Hi all. Here is some info on the RC-3. I have been EDC'ing this knife for about 6 days now, and have gotten the chance to use it quite a bit. Here is my initial report.
First, a couple pics. Any marks you see are due to the bit of carrying, it came in mint condition. Sorry for the poor color balance. Couldn't seem to get it out. Click on the image for a larger picture.
The first shot shows the outline of the knife, includeing the usable choil. I own very few knives with this feature, but really like it on this knife. Using the choil, I can use the knife up close to the point and the belly of the blade. It also makes a couple more grip options possible that complement the belly on the blade. You can also see the green liners peeking out the front.
I included a spine shot because it shows some of the strong points of this knife. First, a nice blade thickness, strong enough to count on, but thin enough to cut well. Second, it shows the nicely contoured handle slabs. These are thin enough for the knife to be unobtrusive when carried, but feel good in the hand. They are not slick when wet, and support a variety of holds. Third is the jimping on the spine, which is a nice addition and works well with the traction of the handle slabs.
Here are a couple of the knife w/ the sheath attached to the jump-proof molle back instead of the boot clip. This is a well made sheath, and a very nice option. Triple retention means that the knife will ALWAYS be there. Coupled with the slim design, it can be a backup, or simply carried when others would not be. It could be worn under a snow suit without fear of falling out, no matter what the activity. It can be worn with other gear, without taking up too much air space around it, which matters when you are walking through doors, or in tight brush. The people I have shown it to were very impressed by the jump proof sheath. It really complements the design.
Well, on to my review. I really did not understand how well thought out the design was before I had this knife in hand. The choil, I think, is probably the most controversial item on this knife. Once you have spent a couple minutes w/ it, you see why it is there. Because of the choil, and the extra grips it offers, it gives you two knives in one. Choking up on the choil, the knife seems much like the coyote skinner pattern. You have the belly of the knife right above your hand, with all the control that gives.
When you grip the knife by the handle, you have much more blade length ahead of you. This means that you have a little more length when it is needed. All in all, I think the choil cuts out about 1/4" of the blade edge possible in the design, while adding some very versatile grips.
I have used the knife for quite a few varied tasks. While I won't elaborate, the most exotic so far was taking the place of a swivel knife for a bit of leatherwork, and making thin slices off a tomato, both with the factory edge.
I have been carrying the knife w/ the included boot clip on the sheath, and it disappears under a t-shirt. Like I mentioned, it is nice and thin. I slip the knife behind my belt, and the clip goes to the outside. Makes for a high ride setup. Still very secure this way.
Well, there you go, my initial, almost a week review. A nice sized knife, designed to do everything a knife is supposed and then some, packaged with a sheath to ensure that it will always be there when you need it.
After I have had some more time to use this knife, I will give a more thorough review.
Edited to add: Fit and finish on mine were excellent, especially the handles to the tang. Coating was very even, and grind was very good. The knife came nice and sharp as well.
If you have any questions, or would like any pictures in particular, let me know. I am trying to think of a nice reference knife to show the size properly. If I did, it would be w/ a Leatherman wave or an older model Benchmade.
First, a couple pics. Any marks you see are due to the bit of carrying, it came in mint condition. Sorry for the poor color balance. Couldn't seem to get it out. Click on the image for a larger picture.
The first shot shows the outline of the knife, includeing the usable choil. I own very few knives with this feature, but really like it on this knife. Using the choil, I can use the knife up close to the point and the belly of the blade. It also makes a couple more grip options possible that complement the belly on the blade. You can also see the green liners peeking out the front.
I included a spine shot because it shows some of the strong points of this knife. First, a nice blade thickness, strong enough to count on, but thin enough to cut well. Second, it shows the nicely contoured handle slabs. These are thin enough for the knife to be unobtrusive when carried, but feel good in the hand. They are not slick when wet, and support a variety of holds. Third is the jimping on the spine, which is a nice addition and works well with the traction of the handle slabs.
Here are a couple of the knife w/ the sheath attached to the jump-proof molle back instead of the boot clip. This is a well made sheath, and a very nice option. Triple retention means that the knife will ALWAYS be there. Coupled with the slim design, it can be a backup, or simply carried when others would not be. It could be worn under a snow suit without fear of falling out, no matter what the activity. It can be worn with other gear, without taking up too much air space around it, which matters when you are walking through doors, or in tight brush. The people I have shown it to were very impressed by the jump proof sheath. It really complements the design.
Well, on to my review. I really did not understand how well thought out the design was before I had this knife in hand. The choil, I think, is probably the most controversial item on this knife. Once you have spent a couple minutes w/ it, you see why it is there. Because of the choil, and the extra grips it offers, it gives you two knives in one. Choking up on the choil, the knife seems much like the coyote skinner pattern. You have the belly of the knife right above your hand, with all the control that gives.
When you grip the knife by the handle, you have much more blade length ahead of you. This means that you have a little more length when it is needed. All in all, I think the choil cuts out about 1/4" of the blade edge possible in the design, while adding some very versatile grips.
I have used the knife for quite a few varied tasks. While I won't elaborate, the most exotic so far was taking the place of a swivel knife for a bit of leatherwork, and making thin slices off a tomato, both with the factory edge.
I have been carrying the knife w/ the included boot clip on the sheath, and it disappears under a t-shirt. Like I mentioned, it is nice and thin. I slip the knife behind my belt, and the clip goes to the outside. Makes for a high ride setup. Still very secure this way.
Well, there you go, my initial, almost a week review. A nice sized knife, designed to do everything a knife is supposed and then some, packaged with a sheath to ensure that it will always be there when you need it.
After I have had some more time to use this knife, I will give a more thorough review.
Edited to add: Fit and finish on mine were excellent, especially the handles to the tang. Coating was very even, and grind was very good. The knife came nice and sharp as well.
If you have any questions, or would like any pictures in particular, let me know. I am trying to think of a nice reference knife to show the size properly. If I did, it would be w/ a Leatherman wave or an older model Benchmade.
