RC-6 vs RAT-7 1095 vs RAT-7 D2

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kta2402

Joined
Feb 25, 2009
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Looking for a 6 to 7 inch blade for outdoors and narrowed it to this 3 but need some feedback, first RC-6 vs the RAT-7 and then 1095 vs D2. Environment goes from high heat high humidity to extreme cold. I'm listening.
 
no wonder You vote for the RC-6 :) just looking at the signature :) .

Seriously I need a differential for this blades, the pros and cons.
 
Guys I know that it is obvious I'll get an "RC-6 ALL THE WAY" answer in this forum, but give me something to justify this please.

Why the RC-6 is superior why should I buy it over anyother one ???
 
I'm sure most everyone will say RC6, which is fine. It undoubtedly has a more consistent high quality heat treat and attention to detail.

Let me just say though of the two Rats you list I'd personally rule out the D2. I think D2 is a fine steel for smaller knives, but its hardness makes it less than ideal for a larger knife IMO. I'd stick with 1095.

And, while the RC line is phenomenal, I'll still readily admit that my Rat 7 is one of the finest sub-$100 knives I've ever owned. Maybe I just got lucky (I've had it about 5 years), but it is a great no-frills do whatever you ask of it knife.
 
XMP said:
I'm sure most everyone will say RC6, which is fine. It undoubtedly has a more consistent high quality heat treat and attention to detail.

Let me just say though of the two Rats you list I'd personally rule out the D2. I think D2 is a fine steel for smaller knives, but its hardness makes it less than ideal for a larger knife IMO. I'd stick with 1095.

And, while the RC line is phenomenal, I'll still readily admit that my Rat 7 is one of the finest sub-$100 knives I've ever owned. Maybe I just got lucky (I've had it about 5 years), but it is a great no-frills do whatever you ask of it knife.
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Chances are that the Ontario RAT line would serve you well and meet your needs to a tee but of those two, I'd go with the RC.
 
Politics aside, I agree that 1095 is better for a larger blade than D2 is. Also, the RC-6 is covered by RAT Cutlery's unconditional warranty- the Ontario Rats are not.

That said, just because the RAT guys had a falling out with Ontario does not mean that the knives they made together suck now. Those knives are still just as good as they ever were- it's just that the newer ones are better, and don't have a dark cloud hanging over them. I have a RAT-3 in D2 that I really, really like. I'll probably end up getting an RC-3 eventually. But my RAT-3 will still be an excellent knife.
 
Having used both the Ontario RAT models ( for which I owned every model) I used a RAT 7 exclusive for many years.... from hunting -fishing to just BS in the woods,I was sold on the fact the RAT7 was my main utility blade...was not to heavy ,good size 1095 blade,holds a good edge but one thing you'll notice real quick is no matter how gently you use the RAT7 or hard the coating comes off the same,the phosphate coating plain out sucks...wears down really quickly... I sold all Ontario RAT's..the D2 not bad for the rat3 but I did not like the rat7 version...not really design for batoning or chopping...could of been just the production version I had who knows....little harder to sharpen if you dont have diamond stones.
The RC6 is a lesson learned version of the rat 7 I think (IMO) The Ontario RAT knives are good but if you want the Best of the Two; RAT Cutlery Dominates the playing field. I highly suggest the RC6, if you can not afford to purchase and can only swing a RAT7 at this time ...your still a welcome member...
 
Both lines are great. We won't get our feelings hurt if you buy either :D
 
Politics aside...the new heat treat is MUCH better.

Politics taken into account....I like dealing with Rat Cutlery--they are good people!
 
Thanks Derrick. And we feel the same way about you. You be one of our preferred dealers ;)
 
I have no experience with the RC-6, but I have beat the heck out of my Izula and I am extremely impressed by the coating RAT uses. (Oh and Derrick at knives ship free does ship the knives for free, and I'm 90% sure that on all knives not just on purchases over x amount.)
 
hwpaintballer said:
... I am extremely impressed by the coating RAT uses.
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I'd like to add a big +1 to that. The coating on my RC-4 has held up amazingly well. In addition to the usual cutting, slicing, stabbing chopping stuff, I had to use my RC-4 as an improvised hammer over the weekend. Holding the knife by the blade (in the sheath of course) I hammered a couple dozen small nails with the spine of the handle. I chewed up the orange G10 a little bit (nothing sandpaper didn't fix) -but the coating was totally unaffected. Not even a scratch. Most impressive. :thumbup:
 
Gawd, I traded into an RC-4 that had been used to to baton an entire redwood forest down to chopsticks evidently, had alot of wear on the coating.

I didn't care because I planned on stripping it anyway.

So I go about stripping it the other day...... took me three applications of the stripping agent that normally takes one to do most blades then steel wool and scotchbrite for ever and ever.

RAT cutlery and their proprietary kryptonite blade coating. Impervious to scratches, dings, meteorite strikes and nuclear fallout.
 
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