RC-6 and Female Hands

M

marcusthemonkey

Joined
Oct 30, 2009
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24
Hi Everyone, I'm new to the forums, so please bear with me. I am interested in purchasing an RC-6 for backpacking purposes, and though I will be getting much use out of it, my wife will be the main carrier/user. She is relatively new (but enthusiastic) to heavy backpacking and camping, and needs a good knife for fire prep, batoning, and other heavy camp purposes. She will have a smaller blade for lighter camp tasks.

My question: is the RC-6 handle to big for small female hands? I don't own any Rat Cutlery products yet (that's going to change fast), but the rc-3 and 4 seem just a bit too small for batoning. I have considered removing the scales and wrapping the handle to slim it down, but I wanted to get some feedback from users.

To be completely honest, I have my heart set on the RC-6, but can't really justify the purchase for myself (until my current knife dies) - so, I'm hoping she can get use out of it and I can have it close by.

If you have any opinions on better knives for female hands for this purpose, let's open up the discussion on it.
 
hi my 16yr old daughter carries a rc6 on backpacking trips its not too big at all for small hands.

go for it
cricket
 
There is an option here you might think about. Even if the RC6 is a bit too big for her hands you can always shape the micarta handles much like you would a piece of wood to better fit her hands. Hand size , even female, is relative depending on how small or large her hands are. I always default to shaping the handles a little to better fit hands. files, rasps, sanding, grinding,etc-- essentially anything you might do with wood you can do with micarta. Just be sure to wear a dust mask when shaping it with power tools though as the dust from it is not good to breathe.
 
5'3" and maybe 115, her tiny hands seem just fine on the 6.

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Women use knives all the time in the kitchen. Or they did when I was young. I bet that handle would be fine, but why not get her a RC-4? It can do plenty.

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I think if your wife is new to the camping scene....she may be more comfortable using the RC4. Lighter duty cooking tasks would be much easier in fact 90% of tasks where a blade is needed a smaller knife would be the choice of most. And if you are worried about batoning the RC4, don't be; it will do just fine. :D
 
sigsour said:
I think if your wife is new to the camping scene....she may be more comfortable using the RC4. Lighter duty cooking tasks would be much easier in fact 90% of tasks where a blade is needed a smaller knife would be the choice of most. And if you are worried about batoning the RC4, don't be; it will do just fine. :D
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Heck, you can even baton with the RC-3. No need to split a 6" long in half to make a cooking fire. Just take it in bites, and the small knife does it fine.

Rp020.jpg


And smaller logs are even easier.

Rp019.jpg
 
Horn Dog said:
Heck, you can even baton with the RC-3. No need to split a 6" long in half to make a cooking fire. Just take it in bites, and the small knife does it fine.
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Agreed. I have used the RC-3 to baton and it does a great job. I'm looking to get an RC-6 soon, but if you are already carrying a large knife, the smaller RC-4 may be a nice choice for your wife. If you're a brave man, you could try to convince your wife how happy she would be with your existing knife and that you are willing to make the sacrifice of giving it to her and picking up an RC-6 for yourself. I'm not sure I would be making that pitch while putting a knife in my wife's hand.
 
Go big or go home :) The RC6 is a great knife, but then again, the 4 is no slouch. Another solution, get the RC4 for knifework, and spend $20 on a hatchet or machete for the lumber chores.
 
These are all excellent suggestions, thank you so much. I am tempted by your posts to go with an RC-4. I think I was attracted to the RC-6 for my own personal desire... We will both also have an Izula on us, so I still might go with the 6 to give a greater range. It seems from your suggestions it isn't to big in confident hands. Thanks!
 
Based on your intended use, I would get the RC-4.

It's a really great all around camp knife. I personally don't like to pack anything bigger/heavier when I'm out hiking.
 
I have small hands and the RC-6 still fits perfect in my, even when using the choil.

It is a GREAT knife, I have no doubt it would never let me down when I needed it.

Welcome to the forum!
 
The 6 is the first thing I go for when I need to prep a fire. I'm "fun sized" too and I don't have a problem at all with it. The only thing I have a problem with is wearing it. I can not wear it on my belt b/c I can't keep my pants up even with a belt up.
 
Mrs.Shotgunner11 said:
The 6 is the first thing I go for when I need to prep a fire. I'm "fun sized" too and I don't have a problem at all with it. The only thing I have a problem with is wearing it. I can not wear it on my belt b/c I can't keep my pants up even with a belt up.
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"fun sized" and your pants falling down........... :foot:

Nope, not gonna touch it! :p

To the OP:

Either choice would be a good choice. Welcome to the family!
 
marcusthemonkey said:
She is relatively new (but enthusiastic) to heavy backpacking and camping, and needs a good knife for fire prep, batoning, and other heavy camp purposes. She will have a smaller blade for lighter camp tasks.
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If she will have a smaller blade for lighter tasks then the best new knife to get her would probably be an RC-6. I think it just makes sense to get one, as mentioned the handle can be filed & sanded if it is too big, but I would get the RC-6 and let her use it - if she is fine with it then all is good.

Of course she may find the handle too big and you may be reluctant to modify it - in that case the only solution would be to make the RC-6 your knife and buy her something else. But of course you would hope that this doesn't happen! ;)
 
My wife packs the RC4 and loves it.I tote the RC6,but hey,I'm a big fun sized guy!My wife is pretty small,but the 6 is'nt too big for her.If I had to buy only one I'd pick the RC6,but I'm biased,I like bigger blades.
 
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