RC-4 Or Bravo 1

H

Hitthespot

Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
371
Well with a 5 year wait and the prices 5 times what I paid for my model 5 and Model 23 Randalls; I'm going to permanantly retire them. Usually not my style but I can't stand the thought of loosing them or using them, so collection pieces they have become. Personal decision.

So I'm in the market for a good all around hiking, fishing, hunting, fixed blade knife. $100-$180 no problem. I think I have narrowed it down to the Rat RC-4 or Bark River Bravo 1. I love the looks of both and both seem to be respected. I do like the idea of all the different handle materials I can get the Bark River in. ( I'm partial to white)

Which would you guys choose and why.

Thanks for your help.

Bill
 
I wish I knew. I am currently having the exact same thought. I have a new Bravo one that is still in the box because I can't decide either. However, I have not handled the RC-4 yet.
 
I have several Bark Rivers, they are very well made and perform great. I have never owned a RAT product but the reviews are steller as are the guys behind it. I too have the Randall "behind glass" and use the cheaper ones to get dirty.

Thats a hard choice to make between the two companies. The big differences are coated vs non-coated steel. Micarta verses varities of handle materials. Standard bevel vs convex.
 
I am a huge fan of rat cutlery products. The RC-4 is a great blade. If you don't like choils, uncoated blade and handle options than I'd say go for the Bravo-1. I handled two bravo-1's and they are excellent blades! I'd say go for the one that appeals to you the most.
 
udtjim said:
Does anyone know if the RC-4 scales are changeable, Like color wise?
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The slabs on the RC's are bolted on. However, RC doesn't offer replacement scales and indicated that they would not do so. The reason is because the scales are hand shaped for each blade and they feel that they could never sell replacement scales with the same degree of fit.

That said, there are many custom guys out there who will put any type of handle on them that you like.
 
Hitthespot said:
Well with a 5 year wait and the prices 5 times what I paid for my model 5 and Model 23 Randalls; I'm going to permanantly retire them. Usually not my style but I can't stand the thought of loosing them or using them, so collection pieces they have become. Personal decision.

So I'm in the market for a good all around hiking, fishing, hunting, fixed blade knife. $100-$180 no problem. I think I have narrowed it down to the Rat RC-4 or Bark River Bravo 1. I love the looks of both and both seem to be respected. I do like the idea of all the different handle materials I can get the Bark River in. ( I'm partial to white)

Which would you guys choose and why.

Thanks for your help.

Bill
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Im suspicious of bark rivers being made in china, but other then that i like a-2 a bit more for corrosion resistance. Ive heard rats, and bark rivers are top notch so you got a bit of a dilemma.
 
I have both knives. I fid the bravo 1 performs better at camp chores. The blade has better cutting geometry even though it is thicker. I think the coating on the rc 4 kinda grabs.

That being said, I really like the rc4 as well. Nice compact knife. I think you would be happy with both. If I had to choose 1 id go with the bravo but it is a more expensive blade--actually my favorite fixed blade knife.
 
Wow, It's good to hear everyone so far likes both. They are in fact both respected. It may just come down to which ever one feels better in the hand and appeals to me more.

Keep it coming.

Thanks

Bill
 
Thalestin said:
I fid the bravo 1 performs better at camp chores. The blade has better cutting geometry even though it is thicker. I think the coating on the rc 4 kinda grabs.
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Those are good critiques... Sometimes its best to take matters into your own hands :D

DSC_0041-5.jpg
 
winbag338 said:
Im suspicious of bark rivers being made in china, but other then that i like a-2 a bit more for corrosion resistance. Ive heard rats, and bark rivers are top notch so you got a bit of a dilemma.
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Are you saying your suspicious of Bark Rivers because you think they may be secretly made in China, or your suspicious of them because they are in fact made in China?

I thought they were made in the USA.

Bill
 
Personally, I'll always choose Bark River over just about any other maker for my fixed blade knives. Their products are as good as, if not better than, anyone else in the market. In addition, their customer service consists of treating customers like family.

So... Bravo 1!!!

Edit: Also, they are certainly NOT made in China. They're made by Mike Stewart and his crew in Michigan. Winbag, your username is reaching its zenith of appropriateness.
 
kgd said:
Those are good critiques... Sometimes its best to take matters into your own hands :D

DSC_0041-5.jpg
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Yes I wish you could buy them without the coating but Oh well, I do kind of like the Desert Tan. I just don't think it will look good after a few years of use. How did you remove the coating?

Bill
 
I have both I like the bravo 1 more. Better ergonomics and it is thicker (I like the chubbys) also I think looks a little better. That being said the rc4 is a nice knife too there both great but my vote is for Bark River
 
I am not familiar with Bark River's customer service, but I know RAT has a no questions asked policy.

You can cut the knife in half and they will replace it.

RAT Cutlery said:
No Questions Asked Warranty. If you screw it up, break it, or cut it in two with a cutting torch, send it back and we'll replace it. Warranty is transferable. In other words, we warranty the knife no matter how many times it's been traded, sold or given away. We don't ask for a sales receipt, date of purchase or where you bought the knife - No fine print and no hassles. If you have a problem, contact us.
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The knives are similar sized but quite different in feel. I've got both. The RC-4 is a very utilitarian knife. The Bravo 1 has a lot more options on handles, which I liked. As you can see in the pics, the Bravo 1 is a touch bigger with a longer and wider handle. I'm still mixed on the thumb support on the Bravo 1, but that's a whole different topic :)

Both are awesome, but I prefer the feel of the Bravo 1 for the beefier grip. You can't go wrong with either.

-Tim

bark-rc-1.jpg


bark-rc-2.jpg
 
Hitthespot said:
How did you remove the coating?
Bill
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It started to get the usual batnoning wear marks after a while and I just took 220 grit paper and worked out the hole over the rest of the blade. Other folks use paint remover. You remove the scales, apply the paint remover over the whole knife and wrap it in saran wrap overnight. The coating just falls off. The only thing I like about my approach is that it preserved the coating under the slabs so I know the tang will always be protected. I can see any issues that crop up on the blade.
 
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