter blade than the RMD if lined up at index finger - lining up handle materials as normal measurments are taken is less accurate (would indicate they are almost identical to 1/16" shorter for the DM), but the RMD is actually larger with more blade and more handle. There is something very cool to me about the rediculously thick RMD. But, I can't honestly say that the rediculously thick blade impresses me enough to pick it as my ultimate user. I would ultimately rather have a blade that is appropriately sized for use. Obviously, the DMLE seems to be an improvement for actual use - although I unfortunately missed out on because of finances at the time. However, I am pretyt sure I would like the RMD more and I do prefer the RMD's handle feel and micarta in this size knife. Also, I actually do prefer SR-101 over SR-77 for most of my knives.

I would choose INFI as my ultimate steel if it were an option, but for me the values of the over-all design of the RMD and sufficient quality of SR-101 out-weigh the benefits of INFI on the other (VERY Few) comparable INFI knife designs (that I know of) in size:

BATAC, Basic 5 and Euro4 are about all I know from Busse/INFI that are reasonably close in size to the RMD. The Euro4 looks interesting and very similar to the RMD except for the simple lines of the Euro4 vs. the very ergonomic RMD. But, I have not handled the Euro4. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

The Euro4 apparently has a 5" blade and is 10.75" oal. So, pretty close to the RMD's 5.375" blade and 10.375" oal. But, somehow those numbers don't sound right for the Euro4. That would imply a handle length of 5.75" for the Euro vs. 5" for the RMD. Maybe ?????




My favorite sized knives are typically about 3.5" - 4.5" blades. These are just easily the most handy sized knives for me for carry and about 90% of what I do with a knife.
The SS4, HRLM, Bog Dog, Dog Skinner and AD are all great smaller knives that are great for many tasks. But, the RMD is just small enough to do most of the Task type chores the 4" bladed knives could do while doing the larger tasks just a little bit better.
I have always been interested in the BA3 series or the DABA, but I have never handled and they are closer in size to the HRLM.

I can appreciate those who would pick the S6 or Ash or similar 6" - 7" sized blades as good mid-sized knives to attempt to do it all. Although, I personally like my "Highly" customized and modified SJTAC over my S6 and I "assume" I would like my SJTAC over the ASH (???)
My Desert Jack is another very nice 6" bladed knife that I would argue as very worthy and comparable to my SJTAC and other "TOP" choice 6" blades.
(* The Mud Razor (don't like CBT of Hell Razor <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />), SFNO and ASH are all VERY appealing to me in pictures and specs, but cause "me" major problems in regards to prices <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> )

I feel the RMD does the smaller tasks much better than most 6" or so sized blades and I consider those tasks to equate to about 90% of my use. So, I would have to pick the RMD over S6 or ASH or similar sized knives.


Typically, my choice would be a good 4" - 4.5" blade combo with a larger Camp Tramp, Chopweiler or DF sized blade. But, a combo requires two.


So, if only choosing one, probably the RMD. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


RMD porn (most pics borrowed - Thanks to others for posting these in the past... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> ):

















With HRLM:


With BATAC and AD:
[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/SwampRat-Ratmandubottom.jpg[/img]


.

.

.

.

.

.

.



...... Now if I could only get my Swamp Rat - Rat Jack Concept <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> (middle one <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />):

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/SwampRat-HRLMConceptJackG-10andRatm.jpg[/img]


Especially if with a skeletonized tang ( <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> )

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/SwampRat-ConceptRatJackwithskeleton.jpg[/img]


<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

I vote ban pitdog forever for even suggesting such heresy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
For me it would be my old marbles woodcraft knife that I've had since I was 14 or 15. Too many memories to ever leave it behind.
I do love my original DM however this spring I intend to put my YKCG through it's paces as I think it has a perfect combination of traits I like in a knife

you guys are makin me feel like a jerk for ignoring the rats.