Which RC to get next

A

arijer

Joined
Jul 13, 2009
Messages
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Ok, I got my Izula, RC 3 and waiting on my HEST.

So here is the question. I want to get another knife, more for Camping and bushcraft, wood cutting. I figure RC 4 is too close in size to the RC 3? no point right?

or between the RC5 and the RC 6? but my other concern then, and correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe even R.A.T himself stated that the RC 5 is not his favorite in the lineup. So what is the problem with the RC-5? and if I am mistaken on the quote I apologize, I just seem to recall that statement being made that it does not handle as well as some would like.

thanks for the help

RAT Pack #210
 
I would go with the RC-6, but that's me. I like the full flat grinds with the .188" thickness.
 
I prefer the RC6 over all... the deal on the RC5 is it is 1/4" and doesn't have a full flat grind so it really was not designed for "in Tha Woods" useage .
 
I got the RC-5 yesterday, and it is a beast!!! I love it, but I can see how it might be a bit much for some situations. With that said, I would buy it again, but thats just me.....plus I plan on getting them all anyway, so it really doesnt matter which order I get them in.
Also, Bear Claw Chris Lappe just posted a thread about an RC-5 review in the newest issue of Tactical Knives

Hope this helps
 
arijer said:
Ok, I got my Izula, RC 3 and waiting on my HEST.

So here is the question. I want to get another knife, more for Camping and bushcraft, wood cutting. I figure RC 4 is too close in size to the RC 3? no point right?

or between the RC5 and the RC 6? but my other concern then, and correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe even R.A.T himself stated that the RC 5 is not his favorite in the lineup. So what is the problem with the RC-5? and if I am mistaken on the quote I apologize, I just seem to recall that statement being made that it does not handle as well as some would like.

thanks for the help

RAT Pack #210
Click to expand...

I would also suggest the RC-6 for what you are wanting to use it for.:thumbup:
 
Another vote for the RC-6 since you already have a RC-3... though I really really love my RC-4.
 
I absolutely love my RC-4 and definitely have the RC-6 on my wishlist.

RAT Pack #64
 
I'm skipping the 5 and 6 (sold my 6 as I only collect knives I'll use heavily). It's been my experience that these "intermediate knives" are solid, but not really great at anything. They are harder to handle for delicate tasks that the 3 and 4 are better at, nor are they large/long enough to be more than emergency pain in the ass choppers.

Seven inches and a thin profile is the minimum for a knife that can handle a few hours of light chopping, pole making, delimbing, etc., without making one wish they hadn't ever started.

My favorite knives for the past three years has been this set:

5629.jpg


The leuku is about seven inches of zero degree edge blade 3/16ths thick. The puukko is the same thickness and just a shade under 4" in blade length. The whole rig weighs just about a pound or a bit over. When I need more "power" I belt on a Roselli R850.

r850.jpg


What has me salivating is this: Since I think the 4 is more versatile knife than the 3, I am going to pair my RC4s and a RC10p in a single custom sheath when that larger blade comes out.

Hopefully the 10 will be a distinct improvement on the RTAK2 because then my three season combo would be this:

SAK Farmer for the small package of a saw, awl, can opener, and other useful tools in a relatively tough package.

Skookum Bush Tool Mk.1 in CPM3V carried around the neck as the primary cutting tool. This will be my zero degree edged laser cutter.

RC-4s/RC10p double rig in kydex carried on the hip, or the pack, for those tasks where I might need to beat the hell outta something, baton through a knotty piece of firewood, dig at a stump for fatwood, perforate a tree, pry open a log, etc. Stronger than the Finnish rig above, and covered by the no bullshit warranty, it'll be sweet. I should be able to dump the axe except when winter camping.

That's the dream anyway.:D
 
I like the way you think Boats..... I am also anxious to see what the 10 is gonna be like.

I figure once I get a few more RATs, I will put together a couple of rigs for different situations.
 
Now that makes alot of sense BOATS.

A RC 4 and a RC 10 makes sense as a combo.

For EDC, I am going to have to wait until the HEST comes in. I got a Izula and a RC 3, I know alot of people love the Izule, but its a matter of taste. I have a feeling that I will like the HEST the most based on size.

So I order a RC 4 now and wait for the RC 10 to be made... oh man, I hate waiting:)
 
Boats:
I have that very same Jarvenpaa setup and love it!
I know I have a rep as loving big, huge bruiser-battle cruiser knives (and I do), but I beat the hell out of those things and they keep coming back for more.

The leuku is the one I batoned through seasoned birch (straight through a big ol' nasty knot) and it went through without a hitch. It's also the one I stropped down and dropped (as in dropped about a half an inch) onto my little finger and it cut it near to the bone. Talk about scary sharp.

Not something I'd want to depend on if my life were at stake, but I was surprised at how much a thin knife like that can take.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Not something I'd want to depend on if my life were at stake, but I was surprised at how much a thin knife like that can take.
Click to expand...

I'd depend on mine, (though when the snow flies the axe and a Silky saw are along just in case), because they are not show pieces, but survival tools.

These knives have literally centuries of design influence built into them. Ol' Cliff Stamp used to pooh pooh the scandi grind and the puukko in general. "They're made the way they are because decent steel was scarce. The scandi grind is easy to churn out, but its performance characteristics are less than ideal due to it wedging more than cutting."

He was full of crap as far as I am concerned. The puukko is hidden tang because that is the way all knives were made until very recently. The benefit is that you get a handle that is shaped to your hands. Or you can make it oversize for gloved hand work. Or you can make it wholly of natural materials so that it cannot stick to a bare hand in subzero temps.

The grind is easy for the bladesmith. It is also easy for the user. The sharpening angle is built in and cannot be muffed--work to zero on each side with no secondary bevel. The grind is very amenable to stropping. The knife cuts on the draw, but if you have to work your way through something, the semi-convex profile of the blade keeps it from getting stuck by parting the material being cut as it slices through it. It ain't a see through tomato slice producing knife, but a pukko will nicely dress fish, fowl, and game.

Though not the strongest lateral design at all, nor a design that can be batoned with a rock, the puukko/leuku, when used correctly, will not let one down when the user's life is on the line.

The Jarvenpaas are incredibly well built, if not incredibly precise in their details. I am not surprised by how much abuse they can take. The company expects its knives to take a beating in some of the harshest winter environments on earth and help to bring their owners home every day.
 
Boats said:
I'm skipping the 5 and 6 (sold my 6 as I only collect knives I'll use heavily). It's been my experience that these "intermediate knives" are solid, but not really great at anything. They are harder to handle for delicate tasks that the 3 and 4 are better at, nor are they large/long enough to be more than emergency pain in the ass choppers.

Seven inches and a thin profile is the minimum for a knife that can handle a few hours of light chopping, pole making, delimbing, etc., without making one wish they hadn't ever started.
Click to expand...

Thanks this helped my hard decision. While I'm waiting for my Hest I want another RAT. I was going to get a RC6 or 5 but couldn't decide. Big but not to big. The RC 3 is small but to big for legal Edc in my state. So I just ordered a RC4 and Izula. Never can have enough legal EDC knives imo. The Izula I can play with the Para cord when really bored :). The HEST I can see how many beers I can open in a night without cutting myself :eek: The RC4 is to big for EDC but probably can do more than the RC3?? Well with 2 smaller RATs it made sense to go a little bigger?? Then I'll get a RC10. So I can use the RC4 and 10 for real work when hiking and camping. Not that the smaller ones couldn't do it but....easier with bigger blades. Unless the RC10 takes along time then I may buy the RC6 or 5?? :D Maybe I'll order a Skookum Bush Tool Mk.1 Should be a nice knife with that waiting period? I wonder how it compares to the RC4? If I ordered it now I can have it for next years winter camping :eek::). Search funtion is great. I should of forked out the $10 a long time ago
 
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