RAT RC-4 or BRKT Bravo-1 for camping/survival

Hard choice. I have a Bravo 1 and my mate has a RC4, both great knives and top quality. I would have to say I would lean towards the Bravo 1, as I feel it has a better edge and is more comfortable over all. I also am not a huge fan of coated blades. With this being said, you can't go wrong with either knife.
 
rifon2 said:
The current RAT Cutlery RC-4 is a very different knife than the Ontario RTAK.

The RTAK was made by Ontario, whereas the RC-4 is being manufactured for RAT Cutlery by Rowen.
Also, the RTAK itself was discontinued by Ontario in favor of the RTAK II.
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I thought Randall(?) designed the RTAK and Ontario built it to his specifications. They parted ways and Ontario makes the RTAK II I guess so it is "different" from the original design so they don't need Randall's approval.

Randall designed the RC-4, 6 whatever and it is built to his specifications by someone else. From the looks of them you can tell they came from the same designer. As you said the RC-6 has not been produced yet, but it is hard to tell it is entirely different from the website.

According to them it is a "no nonsense affordable field knife designed for military, etc." It may be a very good knife for what it is. I did not like the RTAK because it was too light for the job. I don't like coated blades because it is a cheap way to cut corners on finishing. Just look at all the stripped Busses. I don't care if the flash of moonlight off my shiny Barkie spooks some raccoon in the woods. The Bravo looks good, feels good and instills confidence. Maybe the first two shouldn't matter in a survival situation but we all spend 90% of our time holding/looking at our knives around the house rather than the forest, so why not own a well finished one rather than a utilitarian one.
 
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HornyToad said:
I thought Randall(?) designed the RTAK and Ontario build it to his specifications. They parted ways and Ontario makes the RTAK II I guess so it is "different" from the original design so they don't need Randall's approval.

Randall designed the RC-4, 6 whatever and it is built to his specifications by someone else. From the looks of them you can tell they came from the same designer. As you said the RC-6 has not been produced yet, but it is hard to tell it is entirely different from the website.

According to them it is a "no nonsense affordable field knife designed for military, etc." It may be a very good knife for what it is. I did not like the RTAK because it was too light for the job. I don't like coated blades because it is a cheap way to cut corners on finishing. Just look at all the stripped Busses. I don't care if the flash of moonlight off my shiny Barkie spooks some raccoon in the woods. The Bravo looks good, feels good and instills confidence. Maybe the first two shouldn't matter in a survival situation but we all spend 90% of our time holding/looking at our knives around the house so why not own a well finished one rather than a utilitarian one.
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I find the new RC knives have a very different feel than the old Ontario versions. Different ergos altogether. You may still dislike them, but they are different.
Also, I ordered an RC-4 as a EDC user, not to be a pretty knife. I really didn't care if it was "beautiful" but I must say, this is a very nice knife. I realize that the Bravo is a very attractive knife and can be had with very nice, very fancy handle materials, but I really can't imagine a knife being much better finished than the RC. The coated blade, micarta handle and kydex sheath are my style and I realize they aren't for everyone, but don't think that this is a poorly made knife, it is top quality IMO.
 
My Bravo has the standard black canvas micarta scales so it is a user not a safe queen. Maybe RAT knives will send me a sample to change my opinion. :D
 
Even though the Bravo is thicker I have yet to find a task that the Bravo can't do I've cut fire wood with it then went and sliced tomatoes and onions for food prep. I'm also going to get another Bravo-1
 
I own a RAT-3 and it's a fine knife. I know it's not a RC knife and it's shorter and different than the RC-4, but there are some similarities. I also own a Bravo-1. I won;t recount what's already been said except to say that the Bravo-1 fits my hand as if I designed it myself. Very solid....very nice.
 
My suggestion, based on countless READINGS of suggestions and some theoretical experience, basically dont bother what I am saying, is to choose at least TWO knives.

The first knife is any of those you have already chosen. I usually suggest Fallkniven F1 for everything, but those two are great as well. This knife you do "construction" work with, MAKE fire, MAKE shelter, MAKE other stuff. Sharp and strong and can be batoned on.

The second knife is a rather small knife, maybe a 3" blade. here I would suggest the Fallkniven WM1, but any nice knife in that size will do. This small knife you use to gut animals and such. You dont need a big knife to do that. I have even seen a small "finger knife" you put on your index and middle finger and the knife (almost like a belt cutter) is perfect for gutting moose and such. You dont need a sword to do that.

The smaller knife also works as backup or your big knife and so on.

So get at least two knives. One bigger and one larger. My favourites Fallkniven F1 and now H1 are a compromise. The solve the problems I might have. I dont need the chopping power because I can baton on them.
 
I haven't gutted a deer in a while but the Bravo is not alot bigger than the knives I've used, just a thicker blade, so I am sure it would get the job done. I do agree a second, smaller knife with thinner blade would be a good addition for cleaning fish, gutting small game, general cooking chores and other more delicate work.

Maybe a hatchet or ax and a few other knives for backup. Can't have too many tools.;)
 
Dannyboy Leather said:
John,

Both companies make other models that would be more appropriate for your needs, IMHO. Especially if you are considering field-dressing a smaller/medium animal like deer. Having field-dressed and processed countless large (moose, caribou, elk, deer, African game, beeves) and small game in the field, and in the butcher shop here for cutting and wrapping, it has been my observation over the years that most of the knives taken to the field for field-dressing are much too large and thick. IMO, the two knives you mention qualify on both accounts. If the two knives mentioned (I have used both) are to be used for military or survival application, I say fine and dandy. Still, personally, I much prefer the more efficient, easier to maintain thinner blades for camping, woodcraft, survival, eviscerating and disassembly of game, and general utility use.
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I have to agree with Danny also. This is my favorite field dressing knife for whitetail deer.

safari.jpg


I have used this one to butcher deer because the point is very fine and sharp and you can use it to carve out the meat from the bone in real tight places
lf1.jpg


The skookum is real good for butchering too.:thumbup:
 
kalama said:
waz up brada,both blades are awsome but i found one better its cheaper than the bravo almost same specs but alittle longer blade an its a barkie try the gameskeeper II its my new bush,hunta,campa,everyting blade its one bad ass knife
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+1

The Gameskeeper II trumps them all.
 
I've never handled a RAT knife, but I just got a Bravo-1 (Maroon Linen Micarta) and I'm super-impressed with it. One of the most comfortable handles I've ever held, knife came sharp out of the box, and fit and finish is excellent. I also picked up one of the new "EEP" treated sheaths for it that's supposed to be basically weatherproof.

The steel for the stainless version has been ordered, but they haven't told anyone what steel it is yet.

The CAD drawing for the Bravo-II has been posted... same basic design, but 12" overall with a 7" blade.

The Bravo has been bumping production of other knives due to its popularity, if that tells you anything. :thumbup:

Edited to add:

And if you want to carry something smaller, remember that the Marine Unit that BRKT worked with carries a Mikro Canadian piggybacked on the sheath...

Bravo_Mikro_with_Sheath.jpg
 
To tell the truth - I find myself really attracted to the Highland which has a very similar bladeshape to the Bravo but not the ridiculous thickness. I do not own either though.

I own an RC-4 and it is a very solid knife. It works best when reprofiled to a thinner edge than the standard 20o per side. 1095 is a great steel to work with. I took off the coating from mine and then put on a patina. Long story but I really like this knife. It is big, yet small, thick yet relatively thin. All in all a great survival knife.

However, I still find myself using a smaller thinner knife for more chores. Actually, for most EDC and skinning tasks the RC-3 is a much better knife at .125" thick and it comes from the factor with a 15o bevel. Very well optimized for the size of knife.
 
Thanks again for all the great replies.

I just placed an order for the Bravo-1.

The reason that I choose the Bravo had to do with the grind. I have never had a convex grind knife and I want to see if it is truly as easy to keep sharp as everyone says it is.

I'm sure the RC-4 is a great knife and if I find one for cheap I might pick it up. Unfortunately no one in my area had either knife for me to handle so I had to rely on everyone's recommendation.

It should be here next week sometime. Just in time for a camping trip to TN.

Thanks
John
 
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