F1 Survival vs. RC-4

HandofCod

HandofCod

Joined
Feb 27, 2010
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Righeo - so I've got a big heavy knife already for chopping, splitting, shelter making etc the Recon Scout. Now I want to pair that with a very decent but not bank busting smallish knife for finer work like feather sticks, stakes, food prep if it comes to it and more general tasks that beast would not be suitable for.

So far I have my eye on a RAT RC-4 or a Fallkniven F1 Survival. Both appear to me to be very good quality and apt for the tasks I've mentioned. I can get my hands on the F1 for slightly less outlay that the RC-4 at the moment online.

I know there will be a huge number of other brands like Bark River or Busse (eek!) but keep in mind that (at least here in Oz) they are just out of the question. WAY more expensive and much harder to find online if possible at all.

So F1 or RC-4? Which one and why? Anyone had both?
 
They are both Fantastic knives. You cant go wrong with either of them. Personally i carry a convex ground rc-4 and a bark river mini-canadian for most all outdoor excursions. Also with the ESEE RC-4 you cant beat the warranty.
 
Never had the F-1 but know some people who do, and I do have the RC-4. Never heard anything but good things about the F-1, and I personally love the RC-4, it's a great field knife that handles very well. It does well in food prep and whittling... in fact I made and lit a few fatwood feather sticks with it (and a firesteel) today but the camera is still in the truck. My question would be are you on the coast or deeper in?
 
I have 2 of both. They are both excellent. 1 is stainless, the other carbon. 1 is convex, the other flat ground. The F1 carries very well on a regular belt in the leather flap sheath. The RC-4 works extremely well with my MOLLE gear.

I am thankful that I don't have to choose between the two.
 
I'm in Melbourne (south coast of Australia) but generally travel inland to camp. Presuming you are comparing to North American bushland I'm not sure if that will help at all...
 
matthewdanger said:
I have 2 of both. They are both excellent. 1 is stainless, the other carbon. 1 is convex, the other flat ground. The F1 carries very well on a regular belt in the leather flap sheath. The RC-4 works extremely well with my MOLLE gear.

I am thankful that I don't have to choose between the two.
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That's great feedback so I know I'm on the right track with these two knives... but you've made it a little more difficult to choose between the two!
 
Buy one (I'd flip for the decision) and save up for a while and buy the other.2 awesome knives are always better than 1.
 
HandofCod said:
I'm in Melbourne (south coast of Australia) but generally travel inland to camp. Presuming you are comparing to North American bushland I'm not sure if that will help at all...
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Was just curious because of the difference in the two steels.

Along the coast the hi-carbon 1095 of the RC4 would require more maintenance. It wouldn't bother me, I keep a small bottle of oil in my kit anyway, but some people have issues with hi-carbon steel and ocean water. I would definitely prefer a stainless knife if I were going to actually carry it in the salt water though.
 
HandofCod said:
I can get my hands on the F1 for slightly less outlay that the RC-4 at the moment online.
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Where from? Cuttingedgeknives.com has the RC-4 with molle back cheaper than the F-1 and the RC-4 without molle cheaper still.

Btw, nice to see another Melbournian on the forum!
 
I must have been mistaken. I'm looking at cutting edge knives also and the RC4 plain edge is about $10 cheaper than the F1. Don't know what I was looking at!
 
I had both & my favorite is the F1 but the RC/ESEE-4 is a great knife no doubt.
 
F1 all the way. Amazing right out of the box. From what I have experienced with RC's you need to put the effort into the knife to get it close to the same performance: reprofile edge etc.

The may cause a little stir and no offence intended to any RAT fans... but with the 3 RAT/ESEE knives I have owned I have always felt like I was using $100+ Old Hickory butcher knife with a micarta handle. I love 1095, but hey.
 
i have an rc-4 and it will take anything you can throw at it for the price i dont think you can find a better knife
 
I've seen a whole bunch of threads recently discussing the F1 and RC4.

They're both top grade products.

My preference is for the F1.
I like the convex edge, the relatively maintenance free stainless steel blade, and the fact that it's uncoated and laminated.
 
+1 for the F1 since you've already got the Recon Scout.

Stainless, no coating, laminated technology with good edge.

Just a great little, low maintenance, back up knive; and perfect for food prep.
 
i have the F1, excelent knife, very strong, but i would trade it for a RC4 , which is hard to do in europe...so il have to buy one someday
guess i just like carbon steel better
 
Laminated construction means you get the greater wear resistance of VG10 but the whole knife has the toughness of a carbon steel blade. I'd go for carbon on a large chopper but I've found stainless to hold an edge better in small knives like these.
 
F1. Without doubt. The steel and geometry are close to perfect for me.
And I own both.
 
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