RD6 or RC6 :which is better chopper?

Here's the OP again; thank you very much for all that feedback. As Fallen1 says, my criteria developed for a specific reason...may I suggest keeping that in mind, and maybe I can explain a bit more. I know a 9 inch Blade will chop better than a 6. I have been doing chopping with my SwampRat Battle Rat, all works fine.But, after a long day of hiking, you start wondering what equipment might be too heavy, or lets say, could be lighter and still 'work' . So I ask myself if it is possible to do chopping with a lighter blade, e.g. a 6 incher. It is that compromise i'm trying to find: of course I could carry a nice and light 3inch, and chop all day at some log. Or I take my 9 inch and finish the job in 5 swings....but having a 9 inch on my belt while walking was not good anymore: too large and too heavy.
So I thought, lets try all those camp and survival chores with a 6 inch, maybe that's an acceptable compromise. And since I carry a Victorinox multitool and a CRKT Drifter (as a very light folder), I'm set when it comes to cutting/slicing; therefore, the 6inch fixed may be more of a chopper than a slicer..;)
My search narrowed down to the RC 6 and RD 6 and believe me, I'd LOVE to own both!:D
 
In my opinion if you consider 7 and 9 inch knives too large you shouldn't buy a knife to chop with. You'd be better off with a saw.

IMO chopping knives start in that size range.

If weight bothers you look into the Spyderco Forester. To me the lack of weight makes it not chop as well as my go-to choppers like kuhkuris or my Scrapyard Dogfather, but if you put a thin edge on it you could still do work with it. Would work well for trail clearing and other machete style chores too. They carry very well for how big it is, surprisingly light. I think you'd like it.
 
@Vivi,I don't generally consider 7 or 9ers too large,I just want to be able to do chopping tasks if need be, with a 6. Maybe I should try taking along a light saw once in a while on trips where weight is not that important. You have a point in saying that choppers start in that range, I understand. i guess it's that everlasting search for 1 piece of equipment that can do as many as possible....an i am fully aware of the fact that that is impossible :-)
I'll check the Spyderco!
 
I don't get all this over concern about a few ounces of weight that is seems that some have an issue with. People have been watching too many shows in the boob tube with some so called experts who are just actors following a script.

When the blade is on your belt or even attached to your pack the weight won't hardly be noticeable between a 6" and 9" knife.
 
Last edited:
Renebegas, I know exactly where you're coming from.

I tried out a RAT7 (2 of them), RD7, Spyderco Forester, Swamp Rat Chopweiler and probably a few others I'm forgetting before I concluded the Scrapyard Dogfather was it.

The RAT and Ranger just didn't have the reach and forward mass needed in a chopper. The Ranger was nice and thick, so with a 10 degree per side edge it chopped very well for it's size, but it couldn't compete with the larger knives.

Forester is a great overall knife, I think it might be what you want, but it was too thin at the spine and thick at the edge for serious hardwood chopping for me.

Chopweiler was good, but comparing head to head against the Dogfather it was more handle heavy and less secure of a grip for me.

My Dogfather is convexed with a primary grind thinner than many folders, and it holds up to serious chopping and batoning. I don't find the weight very noticeable compared to the Ranger RD7. The handle is secure, and being NOT full tang puts more weight towards the front, which is where it needs to be in a chopper. The thick spine and saber grind = lots of weight on a swing, which with a thin, sharp edge helps it bite deep.

Whatever you end up buying, buy something in quality steel and make the edge THIN unless you're the type to swing as rocks. I've taken many choppers down to 10 degrees per side at the edge bevel with a 15 degree microbevel and the chopping ability is literally double, sometimes more, of what the factory grind offered. It is essential in my opinion to do this if you want to chop with a smaller knife, like an RC6. Short blade + light weight + thick edge = get a saw :D
 
Usually don't post here but --

The ESEE 6 is NOT a chopper. It is more of a camp knife. The RD 6, although I do not consider it a chopper either, as it is short, would be better at chopping than the ESEE 6, due in part to the weight alone.

That said, I prefer larger blades for chopping. (BK9, Junglas once out, RD9, etc.)
 
Im, a rat fanboy but even i know that it wont outchop the Ranger rd-6. on the other hand it will do pretty much anything else better. The RD line is designed to chop, justin knew what he wanted and created just that, a nearly indestructable tool. On the other hand the onatrios are not nearly as good as justins knives.

I own 3 of justins knives btw so im tlaking from experience

if i had to have one blade to do it all id go with the rc-6. if you get the rd-6 get a smaller blade for the fine work :thumbup:
 
I am a bit drunk to contribute right now other than the following;

MUCH FAIL!

Which one is better heat treated?
How do you figure?

Better fit and finish? Better warranty?
PLEASE explain both. Do not claim, EXPLAIN!

Other than those few points; the following is directed.... directly to the OP.

What is your hand size? What knives do you use and regularly and what do you find comfy and what do you not? From there we can help you a bit better based upon handle and blade geometry.


daddÿ
 
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.
Click to expand...

Ank-OP doesn't want to carry the extra weight.

OP-RD's are nice knives and Justin is a stand up designer, builder. The ESEE is really light for what your looking for, the overall heft (thats kind of a stretch too ;)) of the RD6 is a good thing as a knife thats your all-arounder.
 
The Chef said:
Ank-OP doesn't want to carry the extra weight.

OP-RD's are nice knives and Justin is a stand up designer, builder. The ESEE is really light for what your looking for, the overall heft (thats kind of a stretch too ;)) of the RD6 is a good thing as a knife thats your all-arounder.
Click to expand...

Yeah that extra 4 ounces or so can really be a killer, might have to get a hand cart or take someone with him to carry all that extra weight. ROFL ;) :D

Also all those extra 2 hour breaks needed carrying that heavy extra 4 ounces or so since it's so heavy. ;) :D
 
Last edited:
Ankerson said:
Yeah that extra 4 ounces or so can really be a killer, might have to get a hand cart or take someone with him to carry all that extra weight. ROFL ;) :D

Also all those extra 2 hour breaks needed carrying that heavy extra 4 ounces or so since it's so heavy. ;) :D
Click to expand...


Look bro it ain't me, I carry a Chiruwa AK that weighs a good three pounds camping, game warden and a folder when the need is there but I can understand the OP's point view too. A six inch blade is handy end of story, I'd rather carry that all day if I knew thats all the situation called for, but like a boy scout, I'm always prepared. ;)

OP

Look at Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop the brothers over there may the answer to your prayers in a "BUSH" model RD6 with thinner spine thickness. They also have a nice RD6 made of S7 thats 3/8" thick.
 
first of all, I will not disregard anyone's opinion just because one of you is making fun of the other;) I am interested in all opinions.:)
Then, my hand size is about 10 to 11 centimeters, measured just above where the thumb starts, across flat hand. US-size L or XL?
As I mentioned before, I use a SwampRat Battle Rat too. I find the santoprene gripmaterial pretty good, but overall the grip is a bit thin. When chopping heavily, I feel like I need to squeeze the grip pretty tightly, so it won't go flying... guess I need a large/wide grip. So that is where my experience is: large 9 inch, multitools, small sharp folders.
My question basically remains the same, maybe I should be even clearer: what if there are days where I do NOT want to chop with my 9inch, can I chop with a 6 inch, or is that total hell taking all day... ok?! Leaning towards teh RD...
Ankerson's idea of taking someone with me to carry the extra weight is good: next trip I'll ask him to come along, so he can carry my BattleRat :D
 
ESEE fanboy here, :D i'd suggest a 9 tramontina. it's lighter than the RD and RC, and will be a better chopper. you can customize it any way you want, and just lash it to your pack.

or pick whichever you prefer for whatever reason, and get a folding saw. you'll have better luck batonning firewood than chopping it with so short a blade.
 
renebegas said:
Ankerson's idea of taking someone with me to carry the extra weight is good: next trip I'll ask him to come along, so he can carry my BattleRat :D
Click to expand...


Good to see you have a since of humor. :D :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top