Differences between RAT 7 and RC 6?

R

Redhat

Joined
Nov 15, 2005
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197
I have had a RAT 7 for a couple of years but am interested in the new RAT RC 6. Are there enough inprovements to upgrade?

If so what are the differences?

Thanks
 
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Redhat said:
I hgave had a RAT 7 for a couple of years but am interested in the new RAT RC 6. Are there enough inprovements to change?

If so what are the differences?

Thanks
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Not really. They are very similar. I got an RC-6. The fit and finish are a little better than my RAT-7s, but they perform pretty much the same for me. The RC-6 has about .5" shorter blade. The handles seem a little better contoured on the RC-6, too.
 
MikePerrin said:
And there is a no questions asked, life time warranty on the RC6. :)
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I forgot about that difference. :o

As for sheaths, while the RC-6 will fit the Cordura RAT-7 sheath, the RAT-7 will not fit the molded RC-6 sheaths.
 
Redhat said:
I hgave had a RAT 7 for a couple of years but am interested in the new RAT RC 6. Are there enough inprovements to upgrade?

If so what are the differences?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The improvements in the blade are going to be fit and finish and a more consistant heat treat. The RC6 also has an actual point on the blade. The handle is a little nicer.

The bigger improvements are int he sheath system and the warranty.

IMO, yes, it is worth the upgrade.
 
I think constistently good heat treat is important. Apparently, the RATs I got had good heat treat, as they have not failed. But we have seen some that failed badly. You'll never know whether you got one of the "good" RAT-7s or one of the "bad" ones unless you take it out and use it. As for slicing, chopping, and edge retention, I really can't tell much difference between the Ontarios and the Rowens.
 
Well so far my RAT 7 has only been used to cut up last years Christmas tree.

It performed very well by the way!
 
I say use the RAT 7 until it gives up on you. I'm sure there will be even better blades available from RAT whenever that happens... like in 40 years or something... depending on how much you use it.
 
the sheathing options alone make the jump worth it.

you've got the rat pack, which is a great way to get an RC6, the standard molded plastic is great, and can be worn countless ways (para cord, molle locks, drop down belt clip),and the new molle back and pouch are a cool little bolt on setup for the stock sheath.
 
I disagree that the sheath would be worth the jump from a 7 to a 6. I mean, you could easily get a Kydex sheath made for a fraction of the cost of making that jump. However, it IS his money, but what I'm saying is that it's basically the same knife with minor differences.
 
I wondered the same thing not long ago, but I went ahead and got the RC-6 even though I had two RAT-7s (one in D2). But I am a knife collector. No, that's not right. I am a knife hoarder. While I very much appreciate the refinements of the Rowen made RATs, practically speaking, there is little difference between the RC-6 and RAT-7.
 
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stoffi said:
I disagree that the sheath would be worth the jump from a 7 to a 6. I mean, you could easily get a Kydex sheath made for a fraction of the cost of making that jump. However, it IS his money, but what I'm saying is that it's basically the same knife with minor differences.
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custom kydex < standard RAT molded plastic

I don't consider cost while evaluating survival gear. It works for me, or it doesn't. Custom kydex may work fine, but it doesn't offer as many multiple options. The knives are very very similar... but im kinda a sheathing nut, so that makes it for me.
 
Actually, the warranty RAT Cutlery has would be a good reason to get an RC-6 instead of a RAT-7, as Mike mentioned. That would be a bigger reason for me than sheathing. I tend to like Spec-Ops sheaths anyway. But if an owner of a RAT-7 is expecting some huge difference by getting a RC-6, he will find out just how similar those models are. I prefer the RC-6, and that would be the one I would get if I were starting out.
 
If I had an Ontario RAT-7 and it was performing well for me, the last thing I would do is go out and buy an RC-6. Really, what are you gaining in actual use value? The the knives are similar in size and comfort.
 
R.A.T. said:
If I had an Ontario RAT-7 and it was performing well for me, the last thing I would do is go out and buy an RC-6. Really, what are you gaining in actual use value? The the knives are similar in size and comfort.
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For me, it was the idea of actually having a point and some distal taper on the knife. I tend to use the curve to the tip and the inch or so just in front of the choil on my knives the most.

If you don't use that, or don't have a problem with the tip on the RAT-7, don't worry about it. I got my RAT-7 shortly after they had just come out and it was my goto knife in the size for years.

If you really want the RAT Pack kit, then go ahead and get it with the RC6 if you want (or the RC% to have something different). Otherwise, do what a lot of us did and buy a Spec Ops Combat Master or Survival sheath and then you have a nice sheath with a pouch on it.
 
I would love to see a side by side comparison of the old RAT 7 and a new RAT6 from rowen.I am wantin a 6 but if its as large as the 7 Im not sure.Thanks Guys.
 
Top knife is RAT-7, bottom is RC-6.
RC-6004.jpg
 
R.A.T. said:
If I had an Ontario RAT-7 and it was performing well for me, the last thing I would do is go out and buy an RC-6. Really, what are you gaining in actual use value? The the knives are similar in size and comfort.
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wow...even holding back on a sale... I love the honesty though
:jerkit: (the smiley has nothing to do with what i said... i just saw it...and had to use it...nice!)
 
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