Backpacking RC-4

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velo0826

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Sep 19, 2009
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I am taking a leisure skills class this semester and thought backpacking would be fun, since I am pretty into it. So we were asked to bring in any gear that we planned on using for the upcoming trip. My pack weighed in around 15lbs with everything except water for a 3 day trip. Strapped to the side of my pack was my RC-4. When my instructor first saw the knife he made some comment about field dressing an animal. I didn't pay it much attention. During the class he was talking about knives and said he normally carries a swiss army classic (key chain size SAK) and that you didn't need a large knife. He then pulls out my RC-4 and lets everyone in the class feel the weight of it (that made me nervous since its razor sharp)...I told him it was my luxury item. The actual trip is in a couple weekends so maybe I will be able to show him what my knife can do that his little baby SAK can't. I will update y'all after the trip.
 
The four is on the larger side for feild dressing. A bunch of old time guys scoff at large knives. Should see what he thinks of a junglas or rc5.

Baton some firewood up and that should show the value
 
Dizwolf said:
The four is on the larger side for feild dressing. A bunch of old time guys scoff at large knives. Should see what he thinks of a junglas or rc5.

Baton some firewood up and that should show the value
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Yeah, I thought about bringing a machete but really shouldn't need one since its winter time and we will be staying on trails. The Izula is probably plenty of knife for hiking but after seeing his reaction to the RC-4 I will be brining both.
 
I was out recently and found the machete very useful for gathering larger wood. It's not really needed , but having the four to split wood makes firebuilding much easier
 
The guy sounds like an arrogant ass and I'd call him out on it. Did he have permission to handle your knife and pass it around all the while going on and on about how silly you were?

Were it I, I'd get him out in the woods and then challenge him to a test of skills with the different knives. Yea, a big blade isn't really needed 90% of the time, but a keychain SAK is about as useless as teats on a boar for 90% of the stuff you need a blade for. Makes a good toothpick, but that's it.

Take this opportunity to show him the light and teach all of them about simple woods skills like baton splitting, fuzz sticks, carving spoons, etc. Strike some sparks to get a fire. Basically, carry in a half-dozen different knives and teach them about their differences and what they each bring to the game. Teach them about edge geometry, basic sharpening, whittling, dressing, whatever you can think of.

Show them that the "professor" doesn't have all the knowledge like he thinks he does.
 
Unless he is the one carrying it, I cannot believe that he would care.

Screw him. Carry a Katana and a double edged axe if you like.
 
Eh, not always a good teaching tatic, but Minimalist outdoorsmen do hold the opinion that large knives aren't needed. We all obviously like the utility they provide. But in almost any situation, like you said, you can get by without.

I wouldn't challenge him directly. I'd just do what I do and let him see the benefits of a larger blade quietly.
 
I wouldn't consider a 4.5" blade overly large, in fact that is exactly the size I would want for almost any use. I can't believe your instructor thinks a tiny keychain sized knife is sufficient.
 
A SAK would never hold up to the rigors of a "Oh S***" situation that a RC-4 would. When in a hurry or a bind, you'll begin to chop, and not just whittle at a branch. I'd much rather have a knife that chopped of a branch in one or two swings, than have to sit there and work at it with a SAK.

Also, I've NEVER had an issue with carrying an extra few oz. I understand they add up, but I'd rather have an RC-3, 4, 5, 6, or any of them for that matter, than just a sliplock SAK.
 
He's probably an ultralight hiker. The kind of guy who cuts the handle off of a toothbrush to save 5 grams. Probably also cooks with a soda can. I can understand the desire to lighten your load (I do so wherever possible) but one thing I will not skimp on is my knife and firestarter. I carry a Victorinox Farmer as a back up to my RC-4. I cannot imagine relying on something as small as a classic. It's perfectly adequate if you're cooking pre-packaged meals using a canister stove and sleeping in a down bag inside your two-person tent. But what happens when plans change unexpectedly? That little blade can't build a shelter or help you gather firewood. Guys like him don't go out to experience the woods, they go to play with their gear.
 
An RC-4 isn't a big knife. Taking a key-chain size SAK into the wilderness is dumb, they're for opening letters, spreading cream cheese on bagels and cutting your nails. Sounds like you should be teaching the class. If weight is an issue, the absolute minimum I would carry into the wilderness is a Military [4" blade], better than an SAK any day, but an RC-4 is a very versatile backcountry knife.
 
I think the key words here are "leisure skills class". IMO it doesn't seem like somebody who's really spent much time actually doing any bushcraft or survival skills. I'm no expert by any means myself, but I'd like to see this guy in a survival situation with his SAK while you're building a fort with the ESEE-4 ;)
 
Leisure can lead to survival situation such as a fall or an animal attack.. and during that time a person with a larger blade to use as a tool may save their life.. Sometimes things are simple and a walk in the park.. but sometimes the walk in the park may cost you your life if your not prepared.. But to each their own I guess. When i go into the back country here in B.C. I usually have my shotgun and a 3+ inch blade for thoose oh shit situations..
 
I like my big knives. They make being in the woods - easier - . But from the age of ten, to present day, I've never had trouble surviving with my little wenger SAK. Even in oh shit situations, it still had a sharp side and a pointy end. Is the four great? Sure is. But all this small knife trash talk is really silly. The idea that you can't survive comfortably without a knife of any size is also a bit untrue. I've actually gone out with nothing but a few matches and a bottle of water, and I did indeed survive
 
Kind of like that guy that hacked off his own arm with a SAK after a rock pinned his arm into the side of a mountain :D
 
It really depends where you're hiking, for how long, and what the weather is going to be. If it isn't going to be cold, you're better off with a little esbit stove than gathering wood to cook your food, in which case the RC4 definitely is overkill.

Another example, hiking the AT, there's no need for more than a pocket knife.
 
I guess this guy wouldn't like my 9MM CZ-75D PCR lashed to my backpack either.

If he insists on packing out your urine and feces, run away....fast. I cancelled both my subscriptions to Backpacker and Outdoors magazine due to the far left bias and the whole packing out human waste thing. Trash, yes, poop, no. :barf:

I think the RC-4 is the pefect backpacking/camping knife. Can't wait to hear the field trials. 4 vs SAK.
 
Pilot1 said:
If he insists on packing out your urine and feces, run away....fast. I cancelled both my subscriptions to Backpacker and Outdoors magazine due to the far left bias and the whole packing out human waste thing. Trash, yes, poop, no. :barf:
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What?!? Is that a common practice?

Sounds messy...
 
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