Rat rc5

I

ipm

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Feb 26, 2009
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Has anyone tried the RAT RC5 as a camp tool?

If so, what's the verdict?

Is it good or bad at any particular task?

What would you rather use in place of the RC5 if anything?

Without ever using one, to me it looks like it could be good for splitting wood but perhaps not for chopping.
 
I think Tonym has one and if I recall his handle has the burn marks to prove he used it for bow drill. I own the RC3, RC4, RC6 and Izula. Personally, I'm a bit dissuaded by the thickness of the RC-5 and view the RC6 as (IMO) a better camp knife. It is a tad longer for batoning, great balance, lighter but thick enough to withstand anything. I couldn't forsee being able to break a 6" x 3/16" blade. I've pryed with the RC-6 into fatwood leaning my full 215 lbs on it without so much as any flex. Why you would want to shorten that up and make it thicker and heaver, I can quite understand. Still, others seem to like it and more power to them.
 
It isn't great at anything, other than batoning, (limited by size, of course). It is great for its' intended purpose, however for a camp knife, I would rather an RC 4 or perhaps and RC 6 to do that.
 
The RC-5 has done everything I've ever needed to do while camping. However, in my opinion, the RC-6 would be better suited for the role. The major cons are the extra thick sabre grind, and the "dead weight". The bow drill indentation in the micarta is wonderfully slick, but the balance of the knife is not centered on it. This leaves you fighting to keep a substantial steel handhold level and making an already physically demanding task all the more draining. The RC-5 is undoubtedly a solid jack of all trades (and one of those trades is smashing things) but for a general purpose camping knife I think the RC-6 surpasses it.
 
The RC5 can be found strapped to my daypack most of the time. It excells at splitting wood. The 1/4" thickness just seams to blow wood apart in 2 wacks. One of the first things I did to the knife when I got it was have a friend who is nifty with a grinder thin the edge and convex it. It cuts very good now. I much prefer the comfort of the RC-5 handle to others in its class like the BK-2

I don't know how you plan on carrying it, but keep in mind that it is almoat 1lb with out a sheath. Oh, and you are correct; it is not a great chopper.

About the bow drill divot. I have started a lot of fires with mine. At first it was kind of wierd, but now it is 2nd nature and probably my favorite handhold for the bow drill.
 
I own, use and have experience with Izula, RC 3, the HEST and the RC 5. HEST is my everyday carry and the RC 5 is in my BOB. With that said...If I needed a camp knife it would be a RC 6...a hiking/backpack knife a RC 4.
 
heard great things about it but for a camp knife i think it would be too thick, i say this because i have a mochasin ranger and its great for chopping but thats about it
 
I have one and find it to be an excellent knife. But then my prefered blade length for most tasks is 5 inch.

The weight is a non issue once one uses the knife for a bit. Same with the balance issue mentioned concerning the bowdrill divot.

Personaly I never think of any knife within this size range for chopping. It is much more efficient to use a baton. This knife makes quick work of splitting.

I too convexed my edge and it is an excellent cutter.

I have found no job that it won't easily do provided I have the skill to perform the task.

My only gripe has been with the Eagle sheath that came with the knife. It is a great sheath. It just doesn't allow enough carry options. I plan on picking up one of the new kydex sheaths at some point to fix this problem.

The thickness of the RC5's handle allows me a much fuller and firmer more secure grip as well. Something to think about if you have large hands.
 
tonym said:
The RC5 can be found strapped to my daypack most of the time. It excells at splitting wood. The 1/4" thickness just seams to blow wood apart in 2 wacks. One of the first things I did to the knife when I got it was have a friend who is nifty with a grinder thin the edge and convex it. It cuts very good now. I much prefer the comfort of the RC-5 handle to others in its class like the BK-2

I don't know how you plan on carrying it, but keep in mind that it is almoat 1lb with out a sheath. Oh, and you are correct; it is not a great chopper.

About the bow drill divot. I have started a lot of fires with mine. At first it was kind of wierd, but now it is 2nd nature and probably my favorite handhold for the bow drill.
Click to expand...

I hear ya with that one Tony. My Scrapyard Dumpster Mutt also had a 5" blade at 1/4" thick and it was awesome at splitting wood. I swapped it in the end because I wanted more cutting ability so it all depends on what you are going to be using ya knife for and what compromises your willing to make.
 
Can you get a RC-6 with the canvas micarta vs linen micarta? If not, that would be one winning point for the RC-5 IMO
 
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