First experience with RAT knives

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DocGP

Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
586
Been hanging out here for about a year now, and finally bit the bullet on a RAT knife. Actually picked up a pair....RC-3 and an RC-5. MAN what a contrast!! RC-5 is just a plain brute!! Picked up the plain edge with the Kydex (plastic?) sheat. I really like it, but haven't used it. Sheath seems nice.

RC-3 is a total contrast. Really nice and functional little blade. Feels very good in the hand. Nice finess feel to it. It feels like an eminently practical blade.

I must admit that I am befuddled as to what to do with the sheath :D. For the life of me I can't figure out that nylon thing. I just popped the boot clip on it and will use it that way.

RC-3 shaved out of the box. A few swipes with a ceramic stick and it is knocking a few hairs off.

Sorry, nothing new here at all, just thought I would post initial impressions.

Doc
 
Very cool and welcome to the addiction! RAT is indeed amazing stuff and once you try it, there's no turning back. Sorry about your wallet... :D
 
I just traded for a new RC-4. No use yet but t feels good in my hand.
 
RAT Cutlery does make a decent piece of steel. :thumbup:

I'm anxiously waiting for the RAT Pack knife (RC-3) to ship.
 
lazerboy2000 said:
Very cool and welcome to the addiction! RAT is indeed amazing stuff and once you try it, there's no turning back. Sorry about your wallet... :D
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Thats why I like rats, they really arent that hard on the wallet. You can get a whole set and some for under a grand. Now busse, that is addiction to avoid if you can...
 
My Rats, RC-5 and Izula

Yes the RC-5 is a brute, the .25" thick blade gives it some heft.

RCIzula.jpg
 
WHoa! I have to have one of those RC-5! by Rowen!! Where are you guys buying them from? Can you guys share the site with me?
 
I got my Izula, RC-4 and RC-6 from Derrick at KnivesShipFree.com. Great guys over there. I too am anxiously awaiting my RAT Pack RC-3!
 
otis williams said:
it's excruciating, isn't it?
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Tell me about it brother! Actually, in all seriousness, when did they say it was supposed to start shipping? I can't recall and there are several threads pertaining to the RP knife buy but I can't remember which one mentioned it.
 
NaturalMystic said:
Tell me about it brother! Actually, in all seriousness, when did they say it was supposed to start shipping? I can't recall and there are several threads pertaining to the RP knife buy but I can't remember which one mentioned it.
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Sometime soon, November 13th is when orders are done so I'd assume that they'll be shipping soon after that.
 
You nearly goofed... like I did. My thus far only RAT is my RC-5. Where can you go from here? Mine, bought last summer when they still had the original sheaths, came shaver-sharp. How do you improve on that? A poor-man's Busse - that came with a sheath! I still want an RC-4 with a leather sheath - and that ant-named necker... go figure... knife gluttony in it's worst state.

Stainz
 
Ive decided that my first Fixed blade will be a RC-5. Ive been looking at reviews in youtube and this blade seems to fit my big hands perfectly. I think this knife can easily ride in my backpack concealed pretty good if I need to take a long walk out here in the country. It will be a while till I get this but Ive made my mind up! Something about RAT cutlery that caught my eye and I like! I want to be in the RAT Pack!
 
LouZava said:
Ive decided that my first Fixed blade will be a RC-5. Ive been looking at reviews in youtube and this blade seems to fit my big hands perfectly. I think this knife can easily ride in my backpack concealed pretty good if I need to take a long walk out here in the country. It will be a while till I get this but Ive made my mind up! Something about RAT cutlery that caught my eye and I like! I want to be in the RAT Pack!
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You must pay a membership fee first
 
Guess I'm the only one that doesn't get hot and bothered by the RATS.

I own one and it's nothing special. They should sell a polished blade not black; or at least a satin finished blade (and I don't mean the Izula.)

Black blades are not wise to have for survival/camping purposes IMHO. I realize they have some with orange handles...guess it's better than nothing.
It's very easy to lose or lose track of where you put your knife in certain situations. Also, polished blades can be used to signal for help.

I detest black blades.

Also, the pointed pommel is good for what? Pommels should be flat to be able to hammer tent posts, snare traps, wood shelters etc. I guess it works for puncturing and smashing through the plexiglass of an aircraft or box crates...but I don't have either one. Suppose one could dremel the pommel rounded but...

Sorry but leave me outta the RAT pack.
 
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Sirvive said:
Guess I'm the only one that doesn't get hot and bothered by the RATS.

I own one and it's nothing special. They should sell a polished blade not black; or at least a satin finished blade (and I don't mean the Izula.)

Black blades are not wise to have for survival/camping purposes IMHO. I realize they have some with orange handles...guess it's better than nothing.
It's very easy to lose or lose track of where you put your knife in certain situations. Also, polished blades can be used to signal for help.

I detest black blades.

Also, the pointed pommel is good for what? Pommels should be flat to be able to hammer tent posts, snare traps, wood shelters etc. I guess it works for puncturing and smashing through the plexiglass of an aircraft or box crates...but I don't have either one. Suppose one could dremel the pommel rounded but...

Sorry but leave me outta the RAT pack.
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:thumbup: That's cool if you don't like 'em, can't please everyone.

Just to inform you, they sell knives with or without the pointed pommels so that was your purchasing decision. The reason RC doesn't make a polished blade is because they use 1095 which is a high carbon steel that needs a coating to protect against rust. If they weren't coated there would be so many complaints about the steel rusting. Using the knife to signal for help? Do you use your knives? Even if your knife wasn't coated you would have quite a hard time signaling with a knife blade unless you can somehow find a way to keep a blade at a mirror polish even after use. And losing a knife, of any kind, is a personal issue and has nothing to do with the quality of a knife. RAT Cutlery doesn't believe in hype bullsh!t, so their knives aren't going to look "pretty." It's clear that you don't know anything about the company or their philosophy, might want to do a little research before critiquing.
 
AKnife said:
:thumbup: That's cool if you don't like 'em, can't please everyone.

Just to inform you, they sell knives with or without the pointed pommels so that was your purchasing decision. The reason RC doesn't make a polished blade is because they use 1095 which is a high carbon steel that needs a coating to protect against rust. If they weren't coated there would be so many complaints about the steel rusting. Using the knife to signal for help? Do you use your knives? Even if your knife wasn't coated you would have quite a hard time signaling with a knife blade unless you can somehow find a way to keep a blade at a mirror polish even after use. And losing a knife, of any kind, is a personal issue and has nothing to do with the quality of a knife. RAT Cutlery doesn't believe in hype bullsh!t, so their knives aren't going to look "pretty." It's clear that you don't know anything about the company or their philosophy, might want to do a little research before critiquing.
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Didn't mean to offend...It's all just my opinion. I've been an outdoor's instructor for almost 15 years. I'm not, "God's child to the wilderness" but I have some experience and I am currently in the midst of writing a wilderness book on some fresh and some not so fresh experiences of those that have, "been there, done that, and want more out of the great outdoors experience."

Hopefully to be published within the next 2 years or so. And of course, a knife section will be included within the manuscript.

I intend to write the list below into the book as well as an explanation for each:

The Perfect Survival Knife? Is there really such a thing?

My own personal criteria:

1. 4-6 inch blade length
2. Drop Point
3. Full tang
4. Pommel end strong enough to take a pounding
5. Half or integral guard
6. Polished or satin blade finish NOT Black -- hard to see if lost or dropped
7. Orange Handles
8. Any steel -no preference (Just keep it sharp and I'll keep you sharper)
9. Lanyard hole
10. Must be under $200.00 (after all, this a tool not a trophy- Use it, abuse it, survive, and buy another IF needed.

So at least we can maybe agree??...knife has to be about function, not a beauty contest.

My saying..."Save the beauties to admire...use the beaters to make the fire."
 
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