RC-5 vs BK-2

bld522

bld522

Joined
Feb 3, 2004
Messages
7,119
I posted this thread at KF yesterday but I didn't receive a response:

The RC-5 and the Becker BK-2 appear to be nearly identical knives in terms of designs, geometries, and alloys. Both RAT Cutlery and Becker knives have earned well-deserved reputations for toughness. So while I may turn out to be way off base, I don't expect either knife to significantly outperform the other. Under the circumstances, and with all due respect to RAT Cutlery, what would make the RC-5 worth over twice the price of a BK-2? (I've included the specs for the RC-5 and the BK-2 for reference.)

RC-5:

Overall Length: 10.88"
Blade Length: 5.25"
Thickness: .25"
Steel: 1095 Carbon
Weight: 16 ounces without sheath
Finish: Black Textured Powder Coat
Blade Width: 1.56"
Grind: Flat
Handles: Canvas Micarta
Sheathing: MOLLE Compatible Cordura
Features: Glass Breaker, Bow Drill Divot
Spine: Thumb Grippers
Warranty: 100% LIFETIME GUARANTY
MSRP: $227.99

BK-2:

1095 High Carbon Steel CRO-VAN Blade with black epoxy powder coat.

57-58 RC blade hardness

BLADE LENGTH: 5-1/2"
OVERALL LENGTH: 10-1/2"
WEIGHT: 1.0lb.
Handle: GRIVORY
Sheath: Glass Filled Nylon.
MANUFACTURER: KA BAR KNIVES
WARRANTY: LIFETIME FACTORY WARRANTY
MSRP: $96.99

Source: http://64.176.233.199/catalog/index.php
 
I have to admitt, I've wondered the same thing. I think in the long run I'll just end up buying both knives. First off, your prices are a bit off, but you are still correct that there is almost a $100 difference between the two. What do you get for that extra money? You get the best warranty in the business. A lifetime, transferable, no questions asked, you skrew it up and we replace it warranty. That's worth a lot to me. You also get a much more versitile and higher quality sheath. That sheath alone is worth $50 in my opinion. I also just like supporting RAT cutlery because they're such a great company and such stand up guys. They are also very involved with their customer. That makes me willing to pay a little more. In short it all comes down to preferance. They are both great knives that you could bet your life on. Money is tight for me, but I think I'd rather save a little longer and get the RAT, but that's just me. Plus that OD blade with micarta handles just turns me on.
 
Although I think .25 inch thick 5" blade is too much I would go with the RC-5 without a doubt if money is not an issue. I got the BK-2 a couple of months ago and I'm very disapointed with it. It's too thick, too heavy, pretty much useless for me. 3/16" would of been great like the RC-6 to me. Also the ergo on the RC-5 is far superior than the BK-2. This is my personal oppinion of course...cheers!!!
 
What Deere man said.:thumbup:

I have a BK-9 which I love, but micarta handle scales would make way it better.

If i was going to Iraq, The RC-5 would be my choice.
 
The similarities between the two blades end with the cosmetics.

The handle of the RC5 is much better designed and executed than the BK2. Overall fit and finish of the Rc5 is far superior as well.

The RC5 has features which the BK2 does not i.e. glass breaker pommel, bowdrill divot.

As mentioned above the sheath is great easily beating out the sheaths offered on 90+% of all the production knives on the market.

Then there is the warranty, And the folks at RAT cutlery.

The price I've paid for mine with shipping is $135.00. That is a lot of value for the bucks.
 
bld522 - your question isn't completely out of line, but it does lean on the disrespectful side to have it posted on the Ratcutlery form.

A more appropriate place to post this would have been the general knife discussion area. The reason I say this is because your post, being placed here immediately places RatCutlery on the defensive and puts them in an awkward position of having to justify their price points without bashing another respected brand (Becker) who has their own sub-forum. In effect, your post could open a political can of worms. Asking RatCutlery to justify why their knife costs its price without mentioning the Becker would have be more appropriate.

That said, the price difference reflects the materials. You almost never see a mircata handled knife under $100 and the mircata that RC uses is top notch. Compare that to the plastic handles of the other knife and you can see why there is a price point difference. As others have mentioned as well, the sheath that comes with the RC-5 knife is a top notch one. The equivalent sheath (from the same company who manufactures them) in the aftermarket is >$50. One of the unique things about RatCutlery is that they put as much thinking and design emphasis on their sheath solutions as they do the knives that fit in them. With many other companies, the sheath is an after thought. Fit and finish of the Rowan knives is superb. I've received 5 knives from RatCutlery and never found the slightest flaw in any of them.

Now the Becker is a great knife too. It is made with cheaper materials and has a lesser quality sheath. At the same time it is a highly functional and servicable knife that would make an excellent survival knife. The fit and finish on the Becker's that I have handled (all Kabar produced ones) were also quite good. I've seen a couple of pictures on the forum where the slabs were slightly misaligned or became loosened with use (lock tight and screwing the slabs on will fax that).

If you want a great product without the fancy details the Becker will service you well. If you appreciate the finer details of a well thought out sheath and bombproof, rock solid, grip retention features of mircata handles, then go with the RC-5.
 
As previously stated, this is not the place for this.

That being said, the warranty RAT has is worth the extra money alone, in my opinion. Add to that the superior handle, and the sheath, and you have a product that is superior, in my opinion.
 
If you don't see the value in the RC-5, buy the Becker BK2. Problem solved. :)
 
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Deere Man said:
I have to admitt, I've wondered the same thing. I think in the long run I'll just end up buying both knives. First off, your prices are a bit off, but you are still correct that there is almost a $100 difference between the two.
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Those prices are right on the money in regard to MSRP

Tom
Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop
www.ridgeknifeshop.com
 
CRKS said:
Those prices are right on the money in regard to MSRP

Tom
Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop
www.ridgeknifeshop.com
Click to expand...


I'm sure that's true. I only meant that with a little shopping around, those knives can be had for considerably less at many different vendors. I guess I should have explained that a little better. It's a little easier to justify the RC-5 over the BK-2 when the price difference is less than $75 versus the $130 that the MSRPs suggest. I sure didn't mean to offend anyone.
 
The RC-5 comes standard with Micarta slabs (this is a plus). I added the BK77 Micarta slabs to my BK2 I also added stainless steal nuts and screws, this will bump the MSRP up about $50.00.

If you would upgrade the sheath system on the BK2 to something comparable to the RC-5 you would add another $50.00. This is noted when you compare the Ka Bar 1281 and the 1282 the difference between the to products is a Kydex Sheath vs an Eagle Sheath.

As you can see adding these two upgrades pushes the MSRP up close to the $200.00 mark

Eathen Becker is a well respected knife designer that as a well respected line, nobody will take that away.

Although I will not be able to put my RC-5 to the test until the middle to end of this week, I am confident that it will meet and exceed my expectations. I have never handled a RAT Cutlery Knife that I didn't like.

Jeff and Mike are also well respected knife designers, with a superior knife line.

I think the 1/4" thick blade complements the RC line. I will post results after I run the knife through its paces. At the end of general use I'll probably slice it through the same Ford Bronco quarter panel that I sliced the RD6 through.

If you really want to see which knife you prefer buy both.

Tom
Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop
www.ridgeknifeshop.com
 
Deere Man said:
I'm sure that's true. I only meant that with a little shopping around, those knives can be had for considerably less at many different vendors. I guess I should have explained that a little better. It's a little easier to justify the RC-5 over the BK-2 when the price difference is less than $75 versus the $130 that the MSRPs suggest. I sure didn't mean to offend anyone.
Click to expand...

Your absolutely right.

Tom
Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop
www.ridgeknifeshop.com
 
Deere Man said:
I'm sure that's true. I only meant that with a little shopping around, those knives can be had for considerably less at many different vendors. I guess I should have explained that a little better. It's a little easier to justify the RC-5 over the BK-2 when the price difference is less than $75 versus the $130 that the MSRPs suggest. I sure didn't mean to offend anyone.
Click to expand...
Nor did I, Deere Man. I didn't think that posting my thread here was inappropriate. But kgd's opinion is compelling. Had I to do it over again, I would have posted this thread in the General Knife Discussion subforum as he suggested. And if the Mods would like to move it there, I'd have no objection.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. And please understand that I am a fan of RAT Cutlery. I just saw so much similarity between the RC-5 and BK-2 that I needed some help justifying the price difference. And yes, I'm aware that street prices for the two knives and the actual delta between them are less than their MSRPs suggest. I used MSRPs because they form the basis on which the manufacturers themselves place values on their products and they tend not to change over time.
 
CRKS said:
The RC-5 comes standard with Micarta slabs (this is a plus). I added the BK77 Micarta slabs to my BK2 I also added stainless steal nuts and screws, this will bump the MSRP up about $50.00.

If you would upgrade the sheath system on the BK2 to something comparable to the RC-5 you would add another $50.00. This is noted when you compare the Ka Bar 1281 and the 1282 the difference between the to products is a Kydex Sheath vs an Eagle Sheath.

As you can see adding these two upgrades pushes the MSRP up close to the $200.00 mark

Eathen Becker is a well respected knife designer that as a well respected line, nobody will take that away.

Although I will not be able to put my RC-5 to the test until the middle to end of this week, I am confident that it will meet and exceed my expectations. I have never handled a RAT Cutlery Knife that I didn't like.

Jeff and Mike are also well respected knife designers, with a superior knife line.

I think the 1/4" thick blade complements the RC line. I will post results after I run the knife through its paces. At the end of general use I'll probably slice it through the same Ford Bronco quarter panel that I sliced the RD6 through.

If you really want to see which knife you prefer buy both.

Tom
Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop
www.ridgeknifeshop.com
Click to expand...

Good points. And I'd love to buy both. Unfortunately, I just purchased the BK-2 and I don't have the resources to buy the RC-5 at the moment. Hopefully that will change in the near future.
 
bld522 said:
Good points. And I'd love to buy both. Unfortunately, I just purchased the BK-2 and I don't have the resources to buy the RC-5 at the moment. Hopefully that will change in the near future.
Click to expand...
I'm sure you'll be very pleased with your BK2. I recently purchased a BK11 and love it. There are many fine products out there, the most important thing is to get outdoors and put them to use. :)
 
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bld522 said:
I didn't think that posting my thread here was inappropriate. But kgd's opinion is compelling. Had I to do it over again, I would have posted this thread in the General Knife Discussion subforum as he suggested. And if the Mods would like to move it there, I'd have no objection.
Click to expand...

Glad you didn't take my post the wrong way bld522. I was just trying to indicate the political correct way of things. Looks like this thread went off in a great direction anyhow. I wish you the best in your blade quest.

You know - we always kid about the recommendation- if you can't decide then buy both. The reality is that this suggestion is almost universally realized by us hopeless knifenuts. Sooner or later we end up getting or trying most of the blades we're interested in. I suppose that is why we ended registering on a knife forum in the first place - it is a poor therapy indeed :D
 
bld522 said:
Good points. And I'd love to buy both. Unfortunately, I just purchased the BK-2 and I don't have the resources to buy the RC-5 at the moment. Hopefully that will change in the near future.
Click to expand...

bld522,

The good thing about the RC-5 is that its such a popular knife it will still be around when your ready.
 
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Deere Man said:
I'm sure that's true. I only meant that with a little shopping around, those knives can be had for considerably less at many different vendors. I guess I should have explained that a little better. It's a little easier to justify the RC-5 over the BK-2 when the price difference is less than $75 versus the $130 that the MSRPs suggest. I sure didn't mean to offend anyone.
Click to expand...

Deere Man,

I don't think you offended anyone, I know you didn't offend me. I enjoed sharing information and opinions.

And yes kgd, the buy both conclusion is a very simple way to solve the problem in the knifenut world. :thumbup:

Tom
Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop
www.ridgeknifeshop.com
 
Deere Man,

I don't think you offended anyone, I know you didn't offend me. I enjoed sharing information and opinions.
Click to expand...

Right on. Glad to see we're on the same page. No harm done. Funny how things sometimes come out wrong in these forums.

So, did we officially decide to just buy both of them? Seems like a perfectly valid idea to me. One for the truck and one for the pack. Never without a good blade. :thumbup:
 
I love Rats, but I love Beckers too. I hope to get an Izula, RC3mil, and RC6 to accompany my RC4 soon. However, I think I'm going to stick with my BK2 for my .25 inch thick blade. The rat certainly has a better warranty (but i think the only way to break any 1095 1/4in thick blade would be to stick a block of C4 on it). Fit and finish may be better (probably is), but for the price, the BK2 is easily worth twice it's sticker. I have no doubt my BK2 will demolish anything I use it on, and thats all i need to know when it comes to an outdoor/survival knife. Also, If you're concerned about the Beckers handle.. very soon, KA BAR will be offering micarta slabs you can buy and put on any of the Beckers.

BTW, this comparison would make a killer magazine article
 
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