[DanielW586]

I've been looking online all day at the esee/rat cutlery knives, and I'm in love. But I'm having a difficult time deciding which knife I want to get. I know that I want the orange G-10 handles, and the kydex sheath with the MOLLE back.

I want a knife that I'm going to carry in my backpack everyday (I have the room to handle all 3 sizes), comfortable side belt carry, I live in Michigan and I understand the maintenance 1095 requires. Baton and feather 1"-2" wood. and food prep

But with out a local dealer of these knives I dont know how the in hand feel is.

whats your opinion?

 

[BOBtheBUTCHER]

I own the RC 4

It feels heavy but it feels like a serious tool if you know what I mean.

It looked bigger on the screen but I think its probably the perfect size for your needs.

The RC 5 looks like a beast!

 

[JV3]

i have all three (all esee knives except the 6). the orange g-10 handles only come with the 3 & 4. since you'll only be processing up to 2" wood the 3 will handle it. the 3 & 4 have the same handle shape except for the rounded pommel on the 4. both sheaths use the same molle back.

i prefer the 4 hands down because the thicker blade provides a better handle feel in my hand. the 4's kydex sheath is also superior to the 3's molded plastic. the 4's sheath has a retention screw i can tighten or loosen whereas the 3 doesn't. with just a few months of use the 3's sheath is starting to become too loose and i have no way to adjust it aside from heating it up and squeezing it tighter.

the 5 is an entirely different beast. after using it for awhile along with my bk-2 i've gotten tired of their weight/thickness without much advantage. i prefer carrying my junglas over the esee-5 & bk-2. it'll do everything those two can, aside from maybe prying a car door open.

the esee-4 & the junglas are my main hiking/survival knives. they pair up perfectly. there's an esee forum on bladeforums.com.

 

[sluggyslugworth]

Hmmm for EDC I'd say the RC-4

 

[SOSOnline]

I read on knifeforums that if you can only have ONE knife go with the RC-5, incase you need to demolish an aircraft, for anything less get the RC-4.

The RC-5 was designed by SERE instructors that could be their only knife.

EDIT: Oh, right, i'd get the RC-4.

 

[boot]

I've got the 5. I chose it for the reasons above. It feels like a serious tool in the hand. Someone said a crow bar with a sharp edge. Yeah, it has that feel. I have many smaller/lighter knives. Until I find that I'm tired of the weight compared to benefits, I'll keep carrying it.(I want to see if you can really start a fire with the detente in the handle) I'm looking to get a Nesmuk in the future. It may well become my main carry knife.

 

[Watchdog]

I got a 5 about a month ago. I have a Kabar, Gerber, Buck, and Kershaw fixed blades and none compare to this thing. IT IS A BEAST. "a crowbar with edges" is a great description of it. I love it. I have many folders and tools that I can use for that type of work, for a survival knife that needs to be a work horse it is in a league of its own.

 

[SeekHer]

T'were me, I'd have the Junglas for chopping, the RC-3 or 4 on my hip and the Izula on a neck chain for eating.

If you're Hell bent on battoning wood (why?) then get the RC-5, if you are (and should) carry a folding saw and/or a small axe then the RC-3 is all you need, ever.

 

[SOSOnline]

So, the summary is that the RC-5 is pointless if you have the right outdoor equipment, such as a saw, axe and a good fixed blade knife. Such as your BK2 Campanion. So, if you want to be able to go out in the woods and carry only one knife as your only tool then get the RC-5. otherwise the 4 or 3.

 

[DanielW586]

So, the summary is that the RC-5 is pointless if you have the right outdoor equipment, such as a saw, axe and a good fixed blade knife. Such as your BK2 Campanion. So, if you want to be able to go out in the woods and carry only one knife as your only tool then get the RC-5. otherwise the 4 or 3.

very conclusive, thank you

 

[SOSOnline]

very conclusive, thank you

And honestly, unless you just want an ESEE knife, i'd buy other things instead of another knife since you have the BK2.

Such as an axe. You can get the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe For about the same price as the RC-4 and a lot less than the RC-5.

 

[DanielW586]

And honestly, unless you just want an ESEE knife, i'd buy other things instead of another knife since you have the BK2.

Such as an axe. You can get the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe For about the same price as the RC-4 and a lot less than the RC-5.

Ya but my estwing has been serving me well over 8 years now, but I do see what your saying, dont just buy a knife to buy a knife, use my money better well spent

 

[SOSOnline]

Ya but my estwing has been serving me well over 8 years now, but I do see what your saying, dont just buy a knife to buy a knife, use my money better well spent

Exactly. If you're Estwing is working well then stick with it. I have the Estwing #1 and enjoy it. Figure out what else you need and once you have the basics get an ESEE!

 

[SeekHer]

A folding saw goes for around $30...some of the Japanese ones are wonderful for wet wood--Try Woodcraft or Garrett Wade and look into the Japanese hatchets as well...

I like the ones with interchangeable blades between wood and bone but I need it to butcher with--plain wood would work for non hunters...Wyoming makes a great one in two different sizes and there are a few that form bow or triangular saws.

There are also the hand chain saw blades by Ultimate Survival and Supreme Products and they both work very well but only two handed.

A small wedge for starting splitting is handy as well.

 

[loki]

Have a rat cutlery rc3 and just ordered an izula. While I don't own a rc4 the dimensions are just to close to the 3 to justify and while I don't have an rc5 I do have a bk2 and while I like the blade a lot I don't carry it because it is just too heavy and I have bigger and lighter knives that will fit the bill. I say go rc3 especiallly if you already have some sort of machete kukri or other big knife. While my rc3 is currently a edc depending on how I like the izula it might be replaced for light pocket carry with my bk7 camillus and kukri to ride in the truck. However being tha your blade will ride in a pack I say rc3.

 

[Steve_NH]

I have the RAT RC-3P, RC-4P, and the Izula. My go-to is the RC-3P which fulfills all my needs. I love the feel of the knives and the RC-3P kydex sheath is perfect. I simply used some paracord through the sheaths eyelets to attach it to my belt. This allows the knife to ride high, which is my preference.

I say if the budget allows, buy all of them. If the budget doesn't, get the RC-3, then save up again for the Izula and RC-4. Then when you have some more extra cash kicking around snag a RC-5. Yeah, I'm quite happy with the RAT/ESEE knives.

 

[RockyNational.com]

decide

Well, the RC-5 is a totally different animal from the other 2. Its much wider and heavier with a very different blade profile. I don't have a comparision pic of that with the others handy.



Here are some comparision shots of the Izula, the RC-3 and the RC-4 to give you an idea of how they compare though.

 

[SOSOnline]

I'd go with the RC-4, simply for the thickness. Not to thick like the RC-5, but thick enough to work.

 

[angeryamerican]

I have the 4 and 5. I like them both, alot. The 5 is a serious abuse smash and grab kinda tool. The 4, in my opinion, is a perfect field knife. It is the right size for almost all tasks in the field. I have used mine to feather wood, split wood, carve spoons, clean fish and butcher hogs. It preforms all these tasks easily. I carry them both in the field. Do I need too? No, but I want them for different purposes. If you were only going to have one I would say the 4. It is the perfect medium between the 3 and 5. Thick enough for big work, thin enough for light stuff.

The 4 is one of my edc's. I carry it horizontally on the front of my left hip for a right handed cross draw. I use a Tek Lock to hang it on my belt. For me this is an awsome carry config. Out of the way, whether standing or sitting, but always in reach.

The RAT knives are great, there are others just as good and better, but I like their philosiphy. They practice what they preach, these guys knew what they wanted a knife to do and set out to make one that could do it.

In the end I'd buy them all. Im going to get the 3 and 6. Buying one before you can hold it is a tough one. I dont order knives online, I gotta hold em. But you wont go wrong with the 4.

 

[76bts]

I was stuck between the 3 and 4 - went for the 4 and glad I did its a great knife and its not that large, slightly larger than my Falkniven F1. I just think the 4 is more practical all-rounder if you only get to choose the one knife. Hope you enjoy whichever you choose - by the way got mine in Desert Tan and its a beautiful knife.