Is the RC-4 what I'm looking for???

robo7de

robo7de

Joined
Jan 8, 2008
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I have an older Carbon V Cold Steel SRK (6”) made in the good old USA that I have been using for years. It is shaving sharp and holds an edge for a decent amount of time. Is the 1095 steel that much different? I’m fairly sure my K-Bar is 1095 and the SRK will out perform it in terms of holding its edge skinning/quartering an elk…..maybe the heat treatment of the RC-4 is better? I like the sheathing system of the Rat knives but I am looking for something that will hold an edge for a long period of time like my 154cm Zero Tolerance 200 and is easy to sharpen like my Spyderco Endura VG-10. Is the RC-4 what I’m looking for????
 
Hi Robo, Just got my RC-4 about two weeks back . I tested it out this past weekend did some batoning
and made a figure 4 and Paiute deadfall with it. It has maintained it's edge and finish. I haven’t sharpened it yet but I don’t see where that would be problem due to the fact it is Carbon (1095) so it should take an edge well. I’m not sure of the exact heat treatment, I think it’s around an RC-57 but I may be wrong. So you may want to ask one of the other guys here or maybe check the RC website , anyways I don’t think you could go wrong with this knife. The blade is shorter than the SRK which for me adds more control while choking up, when say cutting notches or carving, skinning etc, the furrows on the back of the blade are great as well gives you more traction and control . Plus RC has one of the best warranties available and being made in the US well that ranks it high up on my list, due to the fact that most cutlery companies have left our shores and found a new home in china… By the way I still have my US made Cold Steel Carbon V SRK. it’s been retired now for a while though, currently using a Gerber LMF 2 and a Kukri as my main bush blades ... And I’m about to add the RC4 as an EDC or kit knife. Theirs allot of other guys on here who have had this blade longer and I’m sure they’ll help you out. hope this helps…

Good Luck . John
 
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It won't hold an edge as long as 154cm for slicing and that sort of thing, but for harder use it's much tougher and the main attraction is that it takes a very fine edge, is strong/tough and is very easy to sharpen in the field. So while it may not hold an edge for pure cutting chores. For a heavier job it'll hold up much better and you can get it back to shaving sharp in a blink.

I wouldn't baton 154cm through any wood, but won't hesitate with any carbon steel. I'd recommend buying one and seeing how you like it. If you don't, you won't loose too much money in resale. I think you'll be happy. It IS the same steel as your Ka-bar but I guarantee the HT is much better. The same steel with a differnt heat treat can perform like a whole different steel. HT is a huge deal with performance. It'll be much better at edge retention than your Kabar. I have both and think so. Plus it's much stronger.
 
I haven't used the Kabars or SRKs, but I have used the RC4 for a while now. The edge holding is actually pretty good, it stays sharp for a good while, and then I'll sharpen it now and then. For me, it is pretty easy to sharpen on a diamond sharpener. It takes a little practice, but it does get sharp. I'm not sure how long the edge will last though.. if you're really looking to something to hold an edge for a long time, look into the Fallknivens.

like pbubsy said, it is a really tough knife! I've batoned these things with no problem.
 
With a proper heat treat, 1095 will hold an edge for a decent amount of time, but will never compete with steels designed for edge retention. Mostly you buy carbon steels because they tend to be tougher than steels specialized for edge retention, and it's easy to sharpen in the field, with as little as a smooth rock, if necessary.

If you want a very good field knife at a real good price, the RC4 is probably what you want. If you want something more in the size class of the SRK, think about the RC6.
 
Thanks all....I really don't do any batoning with my knives...use a fiskars axe......main concern is holding a lasting sharp edge for skinning game & general camp "cutting" chores for a longer period of time.....RC-3 or maybe one of the Fallknivens may do the trick.
 
You will probably find the Fallkniven holds its edge much longer than 1095, but like all knives it will eventually dull. You will probably find the RC much easier to sharpen and keep it that way. The reason I became really turned onto carbon knives was that they are so easy to sharpen. Those high-wear steels are great when you first buy them but they are a PITA to keep 'em that way.

I don't think you will run into a big problem skinning and cleaning a deer with the RC, or at least you shouldn't have need to resharpen it in the middle of the act.
 
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