RC Opinion...HEST is BEST

F

froggy

Joined
Nov 17, 2005
Messages
161
Well here's my opinion, thus far... I just received the Izula, RC 5 and the HEST. I already own a RC3.

The RC 3... I bought at a gun show. The knife is very well conceived and RC really nailed the design and specs, well built... great knife.
Great factory edge.

The Izula... is a nice little knife that I'm sure will grow on me...The factory edge...OK

The RC 5 is a beast...it looks like it will be a fairly good chopper for it's size...maybe. The concept of this knife I might question, just don't know yet. Maybe I should send it back and get the RC 6? Anyways...This knife may not be for me but that's no fault of the knife.

The H.E.S.T....Bingo...Winner...Instantly knew this is a great knife...Much like the RC 3, only better (for "my" Urban uses). If you don't have one...get one...Best RC knife I own...
I hope RC continues to develop this knife further.
Factory edge...just OK...great concept, good design, well built, well thought out...great knife.

Added Comment #1; Scales could be thicker.
Added Comment #2: You should get a laugh out of this one...I took my HEST and rigged it in a horizontal carry position using the supplied para cord. The knife comes out of the sheath cleanly...HOWEVER, when I returned the knife to the sheath I missed the sheath...cut the para cord and the sheath fell to the floor! LAM! (laughing at myself)
Any tips on belt carry, especially horizontal, would be greatly appreciated.

Final thoughts...Just when I was beginning to believe that "Made in America" meant ill-conceived, poorly-made, over-priced with a lack of customer appreciation... Rat Cutlery stands out. RC knives have a common thread through-out their product line... all are; very well thought out, well conceived designs that are well executed and well built, marketed for a good price and and RC shows a true appreciation for the customer.
 
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I also like my HEST knife the best. My RAT knives, in my opinion, are far better than any other knives I own. Quality at reasonable prices with a outstanding warranty. I will deffinately own many more RATs.
 
if the HEST or any RC product came with the factory edge I received on all mine that is better than OK and the HEST is a great knife but to me more of an Urban type survival knife, I like it & it has taken home in my Truck BOB
 
texastonydobbs said:
if the HEST or any RC product came with the factory edge I received on all mine that is better than OK and the HEST is a great knife but to me more of an Urban type survival knife, I like it & it has taken home in my Truck BOB
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My RC 3 was my first RC knife and I was really impressed by the factory edge, so the bar was high when I received my other RCs, and they are very good, "OK", as compared to the RC 3.

The HEST will be in my "Urban" BOB too.

The Izula will be EDC...I need to find a way to carry "horizontal, small-of-back" and/or horizontal/crossdraw type carry method...any tips?
 
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creolescorpion said:
I also like my HEST knife the best. My RAT knives, in my opinion, are far better than any other knives I own. Quality at reasonable prices with a outstanding warranty. I will deffinately own many more RATs.
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Just so you know...I'm a BIG fan of knife maker "Vaughn Neeley" who was one of the Timberline guys back in the 80s. I own Vaughn's recent remake of the Survival Hunter fixed blade model that was "Knife-of-the-Year" back in 198?.

Vaughn designed the Survival Hunter with hollow scales like the HEST...VERY COOL.
Vaughn made one of the nicest bowies I've ever seen and some other really cool knives...check out Vaughn's current knives at Miles Welze's site or on Ebay as well under "neeley timberline" search.

Like Rat Cutlery knives...they are very well designed, well proportioned knives that all Rat Fans appreciate.
 
I love my RC3. For it's edge and ergos.
One of the most elegant little FB I own.
But I adore that thick gimmick of an HEST.
Mine came razor sharp and is kept that way.
I even prefer the ergo and the balance of the hest.
My first polyvalent small EDC FB.
For me also the HEST is the BEST.
And careful. It grows on you.
Really it's not just urban, it's really an all terrain knife.
I wonder who use his/her HEST as an EDC in the farm or in a ranch.
"Mectech" was suppose to have one, was'nt he ?
 
I was starting to order a HEST but decided on the RC-3 at the last minute. I was planning on going with a RC-4 as my second Rat but I may have to reconsider. Everything I hear about the HEST makes me want one more and more now.
 
7wt said:
I was starting to order a HEST but decided on the RC-3 at the last minute. I was planning on going with a RC-4 as my second Rat but I may have to reconsider. Everything I hear about the HEST makes me want one more and more now.
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With the RC3 you got a hell of a slicer.
The hest is more a jack of all trade tool in a compact package.
For example. By holding the handle with the prybar between the index and the major finger for better leverage you can do some light chopping (for notching a branch) as the blade is heavy for its side. 'Works great ! The Hest feels as a very thick and solid tool.
The RC3 is more performance oriented.
The Hest is more all terrain !
 
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thats the trouble with the rats, every time you get a new one you think it's the best.
untill you get the next one.
 
Almost bought an original numbered HEST off of the internet today until I noticed it was out of stock. That woulda been a long wait while it was backordered...
 
froggy said:
My RC 3 was my first RC knife and I was really impressed by the factory edge, so the bar was high when I received my other RCs, and they are very good, "OK", as compared to the RC 3.

The HEST will be in my "Urban" BOB too.

The Izula will be EDC...I need to find a way to carry "horizontal, small-of-back" and/or horizontal/crossdraw type carry method...any tips?
Click to expand...

you could order any number of custom kydex sheaths with a tec lock. I carry a 3 inch fixed blade horizontal, in front of my right or left hip (depending on what else I am carrying at the time. (Buy Brown holsters comes to mind, he makes great sheaths).

Or you could make your self a simple H strap leather sheath. Allows vertical or horizontal carry on either side. Totally ambi sheath system.

Here is my first attempt at making one. (works pretty slick too).

top one this pic.
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Then for extra retention I tuck the pinky loop with "strategic" knots behind the belt, so the end knot is poking out right below the belt. Makes it impossible for the knife to fall out (barring some high speed train wreck or something).

This was my second sheath I made, the pocket clip sheath is the 3rd (I have two more pocket clip sheaths in progress right now, it is such a convenient (and open carry) way to carry fixed blades.
 
Nemo said:
I love my RC3. For it's edge and ergos.
One of the most elegant little FB I own.
But I adore that thick gimmick of an HEST.
Mine came razor sharp and is kept that way.
I even prefer the ergo and the balance of the hest.
My first polyvalent small EDC FB.
For me also the HEST is the BEST.
And careful. It grows on you.
Really it's not just urban, it's really an all terrain knife.
I wonder who use his/her HEST as an EDC in the farm or in a ranch.
"Mectech" was suppose to have one, was'nt he ?
Click to expand...

The HEST I got to use in the pass around makes an OUTSTANDING knife to EDC around the farm, the pry hook is extremely useful, I hope to be getting my own in a couple of months. As for now I carry my tan RC-3 which is a great carving knife for my new found spoon carving hobby.
 
I'm trying to figure out which Rat will be my first and think I have it figured outh than I read another post about another model and I have to start all over again:D
 
I attached my HEST to a maxpedition M2 which holds my RAT advanced E&E Kit. It's my mini SHTF kit...
 
casio said:
MY H.E.S.T came with a very good Factory edge VERY SHARP:D
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I love it when that happens. It's just great to know they care enough to give it that sharp edge. I usually use my diamond rods to get that last bit of sharp out of it, though.

I like the HEST: small enough for most uses, and versatile enough for other campfire tasks.
 
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