Right choice for RC-3 & Izula

T

tulsa772004

Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
74
I'm getting ready to join the Rat Pack. I've picked the RC-3 plain edge and a Izula to be my first purchases but I'm a little confused as to the accessories that you can buy with it such as the military/law enforcement version and the standard sheaths that come with them. Is there a stock number I should be looking for. I'd rather have the one with the extra accessories and not use them now than to not have it but want them later. The Izula seems pretty straight forward with the only accessory being the RCIDTK kit. Also I'm a little confused about some of the manufactures of these fine blades. I see them from Ontario, Rowen and Rat Cutlery themselves. Is there one I should stay away from. Any direction you could give me would help easy my mind.:thumbup:
 
Hello and welcome to the forum.

I personally love the RC-3MIL, it comes with every accessory and the black on canvas looks great.

Second for me would be orange and green, looks really good if you like the bright colors.

RAT cutlery has their knives made for them by Rowen Mfg. They are one in the same.

Ontario was making the RAT knives under contract for Jeff and Mike. That contract has now ended as should the production of the knives, but it hasn't.

The Ontarios aren't bad knives for the money but they're not at all on the same level of quality, fit and finish as the RAT cutlery versions.
 
shotgunner hit it right on but honestly you might not understand that so ill clarify,
rat is Randalls Adventure Training RAT run by Jeff RANDALL and Mike Perrin, originally the knives were designed by Jeff and Mike and made by Oantario, Jeff and mike had some kind of disagreement or somthing im not sure but they decided to end the contract with ontario, like shottgunner siad ontario should NOT be making rat knives anymore but they do. Mike and Jeff now are having a new and improved version of the RAT knives Being made by rowen manufacturing, they are calling theese new knives RAT cutlery and IMO they are far superior to the ontario models. the rc-3 mil or as you siad the law enforcement version has CANVAS micarta instead of linnen and a black blade instead of a desert tan one it also has some mil stamping on it. other than that there are 3 versions of rc-3
1. black blade and linnen micarta handle
2. OD blade and orange G-10 handle
3. DT blade and tan canvas handle
all of theese three come in variations of with or w/o molle back and with or w/o serrations
they ALL come with an injection molded plastic sheath in different colors deppending on which model you buy
hope this helps
 
I can tell you that when I hold the Ontario and the RC knives side by side, there is no question which one I would choose. None.
 
yep definitely go with RAT over Ontario. Just look carefully at whats offered and make a well informed desicion. Thats all part of the fun of getting a new knife as far as I'm concerned.
 
I made my choice after WAY too much research and opinion searching. After a couple of months of reading everything I could on these knives, I finally took the plunge in May. My only regret is that I waited until I had the facts straight in my head and they are this:

- RAT makes excellent quality knives that are VERY reasonably priced
- Ontario makes decent quality knives that are slightly less expensive.
- Ontario used to make knives for RAT until the "gentlemen's" agreement went south and the quality of the knives was not up to RAT's desires.
- RAT teamed with Shon Rowen (Rowen Manufacturing) make higher quality knives with more personal committment to the product.
- The RAT community is loyal, friendly, and fun to be part of.

Hope this helps. I bet you'll have a RAT in the mail before too long....
 
DallasSTB said:
I made my choice after WAY too much research and opinion searching. After a couple of months of reading everything I could on these knives, I finally took the plunge in May. My only regret is that I waited until I had the facts straight in my head and they are this:

- RAT makes excellent quality knives that are VERY reasonably priced
- Ontario makes decent quality knives that are slightly less expensive.
- Ontario used to make knives for RAT until the "gentlemen's" agreement went south and the quality of the knives was not up to RAT's desires.
- RAT teamed with Shon Rowen (Rowen Manufacturing) make higher quality knives with more personal committment to the product.
- The RAT community is loyal, friendly, and fun to be part of.

Hope this helps. I bet you'll have a RAT in the mail before too long....
Click to expand...

Well said and the way things are going, I'm going to have them all - probably by the end of the year, so why worry about researching this one or that one ;)

Jordan
 
I think starting with an RC-3 / RC-3MIL is the way to go!!! I started the whole "Sickness" with the RC-3MIL.. and now.. I have a "Few" and a "Few" more in the mail.. coming my way. There is something about them.. cant put my finger on it.. but dare I say.. Addictive?

Get what you can afford.. and for the intended use.

Random
 
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