Playing Around With the RC-5

[Horn Dog]

It came this afternoon. I really didn't know if I'd like it much or not. Well, I love it! This knife feels great in my hand. In spite of its weight, the knife handles very well. Balance is on the first finger, but the heavy blade can chop. How many 5" blade knives do you know of that can do that? Take a good look at the perfect finish on the blade. That's the last picture of it you'll see.

The RC-5 came with this nice Cordura sheath that has a large storage pouch and MOLLE straps on the back. It even has a leg strap, but I'd either have to be a midget or use a drop down extender to need it.

It chops amazingly well for a short knife. And for me, at least, the handle is perfect. No hot spots yet.

Considering that this is the factory edge on a 1/4" thick saber ground blade, it slices wood slivers for fire starting pretty well. Not like a Mora, but not bad.

Of course, just for fun, I had to baton it through the toughest, driest maple I have. It did just fine.

I also compared it to my other RATs and a Gerber, but I'll show that later.

 

[R.A.T.]

Looks good. It's a beast!

 

[Horn Dog]

Looks good. It's a beast!

That it is, Jeff. Glad you like my custom "Survival Knife" finish.

 

[v00d00blues]

I really like the way that knife looks. I'm generally not a fan of OD blades, but that looks great!

Andy

 

[Col. Cornelius]

Thanks for the review and pictures!!

It's not my style of knife, but it looks like a good one!

 

[-sro-]

Wow nice pics!

I have had my RC-5 for a while now, but I havent had a chance to use it at all.

I dont wanna take it out unless I'm camping but my trips keep getting delayed...

 

[Horn Dog]

I camp every night. Out here in my air-conditioned hut in the swamp. While I was out back, I took the other RATS out for some fresh damp air. My convexed recurve RC-4 will out slice the RC-5 with the factory edge, but I expected that. Nothing the Kalamazoo can't fix.

I also messed around with the HEST. I put some NATO matches and a striker in the hollow handle, being careful to keep the rough side away from the matches. Then I proceeded to put the handles on wrong. Doh!

I even did some light baton work with it and the RC-6. Can't leave them unscratched, you know.

It was a fun afternoon in my swamp.

 

[-sro-]

You need an additional tool to take the handles off the hest correct?

 

[Horn Dog]

You need an additional tool to take the handles off the hest correct?

No, just the screwdriver on my SAK. I just put them back on the wrong sides the first time. I thought it looked a little wierd. Almost lost a screw. That can be serious.

 

[-sro-]

Lol Im sorry I worded my question wrong

the screwdriver is the additional tool Im talking about.

 

[Horn Dog]

Oh, I got it. Well since I always carry my SAK, I didn't need an additional tool.

 

[somberbear]

washers on a lanyard work really well for the hest slabs ... i also have a weggie bar i ground the edge on enough to be an acceptable screw driver

 

[R.A.T.]

nice photos!!!

 

[kgd]

Looking great Horndog - keep 'em coming!

 

[Horn Dog]

Looking great Horndog - keep 'em coming!

OK, a few more pics from this afternoon. I did a very cursory comparison with my Gerber LMF II, a knife I have great respect for. No doubt, the RC-5 outchopped it big time. As for slicing, well the Gerber has been sharpened so it cut a bit better. I prefer the balance of the RC-5 and its fatter handle. I am not much for serrations, but for an aircrewman, they could really come in handy for cutting webbing and such. Isn't a partially serrated version of the RC-5 available?

The only way I could really chop with the Gerber was using a big stick (English for Baton) to beat it through the limb.

Also, I took along the Al Mar SERE just to compare. There is no way it can compare in ruggedness or utility to the RC-5 Survival knife. The Al Mar is more of a combat knife, not really a heavy duty knife like the RC-5.

The RC-5 is even more brutish than the Ranger RD-4, which is a pretty stout knife.

 

[kgd]

Great comparison shots - the one with the RD-4 really gave me perspective of the RC-5's dimensions.

 

[Col. Cornelius]

Great comparison pictures! It helps to see it next to the other knifes.

 

[somberbear]

rockin pics HD

 

[Horn Dog]

I think it is useful to show a new knife next to more familiar ones. The balance of this new RC-5 is perfect for me. The handle is superb. I also have the well known Bark River Bravo-1, another very good survival type knife. It's a great knife, but I keep asking for a 5" version. The RC-5 fills that niche perfectly. I like a little bigger survival knife than most folks do. Most are around 4" blade size, like the RC-4, Bravo-1, Fallkniven F1, Mora 2000, and even the Bear Grylls Bayley. Any size you like, RAT has it covered, and at very good prices.

 

[Odaon]

I like that the Hest can store stuff inside the handles. Nice pictures!