4"-ish camping knife....

G

GSRswapandslow

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Jul 3, 2010
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so...i'm new here and am looking for some advice on a camping knife. My budget is $100, total.

the knives i've been considering are the Esee RC-4 ($90 shipped is the best i've found) and the RD4 from ontario...

they're overly similar it seems...other than blade material, but from what i've been reading the 1095 should hold a better edge, while the 5160 is a bit tougher...and rust is inherent in both steels so that's a toss up.

the sheaths are different, and i've never carried a knife that needed/had a sheath...always folders, so i have no real perference and some insight would be helpful.

the knife will be attached via MOLLE to one of my packs i use for camping/hiking so that's a must.


any insight between the two? i watched the nutnfancy on the RC4...but haven't seen any on the ranger
 
I really like the Ontario Rat-3 in D2. It's perfect as a camp knife, super tough steel, and a great slicer.

I have the R.A.T. RC-4, and to be frank, it's a tank...but not that great for slicing per say, the edge is beefy.
 
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If you're molle attaching I'd go ESSE RC-4. No questions asked warranty for life. Compared to a MOLLE compatible black nylon sheath - the ESEE RC-4 has a very classy kydex sheath with a stout, well documented for toughness fixed blade. Micarta handle compared to G-10 (your choice).

RC-4 all the way :thumbup:

See: http://knifetests.com/KnifeTestsPage2.html - scroll down to #13 on the list. I don't see the RD4 listed?
 
Esse 4 all the way. Great warranty, great knife, great people. Mine has all but replaced my beloved Tops mohawk hunter
 
Suveges said:
F1 is great but I don't think you can get a molle sheath from the factory so you'd have to get another sheath on top of that.
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Paracord to the pack? I really think the F1 is a better blade. I have/had both and the F1 (I originally knocked it before I got it) is better IMHO in many ways..Grind, Handle, Stainless (I am around water a lot on camping trips)...but ESEE makes the best factory sheaths...and of course the warranty. However you are first buying the knife...not the sheath. Not to mention there are so many excellent aftermark sheaths. As for the warranty a blade this size should last...it is not a chopper and really isnt a batonner either...so the likeness of breaking either is a stress...once again in my Opinion. And I have several RATs and now several Fallknivens. Just my opinion...no offense.
 
Chef...masterhunter isnt a bad idea either!!!!!! Good Call. $20 less than the F1...I dont think it is nearly as nice but 20% less...cant be ignored! Dont know much about the sheath but it looks nice!!
 
a buddy has a fallkniven...i'll go check his out sometime this week. i just skipped right over due to the sheath issues, i need something VERY secure and i just don't see the leather sheath being that. but, as i mentioned...this would be my first foray with a sheathed knife lol.
 
if possible, see them in person and try them in your hand. They will feel different and you may like one more in the hand than another.
 
You could have a Mora, a Fiskars hatchet, a folding saw, and a Latin Machete for under $99.

You may even be able to get a custom piece from a maker on your budget. That is what I would do for $100 belt knife.
 
well, the issue with those is room...i have a 3 day pack that'll be carried for an entire weekend.....and i don't wanna add THAT much weight. to my pack. i do have a folding shovel with a saw blade that'll be in my jeep at all times, though.

I was looking at the RC4 over the RC3 (my original choise) due to the thicker blade and ability to chop better....but the RC3 can be tossed back in if it would end up a better choice.
 
Get an RC-4 or Fallkniven F1. The RC-4 will be a little less expensive, but I like the convex grind of the F1 and the stainless blade and shape. The zytel sheath is fine and can be lashed with paracord to anything. Aftermarket sheaths are available, but not required if money is tight (and when isn't it?).

The RC-3 could probably do everything you want, but I like the thinkness of the RC-4 and F1, especially as a primary out in the woods. In fact, I use the RC-3 as a back-up to my Bravo-1, F1 or RC-4, for slicing, and food prep. No, I don't carry all three at once, but I do alternate them. I lean the most towards the Bravo-1 or F1 however over the RC-4.
 
Even the ESEE guys will tell you that Ontario makes a pretty good knife. Having said that, I'd pick the ESEE-4 or -3 vs the comparable Ontario. Better company (IMO), better knife and better warranty.

Good luck.

Al
 
so.....say the F1 and the Tops Tom Brown Scount came into the picture....would that change anyones mind over the RC4? I'll bump the price to $125 including sheath to get the F1 included.
 
the recommendations are mainly f1 and rc-4.
check out some my review videos in my signature, there's a couple on the f1 and a couple on the rc-4
 
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