Ratmandeux

I've been uber-curious bout this knife for a long time and barely read about folks using it. Saw a deal on ebay and thought I would check it out. Here are some pics and 1st impressions which I'll add too as I use it more.

I'm also going to mix it in a bunch with the War Dog. I know it's apples and oranges, but I tend to view the War Dog as a mix of woods knife and overall bad a** knife! In my mind, I've wondered if the RMDx could fill a similar roll...that and strikes me as poor man's busse Walking Dead blade! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


Here they be!







A little difference in thickness! I really like the idea of a thinner blade with the RMDx...I'm getting much more into 1/8" knives lately, that's plenty tough for me.



Speaking of tough, I beat on it like I was mad at it. No problem...





Sucker can chop well too. Color me surprised! I really liked the handle here..nice size and shape. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />





It cut pretty well doing this notch, stake and green fuzz sticks. Came to me a bit dull and I need to put more time into sharpening it.





[img]http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/richneal68/IMG_3694_zpsd699b1cf.jpg[/img]

I did this notch with the War Dog just to see and it's easier to manage...luv that knife!

[img]http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/richneal68/IMG_3697_zps7af2aa22.jpg[/img]

I mentioned the Walking Dead earlier..bring on the skull stabbing trial! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
This is probably 80-90% power into these stabs. I have a great grip on both knives.

[img]http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/richneal68/IMG_3700_zps32df15d5.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/richneal68/IMG_3701_zpsb7041f5d.jpg[/img]

War Dog penetrates more...

This last pic is hard to see, but just did a hard slash on a tree...was surprised to see the penetration on both actually. Not sure which was better, maybe the Ratmandeux.

[img]http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/richneal68/IMG_3698_zpsc426176d.jpg[/img]

Using the RMDx was better than I thought. Seemed an odd size until I used it. I really need to bring the edge up to speed. The War Dog has a great edge and is easy to maintain very sharp. I know a lot of folks have chopped off that top guard and I can totally see why. It helps the knife look tough and gorgeous, but it's hard to use changing grips. I'm really liking the handle so far and the thinner stock seems like it is full of potential. When it landed this week it had catch and release written all over it. I'm not sure right now and want to use it some more and get it in the kitchen. I'll post more as I use it and add pics.

I will say I am reminded again yet what a cool blade the War Dog is. It's soooo light and bomb proof. Plus, it's just a great user and has intangibles I just love. I remember testing it against the S5 and while the S5 performed better ina range of activities, I just liked the War Dog better.

That is a really cool blade!

Has it been reprofiled? Looks all smooth...

Great pics!

That Ratmandeux is nice. I just got anothr Ratmandu yesterday. I'm wondering how close the Ratmandeux and Rodent 6 are. Nice pictures.

But you got a Rodent 6, Horn Dog, or does my memory play tricks on me? I seem to remember you doing a review of it,

The R6 looks a lot beefy'er to me...

Yes, I just was wondering how close in size the Ratmandeux and Rodent 6 are. The Rodent 6 is heavy and has a larger handle than the Ratmandus I own. I was just wondering if the Ratmandeux was less "clunky".

I think it was listed as 3/16" thick, but that was the same as RMD I believe. I don't have an ratmandu right now, but am sure this knife is thinner. It's pretty dang lively in hand and has a light feel to it. Less so next to the War Dog of course, but this is a pretty big knife lengthwise.

Thanks, RN. I think I would prefer the Ratmandeux to the Rodent 6. The rodent is surely tough enough for anything, but it just doesn't have the "feel" I like in a 6" Blade. I much prefer my Skinny ASH-1 or even a ESSE 6. In fact, the Rodent 6 reminds me of the ESSE 5 I sold. Beefy, but clunky. But if I were a soldier in some hostile land, a thick and rugged blade might be just the thing I'd want. You could pry off end connectors to an M60A1 tank track with the Rodent 6.

AH, I see...
Too much beer on my part... Misread your first post, and thought you just got another RatmandeuX yesterday.

I'll pour another jug of Brown Ale :burp:

Believe the RMDX is a little thinner and narrower than the Rodent 6--a little lighter and more agile. I've had both. If they did a drop point R-6 without the top guard, THAT would be the cat's meow!

I know you can order it from the custom shop, but I'd rather not have to pay an extra $60+ to get the knife how it oughta have been in the first place <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The R6 is a full 1/4" thick, no? I don't believe the RMDx is 3/16"...just checked it next to a couple customs at 1/8" and it's a smidge thicker than them. Has a rounded spine- nice touch! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I love my RMDx. The grind on it is superb I sold my regular RMD it was to clunky the Duex is perfect.

Way to many people get hung up with the top guard I think it works out great.

Great pics <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> I never knew the RMDx had a rounded spine, that's a cool feature.

RMDX is a GREAT blade. Still wish I had mine. BUT you can't keep all of 'em...unless you're Klink, or maybe POP <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Speaking of which, haven't seen him in a while. Anyone know how he's doing?

Brought the kiddos out for a stroll and to check out the ratmandeux a bit more. We found a hawk/owl pellet right off the bat...



Getting a bit better feel for the grind of the RMDx...the War Dog is far more natural for me, but I'm improving with the Rat.









Gave it a little spin in the kitchen and it did better than I thought it would for a big knife. I had spent more time on the edge which helped I'm sure. Tortilla espanola or as I like to tell my wife when I cook it- tortilla gringa!



Thought this pic might help folks size this knife more...



I'm still enjoying the knife and it's interesting. The handle is a pleasure for me to use, but I need to get it out after this last round of sharpening. Think I'm going to bring along my Becker 15 too and see how they compare.

Im keeping my eyes open for a RMD

So I took it out again to look at it more. Decided to bring a little more company...

This DFarmer is roughly in the ballpark size-wise...closest I have. I seem to remember this chopped almost as well as my old Camp Tramp.



Chopping this hard/dry stuff and they were awful close. The DFarmer did bind up a bit more- I figure b/c it's thinner at 1/8". I chopped a bunch of different things and they were very close...I got the idea the Farmer was better with greener wood.



Here we go with a bigger challenge. At 20 chops, 40 and 60. Seems a wash to me.







Let's see how many to get through this small greener limb...





13 for the RMdx and 8 for the DFarmer. Guess I was right on what I thought about the green wood.

Thought the Farmer did better with a little finer work.



I also brought along this Becker I got a bit ago. I enjoy the heck out of this knife.





I feel in more control with the Becker than the RMDx. I'm able to move from finer shavings to taking chunks off...same as with the War Dog. While I have a better feel for the grind of the RMDx than before, I struggle more with it compared to the other knives. I think they left more steel on this convex and started the plunge later than on other convex edged blades I have.

Overall, it's a pretty cool knife. Does a number of things well and and was surprisingly good in the kitchen and as a chopper. Getting back to my original question- is this a bad a** all rounder and wood knife like my War Dog? In some senses yes, but the War Dog fills that role for me better.

Fun knife to check out. If I didn't stumble into an AR right before the CT ban, I would probably keep it and remove the top guard. But, I have to finish paying off that gun, so this one will go on to a new home.

Aweome pictures and info. Thanks for sharing!

I agree. The pics are great.

That Ratmandu is a very popular knife.

Dan

Still a couple steps behind the War Dog for me Dan!

Well that sucks that you cannot keep it as you seem to like it alot. Your priorities are in order though so I certainly won't give you a hard time. Nice little review. Thanks.

That RMDx LE is pretty. I had one for a while. It was one of the best looking blades I ever owned. During an unfortunate employment lapse (been back to work for a while now), I let my RMDx go too. Good thing I still kept my war dog!

The satin SR101 drove me crazy. Loved the look, but I couldn't bring myself to dirty it.

Wise guy! As far as PoP is concerned, last I heard from him was last year. He was supposed to be going to Blade, but never showed up. I haven't heard from him since then.

well, here's hoping POP is ok.

Last I heard from POP he was really involved with his church down in Texas. I also hope he is doing well.

Point well made

Dan

I agree, I miss that Dog...he sure could write. Here's hoping he makes it back here

Dan

I agree, he always had informative posts, sometimes with some good natured fun thrown in.

The Ratmandeux is a fine blade, no argument there, just didn't do it enough for me to invest the bucks.

I have to admit that I'm not real fond of the top guard either.