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

Hey Diswolf,
Anyone who likes RATs and Beckers and lives in Buffalo is okay in my book.
I grew up in Elma; Had relative that got drafted by the Sabres. Long live wings and Valby.

Shotgunner,
I lurk on this forum alot but promise not to be intrusive. This is a RAT forum after all.
You guys (and ladies) are doing kewl things here.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng.
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Nice to see everybody getting along. Quality knives and respectful people up top. Makes me feel better about giving my business.
 
got a rc-4 for my " medium " fixed blade and a USMC style kabar for my " big " knife. i luv em !!! :thumbup:
 
I just love my two Ka-Bars, the Mule and the D2 Next Gen fighting knife. Actually, the Mule was my very first knife I bought on top of my omnipresent SAK's I owned since I was 15. I came to the Mule because I was looking for a self defense knife after having an unpleasant experience with a very aggressive man from the neighborhood, during that I suddenly came to the conclusion I needed something to defend myself if a confrontation like that would really turn out badly. I was about to buy a TDI, but went with the Mule instead because I figured it would be more likely to have that one with me than the fixed TDI. Well, one year later, well after all thoughts about SD were obsolete, the first Spydie came along, and the rest is (expensive) history.... :D but somewhere along the way I figured I needed a good, useful fixed blade for the heavy tasks. The Ka-Bar D2 knife seemed just right with its nice Cordura eagle sheath.

And look at me now, my second RAT (the RC-3 MIL after the initial IZULA) was with me in the woods for the first time today.

For chopping and batoning, the Ka-Bar is superior to the RC-3 and maybe the RC-4, just because of weight and length. The handle is very comfortable, and I believe this "next gen" knife is better built like the old USMC ones, since I couldn't imagine it falling apart or bending or whatever. Just a fine knife, like the RATs. Quite a different style though; so if anybody is interested in a Ka-Bar and wants quality to rely on, I can recommend this knife without hesitating. Toooj, you make a great US made product there, and I suppose the Prod Dev department you belong to put some thought in this next generation knife to begin with...

Well, the RC-6 is cheaper... :D

Here they are:
CIMG4615.jpg

CIMG4608.jpg


and, to be fair, the RATs:
CIMG2090.jpg

CIMG2065.jpg


Dennis
 
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I own the RC3 and the RC6. I use the RC3 for everyday use and the RC6 is attached to my hunting back pack.

Would like to own more of the RCs in the future.
 
Murdoc370 said:
The handle is very comfortable, and I believe this "next gen" knife is better built like the old USMC ones, since I couldn't imagine it falling apart or bending or whatever. Just a fine knife, like the RATs. Quite a different style though; so if anybody is interested in a Ka-Bar and wants quality to rely on, I can recommend this knife without hesitating.

CIMG4608.jpg
Click to expand...

I wish KaBar would offer the D2 knife in a plain edge version. I guess when they brought it out they thought no one could sharpen D2 at home so they put the serrations on there so something would cut. Seeing as we have diamond sharpening systems now that will sharpen D2 easily, it would be nice to get the knife with a decent edge.

I suppose asking them to dump the oversized pommel on the next gen design is beating a dead horse, but I think they'd sell more of them with the original pommel.
 
I have had my traditional USMC leather handled Ka-Bar since I was 12 (I'm 23 now) and I have used and abused it like you wouldn't belive. I've use the pommel to hammer nails, chopped thick branches with it, cut myself with it God knows how many times because I was being stupid, used it as a prybar and thrown it at trees like a throwing knife to list a few of the things it's gone through and the only thing wrong with it is the coat on the blade is worn off a little and there are a few nicks on the handle and one of the pins on the sheath came off. Ka-Bars are solid knives and while I've been tempted to buy another, I never do just becase the one I have is still going strong.

As for the RC-6 I can't comment because I don't own one yet but I want one. From what I've read they're solid knives that should suit most people just great.
 
Murdoc370 said:
I just love my two Ka-Bars, the Mule and the D2 Next Gen fighting knife. Actually, the Mule was my very first knife I bought on top of my omnipresent SAK's I owned since I was 15. I came to the Mule because I was looking for a self defense knife after having an unpleasant experience with a very aggressive man from the neighborhood, during that I suddenly came to the conclusion I needed something to defend myself if a confrontation like that would really turn out badly. I was about to buy a TDI, but went with the Mule instead because I figured it would be more likely to have that one with me than the fixed TDI. Well, one year later, well after all thoughts about SD were obsolete, the first Spydie came along, and the rest is (expensive) history.... :D but somewhere along the way I figured I needed a good, useful fixed blade for the heavy tasks. The Ka-Bar D2 knife seemed just right with its nice Cordura eagle sheath.

And look at me now, my second RAT (the RC-3 MIL after the initial IZULA) was with me in the woods for the first time today.

For chopping and batoning, the Ka-Bar is superior to the RC-3 and maybe the RC-4, just because of weight and length. The handle is very comfortable, and I believe this "next gen" knife is better built like the old USMC ones, since I couldn't imagine it falling apart or bending or whatever. Just a fine knife, like the RATs. Quite a different style though; so if anybody is interested in a Ka-Bar and wants quality to rely on, I can recommend this knife without hesitating. Toooj, you make a great US made product there, and I suppose the Prod Dev department you belong to put some thought in this next generation knife to begin with...

Well, the RC-6 is cheaper... :D
Dennis
Click to expand...

I too have a Kabar Mule which is a good folder. Mine is Desert Tan. Your Black Mule looks Awesome in that photo. BTW all those photos are pretty sweet. Am sorely tempted to pick up the NextGen Kabar in D2, always wanted one and your pictures are not helping me keep to my budget. ;)

Got a Black handled Kabar on my computer desk next to a SOG Tsunami, RC Izula, Kabar Becker BK11 and other knives. They all go good together. Going to be getting an RC4 in a month or so and thinking I'll pair it with my Black Kabar. :thumbup:
 
wildmanh said:
I too have a Kabar Mule which is a good folder. Mine is Desert Tan. Your Black Mule looks Awesome in that photo. BTW all those photos are pretty sweet. Am sorely tempted to pick up the NextGen Kabar in D2, always wanted one and your pictures are not helping me keep to my budget. ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks wildmanh, the Mule is a cool knife in any configuration ;) As you can see, I own one of the earlier ones, still without the clip.
If you can, get the D2 KaBar, they are not that pricey if you don't buy the one with the Eagle sheath.

I think it's close to impossible to decide if such a Kabar is "better" (for what purpose?) or the RC-5/6 is; IMO, they are just completely different styles of a fixed knife. Like Sal says: "All good, just different". I am happy with the RATs I own so far, and I like my Kabars, too. Luckily, they are not women: I don't have to choose just one :D
 
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The Kabar is a combat utility knife-it wasn't designed as a survival knife and people keep comparing it to knives designed specifically for bushcrafting and survival. It is an amazing knife in its own right, has millions of uses and has impaled countless enemies of our nation. You're comparing apples and oranges.
 
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