Knife recommendation (1st fixed blade)

J

JohnWayne360

Joined
Jul 7, 2010
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164
Hi, although this is my 1st post, I've been reading these forums quite a bit over the last 2 weeks to get an education on fixed blades. You guys are very informative. Thanks.

Now to the issue at hand, I'm a backpacker/survival enthusiast/geocacher and I go out to the woods quite a bit. I've been in the market for a fixed blade for quite sometime; my gerber folder has been letting me down. I'm also planning to do a multi-day hike in the Adirondacks this fall. So there's what I'm gonna use it for.

After researching and countless hours of watching youtube videos I came up with the best choices for my intended taks: the Fallkniven S1 and the RAT RC-5.

I'm not planning to use any of these knives for chopping (Sawvivor takes care of that), I will use them for battoning, building snares (just for practice), general camp duties and as a survival blade to be part of my bug out bag. Should be able to chop well if the need arises.

My concerns are the following:
-I like everything about the RC-5, except the fact that it's not stainless. I don't want a knife that's a darling that needs to be looked after all the time. I like the size and weight just fine. Does it hold an edge well? Hard to sharpen? Rust easy? I've seen guys struggle to chop and feather stick with it, could be skill, also the "shapened crowbar" comment I read earlier has me wondering.

-Pretty much the only thing I like about the S1 is that it's stainless, I hear it holds an edge better and apparently convex edges are better. However, I've seen a video where the guy talks about the knife chipping easily, I don't want a knife that chips easily.

Those are the only knives in my list, my budget is us$160.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.
 
I'd go with ESEE 5 if you are limiting the choice to these two, but would change that to the 6 instead because it is 1) lighter in your pack, and 2) 1" longer for chopping & batoning. The 5 was designed specifically to punch through the canopy of a downed airplane, and unless that is in your plans the 6 will serve you better.

Don't completely discard the S1, however. Falkniven's VG10 isn't that brittle and can stand up to some pretty hefty abuse. The 1095 in the ESEE is definitely tougher and more forgiving, but if you need a stainless knife the S1 won't let you down.
 
Thanks for the reply, but wouldn't the RC-5 be better than the 6 due to it's thickness? I like the RC-5 I'm just weary of the rust thing.
 
Not gonna lie dude, you just about can't go wrong with a Ka-Bar for your first fixed blade. My buddy's got one he's had for almost 10 years, and he's been beating the hell out of it the entire time, bringing it with him all over the world, and it's STILL in pretty good shape. All for like 60 bucks. And you could always do better and get one of the D2 models for not too much more. Cheaper than your budget and still a tank that you won't have to baby, can put a good edge on, and will last you the long run. Plus they have that nice pommel on the back for hammering whatever you need to beat down.

Given your two choices, though, I'd go with the RAT/ESEE for sure. :thumbup:
 
Just for fun - whichever knife you choose, add a Mora to your gear. See if there is a difference, workload wise, between $150 and $15 knives
 
JohnWayne360 said:
Thanks for the reply, but wouldn't the RC-5 be better than the 6 due to it's thickness? I like the RC-5 I'm just weary of the rust thing.
Click to expand...

Lots of ESEE/RAT users like the 5, but it is quite thick and heavy. If you are concerned at all about weight vs functionality, the 6 will do fine. I have one and it gets used pretty heavily batoning wet, cold wood without any worries.

Apebrains said:
Not gonna lie dude, you just about can't go wrong with a Ka-Bar for your first fixed blade. My buddy's got one he's had for almost 10 years, and he's been beating the hell out of it the entire time, bringing it with him all over the world, and it's STILL in pretty good shape. All for like 60 bucks....
Click to expand...

Absolutely true, but not everyone is crazy about the KaBar grip styling. Don't care for it myself, but they are good, tough knives.

DoctaD said:
Not stainless, but a knife that I have considered for general outdoors use:
B_1_Black_Canvas.sized.jpg
Click to expand...

Great knife, but may be a little over your budget.
 
I know it is not one of your options.. but did you look at the Bark River Bravo 1? They can be had for $160 and only weights 7oz I believe. Thick yet nimble and abel to do serious battoning. BLUNTRUTH4U on YouTube does a good series on this knife. Just a thought. Of the other two I don't think you can go wrong. I like the S1 a little better.
 
the ESEE 1095 may rust if you leave it in the sheath wet for several days, but if you're actually using it you shouldn't have any problems.
sharpening it is no huge issue - it's steel with a V-grind, use a stone or diamond steel.
"sharpened crowbar" is sort of true - it takes and holds an edge just fine, but is as strong as a crowbar if you find yourself in a situation where you need that kind of lateral strength.
OTOH, the ESEE6 is slightly longer and has a slightly thinner profile, but is still plenty strong to handle just about any task you would need it to do - except maybe cutting your way out of a wrecked helicopter or tank...
 
Come on guys, he said that the RC 5 and the S1 were the only ones on his list. Dont throw all sorts of brands in there.

Between the 2 you mention i'd go with the Fallkniven. The S1 is tough as nails and NOT as brittle as you may think it is. Stainless is the way to go if you live a place thats even remotely moist or wet. You dont even have to think about wiping it dry before you sheath it and Fallknivens VG-10 holds an edge just fine.
 
I'm not big on large knives for general purpose. You often end up with a knife that isn't a great chopper and is too big for smaller work.

Don't sweat the 1095 on the RC/ESEE-5. If you like the size, go for it. Best warranty in the business and at the price they're hard to beat IMO.

I would prefer a 4 over a 5 but if you like the 5 go for it brother. Great knife.
 
I have owned a Cold Steel knife of similar coated carbon steel construction as the Rat you're looking at for nearly 20 years. The black coating is starting to look pretty beat up, but it's still sticking to the steel perfectly. The only exposed steel on these style of knives is the edge, and mine has never rusted - just discolored a little. And the first time you do a full sharpening the discoloration (or rust) will go away.

High carbon knife steels are pretty forgiving, even if bare steel, like the Bark River. They tend toward patinas and surface rust more than pitting. And a little care (not babying) will prevent it completely. It's really not an issue - up until very recently every military knife and bayonet was high carbon - and most still are. And a friend's stainless Gerber rusted more easily than my carbon knives.

The Fallkniven is an excellent knife - you'd do well either way. If Fallkniven had a carbon San Mai option, I'd probably choose that over their VG-10, even.

It wouldn't hurt to look at the Becker products, too. Very similar to Rat. Also Anza's file knives are a bargain, and don't seem to want to rust at all.
http://store.anzaknivesonline.com/catalog/10-1-m-p-231.html
 
Thank you so much for all the replies, you guys are great. I'm leaning towards the RC-5 more and more based on you comments. IDK, my dad had a knife like it and I remember borrowing it for boys scouts when I was younger, so I sort of "connect" with it in a way, not to sound corny. The S1 and the bark rivers look too much like kitchen knives to me.

If I go with the RC-5, should I have the edge re-profiled to make it perform better? Some of you guys seem to have done just that. To what did you profile it to, 22 deg angle?
 
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