RC-4 vs. RC-6 for bushcraft

[BoxANT]

RC4 is a great all around knife, but it works best when you have an axe or saw.

If you really want chop with a knife, get a Jungalas.

 

[jeff_c]

RC4 is a great all around knife, but it works best when you have an axe or saw.

If you really want chop with a knife, get a Jungalas.

In recent weeks I have really become accustomed to haveing a good folding saw. Really a VERY helpful tool in pine / hardwood forests.

 

[ShooterMcgavin]

Thanks jeff c. Good to hear the input.

I'll be honest, I don't baton much. I was just thinking about a worst case scenario when I posted this.

Don't get me wrong, I think the RC-4 is a great example of a knife in its size class. I don't think I will get something like the Junglas or another one that size. I just won't tend to have it on me much when backpacking. Too large and too much extra weight.

 

[Col. Cornelius]

The RC-4 is the largest knife I will carry. To me, the RC-6 (and larger) knifes only stay around the truck/house. I also always have a small forest axe (or bigger) in the truck, so I really don't use large knives that often.

Growing up as an outdoorsman, I've carried alot of different blades. I've found that if I'm in the woods hiking, hunting, fishing, or on horseback, the biggest knife I carry has a blade 4 1/2" or less. I've never really thought about it much, but that's what I tend to do.

Looking at my collection, the larger knives just never get carried out and about.

 

[ShooterMcgavin]

Col. Cornelius, do you avoid batoning, avoid bigger wood, or have another solution?

 

[rc3mil]

I vote 6. But then again i would have it paired with the 3 so i would have no need for the 4. As another member previously stated, The 6 and 3 combo is great.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I prefer the 6 over the 4.

Simple reason is the blade geometry is the same, but with a little more length on the 6.

Most trap whittling and such is done down by the choil, where they are going to be the same. Tip work is a little more difficult with the 6 than the 4, but if you're used to using a longer knife, you can do it fine.

To each his own.

Now, if they made an ESEE TAK -- ESEE6 scales on a 4" blade 1/8"-5/32" thick, that may yield a different answer.

 

[Grover6]

Who are we kidding? You need both of them.

I have both a 4 and a 6. Love them both, but they are used differently. when I have the ability to have an axe, I will have my 4 and an Izula. So this means truck/rv camping. I have my 6/Izula combo for hiking/backpacking when I don't want the extra wright of the axe. I guess the Junglas would also work here as well, but I feel the 6 is a good compromise between size and weight.

The 4 is a great knife, and my first ESEE.

 

[1066vik]

Now, if they made an ESEE TAK -- ESEE6 scales on a 4" blade 1/8"-5/32" thick, that may yield a different answer.

yeah - last night I was thinking I need to make a piggyback for my TAK on my Junglas sheath -- that seems like a pretty close to perfect combo. (they even have the same color micarta - or at least will once the Junglas gets used a bit)

 

[thebestnoobcake]

I was thinking of getting a 6 but ended up with a 4 due to the fact that if I need to chop something, I will use an ax or a saw. However, earlier today, I chopped through 6-7 cm roots (2andabit inches) in a minute or two. Not pretty, but it worked.
I would say that the 4 is a better choice than a 6 due to the more compact size (and I like the handle scales better). If you only had one knife, the 4 would be more versatile than the 6. If you need to chop something, get an ax.

 

[Col. Cornelius]

Col. Cornelius, do you avoid batoning, avoid bigger wood, or have another solution?

For fire building in very wet or snowy conditions, I typically bring a small forest axe to gather wood (either in the truck, strapped to the pack horse, or carried in hand).

I have never needed to baton wood to start a fire.

I have started many fires in the rain with only a slip joint barlow pocket knife, a strike anywhere match and a piece of pitchwood. I use the pocket knife to make shavings and small pieces from the pitchwood. If you know where to look, you can find dry wood.

Once the fire gets going, you can even start to pre-dry wood that is damp.

I typically don't do alot of cutting up large wood in to shorter pieces. I just throw it on the fire and let the fire burn it in two, then push both pieces in.

I think sometimes too much is made about the importance of cutting up all the firewood into nice 12" long sections. Once you get a good fire going, you can just throw on large chunks and let the fire burn them in two.