Ditch the ka-bar and get an RC-6?

EDDAKA

EDDAKA

Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
408
Hey guys,

I have a nice (practically brand new Ka-bar) 1211 model. Nice knife, but I was wondered if you guys think it'd be worth getting an rc-6 for camping/self defense, or whatever!

(Not like I'd use it for that self defense purpose intentionally of course. But it's always by my bed if I need to grab it.)


For the people that have owned both, worth it?
 
The RC-6 is too beefy and heavy. The RC-4 is slim, light, and the size is perfect for both camping, batoning, and self defense. You'll do fine with an RC-4, trust me.
 
EDDAKA said:
Hey guys,

I have a nice (practically brand new Ka-bar) 1211 model. Nice knife, but I was wondered if you guys think it'd be worth getting an rc-6 for camping/self defense, or whatever!

(Not like I'd use it for that self defense purpose intentionally of course. But it's always by my bed if I need to grab it.)


For the people that have owned both, worth it?
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Well, the Kabar will do everything you pretty much ask it to do. I am not sure what you think the RC-6 would give you that the Kabar wouldnt.

I would spend my money on more wilderness trips and outings and use the knife I have. Either way, both knives will do just fine.
 
Like my kabar. Love my rc6. Not really much diffrence in use. They both cut shit
 
I'd keep the Ka-Bar by the bed and pick up an RC-6 for camping.
The RC-6 has a stronger design with the full tang and slab handles. The length is good for batoning, and the flat ground blade is a better slicer than the saber ground Ka-Bar. The RC-4 is a good design if you like the handle, but it's just a little small for me. I find the RC-6 style handle to be very comfortable to hold and use.
 
The RC6 is far superior to the Ka-Bar. I have and have used both. The difference between them in use is tremendous.
 
I'd keep the Ka-bar and buy the RC-6. You can never have too many knives, at least that's what I keep telling myself.
 
wildmike said:
The RC6 is far superior to the Ka-Bar. I have and have used both. The difference between them in use is tremendous.
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Would you mind expanding on you reason?

I really do like the ka-bar. I think it's a great looking knife, and has been a proven design.

But the whole "pin holding the tang" annoys me. It "seems (I emphasize "seems") weak to me.

I like having a full tang knife, and a warranty like rat's doesn't hurt either!


But they are still just two knives in 1095 steel.

I just wanted to know people's opinions on which knife they prefer.
 
As for weak, i've got one older than I am. I wouldn't worry about it. If you plan to baton wood, the kabar isn't as well suited to the task. The six is a larger blade. I use both, I've given kabars to family members, and I like both knives. To say one is superior to the other would be over generalizing. Too many tasks and situations, and personal prefrence involved.

That all said, I generally carry my rc6
 
EDDAKA said:
Would you mind expanding on you reason?

I really do like the ka-bar. I think it's a great looking knife, and has been a proven design.

But the whole "pin holding the tang" annoys me. It "seems (I emphasize "seems") weak to me.
Click to expand...

Try beating the pin out once, you'll see how weak it isn't. I just modded a Ka Bar USMC and I finally had to saw off the butt end to take the handle apart.

You may end up favoring the RC6, but the Ka Bar is one tough knife.

P.S....if you decide to "ditch" the Ka Bar....ditch it this way...
 
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I carried the Kabar for 4 yrs in the marines.while there's not much wrong with it,I'd take my RC6 anyday!It's a tougher and better knife overall.It fits my x large paws better and I can get mine screaming sharp.Fit and finish is superb and the sheath options are excellent.Plus,the warrenty is second to none!
 
I've bent a Marine Ka-Bar during batoning.
Mine is a bad cuter and a very very soft knife.
A Mora is far more robust !!!
So IMO get the RC-6.
 
Hell yes!

I got a RAT-7 to replace my Ka-Bar and an RC-6 to replace the RAT-7.

For one thing it's got the whole full tang thing going on.
For another, the heat treat seem to make the RC6 hold an edge better and be tougher (i.e. resistant to shock/breakage).
for a third, the RC has the flat grind versus a sabre grind, so it will slice better.
Finally, you get the RAT warranty.

Only downside, is you then have to hang out with the RAT Pack ;)
 
I say keep the Ka-Bar as your "big" knife for a while, and get a RC3 or RC4.
 
Have you used your Ka-Bar yet? Does it do what YOU need it to do. We all have the potential to be fanboys. RC makes one hell of a knife - but they might be the first to tell you that you don't need it. Jeff has said many a time that a cheap $10 machete is all he has needed.
 
ZombaiO said:
I've bent a Marine Ka-Bar during batoning.
Mine is a bad cuter and a very very soft knife.
Click to expand...

I am betting that if you had a truly "soft Kabar," you had a counterfeit Kabar or a bad Camillus that was black and not brown. I would be shocked to hear of a, not in the opinion of someone, but for a fact, improperly tempered Kabar.

I have a Kabar and have owned them, including the Camillus version, since I was a teenager. They're not weak but you can break them...obviously, you can break anything.

I'm still chuckling at all of the batoning, still laughing inside at the use of a regular knife as a fro knife. Do it if you have to but I would never condemn a knife because it failed at it. I like the fact my RATs will do it, even down to the HEST and Izula but it's not so important, to me, that a chucklehead wrote a book years ago showing how to use a regular knife as a fro knife.
 
I'm with Smash05 on this one. Get a RAT knife if you want one, but dont expect any magical knife. Your KA-Bar is made of steel that, when properly sharpened, cuts softer stuff..
I would identify what you want your knife to do, see how much you have to spend, and go from there. If you still want to get the RC-6, get it. Its a great knife. Also look at getting a knife of a different size or other gear you might need.
 
Hey Don - the edge of my KA-BAR has chipped from chopping a 1,5 '' stick.It's very very soft :( Also the coating is extremely weak.The knife had so thick grin,that it couldn't be even used for chopping - the thick edge just don't bite in the wood.
That knife was my first knife ordered from the USA - I've had great expectations from it,but it turned out to be just horrible.I'm a big fan of it's shape and looks but mine is just not better than a random 5$ chinise knock-off... :( Maybe mine is some sort of a bad quality one that has slipped through the QC ?
Anyway it has been reground and slightly bent so I doubt that KA-BAR would replace it.
 
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