Rc5/6 help!

P

PayetteRucker

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Aug 4, 2009
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K, looking for a multipurpose knife, IE carry/self defense and rough survival use. When I hike there's normally a machete strapped to one side of my pack and a tomahawk to the other, though I have always loved thick knives. I think a 5 inch blade is considerably easier to carry/conceal than a 6, and I like the sheath that comes with the RC5. The RC6 is definitely more aesthetically pleasing, I don't like the bow drill divot on the 5's handle, and there are obvious benefits for self defense and field use with that extra inch on the RC6. The RC6 is noticeably cheaper than the RC5. What say you?
 
Sounds like you laid out your likes and dislikes pretty well there.

It's a pretty personal choice. I like both for different reasons and so would you I think.
 
If you carry a machete and tomahawk I would actually go with the RC-4. The 6 makes a good chopper but you wont need that. You have the other tools covered so why go big or thick? I would say the 3 but its a little to small for me. As for self defense I would use the tomahawk or machete before any knife. Obvious benefits? You either know how to use a knife or not; an extra inch wont do much (remove mind from gutter). Boil down what this knife will really be used for and the choice should be easy.
 
I'm not always going to be carrying a tomahawk... I want to be able to use it for CCW downtown on friday nights in addition to my outdoor sporting activities.
 
RC-5: Smaller blade length (easier to conceal) but heavier and more $$$

RC-6: Longer blade length but lighter and cheaper

you really cant go wrong with either one you choose, you will have to decide what will work best for you.

I have some pictures here you can use to compare sizes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cougar337/sets/72157617320626427/

3482264868_0e5ae7eeef.jpg
 
I love my Rc-5, and will be the first to say its a great knife, but with that said, I plan on getting the 6 very soon so that I will have the option to carry the knife that best fits the situation.
 
Thanks for the picture, Twinskers. That picture helps alot. Does one of them stand out as far as balance/ergo more than the other? does one just feel better in your hand? Does anyone make a cordura jump sheath for the RC-6, and does the RC5 sheath come in tan?
 
I was just on the KSF website looking at different RC5 color combinations when I noticed that the sheath is made by Eagle. That instantly sold me, though by the time I got back to this thread I realized that 3 days ago I ordered a Becker BK7 which is very similar in design, .25 inches of 1095, it's just 2 inches longer. GRRRR. So now I'm wondering if I can justify buying a knife so close in design. I keep going back and forth.... gah.
 
tinwiskers, great pics. I haven't held the five. it looks really beefy next to the others.
 
Personally, I think the RC-5 would be harder to conceal carry just because of the bulk of the knife and the sheath. I would go with the lighter cheaper one just for that reason.

Good luck on your choice however, they are both fine knives and you really can't go wrong with either one.
 
Well I ordered it, RAT5 with a black blade and OD sheath. There are more RATs in my future but right now the budget is tight. The green blade was just a bit too aqua for me, if it were more of a forest or OD green I probably would have went that route. Thanks for your help gents.
 
I don't know what pics made it look "aqua", but looking at one in person doesn't indicate anything other than a "forest or OD green" color to me.

Seeing how you said RAT5, does that mean you got an Ontario version?
 
PayetteRucker said:
Thanks for the picture, Twinskers. That picture helps alot. Does one of them stand out as far as balance/ergo more than the other? does one just feel better in your hand? Does anyone make a cordura jump sheath for the RC-6, and does the RC5 sheath come in tan?
Click to expand...

Welcome. I was in the same boat as you were, couldn't decide on the 5 or 6 so I had to buy both :D

I would say balance and ergos go to RC-6 for me. it's lighter and you can get your hand up on the blade closer with the finger choil. The RC-5 is like hold a big iron bar in your hands and it has it's place in the world especially with the cool sheath but I would have to side with the RC-6.

Also it took me a while to warm up to the Kydex sheath but I really like it now. If you are looking for a similar sheath for the RC-6 that is like the one that Eagle makes for the RC-5 do a search for:

Spec ops Brand:
Survival Sheath - Discontinued but there are some still out there (like what InsaneMachine posted) http://www.survivalsheath.com/sheath..._sheath_lg.jpg

Combat Master - current production http://www.specopsbrand.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=27

Also the RC-5 does come with tan Sheath from Eagle but the ones that I have seen are paired with an OD green blade. I do believe that RAT will be starting to produce the RC-5 with a Kydex sheath with the one from Eagle as an option since they are having a hard time getting orders filled waiting for Eagle to produce their sheaths. Just something to keep in mind
 
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Jayrock said:
I don't know what pics made it look "aqua", but looking at one in person doesn't indicate anything other than a "forest or OD green" color to me.

Seeing how you said RAT5, does that mean you got an Ontario version?
Click to expand...

No, forgive me, I got a RC5. Black blade, OD eagle sheath. Thanks again all, I'll be getting another soonly, but I have a big trip coming up so the budget is tight.
 
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