RC 4 handle size?

[cbach8tw]

I got my new 4 and I love it! I did at first think the handle was a little too small, but I am quickly finding out how to make use of it in different hand positions. Anyone else felt that way at first? I handled a 3 and liked how it felt a bit better, but now I am understanding that was because of the weight of the knife, and the 4 is slightly bigger. Any comparisons between the handles of the 3 and 4? And don't worry, I like my 4 just fine and I will not be sending to anyone else to test it! Lastly, will using the tec locks limit the thickness of the belt I can use to carry it? The locks will definitely lock the knife in place and I wanted to use it on my army belt.

 

[Fletcher Knives]

I got my new 4 and I love it! I did at first think the handle was a little too small, but I am quickly finding out how to make use of it in different hand positions. Anyone else felt that way at first? I handled a 3 and liked how it felt a bit better, but now I am understanding that was because of the weight of the knife, and the 4 is slightly bigger. Any comparisons between the handles of the 3 and 4? And don't worry, I like my 4 just fine and I will not be sending to anyone else to test it! Lastly, will using the tec locks limit the thickness of the belt I can use to carry it? The locks will definitely lock the knife in place and I wanted to use it on my army belt.

The RC-3 and RC-4 have the exact same handle with the exception of width. Both length and shape are exactly the same. In fact, if you take the scales off of the 4 and the 3 and compare them, you'll notice that the actual scales on the 4 are shaved slightly thinner than the 3, but if you take into consideration the liner material, it actually comes out to maybe a mm or two thicker than the RC-3 scales. If you put the scales from a 4 onto a 3, it will just fit slightly tighter in the sheath. The only real difference between the two it the blade and tang itself. the RC-3 blade is thinner, making for a slightly thinner knife all around and obviously shorter. Pretty neat huh?

 

[cbach8tw]

Yeah, it is neat. So the width of the blade material in the full tang is why it is heavier. I think the weight is probably the culprit, making me think the handle had to be bigger/longer for a slightly more heavier blade. The more I play with it, the better it feels in the hand. It is cold here in Virginia, so the cold maybe has affected my hand a bit too. I just had a birthday last week and maybe arthritis is settling in my finger joints of the right hand.

 

[Fletcher Knives]

Yeah, it is neat. So the width of the blade material in the full tang is why it is heavier. I think the weight is probably the culprit, making me think the handle had to be bigger/longer for a slightly more heavier blade. The more I play with it, the better it feels in the hand. It is cold here in Virginia, so the cold maybe has affected my hand a bit too. I just had a birthday last week and maybe arthritis is settling in my finger joints of the right hand.

Yep. The weight will fool you.

 

[cbach8tw]

Thanks a bunch.....now I will have to get a RC 3 for the other hand....once you start, you just cannot have one......is that RC cutlery or was that Pringles? Do you own the 6 and do you feel you use it more or less often than the 4? Different situations and needs, do you feel you needed the 6 more than the 4 to accomplish them? I think for me, the 4 will fill my needs for light camping and very light, weekend warrior hiking for me.

 

[jeffrice6]

My RC-6 fits the hand better than the 4........Nothing wrong with the 4, just wish the handle had another half inch of length.

 

[Fletcher Knives]

Thanks a bunch.....now I will have to get a RC 3 for the other hand....once you start, you just cannot have one......is that RC cutlery or was that Pringles? Do you own the 6 and do you feel you use it more or less often than the 4? Different situations and needs, do you feel you needed the 6 more than the 4 to accomplish them? I think for me, the 4 will fill my needs for light camping and very light, weekend warrior hiking for me.

I don't own a 6. I have gotten to a point where I just don't care for a knife that size. Either I want a big ass chopper like the RTAKII, BK9, or soon enough RC's new version, or a light-middleweight knife like the RC-3/4. That kind of heavy-middle weight knife just isn't for me. I do own one, the BK7, but I'm hanging onto it more for sentimental reasons than because I use it. I've had several knives in that size from KaBar, Ontario Rat, etc., but they just seem too big to carry and not big enough to warrant the weight. I know there is no shortage of people here that would say I'm nuts and i don't know what I'm talking about. I just don't feel that it's an effective enough chopper and it's too big to be brought along for light work. I'm sure it makes a decent camp knife, but these days, I think that an inexpensive 12" machete makes the best camp knife in the world. If you want one, go for it. They are definitely cool knives and will do work just fine. The 4 will do everything you need to do around camp, short of light chopping. It doesn't chop AT ALL. My honest recommendation is that you stick with a 3 or 4 and just pick up a small machete to use around camp. You'll have all the bases covered. Plus you can fit a 12" machete in a lot of packs or just strap it to the outside.

 

[eygen]

I've held all of the RATS at some point, and all of them are very nice to hold. The RC-3 is easiest to hold, obviously, because it's lighter. But they're all just as comfortable.

 

[gwlee]

I did at first think the handle was a little too small, but I am quickly finding out how to make use of it in different hand positions. Anyone else felt that way at first?

Yep, I think the handle is too small in diameter for a person with average to large hands to take a good grip. Wearing gloves, it might be just right, but there's no need for gloves in my climate.