What makes this or any knife a good knife?

J

johnnyKnives

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Sep 21, 2008
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I saw several recommendations for the RC-3, like this one:

Here is a link to the RAT RC-3.

But what makes this a good knife? Why is it a good one as opposed to some other brand? To the non-initiate all the knives look the same.

Thank you.

Also, I know nothing about the company at the link above. It was just what I found with google.
 
Its a popular, well-made knife that isn't overly spendy. I have one myself.

My definition of what makes a "good" knife is that you like it, and at the time of purchase convince yourself that you will actually use it. Its very subjective. JMO.

:thumbup:
 
Knifes can be called "good" for many reasons, some being build materials, build quality, value, and so on. The RAT knives have been recommended to you as they have been proven, many people use them and they just work. If you think all knives look the same you need to look around more, there are so many varying styles of blades and handle around.
 
depends what you need it for! Something in price range and that takes and keeps a good edge it what i look for. Also the way it feels and looks helps too :)
That knife is a good all round use knife. the way its shaped and ground at the factory make it good at a variety of tasks. its also very strong and in a compact package...
 
This is probably less expensive Busse style knife on the market. There are many other producer making same style knives:

Busse-BadgerAttac-009.jpg

Busse,

SwampRat-RatManDu-001.jpg

Swamp Rat

Fehrman-02.jpg

Fehrman,

Kiku_Matsuda-Tanto-2-002.jpg

Kiku Matsuda

Dozier-KS7-01.jpg

Dozier

Caldwell-1-6-031.jpg

M.D.Caldwell

RangerKnives-RD6-07.jpg

Ranger knives

buck-888-08.jpg

Buck

As well as TOPS and Strider...

But this one I think just little bit more affordable then any other.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
johnnyKnives said:
I saw several recommendations for the RC-3, like this one:

Here is a link to the RAT RC-3.

But what makes this a good knife? Why is it a good one as opposed to some other brand? To the non-initiate all the knives look the same.

Thank you.

Also, I know nothing about the company at the link above. It was just what I found with google.
Click to expand...

RAT stand for "Randall's Adventure Training". Folks know that these people are familiar with what a knife needs to be to be useful in a harsh environment. The people at RAT designed this knife with outdoor performance in mind.
http://www.ratcutlery.com/about.htm

People tried it and found it well balanced, well put together (often called around here "fit and finish"), and very strong. They found that the 1095 alloy (which is a good choice for a carbon steel blade) had been heat treated properly to get good performance out of the steel.

They had reason to trust the manufacturers enough to try the knife. They liked it when they did try it. They recommended it. QED.
 
I'd say what makes a knife "good" is a combination of materials, workmanship, and design.

oh course it's pretty subjective, so what's good for one person for one task might not be good for another person doing a different task.
 
RAT also has a no-questions-asked warranty and they stand by it...even if you were to sell or give the knife to someone else. Drop it, chip it cutting cinder blocks or chopping through car door hinges, they will fix or repair it. Something to consider.

The RC-3 and RC-4 are both teriffic knives. I EDC the RC-3 as it is somewhat daintier than the RC-4, but until I got the RC-4, I used the RC-3 as my bushcrafter and never felt that I didn't have enough blade.
 
johnnyKnives said:
But what makes this a good knife? Why is it a good one as opposed to some other brand? To the non-initiate all the knives look the same.
Click to expand...

I don't own this knife, but just from looking at it and reading the specs I can say this about it....

It has a full-tang construction....which means the blade isn't likely to separate from the handle.

It uses micarta for the handle slabs....which is very strong stuff, and nice looking too.

It has a choil on the blade....which some folks like for choking up on the blade (personally, I don't like choils much).

The handle has an integrated forward guard....this is great for preventing ones hand from sliding on to the blade when thrusting or push cutting.

It uses 1095 blade-steel....which is older blade-steel with a well established record as a strong and tough steel (and a reputation for rusting as well).


It looks like it would perform well enough, and it looks to be a good knife for the asking price.
 
I've been carrying an RC-3 as my EDC for several months.

Most manufacturers don't put a lot of thought into the sheath. The kydex sheath is extremely well thought out with plenty of options for carry.

I carry my RC-3 on my 1 3/4 Wilderness Instructor belt using the belt/boot clip. I place the sheath on the inside of the belt with the clip on the outside, but I can carry inside the waist band if I choose. The sheath holds the knife tightly, but not too tightly.

You an find details of the sheath at:
http://www.ratcutlery.com/rc-3_instructions_1_large.jpg
http://www.ratcutlery.com/rc-3_instructions_2_large.jpg

Of course, many people do not like kydex. If you fit into this category, you can buy an RC-3 with a leather Sharpshooter sheath here...

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/RAT-C...-Plain-Edge--Leather-Sheath/product_info.html
 
I've toted the RC-3 for about a year. It serves me well as an EDC or in the woods (But I like to use my RC-4 for the woods now). It might also be noted that the RC-3 scored a 4.77 out of a possible 5 points in the Member Tested and Recommended Products Program of the NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association). http://www.ratcutlery.com/NTOA review.pdf
 
A "good knife" is a knife that will perform whatever cutting, slicing, splitting, chopping and perhaps poking needs you need to do with it. It has to be able to perform such demands without failing, breaking, getting dull too quickly, or putting you in danger because of design, craftsmanship or materials.

This means different things for different people. If you are an Alaskan game guide, your needs for a "good knife" are much different than a cheesemaker.

Most of us lie somewhere in the middle of the two I'd guess.
 
I have no experience with RAT knives, but here are the criteria I use to determine what is a "good" knife:

- Build quality
- Material grade
- Aesthetics
- Usefulness of the design
- Comfort, carrying and using
- Value
- Maker reputation
 
Here is some VERY important reading for someone trying to determine the quality of a knife. I always say that buying a knife without knowing what steel the blade is made of is like buying a rifle and not knowing what caliber it is....

Read and become enlightened!
BladeForums Steel FAQ


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Some knives are more expensive than they need to be, but there are many decent quality knives out there and the only requirement is that you like it. Sure, you need to weed out the crap knives, but that's not too tough. Most of the knives made by reputable companies made by Spiderco, Kershaw, Cold Steel, Benchmade, Boker and, for the time being and with some reservation, CRKT. Even some Gerber and S&W knives are worthy of consideration. And of course I am wary of any knife company that conceals its blade steel in its advertisements.

The greatest danger in buying modern knives is in paying too much money on something that fails to offer a demonstrable increase in performance (if performance is what you're seeking). In the end, though, the buyer determines what a good knife is and opinions vary.
 
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