RAT RC-4 vs. BR Bravo-1

+1 on the sheath point. I ended up having Martin Swinkels make a kydex lined leather sheath for me. In hindsight, I could have done just fine with a regular leather sheath too.

Bravo-101.jpg


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And the retaining strap is removable :thumbup:. I usually prefer to leave it off.
 
Beautiful sheath...!:thumbup:

What that set you back...if you don't mind??
 
NDJeep said:
Beautiful sheath...!:thumbup:

What that set you back...if you don't mind??
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Set me back $90 with shipping included from the Netherlands. That's more than I would normally spend on a sheath, but Martin does excellent work, and I didn't mind splurging on a good functional and classy sheath for one of my favorite knives. To me, a good sheath is a big deal for an outdoor belt knife, not something I'm willing to skimp on.

There are quite a few others that make excellent sheaths as well, as you've seen. Also check out Rainwalker for great sheaths. :thumbup:

ETA: Another pic from Martin showing the kydex liner on the inside of the sheath:

Bravo-102.jpg


It was something unique and different for me, so I thought why not. Most of my outdoor belt knife sheaths are leather (aside from the RC4 and F1), so it was a interesting change.
 
I missed this post early on. Just wanted to say great write up rksoon. Very well done :thumbup::thumbup:

Kevin
 
rksoon said:
...In the end, you'll end up with both anyway. And a few others... :D So just pick the one that appeals to you the most right now.
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A true Seer...:D

Got the Bravo-1 first a few weeks ago, and just picked up a stripped and convexed RC-4.

Good stuff..:thumbup:
 
Don't own the RC-4, but do own an RC-3. I have the Bravo 1 and it's one of the most incredible knives I own. It's seriously cool. Both will accomplish the same things and I imagine they will withstand the same forces.

It comes down to what is more appealing to you personally. For me, it's the Bravo 1.
 
In response to 3Guardsmen's interpretations: #1 Nobody ever claimed to have been awarded a government contract for the production of Bravo 1's for the Marine Corps or any other Armed Service of the United States. Therefore you will never see a National Stock Number for this item. These items are bought "out of pocket" by members of the military. #2 Unless you know someone affiliated with USMCFR's Training establishment (you probably don't even know where that's at), or it's Headquarters (or the location of that either) you will not be able to validate the story behind the knife. Nor will any Marine care if you can. The design is solid enough to represent "Form Follows Function" as suggested by the company and is backed by owners of this product which include members of, not only the Marine Corps, but members of U.S. Army Special Forces Command. My comments are not made to detract from the qualities of the RC line of edged weapons, which in my opinion are also quality products, but to lay bare individual attempts to malign a product based on personal fabrications.
 
It seems that the biggest beef with Mike Stewart and Bark River here on bladeforums is over this USMC discourse...

And a majority of the people following or involved in it don't even own Bark Rivers.

Here's my point. While the argument goes on, Bark Rivers will still be making some of the finest knives around at amazing value. They will still be made of A-2 and other top notch steels that Mike & co. wring incredible performance out of; in fact, comparable to many super steels. They will still have the best customer service and warrantee. They will still come with a leather sheath thrown in. The handles will still be of a variety of exotic and synthetic materials customized to your wishes.

And people who use them, like myself, will find them arrive with sharper convex edges than most any production knife on the market.

I have owned many knives, Busse's, Rats, etc. Never did they arrive as sharp, with a leather sheath (whether top notch or not, it comes with one and I'm good to go, Ive owned many Busse's and not one came with a sheath), and perform as many tasks as readily as they do out of the box. I've had to reprofile, or strip coating from, or rust from (1095), or fix dings on (INFI) and modify to oblivion and still not be fully satisfied. Bark Rivers have the widest crossover in terms of tasks than any knife I have used. And those that have found them to excel in performance are mostly hunters and bushcrafters themselves, who would place their lives on them and not be disappointed.

Not to take away from Rats. They are solid and price-worthy. You can bet your life on either of these blades.


But this ridiculousness over Mike Stewart and the Bravo-1 should stop sometime... There are many, many more Bark River models out there that would outperform the Bravo-1 in certain tasks. It is not a full bushcraft knife. It is a crossover tool that can perform bushcraft tasks. It doesn't have the bushcraft logo on it that Bark River reserves for such tools, like the Aurora. You don't need the military to make excellent knives, or test them, or give them their own stamp of approval. There are many knives used by the armed forces that I think are sub-par.....
The 'tankbuster' look in the Bravo-1 isn't what you will often find in a perfect bushcraft knife...
 
gypsydoc5 said:
In response to 3Guardsmen's interpretations: #1 Nobody ever claimed to have been awarded a government contract for the production of Bravo 1's for the Marine Corps or any other Armed Service of the United States. Therefore you will never see a National Stock Number for this item.
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That's interesting, since people on these very forums have claimed BRKT was awarded a government contract for the Bravo 1. I don't see your newbie self rushing in to correct them!
gypsydoc5 said:
These items are bought "out of pocket" by members of the military. #2 Unless you know someone affiliated with USMCFR's Training establishment (you probably don't even know where that's at), or it's Headquarters (or the location of that either) you will not be able to validate the story behind the knife. Nor will any Marine care if you can.
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Don't bet on that!
gypsydoc5 said:
The design is solid enough to represent "Form Follows Function" as suggested by the company and is backed by owners of this product which include members of, not only the Marine Corps, but members of U.S. Army Special Forces Command. My comments are not made to detract from the qualities of the RC line of edged weapons, which in my opinion are also quality products, but to lay bare individual attempts to malign a product based on personal fabrications.
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Quote one "fabrication" I've made, genius!;) I said I've yet to see one shred of evidence that everything Mike Stewart has posted about the Marine Corps' testing of the BRKT Gameskeeper against other knives actually happened. That is a FACT. I stated I have never seen an N.S.N. assoicated with the BRKT Bravo 1, and as you stated above, that is a FACT. Now, since you imply you're somehow be in a position to be privy to information about the tests that we are not, why don't you provide that info, or are you just making "personal fabrications?"
 
Whatever Mr. Guard guy, you're just an agitator. I think the rest of us would like to move on to more important issues concerning edged weapons. :jerkit:
 
B-1 all the way. I've got an RC-6. I like it. But the convexed A-2 edge retention of the B-1 is truly unsurpassed.

P.S.: If you give the B-1 handle a quick scrub with a dish washing pad and soap, it is no longer slippery.

My 2cents.

B.Bag
 
Some small clarifications:

It was not the Marine Force Recon training but a Marine Force Recon Training Center that did the testing and contacted Mike/BRKT about making the knife. (I have no idea how many training centers there are - 1, 5 20?)

The Bravo-1 is indeed a modification of the Gameskeeper, which was the BRKT knife the Marines originally tested.



And in my opinion, both the Rat and the Bravo are fine, hardy knives. You can't lose on either one. Personally, the Bravo's handle fits me like it was made for my own hand, and if I had to choose on or the other, it would be the Bravo.

But the Bravo is not the knife I carry in the woods - that tends to be a BRKT Canadian Special, Kephart or Aurora. The Canadian, because it just does everything well; the Kephart for traditionalism, and the Aurora for bushcraftiness.
 
gypsydoc5 said:
Whatever Mr. Guard guy, you're just an agitator. I think the rest of us would like to move on to more important issues concerning edged weapons. :jerkit:
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Don't ask questions or make accusations, Gypsy, if you don't want them answered. I noticed you failed to provide any proof whatsoever of anything you claimed. Nice!;)
 
What a pissing contest :confused:. Who care what claims are made by companies, who cares if its military issued, used, tested, or what have you. Does that make it a better product because its military tested? Similar arguments can be found on AR 15 forums in regard to Colt making the only AR worth having because its military issue. IMO, poser and imposters seek the tacti-cool military stuff, maybe so they can brag about it to their friends (while they sit home and drink beer in front of the TV). People who know better are those that utilize these tools in a fitting situation. What license permits someone to say ultimately what knife is better or best (its all opinion and personal preference)? I have both most of the Rat Cutlery line and a couple of Bravo 1 knives (I traded an Aurora for a Bravo 1 because it felt better in my hand in the woods). I like the RC4 and Izula combo BEST, my opinion & my preference. This argument about what claims were made regarding a Bravo 1 are silly and insignificant, the B1 remains a great knife anyway(IMO:D). Now, stop arguing and go outside and build a fire or shelter (or something):D
 
Don't know enough to argue about the comparative virtues of other knives, but I'm thoroughly delighted with my Bravo 1. The knife is so beautifully made, you'd think maybe it's just for show. In fact, I've been rather rough on my B1 and it thrives on the treatment. Baton seasoned, rock hard, red oak then go home and cut ripe tomatoes paper thin. It's a pretty impressive tool.

Carry your B1, a light folding saw, and a Swedish Fire Steel and walk the woods with confidence.

PC
 
RAT knives are ok. But nothing I'd write home about. I have one but don't like it. Just got it to add to my collection.

Now the BRKT Bravo-1 are a different story...you can choose a plethora of colored handles. Been tested by those in the military. And you can't beat that brightly polished mirror finished blade. The blade spine is THICK! The Rat is thin and scrawny in comparison.

As a survivalist and outdoorsman...a knife really should have a mirror polished blade--Easier to find if dropped and a great way to use as a signal mirror if needed. And IMHO and experience should have an orange handle.

Not black or gray but orange. This isn't a tactical, ninja combat knife that you need a black blade. Save the "Kewl-Aid" for the kids; use the practical tool to do the job.

It's a tool for use and abuse. And I have to be able to find it, God forbid it falls out of the sheath on the ground or in the shadow of a bush or in a stream.

Sorry RAT, don't like your stuff.
 
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