Rc3 1095 or D2? Or RC 4?

[cbach8tw]

Just went to a gun show in Fredericksburg, Va over the weekend and I got a chance to handle an RC 3, great feel and I liked the size of the blade for a general overall utility knife when out hiking. Now, the question, the version I handled was the D2 version, and I was wondering if I should go with the 1095 version since I do not sharpen that well yet, or for the D2 even though I heard it can be a bear to sharpen if you let it get too dull (advice I received is just sharpen it so the D2 does not get too dull.) Does both hold up to splitting small kindling wood or would the harder D2 chip? Or finally, would I be happier with the larger RC4 since I do like a bit bigger blade? Since it would be used for small work which would be better, I assume the 4 is not that much heavier to carry.

 

[DMD08]

Rat Cutlery hasn't made any knives in D2 at this time. It sounds like you handled Ontario's RAT3 in D2 and not Rat Cutlery's RC-3 which is only in 1095.

The RC-4 is a fantastic knife but it is a little heavier due to its 3/16" thickness vs. the 1/8" thickness of the RC-3.

 

[R.A.T.]

Ii didn't say RC-3 on it if it was D2. I can ssure you of that. Take a look the knife it probably had RAT-3 and ONTARIO engraved on it. RAT Cutlery knives have ROWEN and RC-3 enrgaved on them.

 

[froggy]

I'll try to answer your question...hopefully someone with more knowledge of the RAT CUTLERY LEGACY could also help clarify the road traveled by Rat Cutlery ...
I believe the Ontario Knife Company produced a line of Knives originally designed by the fine folks at R.A.T. (Randall Adventures Training)...Ontario manufactured and marketed the RAT line and some, if not all the knives were made using D2 steel...HOWEVER...The R.A.T folks switched manufacturers (to Rowen) and refined the specifications, including a switch to 1095 steel.
\The D2 Rat you looked at was probably made by Ontario...and was labeled "RAT" on the knife...The current, Rowen made, knife is labeled "RC 3" (4,5,6,...etc) and is 1095 steel...I hope this clarifies the confusion a little.

Again...if someone with better knowledge of the Rat legacy could correct the info above...please do.

 

[Tripton]

..Ontario manufactured and marketed the RAT line and some, if not all the knives were made using D2 steel...HOWEVER...The R.A.T folks switched manufacturers (to Rowen) and refined the specifications, including a switch to 1095 steel.

The Ontarios were made from 1095 AND D2.

I have no idea which sold better, but they stuck with the 1095 when switched to Rowan.

And, the heat treat and fit/finish jumped up several notches.

 

[Frostyfingers]

1095 is one of the best simple steels out there, in my opinion. It's easy to sharpen, and is forgiving of user incompetence! It's what I like to call an "intuitive" steel...You can kinda sense its properties just by using it. I'd go with the authentic RAT in 1095. You can't lose.