RD6 or RC6 :which is better chopper?

R

renebegas

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Jun 2, 2009
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as I am about to buy either a RAT /EZEE RC6 or a Ranger Knives RD6, I was wondering which of these would be the better chopper? I need it as a semi-sized camp/trekking/survival knife, for medium-heavy chopping tasks. At the moment I consider a 7 or 9 inch blade too large...Anyone have experience with both RD6 and RC6? :)
 
No experience here with either, but instead of being a fanboy, here is something to think about: The RC-6 is flat-ground with a 3/16" width, and it weighs about 12 oz. The Ranger RD-6 is convex and 1/4" width, and it weighs 21 oz.

Therefore, just by the stats, the RD-6 will be a better chopper.
 
RD6 will be a better chopper, RC6 will be a better slicer.

Other than the thickness, both are similar knives. The RD is cheaper, and is also made with 3/16 thickness.

IMO the sheath are more different than the knives.

I went for a RD, but honestly I don't think either would be a bad choice.
 
I have both, the RD-6 is a better chopper simply due to the weight. The RC-6 has better handle ergos and in general is a more practical camp/trekking/survival knife...IMO
 
ESEE-6, Better steel Better warranty, but if your after a dedicated chopper go bigger.
 
For a chopper one would really want to go bigger than a 6" blade.
 
cybrok said:
Honestly, the RD6 is surprising for it's size. I wouldn't chop huge logs with it, but it gets the job done.
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A smaller blade will work, but one has to swing a lot harder and a lot more than with a larger blade. :)

Something that would take 15 or 20 chops with a 6" blade can be done with 1 or 2 with a 10" blade depending on the knife.

With shorter blades it's faster and easier to batten them through the wood than to chop with them. ;)

I would say an 8" blade would be the min that I would consider to be a chopper, if I knew I was going to be chopping wood I wouldn't take anything short than that with me. :)

That said, yes the shorter blades will work (a 4" blade will work, but you would be there all day), but like I said one has to work a lot harder and longer at it.
 
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Why not grab a sawvivor for the thicker stuff when you are for sure going to be gathering a lot of wood and spend a little more on the RC-6? The RC will hack through the small stuff just as easy, and will probably baton better. Being lighter, the RC6 will have more uses and be a better all-around blade when you choose to use it for something else. You will get a superior heat treat, and warranty. Sometimes more weight is a bad thing.
 
Ankerson said:
A smaller blade will work, but one has to swing a lot harder and a lot more than with a larger blade. :)

Something that would take 15 or 20 chops with a 6" blade can be done with 1 or 2 with a 10" blade depending on the knife.

With shorter blades it's faster and easier to batten them through the wood than to chop with them. ;)

I would say an 8" blade would be the min that I would consider to be a chopper, if I knew I was going to be chopping wood I wouldn't take anything short than that with me. :)

That said, yes the shorter blades will work (a 4" blade will work, but you would be there all day), but like I said one has to work a lot harder and longer at it.
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I totally agree, but it's all a matter of compromise. For instance, if I want to travel light and carry only one knife, the RD6 will do the job of a small knife, and a big knife, and will be lighter.

If I want a knife at the camp to do some chopping, I'll get a bigger blade. But if I have to walk, I'll carry the RD. It won't chop as good, but it will get the job done.

If energy saving is a problem, I will probably break my wood by leverage rather than chop. I'll chop only if I have too. Chopping is fun, but energy consuming.

I hope it's clear. If not I'll get another coffee and try again :P
 
Forgive me everybody but I am going to jump in here. I do this not to highjack the thread but rather to learn.

Would not one want an ax to chop with? A hatchet? I understand the need of let's say aircrew needing a knife capable of chopping and for that matter a camper if say the chips were down, one's ax got lost etc. But to plan on using a knife to chop...what's that all about? I read a about batoning and all that. Again why?

I have several axes of all sizes and I have two Collins Legitimus machetes...they do all the chopping.

Back on thread, given my philosophy, I'd go RC (EESE)...I really want one of those in just about any length they make and I believe they are fixing to make a short machete. That way I'd have a good slicing knife that if I had to, I could put to a chopping task.

So again, forgive me...I do not wish to highjack this thread...just wanting to learn.
 
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HoosierQ said:
Forgive me everybody but I am going to jump in here. I do this not to highjack the thread but rather to learn.

Would not one want an ax to chop with? A hatchet? I understand the need of let's say aircrew needing a knife capable of chopping and for that matter a camper if say the chips were down, one's ax got lost etc. But to plan on using a knife to chop...what's that all about? I read a about batoning and all that. Again why?

I have several axes of all sizes and I have two Collins Legitimus machetes...the do all the chopping.

Back on thread, given my philosophy, I'd go RC (EESE)...I really want one of those in just about any length they make and I believe they are fixing to make a short machete. That way I'd have a good slicing knife that if I had to, I could put to a chopping task.

So again, forgive me...I do not wish to highjack this thread...just wanting to learn.
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Well, to head on a camping trip etc. with the intent of gathering wood, a hatchet, ax, or saw would be my main tool. But hiking in on foot? Different story. A hatchet or ax is only good at one thing vs a blade. Weight is another big factor, as well as practicality. When hiking long distances in remote areas, a survival blade is your best option. The idea is one tool good at many jobs.

Lets all not forget the OP's criteria; "I need it as a semi-sized camp/trekking/survival knife, for medium-heavy chopping tasks." "Camp/trekking/survival" being the key words.

No problem Hoosier, a legitimate question. ;)
But of course, we all have our opinions and thats why he started the thread.:D
 
Yeah...I am definitely not knocking the guy. On the contrary, when I read so much about a thing...in this case chopping, batoning, etc...I gotta assume I am missing something.

And no, I am not much on long distance hiking or wilderness camping. I'd always have enough tolerance for weight that I could carry an ax, a hatchet, and a machete along with my knife...probably an entrenching tool as well. That stuff probably fits in the bed of a truck better than a backpack huh:D

It's just that I never heard of batoning until I started being interested in specifically RAT Cutlery and it really got me wondering...whack that beautiful knife with a piece of firewood :eek: egad!!! A whole new world.
 
I didnt really read the whole title of the thread. I just read "RD6 or RC6: which is better" and stopped.

Chopper=Axe.
 
dangreco said:
No experience here with either, but instead of being a fanboy, here is something to think about: The RC-6 is flat-ground with a 3/16" width, and it weighs about 12 oz. The Ranger RD-6 is convex and 1/4" width, and it weighs 21 oz.

Therefore, just by the stats, the RD-6 will be a better chopper.
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+1^^^ I've a RD-4 and RD-9 and like both. I like the clip point blade and with them being 1/4" thick they make excellent choppers. I don't know if there is a real big difference in the 1095 of the EESE and the 5160 of the RD-6 as both are proven carbon steel's. It does seem I read something about 5160 being very shock resistant, which is a great attribute for a chopper.


Wanted to add that I've never had or seen, except in pictures, the EESE knives, but with so much positive reveiws I've read this must be an excellent choice also. In other words, you can't go wrong with either choice!!
 
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