Hi, yes I've thought about the smaller knife. It costs about 100 British pounds.
It has many good reviews and is proven to be a very durable tool without it been a crowbar (like a Fallkniven F1, although my brother in-law finally worked out how to put a sharp but not hair popping sharp edge on it).

I would go for the plain not serrated edge, IMO if you want serrations use a dedicated folding locking saw like a Bahco Laplander (or my SAK Rucksack is also great locking knife with a good saw, not locking though).

Also the orange handle would be useful in finding your knife if you dropped it.
I think this is very useful in a self reliance situation.

The longer knife I wouldn't buy.

IMO a big knife is always weak compared to a good 19inch axe.

For slashing brush and taking down thin, less than wrist thick green wood a shortish 12-16inch machete would be ideal.

Just my useless thoughts.

 

As many know I pulled the trigger and bought one. I had a custom sheath made for it and then removed the black coating from the blade. I've been very happy with it and would buy and recommend RAT Cutlery knives to other people.

 

iam getting a rc-3 there awsome knives heres a review

 

What is the difference between these knives and the Ontario RAT knives?
I have a Ontario RAT 3 and it seems to be identical to the RC-3 down to the blade material and micarta handles.I've been really happy with mine and was just wondering what the difference was. Thanks

 

They are both good knives, but only one is great.

RAT knives have an unconditional lifetime warranty. Does not matter if your the original owner, you bought the knife used, or if you found the knife in a dumpster somewhere.

If it breaks, they replace it PERIOD. Saw it in half with a hack saw, doesn't matter, they will replace it.

The same can't be said about ontario knives.

The "rumors" about the beef between the two companies are true. What happened was that Ontario sued RAT cutlery over the RAT trademark. Ontario claimed the RAT trademark was theirs. However, Jeff Randall had been using the logo and name since 1997 and it wasn't until 2002 that a contract was made by the two companies to make the then Ontario/RAT knives. When there was a disagreement, the two owners went there separate ways and it was RAT CUTLERY and ONTARIO RAT. As far as I know although the RAT name legally belonged (and still belongs) to Jeff Randall. Jeff Randall never had a beef with Ontario about the name. It was only until Ontario tried to sue the smaller company, which was the legal owner of the name that things got bad.

I personally know owners of Ontario knives who have thrown out the stuff over this story. It was a very low blow to Jeff Randall.

If the knives were equally good, I would still get the real RATS over the Ontarios just because of that cowardly move by Ontario. But the fact of the matter is RAT Cutlery knives are superior knives with a superior warranty.

 

I have the Ontario version. I know they had thier bussness problems with RAT, but I was not involved in it so and I'm not going to trust a bunch of rumors floating around all the chit-chat rooms.

Ontario makes solid knives.

As for the differance, I bought the tool steal version, RAT only offers the carbon.

I chose the partial serated, I am happy

 

I honestly believe that the only difference is the steel in the blades. Ontario and RAT had a falling out in 2002 where Ontario sued RAT.
I think Ontario makes good knives as well, I have owned some of theirs. I know some have their preferences and didnt want to start a war over which is better. Just wanted to mainly know what people thought of them.

 

Let us know how it turns out for you

 

Watch the video and it is explained.

 

RAT makes great knives! I recently got the new RC-5 survival knife from RAT off of ebay (everywhere else was out of stock, but i'm told that they will be in stock soon). This is an awesome knife. It's got a 5.25 inch blade, a sabre grind, it's thick at the spine @ 0.25 inches, has a hair popping edge (had one when i first got it), has a sweet sheath, a bow drill divot, perfect size handle, and lanyard loop that's not just 1 hole--so you can thread your para cord through it more easily (or use bigger rope). Also they have an awesome warranty--just don't let it rust too much and it's guaranteed to not break.

I'm very impressed with it. It's design and functionality say SURVIVAL to me. I agree with yorkshire boy that the rc-6 isn't ideal for a survival knife and the combination of a shorter sturdier knife and a machete or a axe is best. I plan on getting a nice small forest axe by gransfors bruks to compliment my rc-5.

A tid bit of information: alot of people are talking on the RAT forums that there needs to be a rat knife with a big blade (about 10in?) and some designs have been submitted. It has also been suggested to make a RAT machete as well. RAT makes knives for its customers, so be on the look out for an awesome machete/long-bladed knife.

 

I think the RC-3 would be a great all around survival knife and neck knife

Check out the Rat Izula for your neck knife!! :thumb:

 

If Rat Cutlery is going to make a machete sign me up for one. I own the RC-3 and I think it is a wonderful everyday useful tool. They make good quality knives at affordable prices. Don't think you would go wrong with anything by them. I do suggest that if you are looking for a primary chopper though go with above suggestions and get an axe, hatchet or dedicated chopper.

 

Yup, axe is a great idea for a chopper. No self-respecting mountain man would go without one.

RAT said on their forums that they will be working on a "chopper"...so that can either mean a more of a machete type knife, an axe, a cool motorcycle, or a whirly-bird. Just kidding, but yes more of a machete-type knife is what I'd expect.

 

I have many RAT Cutlery videos on my YouTube channel (one is posted above).

I wont go into details here, but there are MANY differences between Ontario's Rat knives and RAT Cutlery's Rat knives.

I think the most important one is the warranty. Check my RC-3 vids for more info on that.

I also do the Ontario RAT-7 in D2 tool steel, chopping through a 4x4.

The Bum

 

RAT knives

I have the 3 and the 4 already. I've got the 5 and the Izula on the way. Rat's are an excellent knife,reasonably priced, and most of all made in U.S.A.

 

what about the RTAK line? there is the original, then the RTAK 2, which has a 10.5 inch blade.

what's the difference between these and the RAT line? I tried to find one on both websites, onterio and rat, but could only find it on a dealers site.

strange

reviews of rtak 2 are on youtube. they beat the hell out of it batoning in cold weather. it's 1095, and held up well. however, i think the sheath sucks.

 

After seeing "nutnfancy's" ( 5 part fire-making and 3 part shelter making) youtube series, using an Ontario RTAK II in 18 degree weather, I had to have one. I also own a kershaw Outcast(10" blade ) a Kabar large bowie(9" blade) an Ontario machette and am expecting a Kabar/becker BK2 on my doorstep via fed-ex tommorrow. All useful tools here in the 95% deforested state of Ohio lol. Maybe I'll have to hack my way through a wicked cornfield, when the SHTF.

 

Great review, thanks!

 

I agree with yorkshire boy that the rc-6 isn't ideal for a survival knife and the combination of a shorter sturdier knife and a machete or a axe is best.

Especially if you combine it with a smaller pocket knife or folder.

That's getting awefully close to the 'nesmuk' trio, which has been a very time tested and proven concept. A small axe or hatchet, a stout fixed blade belt knife of moderate size, and a good folder in the pocket, and you're pretty much ready for anything

These days most people add a folding saw or pocket chainsaw or the like - which i suspect mr sears would have approved of had such kit been available.

 

RATs are great! I think Rat Cutlery knives offer some of the best value out there. Awesome knives at a fair price with an unbeatable warranty. I've got the whole line (so far) but I think my favorite is the RC-4.

 

RATs are great!... I've got the whole line (so far) but I think my favorite is the RC-4.]

Not yet you don't! You still need the HEST.:

I have an olive drab Izula. I wrapped the handle in desert tan paracord, and it resides in my right front pocket as my primary utility blade. I use it for pretty much everything. I have my Koyote Green River 5" fixed blade on my belt if I need something a bit larger. Those are my two favorite knives in the world.

Now to start saving for an orange and green RC-4...

 

Whats the difference in thickness of the RC-3 and RAT-3

I know the RAT-3 is thicker - but whats is its thickness ?

 

RAT makes an excellent product. I would choose an Izula for a neck knife. Now depending on what it's used for a RAT 4 might suffice. If you need it for a lot of chopping or batoning I would go for the RAT 6. If you look around at some custom sheaths you might find one that allows you to piggyback the smaller knife on the larger knife.:

 

Ordered my HEST this past week. Should be here in a few days

 

RAT knives (RC-3 or RC-6)

There are a couple small differences other than length between the RC3 and RC6. The RC3 is about 1/8 inch thick and the RC6 is 3/16 inch thick. The difference in thickness then would make the RC6 heavier, if compared on a ingh by inch basis. Both are easy to work and use in all situations and all RAT knives come with a LIFETIME guaranty. If you ever screw it up or break it in any way they will repalce it for free, no question asked. How many other company will do that??? There are the RAT knives from Ontirio Knife Company and the RC knives by RAT Cutlery. Within the last couple years Randalls took the fabrication in house to better oversee production, and if you look at the 2 side by side you can see the difference in the fit and finish between the 2. The RAT Cutlery knives start with RC-3 and the Ontirio start with RAT-3. By one from RAT Cutlery and you won't be any thing by pleased. They are also coming out with an RC-10, 9-10 inch, model in January of 2010. I've seen pictures of it and it looks great! So really it will come down to blade length, weight, and thickness. For and EDC knives, you might want to go with the RC-3, for one that you won't be carring with you evryday then I'd go with the RC-6. Hopefully this will help a little in your decision.

 

I have never owned a RAT knife but have used friends' knives on numerous occasions...

They are very well made, tough knives and I've been told they hold an edge well and sharpen fairly easily...

I don't own any because I have similar knives by other makers and that is a style/type of blade that I don't collect so the ones I have will suffice but if offered a very good deal on one or if I change my collecting desires, I'd not hesitate in buying one...

 

I had the Rat3 for about 6 months and liked it a lot. It was small enough that I could carry it in my front pocket but large enough to handle most tasks. I traded it towards a Rat 6 with a friend a few weeks back. The R6 is a nice knife and is my primary SHTF blade as of now. It cuts slices and batons with no problems.

 

Which ones break more easily and which is cheaper? Is there a difference?

How do you break a knife, anyway? I've abused Opinels, Moras, hand-forged customs, but have never broken one. Aren't they made for cutting and slicing?

I bought a Becker BK-2 and have tried to do all I could to it, but can't break it! Taking any cutting instument to its limits is one thing, but taking it beyond what it was designed for is yet another.

They ain't jackhammers or sledgehammers......they're knives. In taking them beyond their limits, IMHO, lessens their utility for what they were designed for in the first place.

I'm probably wrong, but I don't think so.

 

Which ones break more easily and which is cheaper? Is there a difference?

Hi Wolfy.
I can't say which ones break more easily. I've never broken a knife.
The Ontarios are less expensive than the Rowen made RC knives.

The most obvious differnce between the two is the quality of the fit & finish of the RC knives.
The Ontario models I've had have all had issues with things like the handle slabs not being flush with the tang,wrinkles in the coating,machine marks on the blades,uneven grinds etc.
Nothing that would really affect the functionality of the knife,but maybe enough to make me wonder about some of the less obvious issues that could be there that can't be readily seen.

The Rowen made RC knives on the other hand are very well finished & I've yet to get one with any quality issues.
The only changes I've made to them were to change the grind to get rid of the shoulder & give them more of a convex edge.

Cliff

 

Still uncertain RC-4 or RC-5

Very useful information on this thread. I'm also considering one of the RC knives but not quite sure which one. I'm thinking on using it in a combination with an axe, but I also want to rely on it for small batoning and chopping when I'm not carrying the axe. I'm slightly leaning towards the RC-5