No RAT yet, start with 4 or 5?

S

serealshadow

Joined
Jun 19, 2009
Messages
6
Salutations all, first time post after doing tons of reading. I don't have any RATs yet but I'm coming from a background of over a decade of military and outdoors fun so I've got most parts of my kits fleshed out. I haven't messed much with blades until recently and was wondering if you guys could help me out with a recommendation. I am looking for a pair of good solid knives to replace my current kit.

I currently have a Kershaw Blackout folder that has been ground down to a near unrecognizable state, I am planning to replace this at some point with either an Izula or a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. I like the design and build of the Izula and feel it'll be a great knife for detail or smaller tasks but I'm not totally convinced I want to give up the convenience of the folders.

My current issue is in chosing a replacement for my Ka-Bar that is now going on it's third tour to Iraq (leaving this week). I love the stout fixed blade but feel the Ka-Bar is just a tad too long for general purpose use. I was looking at getting the shorter 5" version to replace it, but figure if I'm gonna get something new I may as well get something that will survive the zombie apocalypse. I am kinda tossed between the RC-4 and RC-5 knives. Both look to be a good size but I'm wondering if the increased brute of the RC-5 is enough to make up for the increased weight over the RC-4. I will be using this knife for EDC crap in Iraq plus who knows what else afterwards, but for sure it will include a lot of wilderness camping/hiking/survival and what not. (On a little side note, I am not the type of person who believes in car camping. IMO if you can drive there then it's not really camping.)

So turning to you RAT experts, what do you guys think?
Is the RC-5 too heavy for comfortable every-day use?
Is the RC-4 in danger of being less useful during a zombie invasion?
If you were gonna pick one for use in both a campsite and combat zone, which would it be?

The RC-5 looks neigh indestructible but I'm curious if you guys feel the weight and price premium (50-70% more than the RC-4) are worth it.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

(Since I am new here I feel obligated to add that the zombie statements are humor-driven, I don't want anyone here thinking I'm straight up crazy in my first post)
 
hehe if you want something for a zombie invasion, get the RC6, the extra length should be suffice. :)

I also think you should give the Izula a try, I edc it everyday without thought.
 
I wouldn't rule out the RC-6 either. More knife than the K-Bar, but in a smaller package.

An RC-4 would make a better all-around camping knife, so if you are getting this with an eye to the future, I'd tilt toward the RC-4 side of the contest.

Tough choice, but you won't go wrong with any of the three.

Thanks for your service, hope you have a good deployment.
 
My personal experience with the Izula is that its the perfect design for a pocket carry fixed blade. I have lots of folders, I loved the convenience of having a folding blade. I took the Izula just like this will acquiring my RC-6, thought it would be nice to try it out and see what all the fuss was about. When I received my Izula it looked small and the handle clumsy, so first thing I did was wrap it with paracord, good and tight. I left my folders home on a 2 day trip and decided to only take the Izula on me, well I hasn't left me since then. That blade is really outstanding, the aspect of not having to unfold it, I just carry it like that in its sheath in my pocket tip down, when I need it I just grip the handle, flick the sheath off with my thumb and there i have a blade ready to use. I find this approach more discrete when in public. Another point about this knife is that its as small as a decent folder (lengthwise speaking) and slimmer than most, and the blade with is good for hard use.

The big issue I had with folders was that the pivot would have to be taken care off a lot because of the mud, sand, dirt, pocket lint, grease and other abrasives. Plus I'm not scared to use this knife where a folder you like break or get worn out at the pivot.

Seriously I'm glad to say "hell I'll give the Izula a try, if it doesn't please me I'll give it away", well now I'm giving away my folders. At least give it a try if you don't like it send it back.

I've lived half of my life in Africa (Madagascar, South Africa, Namibia, Jibuti, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast), been in India, Nepal, Burma, Panama and Costa Rica and now in Canada, always had a knife on me (as a tool not for self defense), I've had my share of disappointment with folders but could not find any small knife that would fit my likes and needs, that is until now, the design of this knife is just perfect.

As for the RC-4/5 dilemma can't really give you feedback, no RC-5 here waiting for an RC-4 to knock on the door. But from what I see, an RC-5 is the definite choice for you, a "Sharpened Pry Bar".

Hope that helps.

RAT Pack #75
KTA
 
Any of the 4-6 will do what you want. It really depends on what you want it for most. If you want a tank, the RC 5 will work wonders. If you want it for the zombies, get the 6 for more reach. General camping, get the RC 4, as it is the best for that role in my opinion.
 
I'd vote the 4. The big blade of the 5 would be too heavy I think. I think however a 6 would be perfect for your purposes.

Try the Izula EDC.. then you'll know what we're talking about. I havent carried a folder in a few months....
 
All you need is the RC-5 bro. You break it i'll buy it, you can't break it you buy me another one. Guaranteed. Its a 1 pound knife, heavy for some perfect for others. Handle and blade is very balanced. Well built, solid structure, balanced, sharp, just beautiful. The extra cash ain't shit compare to what you get for the RC-5. Lifetime guarantee!!!
 
By no means a RAT expert, but I have been more than happy with the RC-4 I picked up from a member here. I got the plain edge and think it's a damn good blade. It stacks up against, or surpasses my Ka-Bar fighter easily...
 
camping/hiking/survival-4, no question. Much more versatile than either the 5 or the 6. I just used mine for all around wilderness camp knife and to butcher a bear I'd shot with my longbow. I wouldn't use it for a prybar though and if you need that for Iraq....Thank you for serving!

Steve
 
From the situation that you described, I believe that I would go for the RC5. Both knives are great but the RC5s longer reach and thicker stock may serve you better, especially for tactical purposes.

_____________
Rat Pack #106
 
I got the RC-5 first as its a unique knife that is not duplicated in my line up. I have a few knives in the RC-4 size, but want an RC-4 anyway. I think the 4 is more versatile, but for where you are going I'd take the 5. Thanks for your service.
 
40 years ago an RC-5 would have been my choice, but all I had was my Kabar back then.

RAT PACK 67
 
Welcome Serealshadow and thanks for your question. First, I think you will really like the Izula it is a great little blade especially when paracord wrapped. While folders are convenient, I can never really fully trust them. Especially large folders, why have a long untrustworthy blade? The Izula seems like a bigger knife than it is and is rock solid.

Now for the RC4/5 decision. That is a really tough one. I personally think that 3/16" of the RC-4 is plenty thick enough for just about anything except chipping through concrete or prying. Even for those purposes, I think you can go pretty darn far if you had to and the situation demanded sacrificing your blade. My opinion is that the RC-4 would get you through that situation while the RC-5 might survive the situation and still be usable.

I don't have military experience and therefore it is hard for me to say what you might use your knife for. From what I understand from reading here on BF, the more common uses are less intense than often gets projected in terms of why an overbuilt knife might be needed.

One of the members I respect and who is active in the Military is Rock6 who posts in the Wilderness and Survival Skills forum often. Rock6 has written a number of threads on what constitutes an good military use knife for field operations. I know that he tends to suggest that fixed blade lengths are better somewhat minimized because 1) they take up less real estate on vests, 2) they don't hang up easily when exiting helicopters or hummers. I remember him saying that he liked the RC-4 design a lot in the past. Perhaps you should try posting in Wilderness and Survival Skills a more general question and see if he will provide an answer.

Good luck. I think the RC brand is a great choice for you.
 
I'd go with the 6.

Longer and lighter than the 5, but also has a full size grip. I don't know about you, but I wore gloves a lot in the Army, and the larger grip of the RC5/6 would probably do you better.

Of course, i don't think the 6 weighs to much to hike with, but I don't count ounces, either.
 
In regards to the RC-4/5 decision, I think that we really need to look at the design purpose of the knife in relation to what you will be using it for.

The RC-5 is designed as a downed pilots knife to cut/hack/bust your way out of an aircraft & then survive in a very hostile environment. Therefore weight is not of a major concern as other matters are. Of course, the RC-5 will certainly handle a variety of tasks as well but do you really need that much knife (weight & bulk) for the purposes that you have in mind?

The RC-4 is designed as a general purpose knife that can handle a variety of tasks from hunting & camping to military use. It is large enough to do some serious cutting yet compact enough to comfortably carry. The 3/16" blade is plenty enough for hard use & will last for years. In a nutshell... the RC-4 is a compact, hard use knife capable of doing some serious work.

I hope this helps & I wish you the best!
 
Welcome to the group
RC4 or RC5 I'd go RC4
Now if it was which RAT Cutlery blade in General, RC6 w/o a doubt is my Fav
 
Dang this forum moves fast, thanks for all the replies guys, I do appreciate your input.

Regarding the Izula, I am leaning more towards that knife because it has a very simple design and looks pretty sturdy. I've actually handled the Benchmade knife in person and the blade felt a tad flimsy, like it would snap if it was stuck in something and I twisted it. The Izula looks a bit more robust and durability is definitely something I need. On top of that, I have had folders in the past that have had locks fail at very inopportune times, resulting in some blood letting followed by curse letting. I think the Izula will make a good addition to my kit, but until I get settled with a shipping address all I can do is dream up different ways to mount/carry it.

Regarding the RC-6 recommendation, the problem I have with the design is the length. I don't need a very long knife as I don't anticipate doing much in the way of chopping, that's why I carry a camp axe in my wilderness kit. Axe/machete wins out over large knife IMO, which is one reason I'm looking at replacing the Ka-Bar. Due to that I feel that the RC-6 will not be as suitable for me at this time as the other options.

As for the 4/5 debate, I really like the robustness of the RC-5 but it might still be a bit much. The RC-4 looks like a knife well suited to general utility and camp use while still being capable of surviving in the field. The other side of the coin is while they both have a lifetime warranty, turnaround time while out in remote areas can sometimes be more than a month (took a month for my letter to get from Kuwait to Illinois a few years ago). That's a big motivator for me to get the RC-5, one of those "when you need it, you REALLY need it" kinda things that I don't wanna be out on some mission needing something I don't have. There have already been a few times I've regretted not getting the more robust of two options, so I'm still kinda torn on it.

I'm still trying to get an idea of what a 1 lb knife feels like. The RC-4 is less than half that, while the Ka-Bar that I have in my bag is somewhere in the middle. To make the decision even harder, I found the RC-5 to cost more than BOTH the RC-4 and Izula combined, however the two shorter knives will probably be more versatile in the end. Damned decisions, eventually I might just have to get both so I can pick and choose what to take on each mission lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top