If it's possible for a knife to appear both rough and refined, this RAT pulls off the trick. My immediate impression was that the RC-4 is all business -- it's a well-finished piece, nothing shoddy here, very solid and hair-popping sharp.The next thing that struck me was that the gray handle slabs were left with some serious tooth. Putting more of a shine on the Micarta might've made the knife somehow prettier, but at the expense, I think, of working grip. I like it -- a lot.
At less than eight ounces, the RC-4 feels right at home in my hand. Balance is good, ever-so-slightly handle-heavy. I'd been wondering how the flat-sided slabs would affect ergonomics, but it seems that the cat's-tongue finish makes up for the lack of a significant palm swell. I find that interesting, as well as quite comfortable.
Originally I'd ordered the RC-4 with only the standard-issue Kydex sheath. On learning that I'd won a $100 credit from the-knife-connection, however, I called proprietor Dale Stoops and upgraded my request to add RAT Cutlery's "jump-proof MOLLE back" for an extra 20 bucks. I'm glad I did.The MOLLE back takes the place of a pair of supplied MOLLE clips, attaching to the Kydex sheath with several Chicago-type screws. I'll be carrying the RC-4 on my belt most of the time, and judging from photos I suspected that the Kydex-and-clips arrangement would have it riding higher than I like -- and I was right. The MOLLE back gives me the flexibility to drop it down a few inches. Much better.
In general, the RAT Cutlery RC-4 has what I want in a go-to fixed-blade knife -- a drop-point blade in the neighborhood of four inches, good balance and decent heft. And because I've already sung the praises of the Bark River Knife & Tool Bravo-1, a quick (if superficial) comparison is called for.
The two knives are quite similar in many respects -- weight, blade profile, blade length and overall length to name a few. Both are American-made and carry lifetime warranties.
They do balance a bit differently and each takes its own approach to ergonomics. The Bravo-1 applies a convex grind to its A-2 tool steel (59 HRC) blade, which is 0.215" thick, while the RC-4 features a 0.188", flat-grind, 1095 carbon-steel blade (57 HRC).
Price wise, the Bravo-1 lists for $219.95. (Its street price is closer to $160.) MSRP on the RC-4 is $167.95, with a street price around $106. Subjectively, maybe the Barkie is prettier. The RAT's Kydex sheath is heavier and perhaps sturdier. One knife is polished, the other powder-coated...choil versus no choil... and so on.
There is no "better" here -- these are exceptional knives, both priced fairly and worth considering. In the end it comes down to personal preferences and performance in the field, so actually working the RAT Cutlery RC-4 is next on my to-do list.
Now that's gonna be fun.
The gospel according to RAT
Before I close this post, I want to offer some background on the company behind the RC-4. Co-owners Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin, veterans of dozens of Randall's Adventure and Training jungle-survival tours, expanded into the cutlery business after observing that most production knives missed the mark -- either they were priced out of the reach of ordinary people or just didn't work, or both. RAT set about to create "hard-working 'user' knives."
That's an admirable goal, for sure, but it's RAT's approach to business and commerce that really deserves attention. Earlier I alluded to the lifetime warranty that RAT Cutlery includes with all of its knives. From the company's website, here's the gist:
"If you screw it up, break it, or cut it in two with a cutting torch, send it back and we'll replace it. Warranty is transferable. In other words, we warranty the knife no matter how many times it's been traded, sold or given away. We don't ask for a sales receipt, date of purchase or where you bought the knife -- no fine print and no hassles. If you have a problem, contact us."And this is how RAT describes its manufacturing philosophy:
RAT Cutlery is a company after my own heart. I'll be proud to own, carry and use your product, guys."The world has become a 'global' marketplace and it is said that companies that do not participate in using off shore labor will not survive in the market. Many believe skilled trades no longer have a place here in the USA; that we are to be a service oriented country having most of its goods produced in countries where the greatest advantages lie in government protected trade practices and a very large, very cheap labor force.
"We take exception to that view.
"We believe the men and women of the USA can still make the best product at a competitive price. A product designed and made in the USA for a price the average person can afford. We believe that an objective, intelligent person can design a product that is reliable, practical and affordable and that it can be produced through skill and hard work on our own shores and then sold to the user. RAT Cutlery Company believes we can do this and succeed despite the biased and skewed trading practices of some foreign countries who rely on government incentives, sweat shop labor forces, corporate welfare, and other unfair trade practices in order to thwart the true free market of Capitalism. We believe that the market (and ultimately the end user) will be the final say in whose product has worth and integrity, thus staying power in the market even as other products that have no merit or quality disappear.
"We stake our hearts, minds and livelihood on this premise. We are free market Capitalists and in the true sense of the term, we do not ask for any advantage in the marketplace. Our product and company will succeed or fail on its own merits."
Earlier postsOf all the dumb luck...
Sharps, Part II: On the belt
Links
RAT Cutlery Co.
the-knife-connection
KnifeForums.com
BladeForums.com
