RC 3 or RC 4

G

gizZzmo333

Joined
Mar 4, 2009
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24
Hey guys...looking at getting my first RAT knife. Been doing some good research and have heard excellent things about these knives...very excited. So im looking at getting a RC 3 or 4...here's where I need a little bit of help/input.

Im looking for this knife to serve the purpose of a primary survival blade. I'd like to be able to use it for pretty much every-anything. Kitchen duties, light chopping / splitting, whittling, defense.

So...i'd like to get a few quick replies from people that have an RC 3 or 4...and what they would recommend to me...also plain edge or serrated blade?

Thanks alot. Much Appreciated.
 
RC-4 based on above activities. The extra inch goes a long way, the thickness makes it more survival orientated and well suited as your stand alone blade. As an EDC knife or paired with a bigger chopper I prefer the RC-3, thinner blade, better slicer.
 
pretty much a ditto of what kgd stated. The RC-4 is in my opinon the perfect all around knife size. -and my personal favorite- That stated, IMO it's a touch much to tote along as an EDC unless your occupation is a trapper in the Great Woods of the North. I'm an office weenie by day, so the Izula is my preferred EDC. OuttaSightOuttaMind. And it's more than enough blade for my daily needs.

When I head out to rough it I take the RC-4 and the Izula. The covers all my needs.

Which ever you choose, you'll be happy. And honestly, you might as well face the fact that you'll wind up owning them all before you're through. They're like Potato Chips, You can't have just one without another, then another.....

Welcome future RAT owner! :thumbup:
 
hahah good stuff. Another good reply. Thanks alot for the info. Can't Wait to buy!!! BTW...any preferred sites to order RAT knives off of? I've checked out quite a few and they all seem pretty comparable? Any favorites?

THanks again Guys :)
 
10Beers said:
pretty much a ditto of what kgd stated. The RC-4 is in my opinon the perfect all around knife size. -and my personal favorite- That stated, IMO it's a touch much to tote along as an EDC unless your occupation is a trapper in the Great Woods of the North. I'm an office weenie by day, so the Izula is my preferred EDC. OuttaSightOuttaMind. And it's more than enough blade for my daily needs.

When I head out to rough it I take the RC-4 and the Izula. The covers all my needs.

Which ever you choose, you'll be happy. And honestly, you might as well face the fact that you'll wind up owning them all before you're through. They're like Potato Chips, You can't have just one without another, then another.....

Welcome future RAT owner! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Well that sums it up for me exactly! RC4 and Izula for me.
 
gizZzmo333 said:
I'd like to be able to use it for pretty much every-anything. Kitchen duties, light chopping / splitting, whittling, defense.
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Niether one is going to do any real chopping, they just don't have the blade length for it. As for the other 4 tasks either will do just fine but;
The RC-3 at 1/8" is going to perform better at kitchen and whittling.
The RC-4 at 3/16" width and 4.5" length is going to be better at splitting and self defense.

But like I said both are fine. I personally prefer the RC-3.

Edit: Forgot to add that unless you can't or won't sharpen your knife to go with a plain edge. Serrated edges are only for people who are knife illiterate IMO.
 
gizZzmo333 said:
hahah good stuff. Another good reply. Thanks alot for the info. Can't Wait to buy!!! BTW...any preferred sites to order RAT knives off of? I've checked out quite a few and they all seem pretty comparable? Any favorites?

THanks again Guys :)
Click to expand...

Knives Ship Free has done me right twice with competitive prices, great service, fast shipping, and excellent responses to my emails.

I highly recommend Derrick at Knives Ship Free. We have other ery reputable dealers on here. But KSF was my first choice and Ill stick with them and their service!
 
I ordered my RC-4 from Chestnut Ridge knife shop and my Izula from New Graham. Both were perfect transactions. Love both knives.
 
The RC-4 will fit your needs better overall. I love mine for camping, hiking, and biking, in case of survival/self-defense, and general use. EDC I would go RC-3, shorter and thinner makes it easier to carry.

Or get it over with and buy both. ;)
 
ya...im more interested in this blade serving a survival purpose...im not as concerned with EDC as I have a few other folding blades (SOG twitch and flash) that are up for my mundane EDC tasks.

For now...i can't be affording both RC 3 & 4...but perhaps down the road. :)

RC 4 seems to be the fav here and will most likely be my first RAT purchase. I'll definitely keep in mind the sites you guys have recommended for purchasing...as long as they offer international shipping (Im in Canada) then everything's set. I personally prefer plain edge blades...especially for sharpening...however you cant deny the ripping / slicing potential of serrated blades...i'll still have to decide on that one.


As for color options... ahh man...who am i Kidding? They're all beautifal :) FOr some reason tho...im really liking the Orange Micarta Handles

Thanks again for all the feedback guys! A++++
 
I'm not a huge serration fan, but the RAT serrations are different than the normal ones. Most will get hung up when you're cutting rope ect.. The RAT serration design is much better than any other serrations I've had.
 
This topic seems to come up a lot!

First, you cannot go wrong with either choice.

Second, since you want this as a "primary survival blade" my nod goes to the RC-4 because it is more of a jack of all trades - it will do everything well. As a survival blade, the additional thickness over the RC-3 will be comforting and a plus for splitting or should you need to, gulp, pry :eek: :D

If you wanted more of a bushcraft, slicer or EDC, I'd say go for the RC-3mil due to it being less thick and lighter.

But it really doesnt matter because in a matter of time YOU WILL OWN THEM ALL, MWAHAHAHAHAHA :yawn:
 
gizZzmo333 said:
Hey guys...looking at getting my first RAT knife. Been doing some good research and have heard excellent things about these knives...very excited. So im looking at getting a RC 3 or 4...here's where I need a little bit of help/input.

Im looking for this knife to serve the purpose of a primary survival blade. I'd like to be able to use it for pretty much every-anything. Kitchen duties, light chopping / splitting, whittling, defense.

So...i'd like to get a few quick replies from people that have an RC 3 or 4...and what they would recommend to me...also plain edge or serrated blade?

Thanks alot. Much Appreciated.
Click to expand...

Based on what you're looking for I'd go with the RC-4. Great all around blade! Knivesshipfree.com is a good site to buy from. Fast and free shipping. Good luck.
 
gizZzmo333 said:
ya...im more interested in this blade serving a survival purpose...im not as concerned with EDC as I have a few other folding blades (SOG twitch and flash) that are up for my mundane EDC tasks.

For now...i can't be affording both RC 3 & 4...but perhaps down the road. :)

RC 4 seems to be the fav here and will most likely be my first RAT purchase. I'll definitely keep in mind the sites you guys have recommended for purchasing...as long as they offer international shipping (Im in Canada) then everything's set. I personally prefer plain edge blades...especially for sharpening...however you cant deny the ripping / slicing potential of serrated blades...i'll still have to decide on that one.

As for color options... ahh man...who am i Kidding? They're all beautifal :) FOr some reason tho...im really liking the Orange Micarta Handles

Thanks again for all the feedback guys! A++++
Click to expand...


Yeah, id skip the serrations. Personally find them pretty useless..especially partial.

Also wanted to say that knivesshipfree ships to canada for real cheap. Its where I try to get my knives. They also have a points system so you get more money off. Great place to shop :thumbup::thumbup:
 
If you like Orange G10 and a green blade (and dont want the molle back option - just kydex and molle clips), Howes Knife Shop has a hell of a close out sale - $78 plus shipping (make sure to email them to adjust the shipping charges for you - will save a few bucks)

http://www.howesknifeshop.com/01-2009-RAT-Cutlery-Co./ClOSE-OU/c51/p435/RAT-Cutlery:-RC-4P-OD/product_info.html

HESTs are $75 and the price on Barkies is unreal - picked up a Canadian Special for a ridiculous price.

With that said, like stripymccatpuss said - knivesshipfree, chestnut and theknifeconnection are excellent as well.
 
Excellent stuff guys. Loving the warm welcome into my future RAT family :) Ah man...it's gonna be real hard picking the first color/blade combination. Although most of you are recommending the RC 4 for my primary survival blade purposes, Im thinking im gonna work my way up the RAT ladder -Since I'm going to end up owning them all right guys? :) and start with the RC 3MIL-Plain Edge. I can't waiiiiit

The sites you guys have been recommending all sound good (KSF would be my first choice since it seems to be highly regarded). I may also wait a few weeks as workwearcanada.com is supposed to be stocking RAT knives, however if the time frame is too far away and I'm not able to hold back my RAT excitement...then i'll just go ahead with KSF.

Thanks again everyone!
 
It's an addictive thing, getting quality knives :)

I wasn't impressed with what I found at the Dallas Gun and Knife show today, so tonight I ordered an RC-4 plain-edge, orange-handled, to go with my Izula (OD Green) I bought a few weeks ago, along with yet another folder (SpyderHawk). It was all I could do to keep from ordering another Izula in a different color, that Desert Tan one looks really sharp!
 
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