help me decide RC-4/Bark River Gunny

P

Patriot222

Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
55
I'd probably be occasionally edcing it on the job and it would be used as my main game knife for deer and elk, as well as used around camp.

I know that there is a sizable price difference but I'm wondering what you guys think or what you'd personally do. Is the Bark River worth the added price?

Btw, I'm not so set on these two knives that I wouldn't consider something else of comparable price and quality.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

Paul
 
Gunny all the way! A2 steel convex edge uncoated

If you want a knife that cut Bark River is the way to go!
 
RC4. I own Barkies also, but just think the 4 is perfect for just about anything. I also feel that RAT & Rowen are top notch, world class companies.
 
I do not have any thing but great things to say about Barkie knives in A2 or 12C27. They come sharp with out needing any edge work in order for the knife to cut/slice like a razor.

I would be EDCing a Barkie mini North Star if I could get used to EDCing a fixed blade.


Either way you will have a great knife, but I like the Barkies better.

John
 
You could bag a used Swamp Rat Howling Rat. Great blade and the handles are oh so comfortable!
 
The convex edge of the Gunny will serve you better for your tasks.
 
RC4. I edc mine horizontaly accross the back which is convenient and comfortable. This is due to the excellent kydex sheath system that comes with the RC4. I also convexed the edge of my RC4 and it cuts like a razor. The RC4's handling characteristics are superb allowing it to excell at most tasks. Extremely comfortable in the hand,

Then you have the best warranty in the business and some of the best folks to deal with I have ever seen.
 
Patriot222 said:
Btw, I'm not so set on these two knives that I wouldn't consider something else of comparable price and quality.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

Paul
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Have you checked out any of the fine custom makers on our forums?

Many have offerings in that size range for very reasonable prices often equal to or lower than production. I am very happy with the quality of my JK Handmade knives Hiker. It is smaller than your choices (comparable in size to a RC-3 ) But John makes larger blades as well.

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I don't think you can make a wrong choice there. I don't have a Gunny yet, but I do have a Bravo-1 and a Bravo-2, and they're both amazing. The Gunny will be awesome too. I also have an RC-4, and it's a great knife as well- it is definitely growing on me.

I will say that the advantage in cutting will go to the gunny. Those Barkies are efficient cutters. The edge geometry is better. The RC-4 cuts well, but the Bravos are freaking lightsabers. If you're concerned about corrosion, I'd say go for the RC-4. The coating RAT is using is excellent- very tough stuff. Bark River's A2 will rust if you don't care for it properly.

Bark Rivers are worth the money, but the RATs deliver more "bang for the buck". Realistically, either knife will do whatever job you want, and do it well. Both have rock-solid warranties. Just get whichever appeals to you- either choice is the right answer.
 
I say go with the gunny. rat cutlery is awesome and if money was a real concern, I would say get that, but to answer your question, I think the gunny is well worth the extra money. It is probably my favorite knife and one of the best all around fixed blades on the market. But then again, so is the rc4. When its all said and done, I say gunny hands down, for the same reasons that others have posted. Amazing knife
 
If you can handle one before purchasing, I highly suggest you do. The RC4 and Bravo-1 are my favorite knives, and the Bravo-1 edges out the RC4 for me due to the excellent handle ergos, full convex and uncoated blade, and overall aesthetic. I'm not experienced enough in steel yet to say which I like better, and the customer service reputations of both companies are great from what I hear (never had issues with either knives yet, so I don't know first-hand). As far as the Gunny goes, I don't know if the handle is as comfortable as the Bravo-1, but it still looks to be a bit more hand-filling than the RC4.

I have heard that the full flat of the RC4 combined with a convex edge makes it a mean cutter as well (as others have pointed out), so that is worth considering as well.

You can't lose with either, just pick one to buy now, and one to buy later :D

ETA: One more point is the sheaths. The RC4 comes with an excellent kydex sheath that allows multiple carry options, while the Gunny comes with a leather sheath that doesn't look quite so versatile (I could be wrong, haven't seen many pics of the sheath yet).
 
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