Way Better: Ratmandu by Swamp Rat Knives

[@adods9824]

Swamp Rat Rodent 6 ... Custom shop...no top guard. Brilliant knife!!

[@ryansgr8]

I don't think you have been that enthusiastic over a blade since the custom Dark Timber. Good review!

[@adods9824]

Ramos Custom leather, for leather sheaths, and leather wrapped kydex sheaths! They have 12 busse kin knives in house, generally no need to ship your knife to them 👍

[@gideonstactical]

I have had a few people comment on if this blade comes with a wide grind. The action you saw was of the factory edge. No reprofiling need on my model.

[@gideonstactical]

+gideonstactical It was all factory edge

[@Moribund_art]

Sr101 has better edge retention than Infi ,but has no corrosion resistance. As for the toughness of the steel , there's a video on here of a guy cutting a car in half with a kill devil tomahawk made in SR101

[@morpheoist]

mine is brown. I have had it for a few years and from here, from Italy it was not easy to get it. I took it with me during the Syrian war, hunting, in bushcraft and surviving scenario activities .... and I fell in love with this knife and the fantastic properties of the SR101, the ease with which I can sharpen it despite a not so low hardness . The ergonomics of the handle is what surprised me the most, if I think that before having one I didn't like the Busse family knives because I found the handle horrible. .... I have the little Scrapivore to keep around my neck for precision work and as a backup, and surely when I find an opportunity for a bigger Busse I will buy that too.

[@blainwilson7937]

Agree with you on the Ratmandu. I was lucky enough to get one that came with a custom Kydex sheath and for a decent price. The knife is an all around great tool.

[@RazZelDaZzel16]

so happy to see some busse kin love from you Aaron. Great review. I have a busse myself, but this might be the first swamprat I pull the trigger on.

[@gideonstactical]

So please with this baby!

[@adods9824]

Rodent 6 custom. Brilliant !!

[@rdh9155]

Hello do you ever plan on reviewing a Bark River Bravo Survivor ? That would be awesome to see on your channel ...

[@skyme01]

Great Video,nice job! I have 2 of these,and my buddy has about 5.The SR 101 is good,but we like the infi better. we have put them through through some heavy use,both steels perform great!

[@anthonykammas3276]

So, this or the ESEE 6? Especially if we leave price out of the consideration... which would you choose?

[@blainwilson7937]

@Anthony Kammas I have both and the Esee 6 is a little more versatile and both companies have excellent warranties on their blades.

[@addicted2tone349]

You must have gotten a way better grind than I did. Mine was like 40 degrees on each side. I had to reprofile the entire thing. It's much better now at 20, a fantastic knife. After the fact I learned you can ask for whatever edge angle you want. Lesson learned on my first built to order knife.

[@semdijkstra9784]

Brian Taylor ehh get both! For a survival blade no doubt silent hero, for a overall companion blade ratmandu

[@Murchlives]

Nice review, Aaron. If I remember correctly, it's a 52100 with proprietary heat treat. I didn't get enough play time with it yet, so can't comment on the steel. The handle is very comfortable, but I'll probably thin out the edge a bit, mine came with a rather thick bevel - great for tough work, but not so much for slicing. I use a leather sheath made by Condor. Costs about $16, but you'd need to waterproof it, SR101 is very prone to rust. So if you can afford it, go with Kydex.

[@braydenhess5676]

Has anyone sharpened sr101? Is it difficult to sharpen?

[@wartstein8814]

So you feel the fingerchoil is even better than the one the Esee Laser Strike offers? For me the Laser Strike choil is the best I ever handled (much better than on the Esee 4 for example), so the choil on the Ratmandu must be really awesome.

[@chrisfrance4168]

I just got this knife in INFI. Can't wait to put it to use!

[@gideonstactical]

+Chris France Sweet!

[@yolmak1793]

Good luck...Infi is a low carbon steel. Not more carbon than 440A ;) Infi must be the most overrated steels of all in the entire world, but the fanboys say it's fantastic, because they heard it from the other fanboys and they're all repeating the same fantasy...

[@skyme01]

Yol Mak I would put Infi against any other steel you can mention! I personally use all diferent types,kinds of knives in different steels and would take Infi above all! YES i am a fan of Infi,because it is unbeatable! If you can beat it, Jerry Busse has a standing challenge,which noone has accepted yet!

[@blainwilson7937]

@Yol Mak You know nothing of that of which you speak.

[@csh6220]

That sheath looks perfect for that high quality, good looking knife. I would add a fero rod holder to the sheath, but I don't know if the knife blade coating would strike a fero rod. That is what strikers are for though. Thanks!

[@gideonstactical]

+csh 62 Not a 90 degree spine.

[@extraselfstorageredbluff1061]

How would this knife stack up against a fallkniven a1? Which one is the toughest ?

[@finnianking2754]

Nice blade! I am never let down by you videos.

[@gideonstactical]

Glad to hear it my friend, thanks as always for watching.

[@SteveSmith-sd5hq]

Awesome review, that knife is sweet. I liked that spot you guys were camping at, surrounded by rocks and stuff, it was really cool.

[@gideonstactical]

Ya, very cool place we found!

[@Tyrantresister]

How would you compare the Ratmandu to the GSO 5.1? Which knife is better than the other for certain tasks? Have a preference, between the two and why?

[@mlmcasual]

I just have one question.. how did you like working in homeland?

[@Nightknight159]

love the new feel of the video!

[@gideonstactical]

+Nate Malone Sweet!

[@bradk4114]

Thanks for the video, man. I jut got a Ratmandu myself, and I absolutely love it!

[@marciolprado1]

Is wearing amber glasses with snow and sun harmful to eye health?

[@robinpohl2702]

Confused why would it be? I know for sure cobalt glass which is blue filters yellow light out equally yellow glasses should reduce blue/green colors which are most harmful because of their short wavelength and high energy and actually protect the eye. Why would every single pair of tactical sunglasses come with an option for yellow glasses, they are supposed to be as multifunctional as possible. If you disagree please let me know, I care about my health and would really like to know if I'm wrong.

[@BM-nd8gy]

Great knife. Like others mentioned many of them come with a dull edge. Mine could barely even cut anything. For the price I was pissed. Had it profiled over and it is sharp as can be now although the edge had gotten rusty. Ideas for cleaning that up? Doesn't seem to effect performance but I hate looking at it lol

[@johnzane3977]

Bmo SWFL a leather strop with black compound will polish that edge right up

[@cubehole666]

How's it stand next to a tops hog?

[@gideonstactical]

Similar. This will have better edge retention and toughness.

[@issisjimmyaleman7992]

what is the best survival knife 2015 ? saw your video of "best survival knife 2014---Silent Hero"

[@yoadrian3814]

Great video! Really entertaining with the added footage of you guys goofing around - really made the video. Keep it up man! :D

[@gideonstactical]

+Yo Adrian Thanks!

[@Patriot-rising]

Was that Nutnfancy? If so that may have just ruined the whole experience.. Crazy flyboy... They are great when it comes to survival. Well that is if they have a map, a running tap and room service . Hahaha! But seriously great video. Absolutely love the Busse line of knives. My Swamp rats look as if they have survived a few wars. They hold up well. I did get rid of the tube pins through the handle and added hex threaded pins. I prefer to be able to remove the scales to do proper maintenance. And I have just subscribed. Thank you also for a bit of comic relief.

[@xtian3050]

Hey, i would love if you could tell me how this compares to survive gso models? Which do you prefer? Thanks

[@gideonstactical]

+christian s Between the two I like the GSO more. Better steel in my mind, and no coatings. handles are both very ergonomic.

[@xtian5399]

+gideonstactical awesome appreciate the reply, cheers!

[@toddklekotka3340]

Awesome knife! The steel they use is also very durable and strong. Be a good companion blade to a my CRKT chogan woods hawk, which I have to say is an awesome hawk, it also does not come with a sheath. I've always had an eye on the rodent 9, but my Tops knife is still going strong, though its seeing less use now I have my hawk. Nice video Aaron, love the scenery!

[@gideonstactical]

I need to try that hawk

[@toddklekotka3340]

I watched a lot of reviews of it on YT. Tactical's was the one that influenced me the most to buy one. I bet you'll like it! More functional than an axe or hatchet in my opinion. Dont hesitate, get yourself one! They are really fun to customize as well!

[@davidmace3310]

A good overall field knife. Knowing I can shank Superman with it is a nice bonus.

[@harryenever6079]

they are soooooo expensive to get them in Australia

[@johnzane3977]

Love my RMD! just too perfect this could easily be a "one tool option" in almost any application. just feels right.

[@paulie4x1]

SR101 is a Proprietary name for a 52100 Ballbearing Steel that's been Tempered by the Busse Technology. Great steel similar to the 5160 but with more carbon.

[@giangdoan91]

I've heard that the knife comes with a pretty obtuse grind angle did you have to regrind it in anyway?

[@blainwilson7937]

@Giang Doan The Ratmandu is ready to rock. Choppers like the Rodent 9 are a little obtuse.

[@kenmarapese9085]

Nice vid, enjoyed the format.

[@sawdust6968]

great vid bro,that sr 101 steel is no joke its the heat treat that busse does that makes it so good, i beat the dickens out mine and it just ask for more,if u want a AMAZING! sheath for that baby get a yellow hawk, dougs work is 2nd to none thanks.

[@jdm8577]

Hey Gideon so which do you like better between the ratmandu and the silent hero?

[@AquaAriaSachou]

+gideonstactical Hey do you plan on testing out any treeman knives? The ones with the D-guard handles I mean. They seem to be really good quality with 02 tool steel.

[@LetoAt77]

Aaron did your RMD have a factory edge on it in the vid? I have a brand new RMD and it like most Busse's came with a horrible edge, with a very large edge angel. Than X

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron, This Knife (RatManDu) started it all for me. Infact I was on a blue cloud (because pink clouds are for girls) But I was able to get a INFI RatManDu infact I have two now and three all togerher. I love mine.

[@blainwilson7937]

@Paul'ie 4X The Consiglior What's your favorite Jerry Busse knife now?

[@niklaswellmanns7499]

What do you think about SOG Seal Team Elite ? Your video about the force was quite positive, so I was wondering whether you like this, too.

[@gideonstactical]

+Niklas Wellmanns If they made a plain edge version I would be all over it.

[@niklaswellmanns7499]

+gideonstactical Thanks for your reply. Yes that would be a damn good knife. Think I'm buying it anyway, because I am not so "professional" into this hiking stuff and the serrations might be helpful. Great videos though, keep 'em going. Subscribed!

[@kbenji5684]

awesome review. love the knife. you should do a review on crkt m16 series if that is something that interests you.

[@gideonstactical]

I will look into it!

[@frankmoore7130]

One of the best sheaths for the Ratmandu is the Spartan blades cordura nylon sheaths for thirty five bucks

[@Atro785]

Whoa whoa whoa WHOA there Bryan (or is it Brian?), I am watching this video. And I love me some outdoors and some hiking and some camping and some knives and some bushcraft. Love em. But I'll have you know I am a full on comic book nerd. So there!

[@insbass]

Yes, the lack of any kind of sheath with the Busse knives is a little disappointing, but in the end the important thing is the knife, which is great!

[@gideonstactical]

It is true, and they want to save costs so you can make the custom sheath you want.

[@insbass]

+gideonstactical Тotally true!

[@elcas20012003]

great video! the knife looks good and effective, but the sheath thing is problematic , i understand it helps lowering the cost or they might just not have the skills to do it and recognize it

[@duharrhea5924]

+elcas20012003 Nah, years ago they did all kinds of sheaths, ultimately people who buy their knives would prefer to not pay any extra for a sheath they would replace anyways.

[@blainwilson7937]

They provide knives to a high end market and most people who bought the knives would have a custom sheath made anyway.

[@AdirondackBadger]

Great review man. Here's an odd question - Where do you get all the seat belts from that you cut up in your videos?

[@jerrymorris1527]

Good review. While I like the looks of that knife, it is a little pricey for what it is. Especially when you consider it comes with NO sheath. By the time a guy adds a good sheath it will be well over $200, maybe over $250. Thanks for that you do.

[@ironkid8836]

Thats kinda a matter of opinion 160 for a beast isnt too expensives.semi custom.a sheath in kydex runs from 30 bucks to 60 or so .and the warranty is top notch .in other word they want ypu to beat the crap out of it i own a few of these knives from bussekin .the can take a serious beating .....

[@DeanO]

I like the price point on this blade

[@gideonstactical]

It is great price point

[@briantaylor340]

AZWELKE makes awesome Taco Sheaths which is my favorite kydex style. I have one for my Fallkniven S1 and I’m going to order one for my Ratmandu I just ordered. They scout carry perfectly!

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah, Aaron, Sorry for the many posts. But I do buy alot of knives I see on your channel. This weekend I took my Rodent 5 even though I love my Ratmandu Infact I even have (2) Ratmandus in the INFI Steel. But my Rodent 5 is becoming one of my Fav's. Infact I took ot out this weekend and I also brought my Woodsman Pal Premium which I carry in the leather sheath. For my neck knife, I brought my vintage Blind Horse Bushcrafter which I neck carried in a pancake Bark River Sheath. My friend, I let her use my Steel Will Knives because she picked them. She's our honorary cook do I treat my honey good, heh heh heh.,,. p

[@noodlefart1029384756]

4:30 ur pup is like "hell no" haha xD nice upload

[@barkriverbravo1]

Long over due.Great review

[@LGSkywalker82]

great video..Awesome knife

[@gideonstactical]

Glad you like it! New style with the same attention to detail.

[@LGSkywalker82]

gideonstactical that's the first higher end blade I've seen that I want to get that is actually in my price range..thanks for the review!

[@LGSkywalker82]

gideonstactical btw,I posted my first ever videos this week on KZbin,check them out if you'd like!

[@shcmoly]

Knife companies are listening. Thanks G.

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah, I got this video by the new auto feed, This is great, I just wanted to mention something important sort of F.Y.I. my Modde Rodent 6 looks very similar to the RatMandu, very close, except it's the size of the Rodent 6, sort of a RatManDu on steriods. Yeah, and where that guard was the way mine way blended, It actually allows the blade to chop better, Even when I compare my Fallkniven A-1

[@gideonstactical]

+paulie 4x Nice!

[@paulie4x1]

Thanx, ,, ,

[@nicklacasella5585]

Thoughts on this knife vs. Tops hog? Could it be your favorite 4 to 5 inch knife

[@concealmenttraining9371]

Sr101 is not as tough as 5160. Never ever

[@adods9824]

Love Swamp Rat. Have a rodent 6, need a mega ratmandu ! 😁👍

[@texasoutdoors9710]

Normally your videos do not give me motion sickness, this one did, but good video anyway.

[@gideonstactical]

+Texas Outdoors Sorry about that.

[@texasoutdoors9710]

gideonstactical No worries.

[@fastcamo]

All of my "busse" brand blades have bad angles, the 101 is way better performer than INFI- I think the RMD is one of their best models made. If you didn't have to modify your edge, you got lucky.

[@gideonstactical]

+fastcamo I did not! lol

[@beereaucrat3233]

SR-101 steel is going away! Jerry can't heat treat it any longer.

[@blainwilson7937]

What’s he replacing it with?

[@beereaucrat3233]

On some knives, 1095 cro-van. Same stuff Kabar uses in some of its knives.

[@blainwilson7937]

@@beereaucrat3233 interesting and why can’t Busse heat treat SR-101 steel any longer?

[@beereaucrat3233]

@@blainwilson7937 I kinda forget... something about the equipment or parts not being available any longer.

[@thedrmurchindise]

My ratmandu had such an obtuse edge profile it wouldnt even make feathersticks.

[@Joshuadbr2]

You could try to attack Superman with that, but he'd be perfectly capable of simply freezing or lazering you while you tried. Then, he'd call the police and ask them to pick it up. How's that for a comic-book nerd watching your video?

[@OldPackMule]

$158 and no sheath? Sorry. Got to provide something.

[@yolmak1793]

AND a rusty steel, AND it's useless to cut. Most people who buy these knives don't actually use them. They keep them in the house and look at them ;)

[@bossmodus5020]

@@yolmak1793 True

[@blainwilson7937]

@Yol Mak These knives deploy into combat situations around the world and are tougher than nails.

[@christopheplumm2849]

SR101 HAS NOTHING ON INFI....

[@yolmak1793]

Sr101 is high carbon, INFI is low carbon. In that regard SR101 is better. But SR101 rusts. There are much better knife steels on the market.

[@blainwilson7937]

Most guys who use their Busse/SwampRat/SYKCO knives prefer SR-101 over INFI due to SR-101's ability to keep an edge and easier to re-sharpen. INFI has its place though.

[@johnrossi4607]

I actually cringed a little when you dug that tip into the log and pryed that hunk of wood out ! Lol ....PAPA DUKES

[@gideonstactical]

Tough as nails bro!

[@julianarias5616]

I'm a super comic book nerd!!! Come at me bro 😂😂

[@gideonstactical]

I am too on some level

[@BrendonKinsey]

Kriptonite huh? There's some lazy marketing on their part! They should take the description of their product a bit more seriously.

[@blainwilson7937]

@Brendon Kinsey They joke a little but are dead serious when it comes to providing superior blades.

[@machodeth4822]

now i'm going after superman...alien jerk. LOL

[@gideonstactical]

Stick it to that guy! Lol

[@badjujuR6]

Uhm...... Yeah, nothing the ESEE 6 couldn't do......

[@gideonstactical]

+badjujuR6 very true, but the RMD will hold a better edge and has better ergos.

[@GaryHorn]

That's a lot of money for a knife with no sheath.

[@oXObsidianXo]

+Gary Horn Not for what you are getting.

[@duharrhea5924]

+Gary Horn Your guess is incorrect

[@yolmak1793]

14 minute video and you haven't cut ANYTHING with it. You know why: Because it's a terrible cutter with that ridiculously thick blade ;) You've chopped wood which is done much more effectively with an old school hatchet ;)

[@camojoe83]

Complains about no sheath, gives reason for why in the same breath and doesnt even realize it... Sheaths are the most personal of all knife 'accessories'... No matter what they decide to go with as a 'factory sheath option', there would be a whole swarm of people whining about how bad a job was done on it and how it sucks for 'their system'... Eliminating the variable allows you to get the sheath you want, and doesnt make you pay for one that you'll bitch about later. Of course, some people will bitch about having the chance to prevent their whining altogether.. I reckon some folks just like to bitch.

[@Bob-of8jj]

First

[@MichaelTravis12c27]

Just stop. I don't need another knife!!!

[@LetoAt77]

Mike I have a brand new one I may let go. I'm not to impressed with the RMD, comes with an extremely large edge angle and does not cut very well and the coating on mine is so thick it would have to be removed to reduce drag.

[@gideonstactical]

+Christian Cork it was very interesting that I did not have that problem at all. I was expecting some issues, but I had none.

[@LetoAt77]

Sounds like you got a good sample, I have some friends who are Bussekin nutz and they have to reprofile almost everything new they buy. I would keep mine, but for the price point I expect it to be hair popping sharp out of the box so to speak. I've seen people do crazy things with Busse's and have no doubts about their durability, I just don't want to invest hours into reprofiling the edge. Thanks for the vid and keep up the good work!

[@whosthatguy8396]

Welp bye bye 160 bucks

[@gideonstactical]

Ya buddy!