Becker BK2 vs RAT RC-5 vs Gerber LMF II

S

soapboxpreacher

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Apr 3, 2010
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I have the gerber but I am still within the 30 day return window. I believe it is a decent knife just not a great one like the others. Cost wise it is about the same as the BK2. The RAT RC-5 is really the top but it is 2x the cost. Is it 2x the Knife? I seem to be using that line a lot lately. My use is Survival, Camping, and utility. Limited Batoning and Chopping because of the blade size. But also slicing and cutting for food. An All around in this size category. The Rat has a Serrated version as wel. Serrated is a love hate for me. Great for cutting rope and makes it a more well rounded knife but then it loses some of its straight edge benefits. So I am torn on it but would like at least one or two knife in my collection that are serrated.

Steel and thickness are another story. Becker and the RC-5 have the same steel and the same thickness. The RC-5 and the BK2 are pry bars, beefy, thick heavy!! But Neither stainless. Handle RC-5 and LMF II in my opinion are better...simply because of shock and comfort, I dont think the LMF is a great handle just comfortable, grippy, and very shock resistant. BK2 is a harder grivory (Even harder than Zytel and more durable) but you feel the shock more. Finally, the sheaths which is also a whole another story. I like the Rat alot!!! Weight they are all fairly close.

But then I also saw the S1. Very close in blade size, lighters, better steel in my opinion, Like the handle a lot, it's kinda of a balance of all...two major downside...one cost...OMG Fallkniven's are expensive. And the Sheath. Not that it is terrible (I have not seen it) but it certainly doesnt look as versatile as the other (no MOLLE). For all that money I would have thought they would have done a better job!

Is there anything wrong with the Gerber for starters?

Let me know what you guys think. I think it is more between the RC-5 and the S1. Hard choice!

Oh and it looks like I have decided to go with the Fallkniven A1 (Update from a previous post). I just feel it really is the best of the other I have compared in that category. Such as not being too big, heavy, or too small. Blade thickness and steel seem excellent and proportional. I cant seem to find a knife I like better in this category!! I like it better than the RC-6...because the blade is thicker and doesn't give away to much additional weight... 0.2 oz or so more...that is nothing!. I do like the sheath on the Rat a lot!!!
 
well the ESEE-5 has an unconditional lifetime warranty, if you manage to break it, you get another one. the powder coating on the ESEE-5 is also very good at warding off corrosion, if i had to pick from your above choices, i would go with the ESEE-5, i think the combo of the warranty, sheath, coating, and tank like toughness, are worth the cost, good luck in your choice.
 
The LMF2 isn't worth it. Out of the box, the first time holding it, I thought it was one of the best combat utility blades ever. After two camping trips with light basic camp use the blade was a paperweight-the edge had microchipped so much it was now a rounded piece of mush and no good. I spent about 4 hours sharpening it down to a useable edge again and the same thing happened a second time around. The crap gerber steel just isn't worth the battle, especially after paying somewhere between 70 and 90 dollars for the blade. The Ergo and overall design are superb, the construction is NOT. The Becker BK2 is a solid quality knife at a good price, Kabar's 1095CV steel does not rust easily, holds a great edge, is easy to sharpen and very tough. The plastic scales leave a little to be desired, but are completely functional and you can get micarta replacements. The RC5 is what I personally use (I went through the Gerber-Becker-RAT transition too :D) and it's my go to beater. There is nothing in functional use that will break this knife. I have tried to batton through a piece of 2x6 with a 16 penny nail running through it... I wailed on it for 5 minutes and to my horror once I finally pounded through it I realized what the problem was. It slightly rolled the edge and I buffed that right out in about five minutes. Yes, it's heavy, but as a big backcountry backpacker that does 100 mile + trips on a whim, I don't mind the extra weight-it's worth a reliable functioning sharp knife that simply will not fail. Finish is good and strong, though I don't really care about that part. It comes shaving sharp from the factory, and get the Eagle Industries sheath if you can, it's far superior to kydex IMO. You can't go wrong with the Becker or RC5. PS, learn to love 1095 steel. Like all these ParaMilitary packing spyderco fanboys would have you believe, it doesn't rust unless you completely abuse and neglect your blade. I carried a 1095 Kabar for two years as my duty and recreational knife, rolling around in the humid salty air and sand of florida, even using it as a dive knife while freediving. As long as I kept it dry before I stored it, I never had to worry about it rusting. It forms a good healthy solid patina that will harden the surface of the steel and prevent farther oxidation. It holds its edge much longer than you'd think, and is undeniably stronger for heavy use than just about every stainless steel out there. Most stainless knives are too hard, and even the softer ones are still too brittle in comparison. If you're looking for a stainless slicer, get a 10 dollar MORA to go with the Becker or RC5, it'll get the job done just as well as a Fallkniven.
 
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Pay,

Have you played around with the Fallkniven S1? Wondering on your take. Seems to be a very good option that isnt as heavy but still a respectable thickness. Handle is nice and price is similar. I do like the stainless VG-10 steel alot. Less maintenance in the rust department. But I think edge might go to the RC-5 1095. You seem to have such an excellent grasp of this. I think you have even me sold on the RC-5!! The warranty is the best yet and fallkniven doesnt even come close in that department! Let me know what you take is on the S1 is.

As I might have discussed, in another post is, I am looking to get a 4", 5", and 6" blade. One to fit each length to start my collection. I think you have sold me on the RC-5. So the 5" Category is pretty much done unless the S1 turns out a better fit.

My 6+" category is topped with the Fallkniven A1. It fits the 6" Category I think better that the RC-6. I dont think the RC-6 is as good as the A1 and here is why, the blade is thinner...thicker blade at this length I think is a must to retain the proper strength. And the fact that both weight roughly the same...the A1 is better. 12 oz for a 6"...nice...with 0.25" blade. Wonder what your take is on the A1 compared to the RC-6. Becker doesnt have a fit here...they have the BK7 and that is just too big...not to mention the blade at 7" is 0.188" plus I have seen some bending during batoning. Once again let me know your take. Oh and 4"?
 
I have the A1, S1, and BK2. The Gerber isn't even in the same league as the BK2 and ESEE-5 IMO. Bad reviews everywhere on the Gerber.

I personaly like my S1 as an all around bush knife. I carry a hatchet if I want to chop, even when backpacking. For your choices, I'd say get a BK2 out of the three if your strapped for cash. If not, the ESEE-5. Either will be a good choice.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Pay,

Have you played around with the Fallkniven S1? Wondering on your take. Seems to be a very good option that isnt as heavy but still a respectable thickness. Handle is nice and price is similar. I do like the stainless VG-10 steel alot. Less maintenance in the rust department. But I think edge might go to the RC-5 1095. You seem to have such an excellent grasp of this. I think you have even me sold on the RC-5!! The warranty is the best yet and fallkniven doesnt even come close in that department! Let me know what you take is on the S1 is.

As I might have discussed, in another post is, I am looking to get a 4", 5", and 6" blade. One to fit each length to start my collection. I think you have sold me on the RC-5. So the 5" Category is pretty much done unless the S1 turns out a better fit.

My 6+" category is topped with the Fallkniven A1. It fits the 6" Category I think better that the RC-6. I dont think the RC-6 is as good as the A1 and here is why, the blade is thinner...thicker blade at this length I think is a must to retain the proper strength. And the fact that both weight roughly the same...the A1 is better. 12 oz for a 6"...nice...with 0.25" blade. Wonder what your take is on the A1 compared to the RC-6. Becker doesnt have a fit here...they have the BK7 and that is just too big...not to mention the blade at 7" is 0.188" plus I have seen some bending during batoning. Once again let me know your take. Oh and 4"?
Click to expand...

The S1 is a damned good knife, the scandinavian folks love their three layered laminates and if anyone does it right, Fallkniven does. Blade shape and handle are great, and I personally think it would make one of the best combat utility knives out there. However, I believe the Becker and RC5 are both more practical for chopping, battoning, use as a draw knife, etc. Rust has NEVER been a problem with me, using a 1095 blade. Ever. I lived in florida, 1/4 mile from the beach, and with all the humidity, sand, and salt, never once had rust issues with 1095 steel. If you perform simple easy maintenance on your knife, IE sharpen it and oil it on occasion, it will never be an issue. 1095 likes to patina, which is not the same as rust. It is a layer of oxidation that hardens and protects the steel underneath without wrecking the edge of the knife. It PREVENTS rust. Though the steel may look dull, it is 100% completely functional. I purposely force a patina on many of my blades because of this. Do not write off 1095 because rust is an issue, because in general use it simply isn't. I'm not trying to sell you on anything, find a side by side picture or better yet get hands on with both of them. Both are good (probably the best) knives for the money. Just don't get the damned Gerber, lol. Many people are going to also suggest the Bark River Bravo 1 as well... another solid choice, but I prefer flat grinds to convex.

This is all completely personal as far as blade lengths and their purposes in the field... I personally use a .1-.125 inch thick, 3-4 inch long companion style belt knife, and it should be a slicer. Something with a good comfortable handle. The F1 would be a great choice to fill this role, good edge retention, thin yet strong blade, comfortable handle. I'd recommend a scandinavian puuko style knife for this role, with a full flat scandinavian blade (however many people like roach bellies, nessmuks, canadian belt knives, etc for this role-anything with a good belly and a thin edge). There are many custom makers that produce reasonably priced 3-4 inch puukos as well, right in the same price range as the F1. Hell, even a 10 dollar Mora 840 would do a great job as a companion/belt knife-for easy access cutting on the move. This knife is used for skinning and processing meat, fine wood work, slicing rope/line, etc.

The 5-9 inch range, in my opinion, is more for camp use. Once you've stopped moving for the day, you break out the big tools to chop firewood, dig, make a shelter, prep dinner, etc etc etc. A 5 inch knife is usually plenty big to accomplish most of these tasks, however that is up to you. I have a BK-7, I packed it for almost a year, it's a good knife and plenty thick and strong to take outdoor abuse. The RC6 is a solid knife, the same thickness with a good comfortable handle. Don't write off a knife because it's thinner than a quarter inch-thinner blades usually take less force to split wood, and 3/16ths is plenty thick for a big 1095 blade. I am iffy about using stainless steel in this role, even laminates like the Fallkniven blades, because it's simply too brittle-it microchips leaving you with an edge that is very hard to resharpen in the field. You really only need one quality knife in this size range, and that size is COMPLETELY up to you.

Once you get up into the 10 inch and bigger size, I carry a Condor or an Ontario machete, for clearing brush on the trail and heavy chopping in camp. A thin 1095 high carbon blade is nice as it tends to slice through vegitation better, but is still strong enough to handle battoning and chopping most woods. There aren't many tasks a companion slicer, a big beater and a thin machete can't handle for outdoor cutlery. If you live in the northeast or midwest, some kind of axe may be needed especially in colder temperatures for processing hardwoods. I carry a 1 pound, 19 inch 1055 high carbon tomahawk with a flat knife edge for this purpose and it handles anything from soft pines to frozen hickory with ease.
 
Thx Pay! I just ordered the RC-5. Wish they had the old Eagle Ind. Sheath. Bummer! I got it plain edge in OD. Cant wait! I also did the A1. I have a Benchmade 580 that I like but still want a smaller fixed. Your insight on the smaller fixed is great! I will do some digging. Thanks again. Your knowledge is so appreciated!
 
Personally, I've found the RC-6 to displace all my other knives in all three of these categories. 3/16" of 1095 is plenty strong, and should hold up fine to any reasonable use, and pretty well to some unreasonable use too. Paired with something thinner and smaller for fine tasks (I've been using a spyderco military lately) I feel that my needs are well attended to with this pairing
 
The ESEE-5 is the best knife of the bunch. Whether or not its superior fit/finish and warranty is worth it is up to you. The BK2 is an outstanding value and virtually indestructable. The LMF is just as you said, a decent but not great knife.
 
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