Having a tough time deciding between these 2 knives.

R

rc3mil

BANNED
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
647
RAT Cutlery RC6
Fallkniven F1

Looking for a great camp knife that will withstand quite a bit of battoning without chipping. I have narrowed my choices down to these 2 blades. They are priced basically exactly the same. I have heard that the laminated steel chips easily if the knife goes through the wood hard and hits the sand where some stones might be hiding under the dirt.

I have heard great things about both of these blades but my wallet only permits 1 fixed blade. I love the look of the Fallkniven F1 and im drawn to something about the VG10 steel. I have an RC3 already so the knife i choose will be its bigger brother. Anyone have a direct comparison between the 2 blades and if so what are your opinions? Which do you think will serve me better as a primary camp knife? The RC6 is considerably larger and this might make battoning those bigger logs easier. Dammit i just wish i could get both lol.
 
If you are going to be batoning a lot the longer blade is better as it will make it easier.
 
The F1 is not the bigger brother to the RC3, it is roughly the same size. Go with the RC6 if you are looking to go with a larger knife.
 
Smash05 said:
The F1 is not the bigger brother to the RC3, it is roughly the same size. Go with the RC6 if you are looking to go with a larger knife.
Click to expand...


What he said.

The F1 might give you about a 1/4" longer edge than the RC-3, since it has no choil. But the scale to tip length is practically the same.
 
A pic i found with google of f1 and rc3.


So youre choice between f1 or rc6 is litlle strange size wise:confused:

rc3f1os7.jpg
 
Given your selections, i'd be adding the larger RC6. I'm sure you've made a simple oversight in your choices since you're seeking a "big brother" to your RC3.
 
I think I might rather have the RC-5 over the RC-6 for batoning. It is thicker; .25" vs .188". I baton with my Becker BK-2 and it is the same size and thickness as the RC-5. The RC-6 is .5" longer though.
 
The RC6 will make the better camp knife due to it's larger size. The Fallkniven which comes closest to the RC6 in size is the A1. It makes a great camp knife as well.
 
I personally have never batoned with any knige because I ee no reason to whatsoever. I bring along a hatchet when I hike, but that is only to chop appropriate sized branches. Almost every pic I've seen on the forums of someone battoning is using a log that was cut with a chainsaw. I always wondered how people plan on getting the 8"-10" logs that need to be batoned in the wild with only a 6" knife...


As far as your original question I'd say go with the RC-6 or a Fallkniven S1. I use an S1 regularly in the woods and it does great! I always liked the benefit of a tough stainless blad when I'm away from home.
 
The only reason I would choose the Fallkniven would be if I wanted the knife for food prep. Otherwise the RC-6 is the way to go. You can beat the heck out of it and it comes back for more.

I will comment on why you might need to baton wood with a knife. Here in Texas, the various park entities (US CoE, Texas Parks, etc.) annually clear campgrounds and parks with chain saws and they don't necessarily leave the pieces in the best shape for starting campfires. I baton plenty of 4-6" logs during Scout Campouts with my 6.
 
After some more thought i chose the RC6 and it should be arriving in the mail tomorrow. Will probably serve me better for battoning larger pieces of wood. Thanks for the advice.
 
While the RC6 is much longer, and is easier to baton with, I think the F1's edge cuts through wood much better. Assuming you were batoning smaller diameter wood, I would rather have the fallkniven. Also, I think the F1 shaves and cuts tinder much better than the flat grind on the RC6 will. Its obviously much smaller, but I find that my F1 cuts wood much easier than my Izula.

You said you want a camp knife though, and to me, a camp knife means a big knife. So get the RC6. F1 in my opinion is more of a survival knife, you can make a fire with it if you have to, but its not big enough that you wouldnt wish you had a bigger knife.


-Freq
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top