Jdee
30-11-2007, 09:55
When the opportunity arose to become a Distributor/Dealer for the RAT Cutlery Company we grabbed it for 2 main reasons:
The RAT range of Knives were a significant presence in the market; and
We like to support those semi-production makers like Bark River and Ranger Knives.
I think it is important to state here that I have not been a supporter of Tactical Style Knives nor coated blades. I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to Knives illustrated by the fact that 2 of my favourite Knives are the Bark River Big Mountain Skinner and Queen Country Cousin.
But as we are going to sell these contemporary Knives then I wanted to be in a position of knowing their worth or otherwise. I got the wallet out and purchased a RC-3P from our first consignment.
The Knife and sheath come in a clear plastic bag and the first thing that strikes you is the sheath. No wonder the sheath by itself costs $41.00 as it is well thought out and made of quality materials.
According to RAT Cutlery:
RC-3 and RAT-3 Sheath System
All RC-3 knives include a jump-proof MOLLE back plate with drop-leg extender ring, belt loop, tie-down holes, and heavy duty MOLLE strap. Each sheath has three retention devices that may be used for securing the knife:
· 1) A friction fit, molded blade cover in coyote brown.
· 2) A Velcro retainer strap.
· 3) An elastic pommel cover that is un-obtrusive until you pull it over the butt of the knife.
This sheath system will also fit the Ontario/RAT RAT-3 knives. The standard sheath shipped with RC-3 knives is a black MOLLE system with a coyote brown molded sheath. If you require a different color molded sheath, then individual sheaths in various colors (including IR compliant Foliage Green) can be purchased on our "Additional Gear (http://www.ratcutlery.com/optional.htm)" page. If you are the owner of an Ontario RAT-3, then you can order this complete new sheath system for your knife by clicking the order link below.
The sheath system is also designed so the MOLLE back plate can be removed and the Nylon sheath carried via a boot clip (included) or Tek-Lok (sold separately on the "Additional Gear (http://www.ratcutlery.com/optional.htm)" page). The system also works as a survival knife sheath (http://www.ratcutlery.com/sheath%20wrapped.jpg) by allowing the user to securely store a considerable length of paracord by wrapping around the sheath and through the lashing holes.
Being a traditionalist I am not in favour of Kydex, preferring good quality leather but the RC-3 Sheath System is quality and has many assets and innovations. The sheath itself has some weight to it and I favoured it in the belt carry position. The Kydex itself hold the Knife securely and the Nylon Velcro Keeper adds extra security if you don’t seat the Knife home properly.
For a “Tactical” Knife the RC-3 is actually attractive. The Micarta handle with green liners again shows that thought has gone into the design. I have handled a number of Ontario RAT-3’s that have passed through the shop and in fact sharpened one. Whilst I liked the blade shape I was not enamored with how it felt in the hand.
But the RC-3 is different in that its handle is very comfortable. My hand is probably classed below average and the handle fits my hand nicely but mates with large hands had the same reaction. The choil is big enough to be able to “choke up” and the integral guard provides a safe handle whilst not being that big that it proves inconvenient.
Handle Holds
1. Basic Hold – good enable you to choke up so there is less blade to hinder you;
2. Press Cut – good the thumb rest has 8 grooves which provide grip without cutting into the flesh;
3. Thrust Hold – The “glass breaking pommel” makes this hold unsuitable and I would not recommend it and would suggest you use the reverse stab hold or just the normal hold as the guard and grip is sufficient to prevent slippage. BTW if you don’t expect to use the pommel as is and find it inconvenient you could have it rounded off;
4. Thumb Press – excellent this Knife is well designed for this hold being safe and allowing good control of the blade; and
5. Finger Hold – excellent – similar comments to “4”.
NB for an explanation of Knife Holds check out our “Snowy River Review”. (http://www.rusticforge.com/Knives%20-%20SnowyRiver.htm)
Blade Shape
I have always been attracted to the RAT-3 blade shape and in my view it is a true and effective “Drop Point” and this Knife shows you how versatile this shape is when designed properly. Given the blade is of a “tactical” or “contemporary” nature it is surprising that it proves to be an ideal “Hunter” being able to field dress deer sized animals and with the belly being sufficient to also skin. Not being able to use it in a field test myself I asked a mate to check it out on a goat hunt and he was that pleased with it he bought one immediately on his return.
This Knife also has a good point – too many drop points lose their point due to bad design characteristics.
Out of the Box
The 1095 carbon steel (I have always liked this steel for working blades – it has enough edge retention and toughness to be an economic alternative to D2 and A2. Don’t worry about rust and longevity just keep in mind that the famous “Kabar” is made of 1095 and many have served their owners for a score or more of years) blade is 3-7/8” long with a cutting edge of 3-3/8”.
The blade is 1/8” thick which provides ample thickness for this type of Knife and is blat ground. The blade is 1-1/4” wide at its widest which is more then average for this type of blade and is the reason why the blade is a more then adequate skinner and slicer. The blade starts to taper 1-3/4” from the tip and is .04” thick 1/8” from the tip.
Being a typical flat ground blade and being .02” thick 1/8” from the edge gives this Knife its slicing ability. The edge is .04” wide, even on both sides and set at 30°
The handle is grey Micarta with green liners and an interesting outline on the flats, is well shaped providing no hot spots. The handle is 4-7/16” long from the ricasso to the end of the pommel. It is 1-11/32” wide at the guard and 1-1/4” at its widest on the handle whilst being ˝” thick for its entire length.
Overall the Knife is 8-5/16” in length and weighs 5.2oz and 9.3oz with the total sheath system.
Bench Testing
Due to my current health problems I haven’t been able to get “bush” so I took the RC-3P to the Knife Testing Bench where it proved itself on 3/16” manila rope (it reached 40 cuts and was still cutting cleanly), leather, cardboard and a ˝” pine dowel.
In the Kitchen it passed the carrot test; sliced over ripe tomatoes easily and boned and trimmed a leg of lamb.
In these tests I couldn’t fault the blade but at the end the edge was a bit tired but after 10 strokes on the grey rods of the Sharpmaker it was easily shaving arm hair again.
The RAT range of Knives were a significant presence in the market; and
We like to support those semi-production makers like Bark River and Ranger Knives.
I think it is important to state here that I have not been a supporter of Tactical Style Knives nor coated blades. I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to Knives illustrated by the fact that 2 of my favourite Knives are the Bark River Big Mountain Skinner and Queen Country Cousin.
But as we are going to sell these contemporary Knives then I wanted to be in a position of knowing their worth or otherwise. I got the wallet out and purchased a RC-3P from our first consignment.
The Knife and sheath come in a clear plastic bag and the first thing that strikes you is the sheath. No wonder the sheath by itself costs $41.00 as it is well thought out and made of quality materials.
According to RAT Cutlery:
RC-3 and RAT-3 Sheath System
All RC-3 knives include a jump-proof MOLLE back plate with drop-leg extender ring, belt loop, tie-down holes, and heavy duty MOLLE strap. Each sheath has three retention devices that may be used for securing the knife:
· 1) A friction fit, molded blade cover in coyote brown.
· 2) A Velcro retainer strap.
· 3) An elastic pommel cover that is un-obtrusive until you pull it over the butt of the knife.
This sheath system will also fit the Ontario/RAT RAT-3 knives. The standard sheath shipped with RC-3 knives is a black MOLLE system with a coyote brown molded sheath. If you require a different color molded sheath, then individual sheaths in various colors (including IR compliant Foliage Green) can be purchased on our "Additional Gear (http://www.ratcutlery.com/optional.htm)" page. If you are the owner of an Ontario RAT-3, then you can order this complete new sheath system for your knife by clicking the order link below.
The sheath system is also designed so the MOLLE back plate can be removed and the Nylon sheath carried via a boot clip (included) or Tek-Lok (sold separately on the "Additional Gear (http://www.ratcutlery.com/optional.htm)" page). The system also works as a survival knife sheath (http://www.ratcutlery.com/sheath%20wrapped.jpg) by allowing the user to securely store a considerable length of paracord by wrapping around the sheath and through the lashing holes.
Being a traditionalist I am not in favour of Kydex, preferring good quality leather but the RC-3 Sheath System is quality and has many assets and innovations. The sheath itself has some weight to it and I favoured it in the belt carry position. The Kydex itself hold the Knife securely and the Nylon Velcro Keeper adds extra security if you don’t seat the Knife home properly.
For a “Tactical” Knife the RC-3 is actually attractive. The Micarta handle with green liners again shows that thought has gone into the design. I have handled a number of Ontario RAT-3’s that have passed through the shop and in fact sharpened one. Whilst I liked the blade shape I was not enamored with how it felt in the hand.
But the RC-3 is different in that its handle is very comfortable. My hand is probably classed below average and the handle fits my hand nicely but mates with large hands had the same reaction. The choil is big enough to be able to “choke up” and the integral guard provides a safe handle whilst not being that big that it proves inconvenient.
Handle Holds
1. Basic Hold – good enable you to choke up so there is less blade to hinder you;
2. Press Cut – good the thumb rest has 8 grooves which provide grip without cutting into the flesh;
3. Thrust Hold – The “glass breaking pommel” makes this hold unsuitable and I would not recommend it and would suggest you use the reverse stab hold or just the normal hold as the guard and grip is sufficient to prevent slippage. BTW if you don’t expect to use the pommel as is and find it inconvenient you could have it rounded off;
4. Thumb Press – excellent this Knife is well designed for this hold being safe and allowing good control of the blade; and
5. Finger Hold – excellent – similar comments to “4”.
NB for an explanation of Knife Holds check out our “Snowy River Review”. (http://www.rusticforge.com/Knives%20-%20SnowyRiver.htm)
Blade Shape
I have always been attracted to the RAT-3 blade shape and in my view it is a true and effective “Drop Point” and this Knife shows you how versatile this shape is when designed properly. Given the blade is of a “tactical” or “contemporary” nature it is surprising that it proves to be an ideal “Hunter” being able to field dress deer sized animals and with the belly being sufficient to also skin. Not being able to use it in a field test myself I asked a mate to check it out on a goat hunt and he was that pleased with it he bought one immediately on his return.
This Knife also has a good point – too many drop points lose their point due to bad design characteristics.
Out of the Box
The 1095 carbon steel (I have always liked this steel for working blades – it has enough edge retention and toughness to be an economic alternative to D2 and A2. Don’t worry about rust and longevity just keep in mind that the famous “Kabar” is made of 1095 and many have served their owners for a score or more of years) blade is 3-7/8” long with a cutting edge of 3-3/8”.
The blade is 1/8” thick which provides ample thickness for this type of Knife and is blat ground. The blade is 1-1/4” wide at its widest which is more then average for this type of blade and is the reason why the blade is a more then adequate skinner and slicer. The blade starts to taper 1-3/4” from the tip and is .04” thick 1/8” from the tip.
Being a typical flat ground blade and being .02” thick 1/8” from the edge gives this Knife its slicing ability. The edge is .04” wide, even on both sides and set at 30°
The handle is grey Micarta with green liners and an interesting outline on the flats, is well shaped providing no hot spots. The handle is 4-7/16” long from the ricasso to the end of the pommel. It is 1-11/32” wide at the guard and 1-1/4” at its widest on the handle whilst being ˝” thick for its entire length.
Overall the Knife is 8-5/16” in length and weighs 5.2oz and 9.3oz with the total sheath system.
Bench Testing
Due to my current health problems I haven’t been able to get “bush” so I took the RC-3P to the Knife Testing Bench where it proved itself on 3/16” manila rope (it reached 40 cuts and was still cutting cleanly), leather, cardboard and a ˝” pine dowel.
In the Kitchen it passed the carrot test; sliced over ripe tomatoes easily and boned and trimmed a leg of lamb.
In these tests I couldn’t fault the blade but at the end the edge was a bit tired but after 10 strokes on the grey rods of the Sharpmaker it was easily shaving arm hair again.