What Cha Think RC-4 or RC-5 ?

S

Super X

Joined
Sep 16, 2010
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Okay, here's the deal. My teenage son wanted a RC-5 for Christmas. Awhile back a New RC-4 came up on the exchange for a fair price and I got it for him. I am thinking it's more practicle, especially for skinning and did great in Noss's destruction test. We have had several conversations about the knives but he is still on the RC-5 trip, as the one he wants. Seems to me the 5 is alittle big for skinning, a little small for chopping, so I can't figure him out on this. What advantage would the 5 have over the 4? I hope he want be disappointed and should be greatful I was able to get him the 4. What cha think? and no, he is not a spoiled brat who gets what he wants, and knows our financial reality. What am I missing?
 
5 is great for chopping and general woods type things. You can cut your dinner up with it too, but it's probably a bit big for skinning, though plenty sharp to do it. The 4 is not as good for chopping, but excels everywhere else; skinning, camp chores, edc, etc. I have several of each and both are great. Is he going to carry it everyday or use it more in the woods?
 
Hello, I think he should be happy that he has the 4 under the tree. Its an awsome knife and anyone should be proud to own it and hes lucky his dad was kind enough to get it for him. Hes gonna love it.:)
Merry Christmas.
P.S. after he owns 1 its not over anyways you always want another and the 4 is a Great place to start. imo:D
 
Hey TattooBlade,
He will carry it everday( except school days) and when he goes hunting.
 
Bloodgroove,
That's what I was thinking but he won't let it go. Everything out of his mouth is RC-5 this, RC-5 that. I could sell the 4 after Christmas and get the 5 possibly, but I want a good reason to do so.
 
I hear what you are saying! Honestly i think he will like the 4 its just about the most liked on this forum. Maybe you should do something like ive had done to me, hold that 4 back till all else is unwrapped then give it to him, at first he will think he didnt get any new knives than after a little "stewing" time he gets a forgotten package with a shiny 4 in it.
Ive had it done to me and it worked.;)
 
Is the main purpose of this knife for skinning? If it is, the 4 is the clear winner. If it is going to be a general use knife, maybe not.

The 4 is still my favorite because it is so universal. The 5 however is more capable of harder uses and abuse due to its ¼” thickness. It also chops pretty well because of the weight it carries.

I know how it is to want something as a kid and insist and insist, with Dad knowing all along that I would be better suited with something else. I can think of 3 times in my childhood I wanted a particular knife and tried to talk me out of it. 2 of the 3 are in the garbage somewhere and the last one I sold on the exchange.

I’d give him the 4 for Christmas and tell him you got a good deal on it and to see if he liked it. After that he may decide the 4 is the perfect knife for him, or it might start his ESEE addiction and he’ll start mowing lawns and collecting cans. :D

ETA: If he is going to be carrying it a lot, he'll be glad he has the lighter weight of the 4 I think.
 
ml100 said:
Good reason? Well, he keeps telling you he wants the 5, should be good enough, right?
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Well, that's one way to look at it I suppose. He does not have the experience to know what he really needs. He has never skinned anything as I always do it for him and my primary thoughts about what we use our knives for is skinning.

Bloodgroove,
He shakes that present alot, I could make it disappear. :)
 
I EDC my 5 all the time. It is big, but it doesn't bother me at all. I still carry a small Case folder no matter what's on my hip for those times I need a blade but don't want the attention.
 
adaman04 said:
Is the main purpose of this knife for skinning? If it is, the 4 is the clear winner. If it is going to be a general use knife, maybe not.

The 4 is still my favorite because it is so universal. The 5 however is more capable of harder uses and abuse due to its ¼” thickness. It also chops pretty well because of the weight it carries.

I know how it is to want something as a kid and insist and insist, with Dad knowing all along that I would be better suited with something else. I can think of 3 times in my childhood I wanted a particular knife and tried to talk me out of it. 2 of the 3 are in the garbage somewhere and the last one I sold on the exchange.

I’d give him the 4 for Christmas and tell him you got a good deal on it and to see if he liked it. After that he may decide the 4 is the perfect knife for him, or it might start his ESEE addiction and he’ll start mowing lawns and collecting cans. :D

ETA: If he is going to be carrying it a lot, he'll be glad he has the lighter weight of the 4 I think.
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Thanks Adam,
I got it for skinning, I have no idea what evil plans he has in his noodle. I guess that's what I will do, if he does not want it, I will try to get the 5 but still think the 4 is more practicle.
 
The 4 is a great place to start and our panel of resident experts has voted the 4 the “must have” ESEE blade in lots of polls. The 4 is a good hunting blade but is robust enough to be a good survival/bushcraft/general wilderness blade.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682159&highlight=own+one

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=792014&highlight=own+one

The 5 is a cool knife and as kids many of us wanted the big robust beast of a knife, I know I did. I was in this same situation when I was convinced I wanted a Buck Nighthawk. I had that knife for over 10 years and probably didn’t use it more than 15 times. I did field dress some deer with it, painstakingly. Once I sold it, it was almost like Dad had waited 10 years to say “Told’ya so”. :D If he doesn’t like the 4, send him over here and I’ll set him straight. If I don’t like his attitude I will tell him to mail it to me for proper disposal. :D

I'd say you're worrying over nothing. It's a GREAT knife.
 
Bloodgroove,
He shakes that present alot, I could make it disappear. :)[/QUOTE]

LOL, hes one of those, a "SHAKER"... Thats funny! It could just be a rock in that box.:eek:
 
If he wants a beast, I could get the 10.00 cheaper than dirt knife, hard use knife to abuse all he wants. He has a Gerber Machette. I think that video of the russian guy putting the convex edge on the RC-5 may be another reason. The RC-4 could be convexed as well. Just can't figure him out:confused:
 
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Did you show him the video with the 4 and Noss? That is how i came to buy my first ESEE but i went with the 6 as my first.
 
BloodGroove,
Yes, he watches those destruction test all the time.

Reddawn, I can't afford to do that, I am knife broke at the moment and have 2 other children to buy for also. I hope he does not read this thread, did not think about that before posting:eek: I will have to keep him off this site for a few days.
 
If he absolutely doesn't want the RC4, offer to split the difference with him - if he ponies up the difference between what you gave for the RC4 and what you can get an ESEE5 for, trade him -- that way you're not going broke and he has a definite investment in the new knife. Then you can keep the RC4 or sell it on the exchange.

Personally, having used both, i prefer the 4. (for field use, shelter building, etc... I like the 6 over the 5, too)
 
Super X said:
Well, that's one way to look at it I suppose. He does not have the experience to know what he really needs. He has never skinned anything as I always do it for him and my primary thoughts about what we use our knives for is skinning.

Bloodgroove,
He shakes that present alot, I could make it disappear. :)
Click to expand...

I see your point, but do you want to see a disappointed face on christmas?
 
1066vic,
I got the 4 for $80.00 plus shipping. It will be the best knife he has ever got and owns. He is only 15, so I have been giving him cheap stuff till now. Too me, this is a high end knife to be proud of. I hope he forgets the 5 and is thrilled with the 4. I almost Ebayed the 4 already to get the 5, then decided the 4 is more practicle and was comfortable with the decision. It's his contant harping that is giving me the doubt.
 
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