RAT - I love the knives but please lose the choil..

cody1 said:
Jeff, would you guys consider offering a choilless version as an option? Down the line when you start to offer more mods on models.
Click to expand...


Yes, we would consider that but no guarantees since increasing the number of SKUs makes it hard on dealers, especially smaller ones who don't have a lot of cash flow. So, you have to pick the new product that you want out and try not to do too much at one time. Otherwise it just causes problems. This is what I was trying to explain to that guy that wouldn't shut up about the fire steel, but he didn't get it. We try to be as fair as we can to all dealers across the board, no matter if they only stock one of our knives or a hundred. Some companies come out with a dozen new products every 3 months and it just creates hassles for the guy trying to be a full-line stocking dealer.
 
I could go either way on the choil. Doesn't bother me, but I don't really use it either. What am I talking about, before coming here I didn't know it was even called a "choil"!
 
adaman04 said:
I could go either way on the choil. Doesn't bother me, but I don't really use it either. What am I talking about, before coming here I didn't know it was even called a "choil"!
Click to expand...


Nothing wrong with that. I've learned a heap of stuff from the members here. I can also say that the BFs membership alone has heavily influenced RAT's direction in the market place as far as design and what's needed/wanted.
 
Choils interfere with cutting of rope and fabric. They catch on it. For me I only like choils on heavy knives, say 6 inch blade by 1/4 inch. I like the RC3 a lot but wont buy it because of the choil.
 
Shotgun said:
Choils interfere with cutting of rope and fabric. They catch on it. For me I only like choils on heavy knives, say 6 inch blade by 1/4 inch. I like the RC3 a lot but wont buy it because of the choil.
Click to expand...

Not if you use a pinch grip on the blade--your fingers form a "stop point" against the material. It's all about technique. :D

I'm a fan of a well-done choil. I'll admit it. :p
 
The RC-4 is my first knife with a choil large enough to use correctly.

After actually using it for carving, I like it.
 
Kanifee.... 1st warning ,no one cares about your wang.. do not post silly stuff like this.. there are minors reading this forum as well
 
Im not a fan of choils, it just a wast of space in my opinion, I cant put my index finger where it be longs, my hand is either to far back or to far forward to be comfortable, and i'm concerned that it may become a habit, placing my finger in front of the hand guard, potentially causing an injury. (i.e. cold hands/hypothermia = accadently cutting indexfinger and not feeling it?)

Can someone please (justify the exsistance of the choil) post pictures showing the use and advantages of the choil? I would really appreciate a better explaination of its usefulness, so as to better understand its purpose.
 
I love choils but I do agree with the op about them being too small on the RC3 and 4 for anything other than light tasks. You guys and gals that say otherwise must have really skinny fingers.
 
I would have prefered my RC-6P to not have a choil, because carving woodshavings (or whatever) becomes more strenuous when the cutting area is located further away from the hand. Yes, one can choke up using the choil, but it becomes uncomfortable between the thumb and the index finger after a while, because of the blade spine and jimping; so, I'd prefer an RC-6P that ran the blade all the way down, as close as possible. The handle would have to be slightly redesigned though, for sharpening clearance.

In addition, another negative issue with the RC-3, RC-4 and RC-6 is that the choil area will get smaller over time (ok, a long time), as one resharpens the blade, which is a bit of a design flaw. So, in the very distant future, I'll probably create a whole new grind down to the handle on my RC-6. I think the jimping on your otherwise fantastic blades is unnecessary and it only makes my thumb sore after extended use.
 
Last edited:
It seems to me on the bigger blades you can use two hands like a draw knife where you can get better control. I have some big choils on SY knives....and they can be used, but more often then not I can get the same effect with two hands... or just the right knife for the job. :D
 
I really like the choil on my RAT-3s because the handle seems a little short for my hand. The choil really allows a full, relaxed grip while also choking up on the blade. Win-win. I'll probably like the choil on my RC4 when it gets here, but I'm just guessing, and anxiously waiting.
 
To each his own.

The family that rotates around RC knives has shown how effective they are at any given task. If a particular task dictates a specific piece of equipment, then the responsibility for choosing that tool lies on the user. It is not difficult to make these decisions if the purpose is clear. What separates RC from other knives is community and quality. These knives can be adapted to all uses given the users ability to adapt and overcome. This is the same philosophy that RC was born from. Each individual has their own idea of what is perfect, RC gives you a platform for defining your own standard and says that we'll back you up if you get outside your bounds. That is the best tool you can have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top