Rat rc-5

[Jake Bauer]

I think you should get a 4

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Personally, for camping and most outdoor work, I think the RC6 is the best of the line.

If you want an E DC knife, the Izula is hard to beat.

A good companion to the RC-6, or if concealment isn't a big deal, the RC3 is a really nice "fine work" blade.

As for handle materials, canvas micarta has a coarse, very grippy feel to it. Linen has a finer feel to it, but is still grippy when wet. G10 feels fairly smooth to me when dry, but gets grippy when wet. I prefer the feel of the canvas micarta, but I don't notice a significant performance difference between any of the three.

 

[SangYuP]

Personally, for camping and most outdoor work, I think the RC6 is the best of the line.

If you want an E DC knife, the Izula is hard to beat.

A good companion to the RC-6, or if concealment isn't a big deal, the RC3 is a really nice "fine work" blade.

As for handle materials, canvas micarta has a coarse, very grippy feel to it. Linen has a finer feel to it, but is still grippy when wet. G10 feels fairly smooth to me when dry, but gets grippy when wet. I prefer the feel of the canvas micarta, but I don't notice a significant performance difference between any of the three.

If I knew for a fact that I was going to get 3 knives from the RAT lineup eventually, which one would you pick? I was thinking Izula, between 3 and 4, and the 6. Since I was getting the Izula, I though having the 3 would be a little too similar to it in blade size. I thought having the Izula, 4, and 6 would give me a broad range of sizes with little to no overlap. Or would it be better to go Izula, 3 and 6? If I wasn't getting the Izula, I would probably get the 3 and 6.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

OK, first let me say I'm a bit biased against the RC4. I had one and in my hands, the blade was a bit too heavy for the size of the handle.

I don't see the RC6 as being that much bigger than the 4, and IMO the the 6 can do everything the 4 can do, only better. i think MOST here would argue the other way. But I have huge hands.

My next choice would be the 3. The blade is a little shorter then the 4, but at 1/8" thick, it's a much better slicer and great to make precise cuts.

The Izula is great if you have/want to conceal a knife. It's enough for occasional day-to-day use. If you have to use a knife for long periods of time, the RC3 is better because it has grip scales. I got an Izula because I wanted one and it's great. But if I was only going to get 3 RCs, it wouldn't be on the list.

So far we have the RC3, and RC6. What would be my third? I'd wait for the RC10 to come out. The RC6 is a good size blade, but not enough for chopping. The RC10 is the closest to a big chopper that RAT Cutlery is likely to put out. It's also better for use as a draw knife say if you want to peel bark or make a selfbow.

So, IMO the RC3, RC6 and RC10 would be the most versatile trio. But you'll probably end up getting the Izula anyway, if not the RC4 and RC5 just because.

 

[bushmattster]

CplPunishment,

My thoughts exactly. The 4 is too close in size to the 6 to use together. Both should make great stand alone knives or tandems with smaller blades. For your purpose I would choose the 6. The RC3 having a thinner blade is a different knife all together.
If I need something larger than the 6, I would take a machete.

 

[razorback1595]

If I knew for a fact that I was going to get 3 knives from the RAT lineup eventually, which one would you pick? I was thinking Izula, between 3 and 4, and the 6. Since I was getting the Izula, I though having the 3 would be a little too similar to it in blade size. I thought having the Izula, 4, and 6 would give me a broad range of sizes with little to no overlap. Or would it be better to go Izula, 3 and 6? If I wasn't getting the Izula, I would probably get the 3 and 6.

If you had to choose 3 i'd go with 3 for slicer, 6 for alrounder and 5 for smasher

 

[SangYuP]

OK, first let me say I'm a bit biased against the RC4. I had one and in my hands, the blade was a bit too heavy for the size of the handle.

I don't see the RC6 as being that much bigger than the 4, and IMO the the 6 can do everything the 4 can do, only better. i think MOST here would argue the other way. But I have huge hands.

My next choice would be the 3. The blade is a little shorter then the 4, but at 1/8" thick, it's a much better slicer and great to make precise cuts.

The Izula is great if you have/want to conceal a knife. It's enough for occasional day-to-day use. If you have to use a knife for long periods of time, the RC3 is better because it has grip scales. I got an Izula because I wanted one and it's great. But if I was only going to get 3 RCs, it wouldn't be on the list.

So far we have the RC3, and RC6. What would be my third? I'd wait for the RC10 to come out. The RC6 is a good size blade, but not enough for chopping. The RC10 is the closest to a big chopper that RAT Cutlery is likely to put out. It's also better for use as a draw knife say if you want to peel bark or make a selfbow.

So, IMO the RC3, RC6 and RC10 would be the most versatile trio. But you'll probably end up getting the Izula anyway, if not the RC4 and RC5 just because.

CplPunishment,

My thoughts exactly. The 4 is too close in size to the 6 to use together. Both should make great stand alone knives or tandems with smaller blades. For your purpose I would choose the 6. The RC3 having a thinner blade is a different knife all together.
If I need something larger than the 6, I would take a machete.

If you had to choose 3 i'd go with 3 for slicer, 6 for alrounder and 5 for smasher

Man, I thought I made up my mind about the 3 models I was going to get, but you guys are making it tough for me. I guess this is why most people end up with every knife model from RAT.

 

[riz_aaroni]

Man, I thought I made up my mind about the 3 models I was going to get, but you guys are making it tough for me. I guess this is why most people end up with every knife model from RAT.

Lol. I know what you mean. I have a sheath being designed for an Izula and a big desire for a RC6. That or a RC10 depending on how that looks/costs. Those being in addition to my RC4, which I thought would be it for me.

 

[SangYuP]

Lol. I know what you mean. I have a sheath being designed for an Izula and a big desire for a RC6. That or a RC10 depending on how that looks/costs. Those being in addition to my RC4, which I thought would be it for me.

Yeah, if it only stopped with RAT knives, that would be great. I love spyderco folders too and there are a few models that I want...this is a disease with no cure..except to buy more knives..

 

[Necrodamus]

LOL! its amazing how many threads start this way!
So I'll throw in my 2 cents.
I own 3 RATs one RC-5 and two Izulas. The Izulas are everyday carries
(Yes BOTH, SHUTUP! Its a substance dependency problem, have sympathy. Besides Im in therapy Im limiting myself to two purchases every 3 months! )

Where was I... oh yes the RC-5 is the "Do everything knife".
(note I did not say its the best at doing everything but it is capable of doing everything)
In other words its the perfect survival knife. There is no such thing as the "perfect knife that does everything perfect". There are knives that are purpose designed that do their intended chore perfect, and there are general knives that do many various tasks well but not perfect. The RC-5 reigns as king in the later! Thats why I bought it.

If I was an avid camper and just wanted a good knife or pair of knives for hard use with no intention of abusing them I would choose the RC-6 / RC-3 combo. My reasons are the RC-3 is less likely to cause discomfort or blisters from heavy use whereas the Izula if used a lot will cause some strain after awhile. The RC-6 is also a great knife for your big knife needs around camp.

If your into doing mock bugouts and your going to abuse a knife, get the one knife that will take it better... the RC-5. It was designed for the survival scenario.


Edited to add Thanks for this thread. I have been contemplating my next purchase and have been considering the RC-3 vs RC-4.
This thread has had thinking and considering some things and the comments I have read are leading me towards an RC-3.
I very well intend on getting the 3 / 6 combo as I have listed so as to save my 5 for the bugout bag... but I could get another 5... or maybe a Hest / 6 combo... an RC-10 with an RC-6 piggyback would be awesome and Dundee-ish.... crap...