RAT RC-3 or BM Activator 211 for NYS woods?

G

gnius

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Jul 1, 2008
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I've been hiking a lot in the NYS/NJ/CT area, and for the most part, I have been getting away with using folding knives, plus a small hatchet. However, for both aesthetic as well as practical reasons (ease of cleaning, etc...) I'd like to get a fixed blade knife for the woods.

A few times I carried the Ontario ASEK, but to be frank it's not really a useful knife for me, due to the size, weight, and relatively useless serrations. Once I purchase my new fixed blade, the ASEKII will probably be sold for pennies.

Thus far, I've narrowed my choices to these two knives:
RAT Cutlery RC-3 in Desert Tan
rc3p-dt_grp.jpg


and

Benchmade 211 Activator
bm211.jpg


The choice is made much more difficult by the differences between the knives.

Advantages - RC3
- Much stronger, due to a thicker and larger blade
- Easier to sharpen
- Much better sheath
- RAT warranty

Advantages - BM 211
- Smaller, easier to handle
- Less threatening to the sheepie
- Much more rust-resistant steel
- Non-coated blade

I'd love some input, on which of these blades would be better suited to the task, whether I should consider another knife, as well as any general comments.

P.S. My req's are - <$125, <4" long, non-serrated, not black and tactical-looking.
 
If one of those particularly attracts you, there's no reason to avoid it. For hard use, you'll be well taken care of by the RC out of those two.

If you're looking for something more 'personal', there are many great makers here on BF that can make you a blade for less than $125. JK knives has the Kephart or bushcrafter which seem well suited to your needs [ http://www.freewebs.com/jkknives/index.htm ]. Also Bryan Breeden and Koyote knives. Lots of good options in that price range!!

For other production blades, the Fallkniven F1 is a great blade as well.
FALLKNIVEN%20F1.JPG


Here's a place to get any of the above, great selection:
http://offthemapoutfitters.com/main.sc;jsessionid=8DF28F19BE16FF354FA5F31DBF8703F3.qscstrfrnt04
 
SpookyPistolero said:
If one of those particularly attracts you, there's no reason to avoid it. For hard use, you'll be well taken care of by the RC out of those two.

If you're looking for something more 'personal', there are many great makers here on BF that can make you a blade for less than $125. JK knives has the Kephart or bushcrafter which seem well suited to your needs. Also Bryan Breeden and Koyote knives. Lots of good options in that price range!!
Click to expand...

spooky brings up a good point.... those are both great knives.. but like he said, there are a lot of very talented knife makers here on BF... you can easily obtain a new custom made woods knife, for your price requirments...:thumbup: good luck...:)
 
but while waiting on a custom knife... I prefer the RC3....light and nimble,sheath has so many ways to be carried,1095 steel so easily resharpened.stout lil' knife for it size....
 
I have the BM 210, and It's a fantastic knife, takes a wicked edge and holds it forever. Since they are almost the same knife, I would +1 for the 211 based on my experience with the .
 
BRKT FOX RIVER. Official blade of the WLC! That would be my choice. Then again, if I had to choose between these two, I'd go with the RAT-3 anyday! It is an awesome blade and feels great in the hand.
 
I carry an Activator 211 habitually as a small EDC fixed blade---it's a great little knife, and I'm a proud owner.

That being said, the RC-3 is a well-designed knife, too. I suppose that it's a matter of personal preference and aesthetics rather than which is actually THE better knife---I think it's close. The other posters, especially spooky, have made good points.

Good luck. :)
 
Definitely the RC-3 (I'm not a fan of Benchmade). Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is, if you put the boot clip on the front of the sheath, it makes for an excellent pocket sheath.

I'm not a huge fan of kydex, but I love the RC-3 sheath (if it is kydex).

And the sheath is made with a little projection for your thumb for ease of removing the knife. Very positive lock up. I wish they had something similar for my Bravo-1's. In fact, quite often I take my RC-3 into the woods, instead of my Bravos, just because of the sheath.

Oh, and yes, the knife is excellent too! :D

RC-3withbootclip.jpg


Doc
 
Go with the RC-3. i have a RAT-3 (the ontario version) and it is a fine knife. It's nice to have a blade with a little more meat on it available. Additionally, the handle is very comfortable in the hand. The tec-lock sheath carries very easy and doesn't get in the way either. In all honesty, I've never gotten a sheeple reaction to any knife here in CT.
 
personally, i would go with the RAT. it is bigger but not too big. I think the activator would be too small for what you are looking to get it for. I have held it and it is about the size of my hand. You cant go wrong with a RAT, i have a few and they are great!
 
There are several good custom makers that are regulars to this forum, and you would be well served to get one from either of them, but for what I think you are wanting I would highly recommend you check with Bryan at Breeden Knives, and check on a KAT, Kelly, or Pathfinder, as most anyone here will tell you, you can't go wrong with his knives!!
 
I'd take the RAT RC-3. Of course, that is only one persons opinion on the matter.
 
Both are great, I just happen to carry the Benchmade 211 and can't find a single fault with it at all.

Paul
 
Of the 2 I say RC-3 all the way. For the money you might could find a Koster Bushcraft, but the RC-3 is a great woods and EDC knife. It also comes with a very versatile sheath.
 
RC3 for sure. I have the RC4 and love it. My benchmades are great blades(dive knife, EDC griptilian, soon to have 210) but I have more confidence in my RC4 in the woods. I think its because it just feels more stout.
 
I got a few benchmades kickin around and One RC6, I was astounded at how well built the RC6 is, very pleasing aesthetically and form and funtion wise.
My Vote goes with RAT.
 
I hear what you're saying about the custom knives, but I think I haven't grown to that level yet. Plus, I would have to have a sheath made, and would have to wait... I am sure that I am going to graduate to custom knives at some point, but for now the ones that strongly appeal to me, are also strongly unappealing to my budget.

As far as these two, I am leaning towards the RAT, but I would appreciate some input with regards to its rust resistance. How rust prone is 1095, really? Will I really have to oil it after every use to prevent it from rusting?
 
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