Feed back from a SERE instructor

I'd rather not say. Not that it's a secret or anything.
 
Good feedback.

I'm still of the mindset that the RC-5 is too thick for my applications but recognize that is one of its primary design attribute. Then again, I use 1/8" knives for many things and for a while had myself convinced that this thickness is all I ever needed. Then one day I was trying to pry fatwood out of a stump and watching my 1/8" blade flex further than I normally allow it. I didn't push it, but I also gave up on getting my piece of fatwood. Had I had my RC-4 or RC-6 with me at the time I would have had my chunk of kindling.

I'm sure it doesn't take a huge stretch of imagination to figure where a SERE instructor may come to a scenario of putting intense pressure on a knife in prying activities. If I came to a limit with 1/8" it seems reasonable that one of these guys would see a limit for 3/16" thickness.

I find it rather interesting on the different perceptions people take and conclusions they make just on the specs. I just acquired a spyderco military, which I think is an excellent slicer and am happy with it. It specs out at 4" blade and 5/32". Would this thing tackle on the same kind of jobs I'd put my thinner RC-3 through? No way! The way this thing is ground, the insecurity of the lock, the very fine tip, it just can't take much abuse. But you might think otherwise by just looking at specs and reading reviews of it.
 
The RC-5 is a sharpened crowbar. As I have stated many times here, it's just not a knife I would use for our ops in the jungle or even for my outings in the Southeast. With that said, if I just ditched a plane and needed something to beat, chop and cut my way out, it sure would be nice to have. ;)
 
R.A.T. said:
Overall I think I received about 20-25 knives from different companies and the RC-4 was the only knife I didn't give away to one of my fellow instructors. It is the best all around survival knife I have used and it going with me to Afghanistan in a couple weeks Thank for making a great product and please let me know if you have a questions/QUOTE]

I can't say this surprises me. The RC-4 seems to me the single most versatile knife to along in quite a while.

The original speaker mentions batoning, and I (and I'm sure many others) have used it for this with no trouble. Even in comparison to the RC-5 it is hard to imagine a prying scenario that the RC-4 wouldn't handle well. Still, just because I love sabre grinds I'd snap up an RC-4 with a sabre grind like the RC-5.

Anyway, this guy is preaching to the choir, but I have to agree the RC-4 is an awesome knife. I might have to buy a 4th one:D
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Pretty much sums up my own experirnce.

I have the RC5and it is well made and a workhorse, the sheath allows it to be turned into a fairly good kit.

However in most situations I carry either a tomahawk or a kukri and the RC4 is all the knife I need. Besides that it is far superior in regards to weight and fine function.

The RC6 is also superior in my eyes to the RC5 for it cuts far better. However if prying my way out of a vehicle or aircraft was likely the RC5 would really earn its place.
 
Merost said:
What was their "issue knife"?
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Wasn't there an issue pilots survival knife with a clear handle? Or maybe I'm thinking of a bayonet..
 
R.A.T. said:
The RC-5 is a sharpened crowbar. As I have stated many times here, it's just not a knife I would use for our ops in the jungle or even for my outings in the Southeast. With that said, if I just ditched a plane and needed something to beat, chop and cut my way out, it sure would be nice to have. ;)
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If I had the unpleasant prospect of being stranded with only 1 knife, I would agree, the RC5 would fit the bill :) No worries about breaking that beast :)



Fortunately, the RC4 fits all of normal needs ;)
 
That's great feedback! Congrats on the awesome compliment. That's one school I wish I went too while in the AF.
 
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