rc-4 destruction test

Great knife! The edge and tip held up tough! And...made in America baby!

Think another knife is on the buy list! :thumbup: :D
 
Just wanted to add something I know has already been said. It is a very impressive performance for a KNIFE. Too often people watch tests like these and think that sharpened prybars are the best knives out there. I don't have any RATs yet but after seeing this it won't be long before I pick one up.
 
R.A.T. said:
As a side note, once we get RC-6 knives shipping good, then we will send Noss an RC-6 to test. Then an RC-5 once they start rolling off the line.
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Sounds good. Lets do it. :thumbup: Thanks.
 
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Very cool. I am happy to see the RC- 4 come out of that like a champ. Not that I ever plan on using my knife like a Diving board, buit since I am only 155lbs; its nice to know I could.:D
 
:( I hate those vid's. Waste of a good knife yet again.....BUT...I know I'll at least be happy with the toughness of these knives. I've always heard good things about these knives but haven't owned one....I've got a RAT-3 D2 on the way and should have it early next week :D I've really wanted one since reading a favorable article on them in Blade Magazine not too long ago.
 
pbubsy said:
:( I hate those vid's. Waste of a good knife yet again.....BUT...I know I'll at least be happy with the toughness of these knives. I've always heard good things about these knives but haven't owned one....I've got a RAT-3 D2 on the way and should have it early next week :D I've really wanted one since reading a favorable article on them in Blade Magazine not too long ago.
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Different company bro, not that the Rat 3 d2 is bad or anything, but just not up to par with Rat Cutlery's RC-3, which I believe was the knife featured in the Blade mag


The rat 3 in d2 is made by ontario
 
tonym said:
Different company bro, not that the Rat 3 d2 is bad or anything, but just not up to par with Rat Cutlery's RC-3, which I believe was the knife featured in the Blade mag


The rat 3 in d2 is made by ontario
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Shoot :p for some reason I thought they were made by the same company :D ONTARIO ;) I just now find out that RAT is a whole nother company altogether!!! I just saw RAT related to both knives and got confused.

No, I'm pretty sure the article I'm referring to is the D2 blade because I remembered the D2 part....I'm a big fan of D2. I like 1095 and there's nothing wrong with it at all....in fact I like it in larger blades...I just don't have enought exp in smaller ones to say anything definitive...though I would think if both were HT effectively the D2 should pull ahead right? Is the 1095 for cost effieciency then? Since I'll bet the performance gap isn't TOO far apart in any case. I've got a 1095 forged golok that's a beast but in smaller blades I prefer D2....and apparently this one is treated to be softer than most D2 for added toughness and ease of sharpening in the field so I had to try it out and satisfy my curiosity.

Is there anything particularly special with the RC-3's HT that makes it leaps and bounds better than other 1095's used by production and custom knife manufacturers? Or is it the design, ergos and warranty (I especially understand this) that makes the fan base. I'm trying to understand since I don't have one or have any experience with them. I'll have to get one now :p to satisfy my curiosity. If there's some special HT for them I'd REALLY have to try them out as I've seen what an incredible HT does to normal steel with Busse knives first hand. 1095 being the great steel that I know it to be (though like any other steel I know it can go either way due to HT) I'd be especially interested if there's special means to eek out extra performance out of a common steel. Always interested in that.

I hope no one takes this the wrong way...I'm new to this specific forum and just want info and explanation. I got interested as soon as I saw the kind of fan base and real world users of these knives. I like how I see these knives in pictures all over the world whereas some of the other premium knives out there I see largely in safes and padded pouches. It's good to see knives out at use....especially at such affordable prices! Looks like an interesting forum and I gotta admit, the simple/utilitarian design of these knives is very appealing to me.

BTW: What's the edge geometry like on these puppies? Does anyone have a good picture that could illustrate this for me?
 
Has anyone used (extensively) both the RAT-3 D2 AND the RC-3? What are your thoughts on both in comparison with each other....since I already know both to be highly regarded.
 
No one will take it the wrong way. All good guys over here. I have heard of uneven grinds and a weaker coating on the RAT 3. I believe the overall fit and finish of the RC-3 is alot better. I believe the handles are a lil different as well. D2 w/ a proper heat treat should hold an edge longer than 1095, but after that destruction test, I wouldn't sleep on the edge holding ability of the RC-3's 1095!

I believe the RC boys chose 1095 not only for cost efficiency, but it is a field knife designed to be used as such. I know it takes a wicked sharp edge and is easier to sharpen than D2.

I have alot of knives in the 3-5" range in 1095. All have been great performers. I am sure the RAT3 will do fine for you. If it doesn't you can always upograde to the RC-3
 
tonym said:
No one will take it the wrong way. All good guys over here. I have heard of uneven grinds and a weaker coating on the RAT 3. I believe the overall fit and finish of the RC-3 is alot better. I believe the handles are a lil different as well. D2 w/ a proper heat treat should hold an edge longer than 1095, but after that destruction test, I wouldn't sleep on the edge holding ability of the RC-3's 1095!

I believe the RC boys chose 1095 not only for cost efficiency, but it is a field knife designed to be used as such. I know it takes a wicked sharp edge and is easier to sharpen than D2.

I have alot of knives in the 3-5" range in 1095. All have been great performers. I am sure the RAT3 will do fine for you. If it doesn't you can always upograde to the RC-3
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Thank you for the response! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't thought to be "trolling" :p I don't want to get banned :eek:

I noticed the handles are linen on the RAT and canvas on the RC? I'd definitely give canvas the upper hand in grip. I see what you mean about 1095 being easier to sharpen....and the D2 being "softer" than usual with the RAT might just put edge holding at less than the 1095 to gain that toughness and sharpenability.....I guess the only thing the D2 knife MIGHT have is rust resistance. But if the coating stays on and the undercoating is good on the RC's then I guess that isn't much of a problem then.

I think I'll go for the RC-3 regardless and see for myself which I like more. The looser will ride in the toolbox in the trunk or hit the exchange :p From what I gather though I'd probably go for the RC. Too bad knivesshipfree doesn't have an orange one with leather available....that standard sheath looks a tad cheesy? Is it? I'm more for leather and only like fitted kydex. I've had the cookie cutter thermoplastic Benchmade sheaths and think they're sub par :p. Is this so with the RC sheaths? I think since I'll have the RAT 3 I might get the RC-4....any reason why I should grab the 3 instead? I've found 4'' to be the perfect size for me.....I just haven't found the perfect blade. It really is great entertainment looking for it too!

Right now I'm with the Fallkniven F-1. I think it's great but I like choils. I'm waiting on one of Ban's BT-4's that looks like a winner and I've had all the sub 6'' Busse knives at one point or another and haven't liked any of them beyond the anorexic badger attack...but I wish it didn't have that useless undersized choil/sharpening notch. That's probably my favorite steel is Busse's INFI, but from experience I know you don't need that kind of toughness and performance in a smaller knife....only in the 6.5''-7+ knives do I see that to be a huge advantage. I love my Battle Mistress, but it's not something I lug around on hikes and such :p.

Would you put the RC3/4 on par with the Fallkniven? If so, I know I'll be stoked when I take the plunge. I like the fallkniven but I like usable choils on 3+'' knives.
 
Congratulations to Rat Cutlery, Knifetests.com, and esp to bladeforums.com. Some manufacturers and some forums have far less intelligent discussion.
 
taurn said:
I'm sure we all had the feeling this test would turn out good. I'm most impressed with the handles, man! What do you guys use to glue them together?! I always wonder if they'll ever get loose on me, but no worries anymore! This knife is tough enough for me
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They are not glued on. They are attached via three screws. I don't know how do you call that kind of screw on construction though.
Mikel
 
Pbubsy- The`coating stays on great with the RC knivbes, however if you let the blade sit without oiling it for awhile you will get a small amount of spots on the edge. Never a problem for me as I use mine quite frequently.

Since you have the rat 3, I would just go to the RC-4 for now. It is more comfortable in hand due to its 3/16 thick stock. The sheath is awesome on the 4, with tons of options. The rc-3 sheath has all the options and I wouldn't call it cheazy; but the 4's sheath is alot more substantial. If you get the 4 it will still give you all the tools of a small knife with the added benefit of a bigger blade. You will also see the difference of between fit and finish between the Ontario and the R.C. line.

By the way, I am with you on the Ban bt-4, looks awesome.
 
Mikel_24 said:
They are not glued on. They are attached via three screws. I don't know how do you call that kind of screw on construction though.
Mikel
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oh I know that, I was thinking they used loctite or something on those screws. duh!! ;)

pbubsy, the choils in the RC3 and RC4 feels great in my hands. I use the choil the majority of the time, it's like instinct when I pick up the knife. I've also owned the Fallkniven F1 and S1, I sometimes wish there was a choil, and have to be careful not to cut myself. I don't think Fallkniven is on par with Rat Cutlery, due to different steel, different handles, brittleness, etc... But I can tell you they are both excellent knives from experience. :)
 
Great jesture Jeff on your part to supply Noss with a RC-6 and RC-5.

This is what I said on the forum.

Finally got to check this test out. The RC-4 handled itself very well. I know it can chop (I can chop with the RC-3, but it's not a chopper). I was surprised with the other test's though, glad everything you dished out it could take. The standing/lateral test it could not take though, too bad, you need to lose some weight Noss, LOL I own a RC-3 and RC-6, so I know there both excellent knives. I'm waiting for an RC-4, too be had soon. Thanks for the test Noss, much appreciated.
 
Cool! :D I WAS going to order a RC-4...but I decided against it :p there's a gunshow that I'm going to in about 5 hours so I'll pick one up there :D
 
BTW: On the RAT-3 D2, the fit and finish isn't so bad. Handle to scale fit is perfect all the way around, bolts are flush and evenly sunk, primary is about as symmetrical as a factory knife usually gets, edge is decent and straight (though a tad on the thick side), coating is smoothly and evenly distributed. If the RC line's fit and finish is that much better than the RAT knives I know I'll be happy because I'm pretty satisfied with THIS knife ;)
 
Sounds like you got a good one:thumbup:

Your gonna like the coating better on the RC-4, and in my experience the RC's are lasers out of the box. So thats always a plus.

Have fun at the show.:thumbup:
 
I made the same mistake (a while ago). Ordered a RAT-3 1095, it isn't a bad knife by any means and I am happy with it for what it is. However, after getting my RC-4, the difference in quality is rather large :) If I could I would swap my RAT-3 for a RC-3 in a heart beat, but alas not many takers :( lol
 
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