RC-?? "The Decision Disaster"

C

corn

Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
9
ok, i will probably only be able to purchase one knife for a good while, so i want to get one that i know is right for my purposes. since i am asking for a recommendation, i suppose i should state my intended purpose for the knife:

occasional batoning of wood for fire, shelter or trap building, occasional small chopping jobs also related to woodsy construction projects, and a general all-purpose backpacking knife.

i know the RC-5 is heavier, but the weight itself is not an issue for me. i think the heavier blade would make the knife easier to use for what i want to do, but that is just my uneducated opinion. i like the longer blade of the RC-6, but i don't want to make a purchase off of that alone. either knife has enough blade length for me, and i am sure with proper maintenance either one will retain a cutting edge sufficient for any slicing, chopping, or carving i want to do. i would also like to find a way to conceal this knife about my person for a possible EDC knife. (i know it is large for that, but unless RAT Cutlery decides to take orders for custom blade finishes and handle materials on RC-3 knives, i would prefer to have one knife for everything)

PLEASE throw some advise my direction!! (throw it in the same manner in which you all will throw your brand new RC-10 knives- accurately and confidently)
 
The RC-5 is really thick, I'd go for the RC-4 for general outdoor work and as an "in a pinch" EDC.
 
The RC-6 would be a much better choice. Were weight or length an issue for you, I'd say an RC-4, but as it is, the 6 should do good for you. As has been stated in many other places, the RC-5 doesn't really work well for woodwork and... cutting in general. It's a brute of a knife, though, which is great if the sh!t hits the fan and you're going to be cutting yourself out of buildings, cars, etc. For any other use, it's just not that great.
 
RAT does not as of yet make a knife that is a good chopper, so let's just throw that condition out the window for right now. As batonning, the RC-5 is fine. So is the RC-6. Both are going to work pretty similar. You whack them with a baton and they go through the wood. Nothing to base a decision on. Now when we get to the finer work such as carving and trap making, you can go ahead and take the RC-5 right out of the running. That 1/4 thick blade with a relatively fatass grind isn't going to work nearly as well as a thin full flat grind for carving or slicing. That grind, the whole knife for that matter, is designed to be a tough barbarian sword of a knife, useful for cutting apart helicoptors, tanks, enemy forts, etc. It's not meant to be a woods knife. The RC-6 is designed to be a good all around middleweight/large camp knife.

Now here is the other option. Mind you, if you're wanting one of the bigger ones simply because you're into bigger knives, more power to ya. However, if you looking for the best knife to fill the needs you described, aside from chopping of course, than these are too large. The RC-4, whilst being slightly larger than the standard "polite society" EDC knife is really ideal. It is very similar to the RC-3, just slightly beefier and more suited for batonning and such. It would make a fine camp knife and also be easily concealable (at least much more so than a 5 or 6) for EDC.

Then you ask, "well then what am I going to use for chopping?" The truth is, no knife is as good for chopping as a decent machete, hatchet or axe. Find a cheapo of one of those three choices, probably better off with the machete as the Asheville mountains have a good bit of viney stuff if I remember correctly, and pair that with the 4. I know that this means adding another piece of gear, but believe me, and everyone else who will agree with me, it is more than worth the extra weight when it saves your energy. What you can chop with a camp knife, you can chop 10 times faster with a machete. Having a do-all knife sounds cool. Having a great knife AND a proper chopper is pracitcal and smart.
 
Dylside said:
Having a great knife AND a proper chopper is pracitcal and smart.
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wisdom itself has appeared in my thread! goody!

seriously though, thanks for the detailed breakdown of all that. much appreciated. sounds to me like the RC-6 is my best bet. and yes, i think i am becoming one of those people who simply like larger knives, sad as it may be.
 
corn said:
wisdom itself has appeared in my thread! goody!

seriously though, thanks for the detailed breakdown of all that. much appreciated. sounds to me like the RC-6 is my best bet. and yes, i think i am becoming one of those people who simply like larger knives, sad as it may be.
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Nothing wrong with that at all. I've got my share of BK-7's, BK-9's, RTAK's, etc. Big knives are cool.
 
RC-4 will do everything you need for a one and only knife. It's almost exactly the same size as the one Bear Grylls had custom made for him. It carries and conceals very well in a pocket or on a belt. The RC-5 and 6 are going to be a bit much for EDC.
 
Dylside said:
Please don't use this to reinforce a point ever again.

...dude.:thumbdn::barf:

LOL!
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That's like saying it's the same tool Milli Vanilli used to work on their vocals, it just ain't right.

I think Dylside really hit the nail on the head in his first post. An RC-4 and a cheap Tramontina machete would probably serve you pretty well.

I wouldn't mind having one but I heard it says right on the package that the RC-5 is used mainly for cutting stones to size to build pyramids like the Egyptians made. That and beheading 6-headed jungle beasts in the bowels of the Peruvian jungle. :D
 
So is there really no reason to carry the RC-5 over either the RC-4 or RC-6?
 
Corn,

The only RC knife I own is an RC4 which I have beat the crap out of in the woods and also use it as my #1 EDC blade. I carry it horizontally at about the 12:00 position on my belt.

My experience thus far with the blade is mixed. For my taste, it's a bit big for EDC and a bit small for a dedicated bushcraft knife but it can function as both proficiently.

EDC PROS
- Having a capable bushcraft knife on me at all times
- Having a blade that can handle much larger tasks than a folder or small neck knife

EDC CONS
- Weight and length; too big
- Harder to conceal
- Not "sheeple" friendly
- I don't need a blade this big for 90% of my EDC tasks
- I need a belt to carry it; this rules out most shorts and sweat pants for me

So as you can see, the only reason I EDC the RC4 is to have a capable bushcraft knife with me all the time.

BUSHCRAFT PROS
- Light (for a bushcraft blade)
- Holds a pretty good edge
- Tough at 4'' and 3/16'' thick
- I like a full flat grind

BUSHCRAFT CONS
- Not good for chopping which is something I find myself needing to do a lot of in the North East wilderness
- Wasted cutting edge with a choil that's too small. I won't get into this here but I think a choil on a 4 inch blade is just... sigh = /
- I don't care for blade coating but this is more cosmetic and doesn't really effect actual bushcraft tasks I suppose (I stripped my RC4 and forced a patina)

Overall, the RC4 can be used just fine in both an EDC role and of course it's intended purpose, survival/bushcraft. After carrying and using it for a few months, I would rather buy a nice folder (like Spyderco Para or Benchmade Mini Grip or a smaller fixed blade like an Izula or something the size of an RC3 w/o a choil) and get a larger, dedicated bushcraft blade to leave at home or in the truck like an RC6 (a choil on a 6'' is fine with me!! lol) or maybe even bigger like an Ontario RAT RTAK II or a big Busse. This way I don't have to make compromises by carrying one "do-it-all" blade.

Good luck on your search!

Josh
 
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We need a random RC knife generator...push a button and then you buy what comes up...or keep pushing till you get what you want :)
 
I have a RAT-6 and LOVE IT! Would not trade it for anything.

I have been reading about the RAT-5, RAT-4, RAT-3 and Izula.

From what is being said and from what I have read, the RAT-4 seems to be "the man".

In an urban situation I would go RAT-3MIL, serrated edges to cut safety belts and you have the glass breaker pommel as well. In most states it should be legal carry.

The Izula is just about legal carry in every state. If you get the complete kit you will be in good shape with the fire starter and whistle.

But I guess the all around "cowboy" EDC sheeple friendly it is probably the RAT-4 or
RAT-3.
 
Josh K said:
The RC-5 is really thick, I'd go for the RC-4 for general outdoor work and as an "in a pinch" EDC.
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But ... he does mention some light chopping. While I'm happy with the RC-4, the -6 is MUCH better in this regard. And really not that much heavier or more cumbersome.

On the other hand, I do have a fetish for larger knives. My bias may be creeping in here.:o
 
OldPhysics said:
But ... he does mention some light chopping. While I'm happy with the RC-4, the -6 is MUCH better in this regard. And really not that much heavier or more cumbersome.

On the other hand, I do have a fetish for larger knives. My bias may be creeping in here.:o
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He mentioned light chopping, and then also mentioned concealing it for EDC. It's a quandary. :)

The RC-6 does chop better then the RC-4, but I reason you can baton anything you'd really need to chop anyways.

Larger blades? Busse AK47 anyone? :D
 
Josh K said:
He mentioned light chopping, and then also mentioned concealing it for EDC. It's a quandary. :)

The RC-6 does chop better then the RC-4, but I reason you can baton anything you'd really need to chop anyways.

Larger blades? Busse AK47 anyone? :D
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OK, now we're getting crazy. I just checked and NO, I can't conceal an AK-47 down my left pant leg. Or my right.:D

Of course, the OP could be a tall fellow.
 
Well, I'll vote the RC6.

The 4 is the same thickness as the 6, so it doesn't cut any better.
The 4 has the smaller handle than the 6, which IMO is too small for the thickness of the blade (on the RC4).
The 6 with the additional length will baton much better.
Until the RC10, or RATchete comes out, the 6 is the closest thing to a chopper that RC puts out.

It doesn't cover EDC well, unless you can open carry like I can.
For EDC the RC3 and Izula are much better.

I prefer the RC6 for the "one knife" scenario, but for the most part, I'm a "little knife, big chopper" kind of guy. If you are willing to buy a kukri, hatchet or machete to do your heavy work, then I'd get the RC3 to do the fine work, and EDC.
 
I'm just gonna go ahead and say, listen to Dylside. :P

I "like" bigger knives. I like seeing them in cool pictures online, I like thinking about fending off attacking zombies, and chopping through branches in one quick swoop.

But when it comes to USING a knife, I go right back to the smaller blades. Generally, with a handle that fits my hand, I want the blade to be no longer than the handle, usually it's a touch smaller than the handle.

RC4 would be my pick for sure. Of course, I've never handled the 5 or 6, but I've handled plenty in their size, and for general camping, hiking, I'd pick something in the RC4 ballpark any day. Unless you REEEEAAAALLLY need to do some chopping, but even then the 5 and 6 aren't that stellar.

I went one size smaller and have the RC3 MIL, but I think the 4 would suit most people great as a camp knife.
 
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