On the cusp - RC-3

5

59Bassman

Joined
Jul 5, 2007
Messages
119
Hello-

I've been a part-time knife guy for a very long time. I believe it started when my dad bought me my first pocket knife from a cardboard display in Canada when I was 5, then threw it in the lake later that day when I cut myself. I learned to be careful. :)

I've been EDCing a SAK Tinker, Benchmade Mini-Grip, or Kershaw Sapphire for the past 20 years. Unless I'm on an airplane, I've got some sort of edge on me. I am a metallurgist/material scientist by training, although I didn't do much research in steels then. I know that I prefer drop-point blades, and I don't mind carbon steel.

In the past couple of months, I've been thinking about starting to camp again (haven't done so in decades), and about personal preparedness/BOB gear. I got to thinking about my knives, and feel I'm missing something. I have my listed EDC knives, as well as an old Case hunter and a Bradley custom that I have never carried. What I don't have is a general-purpose camp knife.

I like the Benchmade brand and was set on a Rant, but then I did some reading on my state's knife laws and realized that the Rant is over the 4" limit for non-sporting purpose carry. That's caused me some concern that depending upon the SHTF situation, I may be in a more urban environment. I'm concerned that what I'm carrying should not attract undue attention, nor should it be unlawful in a situation where I might need to depend on it.

So that has me thinking about other knives, and I came across the RC-3. I held one today, and thought that it felt darned near bombproof. The primary concern I have is that my hands are a bit large. In particular, the scales felt somewhat narrow in my grip - the grip length was fine.

Additionally, the salesguy at the shop (the shop is hardcore outdoor camping/survival gear) steered me towards a SOG Field Pup as perhaps a better general-purpose camp knife, although his rationale was based partly on cost (SOG being about 1/3 the cost they had the ESEE marked at).

So I've got two questions. First, are there any aftermarket scales for the RC-3 that might fill my hand a bit better? Or is this something that as I use the tool more, I'll come to appreciate it for what it is? Second, would I be better of picking up a SOG Field Pup to get my outdoor skills back together with before I spend the money on a nicer knife?

Thanks for your input
59B
 
when i first handled my rc-3, it felt a bit thin, but now i'm used to it, it's like an extension of my hand. not much you can't do with that knife.

there are aftermarket scales for the ESEE-3 now, but i'm perfectly happy with my stock handles.
 
Welcome,

I have both of them and I carry and use the ESEE-3 a lot more. I really like the Seal Pup its a good knife and I carried it for a while but I do like the 3 more. The Pup is a bit longer with out a choil and is a stainless steel blade. Plus it strikes a ferro rod really well and the rubber handle is very grippy and fills my hand nicely, but it is a pain in the butt to clean after you get peanut butter in it.

Now the 3 is a little thin but I tend to like that as it rides nicer on my belt, I do occasionally wish that it was a little thicker for the longer carving projects. There are aftermarket scales available here. The blade is shorter but I have found it big enough for all of the tasks I use it for which is basically everything. The 3 is my go to woods knife, every time I head out it goes on my belt. Another thing is the 3 has a full exposed tang, I like the fact that the tang hangs out the back of the knife so I can pound on it if I need to, and it works great for a beer opener.

Personally I would save the money and just by the 3, it is an amazing knife that won't let you down, then you don't have to spend that money twice and you can use the money you saved to buy a second ESEE 3 to drop in your BOB.
 
+1 on the aftermarket scales from the knife connection. (they also make a set for the ESEE4)
If you want a seal pup, there's nothing wrong with it, but if what you really want is an ESEE 3, buying the seal pup first means you're out that $$ in the long run.
buy once, cry once. :)
 
Thanks for the input. I think I'm holding off on the SOG - the blade shapes just don't suit my eye.

Today's mental exercise has been an ESEE-3, Falkniven S1, or a pile of Moras?

Still leaning towards the -3. Especially knowing I can get the aftermarket scales and a leather sheath for it.
 
I understand your situation well 59Bassman. Tennessee's knife laws (in non-sporting carry) are identical. A 4" limit that, if a LEO wants to be technical about, is measured from the handle to the tip of the blade. In the case of ESEE knives this would include the choil, which legally limits me to an Izula or ESEE-3 for EDC. I've considered the E-3 many times, but every time I hold one it just doesn't feel ergonomically "right" for me. A fantastic knife I'm sure, but just not for me. The Fallkniven F1 (not the S1) will meet your state law requirements and has much better ergonomics than the E-3 imo. It is a fantastic knife to work with. You can also get the F1 with the zytel or leather sheath for the same cost. Good luck in your decision.
 
The 3 is a great knife and very robust for only being 1/8" thick. It feels a bit thin in the hand to me as well but it also carries very well due to being so thin. I think you'll really like it and if it comes down to it you can pick up the aftermarket scales from Dale at The Knife Connection.
 
My ESEE-3MIL was my first ESEE and I am very happy with it. It's a great size for a general-purpose, every day fixed-blade knife. I have a Rant (good knife that one too), and I like my ESEE3 more. The grip is thin, but my hands are not particularly large, so it works for me. There are other scales that make the grip a bit longer.

SP
 
So far, the 3 is the only ESEE that I own. I have grown very fond of the thinnish scales, and don't find them to be a negative in any way. I prefer them to the super round handles that don't keep the knife from spinning in the hand during deep cuts. I have been thinking about picking up an IZULA-II though, as it looks like a very capable, ~3" bladed knife with full scales. I do believe the full IZULA-II kit would also be about 3/4 the price of a 3. It could be worth looking into, but the blade is a lil bit thicker than the 3. If it came down to a 3 and a SOG, I'd pick the 3 any day.

Kyle
 
you really should take a look at the Izula 2 w/kit for less than the -3, a lot less than the S1. (S1 is a good knife, they're just really proud of them and priced accordingly)
of course, there's nothing wrong with a passel of moras, either - I have several myself.
 
If not mentioned here, those scales from TKC, are thicker than the stock scales.
Made my RC-4 feel like much more knife. Just my .02
 
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