I set out to search for a survival knife that I could depend on. When I first started looking I was overwhelmed by the amount of choices and manufactureres out there. I started doing some research (on steel types, blade shapes, materials, companies, etc.). Luckily, I stumbled across the bladeforums and ultimately RAT Cutlery. I lurked around for a few weeks and read many of the great posts in here. The decision to purchase a RAT was a very easy one. Enthusiastic owners praising a great American made product from a company that truley stands behind its products. The hardest desicion was picking which one. I decided on the RC5, which was only available for preorder at the time. I ordered back in February and started the waiting game. I'm getting married in April and going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon, so I was eager to get the RC5 to take it with me. There was no expected shipping date for the RC5, so of course impatience got the best of me. I ordered an RC4, and was like a kid at Christmas when it arrived a few days later. After I put the RC4 through the paces, it was easy to see why people have great things to say about them. I was bit by the RAT, so I bought a Black Izula for EDC. Now I'm a proud owner of an RC5, RC4 and a Black Izula.