RC-6 vs RAT-7 1095 vs RAT-7 D2

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kta2402

Joined
Feb 25, 2009
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Looking for a 6 to 7 inch blade for outdoors and narrowed it to this 3 but need some feedback, first RC-6 vs the RAT-7 and then 1095 vs D2. Environment goes from high heat high humidity to extreme cold. I'm listening.
 
RAT cutlery has a great warranty, and customer service is outstanding. You are going to hear a lot of negative comments about Ontario's Rat line, especially on the Rat subforum, I will not get into that here. I like RAT cutlery, I have an RC-3, RC-4, and an IZULA, no complaints on any of them.

If you plan to chop or baton with the knife, some will say you should stay away from D2, because it chips. It is really about the heat treat though, my Kershaw Outcast has chopped plenty without any chips in the edge.

D2 can be nice in humid environments, since it is semi-stainless, but 1095 knives are fine, as long as you pay just a little attention to them.
 
I need a long knife for chopping capabilities without exceeding a 7" length for transportation purposes. RAT-7 is slightly longer than the RC-6 thus giving me more leverage. Battoning will be an obvious task for the knife to withstand.

What kind of negative comments are there on the RAT-7 ?

I always lube my knives with gun oil so I take care of them but would the 1095 on the RC-6 give me a good edge holding and rust resistance for use in snow and swamps or do I need to get D2 steel (which I afraid of its brittleness when in extreme cold) ?
 
kta2402 said:
I need a long knife for chopping capabilities without exceeding a 7" length for transportation purposes. RAT-7 is slightly longer than the RC-6 thus giving me more leverage. Battoning will be an obvious task for the knife to withstand.

What kind of negative comments are there on the RAT-7 ?

I always lube my knives with gun oil so I take care of them but would the 1095 on the RC-6 give me a good edge holding and rust resistance for use in snow and swamps or do I need to get D2 steel (which I afraid of its brittleness when in extreme cold) ?
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Negative in that their HT isn't as good, warranty is not as good, blade coating is not as good, and politics.
 
I've got a RAT-7, but it's the 2005 collector version with satin finish D2 and horn handles. I've done some light chopping on a 2x4 and it worked ok. I'd prefer a hatchet; the RAT-7 is pretty light (~12oz), but you could chop with it if you needed to. I didn't have any problems with the edge, it glided through some newsprint after chopping. If you wanted a good slicer and cutter I'd recommend the D2. If you want to chop and baton, I'd suggest the 1095 RC-6. The RC-6 actually has a 6.5 inch blade. Your talking about a difference of a half inch up at the tip where it really doesn't matter much. Fit, finish, and sheaths are much better from Rat Cutlery. I think a little mineral oil is all you need to keep the rust away, just wipe the blade off when it gets wet.
 
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As I answered in the RAT forum :
I've read some very interesting opinions that are well supported

First of all the decision is made to go ahead with a 1095 blade.

Then I just spotted that the RAT-7 is just 0.25" longer than the RC-6 so that makes no leverage differences between the knives.

I crunched up the numbers :

a 1095 RAT-7 at chesnut ridge knife shop is 85.99$ + 31.99$ for a kydex Sheath (there nylon sheath is worthless to me) + 25$ shipping for Canada = 142.98$ + customs

a RC 6 Plain Edge from KSF is 136.23$ + 5$ shipping for Canada = 141.23$ + customs

For 1.75$ I say its the same price for a 6-7" Outdoor plain edge Drop Point in 1095 steel with a usable knife sheath.

I have confidence in RAT Cutlery and I had a bad experience with Ontario's Pilot Survival Knife (went to the trash I was ashamed to even give it to someone, the tip broke, the handle came apart the steel is $#!!) Since then I had a Gerber LMFII which is great for a survival knife, a lot of good experiences with it still going strong but I need something bigger without getting a machete so I turned to something in the knid of a RAT-7.

I hear of the great fit and finish on RATs blades and of a good customer service. I need to trust my blade in the bush I do care for all my knives because they take care of me.

So I'm giving it a night thinking before jumping into the RATs.

Thank ya all for those answers they sure help.

KSF might see a Canadian ordered RC-6 soon enough
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