would a rat rc6 be a good farm knife

B

benchmadebob

Joined
May 12, 2008
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i recently got a job on a farm and i need a less tactical looking knife then the seal pup so i want a rat rc6 but ive never had one so would a rc6 be good for farm use such as cuting twine cuting bushes and small trees and other farm related chores
 
Any RC knife is up for the task. I have never been a farm boy, co I could not tell you if it would work good for what you are doing. I would not think you would need a big knife really. But the RC-4 would still be good. Anyways the RC-6 is not out yet (well, I think they just shipped, but good luck finding one) But the knife will perform very good for most anything!
 
I'd say the RC-4 would be plenty of knife for your needs. I honestly prefer a good pocket knife for the chores you mentioned and to use pruners for trees up to about one-half inch diameter and machete for slightly bigger stuff. My suggestion is to get a SOG Mini-Vulcan or Vulcan folder. I have both and both are excellent.

I looked at the RC-6 at Blade on Saturday. Nice big knife if you like big knives. I will eventually get the RC-4, but not the 6" version as it is too big for most of my needs.
 
Every farm boy I ever knew (including me) carried a small to intermediate size multi-bladed folder like a Case stockman or something similar.
 
We have a 10 acre hobby farm. Most folks out our way either carry a good 3.5-4 inch folder or a 4 inch fixed blade when out working around their places. I see alot of Buck 110 and Buck Vanguard knives around. In terms of RAT Cutlery, I think the RC-4 would better fit the farm knife concept.
 
I work on a farm too. I just carry a Sebenza and a SAK though. A nice folder that is relatively light makes work easier and it's there when you need it and not in the way when you don't. Sometimes I just bring my Spyderco Salt 1 SE if I am wearing only athletic shorts and clip it IWB. It's also a good thing to have when it is raining or really muddy. H1 steel doesn't rust and the serrations don't give up. I have to say though...If I had to bring a fixed blade, it would be my Spyderco Street Beat because it rides really well. If I had to do some ridiculous specialized tasks that required a bigger blade, I would bring my Ka-Bar USMC without a doubt.
 
MikeH said:
Every farm boy I ever knew (including me) carried a small to intermediate size multi-bladed folder like a Case stockman or something similar.
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but i have brush and other things that a need a biger blade and im not just going to use it on the farm but for hiking camping and fishing and other outdoor stuff
 
Scratch the itch man :D You want it, buy it. It is a solid knife that will perform well regardless of what you are doing. I still think a good folder is a little handier for the specific work you are doing, but hey what does a good SAK cost? Get both and cover all your bases.:thumbup:
 
Get what you like; we do. I have worked on farms and a folder worked just fine. I honestly don't use knives often as large as the RC-6. It is a pretty large knife and may feel a little clumsy for day to day stuff working. BUT, you'll look cool doing it. So, maybe that is what you want! :)

You like new stuff, do take a look at the SOG Mini-Vulcan. It is very fast and very sharp and cool, but it runs about $85. It is just not the knife to cut down trees. Machetes work better for that and you can beat them up. Axes work better than a large knife on trees. Think about it.

The Stockman design is quite versatile also.

There is no one size does all. You get a big knife and they do an okay job chopping, but axes work better. The are clumsy and you may cut yourself for little jobs more suited for a pocket knife. Fun to take camping and hiking though. Maybe get the RC-6 as you want and buy a good folder which is probably what I would do and satisfy both of my itches.
 
You like new stuff, do take a look at the SOG Mini-Vulcan. It is very fast and very sharp and cool, but it runs about $85. It is just not the knife to cut down trees. Machetes work better for that and you can beat them up. Axes work better than a large knife on trees. Think about it.

Up here in the North Country we even use chain saws for cutting down trees (at least on the farms):thumbup:
 
Rat Cutlery is an great company, with great knives, and a great warranty. You can not go wrong with anything they make.

I own a RC-4 and it's really one of the best all around fixed blades i have had the pleasure to use.
 
bcornelis said:
You like new stuff, do take a look at the SOG Mini-Vulcan. It is very fast and very sharp and cool, but it runs about $85. It is just not the knife to cut down trees. Machetes work better for that and you can beat them up. Axes work better than a large knife on trees. Think about it.

Up here in the North Country we even use chain saws for cutting down trees (at least on the farms):thumbup:
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no one would let me use one lol im going to go to colleage to become a arborist anyway im going to get a kukuri and a rc4 or a rc6 i have a attraction to bigger blades but not ther prices and im going to buy a spyderco sage soon aa man im going to be benging on knives big time
 
I think the RC-4 would be more practical for your needs, the RC-3 even MORE so, but if you like the RC-6 better, I say go for it. As the saying goes, we buy what we like, and we like what we buy. :D
 
I guess that going from a SOG Seal Pup to any knife from RAT Cutlery is not going to give you that non-tactical look you are looking for. Unless you strip them the black coated blades scream TACTICAL. Kydex sheats don't help much either. Same goes with green micarta handles.

I guess that for a non-tactical look you could get a more traditional looking blade. Anything from Bark River (besides Bravo1, WetEnviroment, etc) should do the trick. Fox River, Aurora, Canadian... any would do! Better yet if instead of black or green canvas you go for natural handles. Antique ivory Micarta looks doesn't look tactical either. Their pouch leather sheats are great as well.

If you want to get a RC6 badly, do it. Just don't excuse yourself saying you need a non-tactical looking knife... because it ain't one! :D :D Don't take my words as an offense, I do that all the time. Everytime I want a new blade I look for a self-excuse myself.

Mikel

PD: Don't forget to tell us what you finally buy.
 
For your uses, the RC-4 is probably the better choice. I mean if you really want an RC-6, go ahead, it won't be a bad knife.

If you want non-tactical, wait a few weeks for the RC-4s to come out with the orange scales and OD powder coat. The orange scales also make it easier to find when you drop it in the grass.
 
I carried traditional multiblade folders, bigger lockbacks, modern one handers, and fixed blades between 4"-6" as my EDC on the farm. They can all work, but naturally some are better than others. Also keep in mind if you're really using 'em, they will all get seriously beat up, and/or lost. I don't think I ever had a knife last more than a year or two.

The nice thing about a multiblade folder is you've always got a sharp fresh edge in reserve to get you through the day, plus multiple blade shapes for more specialized tasks. They aren't quite as handy to use (diggin' em out of the bottom of your pocket when your hands are completelly covered in grease, then needing both hands to open).

A one handed folder of generous blade size has the advantage of locking; the point of my farm knives got used a lot. Digging to check seeding depth, poking all manner of things, etc. It is handier than either a traditional folder or fixed blade. Pocket clip keeps it easy to access & deploy with one hand, and you can close it & put it back in the pocket blindly. A fixed blade needs attention when resheathing so you don't stick yourself, and this is especially unhandy in winter when the sheath is usually under a heavy coat or something. For a tool that may get pulled out 10-50 times a day, this is a consideration.

Fixed blades can have the advantage of being more rugged, so you can beat on 'em, and use the point without fear of any lock failure. I liked my general carry piece to have a blade at least 4"; 6" was the upper end of what never left my belt. Not a big deal either way. The tasks are so varied there's no way you can say a similar knife with an inch more/less blade will be better- it's up to your preferance as much as anything. It needs a combination of stout & strong proportions, coupled with an edge thin enough for good cutting ability. I'd also prefer a real guard & some kind of pommel or buttcap to protect the handle materal. I find a narrow point useful. A false edge is good for scraping, so you can spare the main edge. A tough impact resistant steel is a good idea. The scabbard needs to be cut resistant & easy to insert the knife back in it without fumbling.

I don't think any of these can take the place of big blades, such as machetes, corn/fodder knives, brush axes, bills, etc. I carried them as well when I expected to need them. And these can't take the place of chainsaws & loader tractors.

You may as well get yourself a decent pair of pliers while you're at it. They'll be used as much as the knife. Some guys carried the multi tools with pliers built in, but I just never got into them. I can see where a multi tool would pair up very well with a fixed blade knife.
 
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the possum said:
I carried traditional multiblade folders, bigger lockbacks, modern one handers, and fixed blades between 4"-6" as my EDC on the farm. They can all work, but naturally some are better than others. Also keep in mind if you're really using 'em, they will all get seriously beat up, and/or lost. I don't think I ever had a knife last more than a year or two.

The nice thing about a multiblade folder is you've always got a sharp fresh edge in reserve to get you through the day, plus multiple blade shapes for more specialized tasks. They aren't quite as handy to use (diggin' em out of the bottom of your pocket when your hands are completelly covered in grease, then needing both hands to open).

A one handed folder of generous blade size has the advantage of locking; the point of my farm knives got used a lot. Digging to check seeding depth, poking all manner of things, etc. It is handier than either a traditional folder or fixed blade. Pocket clip keeps it easy to access & deploy with one hand, and you can close it & put it back in the pocket blindly. A fixed blade needs attention when resheathing so you don't stick yourself, and this is especially unhandy in winter when the sheath is usually under a heavy coat or something. For a tool that may get pulled out 10-50 times a day, this is a consideration.

Fixed blades can have the advantage of being more rugged, so you can beat on 'em, and use the point without fear of any lock failure. I liked my general carry piece to have a blade at least 4"; 6" was the upper end of what never left my belt. Not a big deal either way. The tasks are so varied there's no way you can say a similar knife with an inch more/less blade will be better- it's up to your preferance as much as anything. It needs a combination of stout & strong proportions, coupled with an edge thin enough for good cutting ability. I'd also prefer a real guard & some kind of pommel or buttcap to protect the handle materal. I find a narrow point useful. A false edge is good for scraping, so you can spare the main edge. A tough impact resistant steel is a good idea. The scabbard needs to be cut resistant & easy to insert the knife back in it without fumbling.

I don't think any of these can take the place of big blades, such as machetes, corn/fodder knives, brush axes, bills, etc. I carried them as well when I expected to need them. And these can't take the place of chainsaws & loader tractors.

You may as well get yourself a decent pair of pliers while you're at it. They'll be used as much as the knife. Some guys carried the multi tools with pliers built in, but I just never got into them. I can see where a multi tool would pair up very well with a fixed blade knife.
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im going to cary a leatherman too i put all your advice into consideration thanks a lot
 
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