New to BF, and looking at a rat3

EricV

EricV

Basic Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
2,673
First of Hiya,
Stumbled across these forums a little while ago and don't think I've learned more from any other thing online. :thumbup:

Now to business, I'm looking at getting an rc-3 as a work and camping knife. I could use a hand making some decisions since I don't have any experience with RAT knives, or the handle materials used (this'll be my first good fixed blade that I haven't made)

1) I work around at a boathouse and do quite alot of rope cutting, anything from 1/4" cotton to 1" nylon, they stuff plays hell on the hinge pins of my folders. Would you guys recommend the combo edge or a straight edge?

2) since most of my work will be wet what handles would you guys recommend for wet grip? the course canvas or linen micartas, or the orange (g-10?)

-Eric :)

:edit:
botched the title a bit there sorry bout that
 
I say get the canvas micarta and a combo edge. The combo edge is made for rope, webbing, etc. so it would be perfect. As for the handle materials, the G-10 is the slickest, linen micarta is kinda grippy, and the canvas locks in your hand no matter what.

Edit:
And welcome to the family!
 
I would go with the plain edge and baton the blade through the rope. This is the actual method that was taught to mariners for centuries. In fact most of the time a hatchet was used. On lighter line the plain edge works even better than a serrated edge if kept sharp.

Personaly I would use my RC4, but only because I prefer that size blade.

Welcome to the forums and you will be surprised at the quality and performance of the RAT cutlery products.
 
I'd go with the rc-4, but if I remember right CT carry laws are opposed to anything bigger than 4" without a CCW.

batoning would certainly work for the bigger stuff, but typically I've got no anvil/base to strike against.

and thanks for the welcome!
 
Dylside said:
I say get the canvas micarta and a combo edge. The combo edge is made for rope, webbing, etc. so it would be perfect. As for the handle materials, the G-10 is the slickest, linen micarta is kinda grippy, and the canvas locks in your hand no matter what.

Edit:
And welcome to the family!
Click to expand...


:D Summed it up !
 
Dylside said:
I say get the canvas micarta and a combo edge. The combo edge is made for rope, webbing, etc. so it would be perfect. As for the handle materials, the G-10 is the slickest, linen micarta is kinda grippy, and the canvas locks in your hand no matter what.

Edit:
And welcome to the family!
Click to expand...

Right on the money Dylside!

And welcome aboard Eric!
 
I agree. If you do decide to go with the combo edge, check out the RC-3MIL. It's got the combo edge and the canvas micarta handles. Welcome to the forums!


Dylside said:
I say get the canvas micarta and a combo edge. The combo edge is made for rope, webbing, etc. so it would be perfect. As for the handle materials, the G-10 is the slickest, linen micarta is kinda grippy, and the canvas locks in your hand no matter what.

Edit:
And welcome to the family!
Click to expand...
 
EricV said:
I'd go with the rc-4, but if I remember right CT carry laws are opposed to anything bigger than 4" without a CCW.
Click to expand...

Under 4" sharpened edge,unless hunting or fishing. (Even if you have a Pistol Permit :mad: )
 
EricV said:
Sounds like CT lol

Probably will be going with the RC-3MIL, thanks guys:)
Click to expand...

Good choice bro. You'll love that thing. There is one more thing to think about though concerning the MIL. It has a glass breaker butt. If you have a bit of what the ladies refer to as "a muffin top blet line" which mines that your love handles hang slightly over your belt, I would recommend getting the modified (rounded) pommel version. The glass breaker pommel has a tendancy to stab me in the side if I bend the wrong way. That's just us fat kids though. If you're skinny, don't worry about it.
 
If your rope cutting and boathouse is on or near saltwater you may want to go with something in the stainless dept. Otherwise you will have to keep that Rat nice and oiled if you dont want to deal with rust on the cutting edge
 
scarysharp said:
If your rope cutting and boathouse is on or near saltwater you may want to go with something in the stainless dept. Otherwise you will have to keep that Rat nice and oiled if you dont want to deal with rust on the cutting edge
Click to expand...

Its freshwater, Will definately be keeping an eye out for rust, but I plan on putting some kind of rust resistance coating on it. Any suggestions in that department?

thanks for the warning on the pommel, I think I'll be ok as I tend to carry pretty far back along my belt.
 
EricV said:
Its freshwater, Will definately be keeping an eye out for rust, but I plan on putting some kind of rust resistance coating on it. Any suggestions in that department?

thanks for the warning on the pommel, I think I'll be ok as I tend to carry pretty far back along my belt.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah you'll be fine. As far as rust inhibiting, as some have said beeswax works really well. Really if you're using it regularly, you shouldn't have any problem with rust. You might see some oxidation forming on the edge every once in a while, but using the knife and sharpening it regularly will knock that stuff right off. I use my carbon blades for everything and I never have a problem with them getting rusty. They see everything from blood to fruit juice to salt water. Just rinse it off when you get done if it comes in contact with anything that promotes oxidation and USE IT. :thumbup:
 
The other thing about rust is that use keeps it down! So use it well and you probably won't have any problems.
 
I am new to BF as well and am cosidering the RC-3. I have a few concerns though. I am fairly new to upper level knives and am wondering if the RAT line is worth the price. I contacted the RAT office and the owner was pretty short and did not seem interested in my business. In fact I thought of just buying an Ontario make of this knife so I did not have to contact him again. Is the Ontario knives line essentially the same? What steel is used in the Ontario line? Any and all comments are appreciated!!!!
 
Ontario offers their rat3 in 1095 and d2, there are some youtube vids comparing the two, you can also go to google and do an advance search within bladeforums and you'll get a bunch of results. Clearly I do not own either yet, but the ontario RAT3 has a slightly shorter handle, lower grade fit and finish, smoother less tough finish, it also doesn't have the impressive heat treat of the rc-3, or RAT cutlery's unbeatable warranty, trade off being the ontario RAT3 is cheaper, and is offered in the more rust resistant d2. I'll just add that I'm unemployed at the moment, and am still going with the more expensive RC-3 for those advantages.

-Eric
 
I myself just bought my first RAT knife an RC3. I then proceeded to buy my 2nd & 3rd RAT knives within a week. There build quality is top notch, especially for a knife in this price range. I personally like the idea of supporting an independent American company. I say it is more than worth the small price difference to buy from a company that makes themselves so available for comment and has a great warranty. RAT stands behind there products and produce a great tool.
 
blade_collector said:
I am new to BF as well and am cosidering the RC-3. I have a few concerns though. I am fairly new to upper level knives and am wondering if the RAT line is worth the price. I contacted the RAT office and the owner was pretty short and did not seem interested in my business. In fact I thought of just buying an Ontario make of this knife so I did not have to contact him again. Is the Ontario knives line essentially the same? What steel is used in the Ontario line? Any and all comments are appreciated!!!!
Click to expand...

Who exactly did you talk to? Did you talk to Jeff, Mike, ?
 
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