I need persuaded...

J

jlamb

Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
211
Ok, so I keep going back and forth on which RAT to get:

I got around $125.00- give or take to spend- I have had an RC 5 sitting in my cart at knifeworks for about a week- but I am not sure if I need all that blade, I think it is more testosterone driving that decision than anything else. I plan to use whichever blade I get for day hikes and weekend backpacking trips. Now after reading some posts on here, I am maybe leaning towards the RC4 or 6. Keep in mind I have never held any of these- I do own an Izula. I would like to eventually get the hest too, just cause it looks like fun to own. But that is another discussion- what do you think about the best knife for hiking? is the rc 5 too much blade? Thanks all!
 
For hiking I would say RC-4, the RC-5 is a beast of a knife IMO it would be a little heavy for hiking, unless you want a beast of a knife. Also since you already have an Izula then an RC-6 would take care of the larger chores and the izula can handle the small details. What ever you get I'm sure you will like it :thumbup:
 
I had just an Izula, then got an RC3, and it's definitely plenty of knife for camping/hiking for me... If you are leaning toward anything bigger, then I would say the RC4. The handle is the same size as an RC3, which I found to be really comfortable.

The RC5 is probably not what you need at all for your application.
Spend $10 and add a Tramontina Machete to the mix and you'll be very happy.
 
I got the RC-5 because I wanted a knife that could chop, slice, dice and pry my way out of a situation in a pinch. I'm very happy with it and I don't notice the weight compared to carrying my hatchet but it's no pocket knife. Keep in mind that it's only 4 ounces (if I remember right) heavier than the RC-6, that's just half a cup of water.

With all that being said I believe the RC-6 would be a fine knife that will do all your camping chores. I don't own one but I've read nothing but good things.

Either way I'd stick to the longer blades if you plan to use them for chopping or batoning.
 
Coyja said:
The RC5 is probably not what you need at all for your application.
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Why do you say that? If he never plans on using it or something then I could see the extra weight being an issue but I've carried mine around everywhere since I got it and use it for all kinds of stuff. Chopping food, starting fires, chopping/splitting wood, carving wood. I think that combine with his Izula he'd have an excellent setup. Some people prefer other blades and that's fine, there are lots of good options out there but I don't think he should get something else just because other people have this strange aversion to the RC-5.
 
I'll go with the group here and go with an RC-4. I have both the Izula and the RC-4 and the "4" is all I would ever want to take with my in the woods. If I needed to have something with me just to chop it would do just about everything I needed. If I needed something more......I would take a 14" or 16" hatchet.
 
David Lowry said:
I'll go with the group here and go with an RC-4. I have both the Izula and the RC-4 and the "4" is all I would ever want to take with my in the woods. If I needed to have something with me just to chop it would do just about everything I needed. If I needed something more......I would take a 14" or 16" hatchet.
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Hatchets are nice, but they are even heaver and I'm not likely to bring one on shorter trips like a day hunt. I like bringing the 5 because it will do the smaller jobs but if I suddenly found myself in dire need of something that can tackle bigger projects the 5 will get the job done.
 
Izula should be well capable of all the fine cutting chores that the RC5 does not excel at and the RC5 should do anything else you want it to with no worries about damaging it.
Since there's no difference between grip on the RC5 & 6, go with the one you think will work better for you.
 
I have an RC-4 and it is all thats needed..that being said I have a RC-6 on order. I also have the 3 and the Izula..Dont overthink it because you will never be satisfied with just one more.
 
i've got the izula and rc4. works great for me. if your going to chop or baton
i would go bigger. i will eventually have both the 5 and 6, never hurts to have
a extra knife around. like tdc say's it's not going to be your last rat.
 
Yea, did you ever notice that you usually eventually end up with all the ones you where considering? :D
 
I have the Izula, 3, 4, 5 & 6. Personally, I believe the 3 or 4 will see more use this year for camping/hiking and the 6 if I want a bigger blade.

While I like the 5, it's more of a hack your way out of a tank kinda knife in MY opinion rather than a hiking/camping knife.
 
For a general use knife, I love my RC-4. It's lightweight, yet big enough to handle a lot of jobs.
 
jonnyghost said:
Yea, did you ever notice that you usually eventually end up with all the ones you where considering? :D
Click to expand...
That is definitely the way I feel right now. My rc-4 does most everything I want it to but sometimes (especially when batoning) I feel like the rc-6 or rc-5 would be better. I will probably have all the RC knives by the end of the year :/
 
Heavy my @ss Buy it. You gonna buy a Rc3 , Rc 4 and Rc 6 someday anyways. I dunno I never care about a few lbs when hiking. But I'm a guy who carries a 30-40lbs tool belt 8+hrs aday. So my packs are pretty heavy.:)
 
Since you already have an Izula, any of the 3 (4, 5, 6) would work just fine for hiking or camping. Each of them makes for a great field knife and each of them does something a little better than the next. You already have the Izula to take care of the more intricate work, so you have more freedom to get a knife with a more blade. The RC-5 was my first RAT that I bought and it's still my favorite one.
 
Get the 5. You'll be glad you did. It's a beast. Unless you count grams, you'll be more than satisfied. Pull that trigger.
 
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