That good ol' beater knife

Which one should I get?

  • Ontario RAT5 D2 plain edge

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Ranger RD6 plain edge

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Stop spending all your money and go with the Howling Rat and Camp Tramp!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
20,039
Looking at something I can leave in the truck, take camping, and generally beat the living crap out of. I have bucked the tactical models, and generally am going in a custom direction. But I still like all Rat style knives. Swamp Rat, Ontario RAT series, Ranger knives. I already have my allotted number of Swamp Rats, including a Camp Tramp, Battle Rat and Howling Rat. The CT and HR are out getting the coating removed, and I'm thinking about getting a beater FB for the uses above. Looking at either a RD6 or Ontario RAT5 D2. Any coating will be removed. I have experience with the Ontario RAT and TAK series, I really liked them, but the RAT3 I have is on the block, and the TAK1 I had left to serve a higher calling ;) . If you had to choose that all purpose survival knife, which would you take? I am ready to pull the plug on a custom EDC fixed blade. I have all the chopper I need in my Battle Rat. My big thing right now is camp knives in the 5 to 7" range.

RAT5 D2 or RD5?

I'll vote for the third choice so I can see the votes ;).

Sorry, should be RD5. Is that model in production any more?:o
 
Of the ones listed, I only have the RD6. That knife is a beast. The RAT's and Swamps are great too, I've owned knives from both. But if you can hurt that RD6, you must be the Incredible Hulk!
 
Can't say anything about those models because I don't own either but was just wondering how much it costs to have the coating removed. I'm thinking about doing it to my Howler.

Edited to add; Thought some about it and think if you're going to leave it in your truck you might want to lean towards D2 unless you live in a dry climate or just bathe it in oil.
 
I have a Ranger RD-6,Camp Tramp and Howling Rat

All are great knives.....but the Camp Tramp is 2x as expensive as the RD-6.

If $ is not a concern--get the Camp Tramp

If it's really tight--get a Ranger RD-6
 
I'd say get the RD6; it will handle the trunk ride and anything else you can throw its way for only $90.

BTW there is only an RD6, 7, and 9. An RD4 has been available as a custom offering, but just last week Justin announced that it will become available as a regular offering this summer. Still, I'd rather have a 6" blade for general purpose use.
 
I would go for a Ranger.

RD5 doesn't exist.

BUT. As XMP said, the RD4 will soon be in production, so you could choose "a little over 5" or "a little under 5".
 
i only voted on the Rat because i own one, nothing against the others just voted on the one i know :D , thx !
 
XMP said:
I'd say get the RD6; it will handle the trunk ride and anything else you can throw its way for only $90.

BTW there is only an RD6, 7, and 9. An RD4 has been available as a custom offering, but just last week Justin announced that it will become available as a regular offering this summer. Still, I'd rather have a 6" blade for general purpose use.
Click to expand...


Well said! I agree entirely!
 
For a real "leave in the trunk" knife I'd choose any old "shapr prybar" school- kabar, sog government, something like that.

That being said, I'm working hard on getting several of my Sierra Nevada Hikers done up- the first two go to military folk, then maybe I'll get one. I'm a short blade person in general, though. So these are 3.5 inches of scandi grind, with a belly and a steep clip. Prolly not for everyone. (I've got a larger design I'm working on, but will be a while before I'm happy with it. And then I have to make one and go out and beat on it.)

My "trunk" knives are assorted: SOG government, old muela ranger I got when stationed in Spain, my boy scout Buck hunter, and an ancient Western hunting knife.

And every one of them has an SAK right next to it.
 
the first one was at

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480096&highlight=sierra+hiker

There's been some revision, now that I've gone with a thicker steel, and the blade "looks" longer since I cut back a touch on the handle scales (thicker steel again). The basice hand comfort shape and full length belly is there, the belly is a touch more pronounced now since it's such a good slicer. I'll be making them out of 1/8 or 3/16. I'll be posting pics of the new one in the next 2 days.
 
Looks good, I like the handle shape a lot. Would make a great backpacking blade for sure.
 
My first thought was how they get beat up. To me a knife is for cutting. If I'm going to dig, I would use a shovel, and an axe or saw to cut big wood. To me, the two knives are pretty much the same. They are about the same price and not so expensive that you would feel bad about really working with them. If I really want a beater knife, something like a mora or a CS Bushman comes to mind, leaving my "quality" knife for more careful cutting.

I'd pick the RAT-5 for the steel and I just like the geometry a little better. The Ranger would probably hold up better under impact. If I found myself in the woods and with either knife to depend on, I wouldn't be worried about the knife :)
 
DaleW said:
My first thought was how they get beat up. To me a knife is for cutting. If I'm going to dig, I would use a shovel, and an axe or saw to cut big wood. To me, the two knives are pretty much the same. They are about the same price and not so expensive that you would feel bad about really working with them. If I really want a beater knife, something like a mora or a CS Bushman comes to mind, leaving my "quality" knife for more careful cutting.

I'd pick the RAT-5 for the steel and I just like the geometry a little better. The Ranger would probably hold up better under impact. If I found myself in the woods and with either knife to depend on, I wouldn't be worried about the knife :)
Click to expand...

I have the RAT-5 and really like it, that and my rat-3 have been on alot of trips with me. I def like the D-2 as it keeps a pretty toothy edge.

I love the SRKW stuff, and would say a Ratmundu(forgive spelling) would fill the bill very nicely unless you could get your hands on a BATAC. If you wanna go cheaper I would say the Rat-5, wanna spend some more get a RAT.
 
Just grab one of those knives you already have and toss it in the glove box. It will work just fine. Don't waste your money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top