RC-3 sheath question.

Gunfucius

Gunfucius

Joined
Jul 19, 2006
Messages
812
I'm considering buying an RC-3, but I want to know one thing before I buy. Does the knife handle dig into your side when carried in the factory sheath without the drop-leg extender when you're standing up? How about when you bend over sideways? When you squat down to pick something up? I need to know, because most knives, when I carry them in high-ride sheaths, tend to dig into my side in all of these positions. The one exception is my Ka-Bar large TDI knife, which, due to the "bent" handle, is perfectly comfortable to carry this way. Its not so useful for everyday cutting tasks, however.

Another question I have, does the factory sheath provide enough retention to carry the knife small-of-back without worrying about it falling out? I don't want to carry it this way, but if it isn't comfortable to carry it on my hip, I may have no other choice. I also don't want to carry it with the drop-leg extender, due to the fact that it would make me look like a mall ninja with it sticking out from under my shirt.:D Thanks in advance.

Adam
 
Adam - retention won't be an issue, even if carried inverted, in most situations. The supplied backplate guarantees retention even during parachute jumps - but without the plate, retention is still very good. I carry my RC3 without any issues, although I'm sure it'll dig in to your ribs a little if you bend over sideways towards it! There is a RC3 version that does not have the glass breaker / skull crusher pommel - this may be the way you'd want to go. I carry my RC3 in the factory supplied sheath with a large Tek Lok attached, which sets it away from your body another 1/4" or so. At about $8, the Tek Lok is a nice addition and mounts directly to the sheath without any modification.
 
I agree with Diceman but being I own a Rat3 as well as the RC3 to keep from breaking down the RC sheath I swap my RC with the RAT sheath w/ the tec-loc and carry mine run horizontal with out issues of jabbing or bidding...and no worries of falling out .
 
Also the whole jabbing thing is largely a matter of body shape. Some people have more trouble than others.
 
Guys, are there alternative sheaths already on the market for the RC-3?

Let me clarify my question a bit. I just got an RC-3. Love the knife, but have not gained an appreciation for the sheath yet. I simply want to wear it on a 1.75" gun belt. Do I need the Tek-Lok device to make it secure on a belt? Also, I may have altered the tension by tightening the screws down too much! I was playing around with the boot clip, finally taking it off and reverting back to the original sheath configuration. But, now the sheath seems much tighter than it was at first. Thus, my question regarding alternate sheaths.
 
The TekLok will secure it on the belt but you can also use the MOLLE back to put it on your belt if you want it to ride lower.

The tighter you tighten the screws, the tighter the lockup is on the knife. If the knife is still too tight after removing the screws you can warm it a bit with a hair dryer, put the knife in the sheath and gently pry back and forth to loosen the sheath back up.

At this time I don't know who is making an aftermarket sheath for the RC-3 but my bet would be Survival Sheath Systems
 
Since I EDC my RC3 I have swapped it out with my RAT3 sheath to keep from breaking down the RC3 sheath system so when I go camping or hiking or fishing I slip it back into the original RC3 sheath and off we go.....
 
I have extra RAT3/RC3 sheaths - they're only $17 a piece from RAT, and I like having the option of boot clip, Tek Lok, or Molle plate all ready to go when I need it. Its also nice to have the color variations - I use black for duty carry, and foliage green for EDC and on my military gear.

I highly suggest looking in to the (large) Blade-tech "Tek Lok" for your duty/gun belt (and for EDC) if you haven't used one before. (The large Tek Lok is standard equipment on TASER duty holsters and accommodates a duty belt).
 
diceman said:
I have extra RAT3/RC3 sheaths - they're only $17 a piece from RAT, and I like having the option of boot clip, Tek Lok, or Molle plate all ready to go when I need it. Its also nice to have the color variations - I use black for duty carry, and foliage green for EDC and on my military gear.

I highly suggest looking in to the (large) Blade-tech "Tek Lok" for your duty/gun belt (and for EDC) if you haven't used one before. (The large Tek Lok is standard equipment on TASER duty holsters and accommodates a duty belt).
Click to expand...

Plus, with the spacers in them, you can adjust them to fit other size belts as well.

1* diceman, stay safe!
 
R.A.T. said:
The TekLok will secure it on the belt but you can also use the MOLLE back to put it on your belt if you want it to ride lower.

The tighter you tighten the screws, the tighter the lockup is on the knife. If the knife is still too tight after removing the screws you can warm it a bit with a hair dryer, put the knife in the sheath and gently pry back and forth to loosen the sheath back up.
Click to expand...

THANKS. I ordered the TekLok off the Rat Cutlery site this morning. I did attempt to use the MOLLLE back on my belt, but I could not draw the knife out of the sheath! The sheath kept wanting to pull up towards me. That could have been a result of having the screws too tight. I much appreciate the tips on how to loosen it up. I will be giving that a go tonight.

I'll say this about the RC-3. This is exactly the fixed blade I have been looking for. I've had bigger, beefier blades, but this one is ideal for my needs! I can't tell you how happy I am with the knife. As soon as I figure a way to carry it, I'll be doing so quite often.
 
One note here on removing our knives from their sheaths. Always thumb them out for best results. Wrap your hand around the handle and put your thumb (same hand) on the sheath. Push with the thumb while pulling with the hand and you won't have a problem with the sheath staying still while removing the knife.
 
R.A.T. said:
One note here on removing our knives from their sheaths. Always thumb them out for best results. Wrap your hand around the handle and put your thumb (same hand) on the sheath. Push with the thumb while pulling with the hand and you won't have a problem with the sheath staying still while removing the knife.
Click to expand...

At first, because my knife was SO tight in the sheath, I could not perform this method. But, now that I have followed all of your suggestions, it is a snap! The hair dryer idea worked great. I now have a secure, but not overly tight, fit in the sheath. And, I have found a way to use the MOLLE back to secure this to my 1.75" belt. Using your thumbing method, all works very well. I am more than happy. One, very satisfied customer here, sir! :D
 
Hey, just want to check in with a couple of pictures to show how I am using the sheath at this point in time. Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated!

Here is how it's positioned.

RC3position-1.jpg


Here is the back of the sheath to show how I ran the long strap under a loop. This seems to hold the sheath closer to my belt and keep it from swaying.

RC3Back-1.jpg



You can also note that I am using two lower holes for the screws to avoid too much tension on the sheath and a too-tight fit.

When I get the TekLok, will it position the knife higher or lower on my belt?
 
Looks to me like the sheath should be lower on your belt when using it in the manner you're showing the MOLLE strap running. TekLok is going to make it a lot higher on the belt since it goes directly to the back of the molded sheath.
 
Hey, you are right! With this belt having velcro at the same point as where the MOLLE back has it, I inadvertently did not have the sheath all the way down on the belt. Made the adjustment and like it even better!

I don't know that I would want to do this, but is there a way to carry this sheath horizontally on my belt? Would the TekLok facilitate that?
 
diceman said:
I have extra RAT3/RC3 sheaths - they're only $17 a piece from RAT, and I like having the option of boot clip, Tek Lok, or Molle plate all ready to go when I need it. Its also nice to have the color variations - I use black for duty carry, and foliage green for EDC and on my military gear.

I highly suggest looking in to the (large) Blade-tech "Tek Lok" for your duty/gun belt (and for EDC) if you haven't used one before. (The large Tek Lok is standard equipment on TASER duty holsters and accommodates a duty belt).
Click to expand...

Where did you get a boot clip from mate?
 
I use a large Tek-Lok on all my fixed blade sheaths - when matched with a good kydex sheath it is the best sheath system going. However, I do stress is should be a good kydex sheath, and this is not as easy to achieve as it sounds.
 
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