4 inch survival / utility knife Recommendations.

Steelhog

Steelhog

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Jul 2, 2009
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After I get my finances back in order I am going to get a small survival/general utility knife. The knives I am looking at are the RAT 4, the Chris Reeve Mountaineer 1 or the Bark River Bravo 1. Just wanting to hear a few of the pros and cons of each. I am unable to handle any of these knives locally. I have only seen pics and read a few reviews.
 
It's a handicap when you can't actually play with what you want before buying it, but you can't go wrong with any of those.

I don't have much info on the Bravo 1, but I've handled the other two, and I own a Reeve One-piece. Both the RC 4 and Mountaineer 1 are great in the hand, they're both efficient cutters, and either is strong enough for any bushcraft activity.

The Reeve knives are much less friendly to an ungloved hand in the wintertime, but they have the added bonus of the hollow handle, allowing you to carry a knife sharpener, firestarter, or other amenities that should compliment a knife. Also, the Mountaineer 1 is just a couple ounces lighter than the RC-4, at least with an empty handle.
 
The Spyderco Temperance II is a nice choice too - the blade length is a little longer than you stated at 4 7/8 but it's a fine utility knife and stainless too (VG-10, 60-62 RC). It's not cheap but a very nice utility knife. Go a little longer for very hard use for a very fair price and you can look at the Becker Campanion too. The Campanion is capable of everything in the outdoors and comes at a very fair price.

Good luck on your choice. Those are all fine knives. Personally I would choose the ESEE (formally RAT), Temperance and the Becker (if the weight is ok with you).
 
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I think the RC-4 is the lowest priced of that bunch and virtually indestructible if that helps you any.
 
The Entrek Bravo with a 4 3/4" blade is one rugged knife and very affordable.
 
The only disadvantage I can think of about the RC-4 is that it's a bit heavy compared to other similar-sized blades (you loose on weight but the knife is nuclear tough).
So if weight is not a concern, I vote for the RC-4.
 
I have both and would recommend the Bravo 1 over the RC-4.

This is based on personal preference for the handle on the Bravo 1 which I find considerably more comfortable than the RC-4. The Bravo 1 has a nicely contoured handle while the RC-4 handles are rather square and block like.

Both knives are excellent quality, so you really can't go wrong there.

The Fallkniven F1 would also be worthy of consideration.

Kevin
 
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if you like your knives very sturdy go for the RC-4, great knife and perfect for your needs.
if you like slicers and do more food prep and cleaning fish go for an RC-3, I have a hard time picking which of the 2 I like better. A military cold weather survival review gave the RC-3 4.77 out of 5 stars.
I like my barkies, their knives will perform but the Rats are more economical with a much better sheath system.
Bark river's are so nice looking you might not use them as hard as a rat without even knowing it.
Rats look like the tough users that they are.
 
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