The RMDs handle is sized between their standard full-sized tactical and the Little Michief handles -- it's their "Baby Bear" handle (just right).
That's good to know, Jim. I thought the RMD handle and the HRLM handle were the same size. But then I don't own an HRLM and I've never seen a pic of the RMD and HRLM side by side. Maybe someone who owns both knives would be willing to post one (hint, hint <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).
It's not my pics (I don't have a HRLM either), but I remembered this BladeForums post by quicksdraw right after Knob Creek:
Well My meager acquisition from the Knob.
Eric told me that that were different, but looking at them side-by-side, I think you're right -- they sure look the same. Perhaps I misunderstood what Eric was saying, or he misunderstood what I was asking.
The HRLM and RMD have pretty much identical handles in every way until you get forward of the guard and the thumb ramp areas. The handles have identical length, height, and contours on both knives if both are micarta.
However, my micarta scales on my RMD are a little thicker and have a little less radiusing. So, the RMD is just slightly thick.
But, for some strange reason, the G10 scales on the RMD are a little more slender and with more radiusing. The G10 scales on my RMD are much more like the scales on my HRLM. I prefer the contouring and feel of my HRLM and G10 RMD by a small fraction.
I like the quality, fit, finish and look of my G10 by a MILE over the micarta. But, I like the light weight of the micarta. - compromises....
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
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The thumb ramps are pretty much the same, just different on the blade sides of the thumb ramp. But, since my thumb naturally fits/falls on the blade side of the thumb ramp, I find this relevant.
On the RMD, on the blade side of the ramp, the spine is flat on the blade side. The Factory design is quite good and comfy for me.
On the HRLM, on the blade side of the ramp, there is what I would call a "Thumb index" - more of a notch for your thumb. Then the blade spine rises and arches higher on the HRLM than the spine on the RMD. I have made a few mods to my HRLM that make it feel better to me. The "notch"/"Thumb index" on the HRLM was to small and restrictive for me, so I lengthened the thumb index towards the spine and created a continuous slope up the spine of the blade. I like the feel of it a lot this way.
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The guards and choils are different between the HRLM and RMD.
The RMD has a slightly wider guard and a functional finger choil.
The HRLM has a choil that is too small to be functional as a finger choil (like too many smaller Busse knives <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />). However, a common modification on the HRLM is to slightly grind out the choil to make it functional. At least with the HRLM (unlike the smaller Busse's with their Talon Holes), the choil "can" be ground out to be made functional. Personally, I ground mine into the guard and as close to the normal grip as I could without wasting blade edge.
Some (borrowed) pics (notice the size of the factory choil is too small for functional use and too large for a sharpening choil - But, again, at least this can be fixed/modified on the HRLM!):
I beleive these are Vic's (* Notice, it appears Vic ground the choil on his HRLM to be larger and functional. It appears Vic ground the choil forward into the blade - vs. I ground my choil back into the guard. And it looks like he also lengthened the thumb index notch - similar to mine, but he left it more of a "notch" whereas I blended the front side of mine into a continuous slope up and over the spine.):
For the record, I feel both the RMD and the HRLM are two VERY fine knives! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />
The RMD doesn't need hardly any real modifications short of (sadly.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> ) the common needed improvements: stripping the coating <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> and some edge refinements.
The HRLM needs a couple of modifications, but both modifications are pretty simple in my book. The Choil is a "must" fix IMO. And the Thumb ramp needed to be fixed for me, but maybe not for others. Then of course the common stuff ( <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> ) stripping the coating <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> and some edge refinements.
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