First RAT

Cisco Kid

Cisco Kid

Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
980
I don't have a RAT yet, shame on me. I'm kind of new to knife collecting. I wish to jump on the RAT wagon with something easy to carry, but that can also serve me well in camping expeditions to the Rockies. Which one should I chose?
 
I just jumped on the same wagon with an Izula.

I was tentative, but its really a good knife, its light, low profile and is not pricey.

Try it out.
 
Can't go wrong with an Izula. If your camping trips are backpacking, especially, the Izula is a good knife. Perfectly capable without being too heavy or bulky. I also carry mine for every day carry quite often. Works well for anything from light food preparation to game cleaning to some woodcarving.

As an aside, RATs are much happier being used than collected :)
 
I like the Izula, but am hesitant due to the skeletonized handle. I am also thinking of the RAT3. Perhaps both?...
 
Once you para cord the handle the Izula handle is great, plus its a great EDC, the other RAT knifes start getting a little tougher to hide once you are say ...
buying dog food at the store or riding the bus to work. Its small enough to keep handy but I find it handles most tasks well enough. I was also kinda leery on getting a small RAT at first but this is my second one.

Got just the knife the first time, this time around I bought the kit, I'd got for the kit for an extra $10.
 
Izula to start, then get the next size up each time. I'm just south of you, and i find 90% of my mountain tasks can be accomplished by that compact workhorse, and I spend enough time up there to speak with authority on the subject.
 
I was in the same boat as you a couple of weeks back.

It was either an Izula or an RC-3.

Now I have an RC-3 OD/Orange G10, an RC-4 Desert/Grn Micarta, and now an RC-3MIL on the way from Knifeworks.

I (already) had a Ka-Bar BK-11 w/c was the reason why I went with an RC-3 to start.

Comparing the RC-3 and -4, I'd give the RC-3 the nod for edc.

I believe the Izula is smaller than my BK-11 so it'd be also great for edc.
 
I couldn't decide, so I got em all. I edc the izula, and carry the rc6 in the woods. There's no one knife for every situation, which is a great reason to get alot of knives
 
I edc the Izula and carry the 6 in the woods also.The 6 fits my hand like it was made for it.
 
Cisco Kid said:
I like the Izula, but am hesitant due to the skeletonized handle. I am also thinking of the RAT3. Perhaps both?...
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I put scales on my Izula and like it much better that way....if you're planning on a hike into the Rockies, I would suggest the 3, just a bit more heft which makes for a better all around kinda knife....just my 2 cint.

Oh, and just a word....the RAT 3 is the Ontario made original.....the one this forum is all about is the Rowen made RC-3....very similar, but must be careful round here, don't want to upset anyone, and that's pretty easy to do.
 
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Cisco Kid said:
I like the Izula, but am hesitant due to the skeletonized handle. I am also thinking of the RAT3. Perhaps both?...
Click to expand...

I've not found the Izula handle to be much of a problem. As has been said, you can wrap it if you like. I don't like parachute cord wrapped handles.

The RC-3 is a good knife, but for EDC and backpacking (above treeline, which is where I usually am) it's a bit overkill in my opinion. I will carry it back on the farm, but at school and in town the Izula is king. If you do a lot of cutting, carving, etc., during the day, the RC-3 would be a better choice.
 
After much deliberation I chose the RC-4 for my first. It’s a nice, heavy duty 4” with a great sheath. It’s not too big, not too heavy to wear all the time. It’s big enough that it batons wood very well but still allows you to do more precise work as well.

Honestly, I’d look at the Izula, RC-3 and RC-4 and decide which one you like the looks of the best or what one “feels right” and go with it. You won’t be disappointed no matter what RAT you get. I realize this now after all the back and forth crap trying to decide between the RC-3 and RC-4. They’re both great knives so you can’t lose.

I got my RC-4 last month and have the bug. I’m planning to get an Izula for Christmas. They’re just cool knives. I’m not a kool-aid drinker and I’m not going to kiss anyone’s butt. RAT makes nice knives that actually have some thought put in to their design, they have good customer service and I don’t feel bad when I’m pounding on it with a baton because that is what it was designed for.
 
Thanks for the replies. I checked youtube for cord wrapping the Izula and it's easy enough. I sure have more than enough paracord laying around the house. So, Izula it is...

Dylside, if you have 1 knife you are a knife user, if you have 2 or more you are a knife collector...
 
Cisco Kid said:
Dylside, if you have 1 knife you are a knife user, if you have 2 or more you are a knife collector...
Click to expand...

I beg to differ.

7" utility fighter fixed
edc folder
machete
skinning knife

just using those four as an example, owning all of them would not make you a collector, one would fit the definition of a user to a "T".
 
I personally like the RC-3 or RC-4 better than the Izula. The Izula is great if you want a compact knife that gets carried a lot and used a little. It simply disappears into a pocket until you need it. But in my big hands, the handle on the Izula is very uncomfortable. And I don't like paracord wrap- at all. The RC-3 or 4 are a different story- they can be used hard for long periods comfortably.
 
Cisco Kid said:
Thanks for the replies. I checked youtube for cord wrapping the Izula and it's easy enough. I sure have more than enough paracord laying around the house. So, Izula it is...

Dylside, if you have 1 knife you are a knife user, if you have 2 or more you are a knife collector...
Click to expand...

Sorry broski. Incorrect. If you have 1 knife, you're a knife user. If you have more than 1, that just means you like to use the right tool for the right job.:thumbup:
 
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