Help!

[Izan]

Fallkniven NL5 IDUN Knife Northern Light Series VG-10

-OR-

RC-3 from Rat Cutlery

This knife will be used for simple tasks, some kitchen work, light Field work, and wasting time in the back yard.

I am leaning towards the RC-3, but there is just something about the Fallkniven!

[Noss]

I would say for you intended use they will both work just fine. The only problem is you have to decide between the two. :headbang::D

VG-10 is very easy to sharpen compared to 1095. Not that 1095 is hard to sharpen but VG-10 is easier to get scary sharp in my experience . But 1095 is much more chip resistant that VG-10.

[Izan]

Noss, you are not really helping me here...

These are the two pictures I keep looking at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rat-Cutlery-RC-3-Special-Edition-Desert-Tan-Knife_W0QQitemZ360097923880QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid= p3286.m20.l1116



http://www.greatknivesgreatprices.com/servlet/the-1076/Fallkniven-Idun-Hunting-Knife/Detail

[Noss]

Well. What factors are you looking far to base your decision on ? Just showing a few photos is not helping much with your question. If you want to buy the knife based on looks
then simply choose the one you like more. The more classic look of the falk or the more modern combat look of the RC-3.

[Izan]

I am concerned with the life of the carbon steel. I am pretty lazy when it comes to knife maintenance. The classic style of the Falk is really what I favor, but the tested and widely discussed attributes of the rat are what draws me to it.

This knife will probably not see the field other than in my pack, or a hip knife to replace my folder. Mainly a backyard knife, a knife I can sharpen, and what not while watching TV. Might actually carry it in the car glove box for an extra tool to have.

Now I am wondering why the hell I am even buying it!

It is not like it is $500 or anything, so I might end up getting both. I am going to Vail for the new year and I want a knife of this size in my bag while up in the mountains snowboarding, yea that's why I need it!

I think I will go with the Rat first, I found one for 86 bucks.

Good talk Noss! lol

[Shaolin]

I like my RC-3, lol

[Man of Iron]

When I saw Shaolin has replied, I already knew what his answer would be. Dude, you're totally biased :p

Owner of the RC3 myself, and speaking frankly, it's hard to beat. Nevertheless, it needs more maintenance due to the edge retention, i.e. steeling/stropping/oiling.

[Man of Iron]

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/DSC00089-1.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/P8150525.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/P8150530.jpg

[shmoopiebear]

Since you mentioned doing some kitchen work the Fallkniven will be more forgiving for it. The rest of the duties you mentioned are probably more suited for the RC-3. The Fallkniven can do it too but would excel for the kitchen work above all. The RC-3 is more of an outdoor field knife to me. I am sure it could do kitchen work although I would be concerned about the blade coating coming off into food processing in the long term.

[Man of Iron]

I beg to differ, the coating on the rat won't come off that easy, especially with mild kitchen tasks, nonetheless it won't hold up too long if you use it for chopping, which it's too short for. VG10 is more resistent to rust, with better edge retention, in contrary to the softer and yet tougher 1095 which excells in outdoor choirs - I completely agree with you on this. Besides that, the fatter belly and wider blade make the rat a better cutter.

Moreover, you may want to take the handles and sheaths into the equation as well. The linen micarta on the rat is poreous, thus absorbs water which adds some weight; on the other hand the FK has polished leather, which might proof troublesome when wet. Dunno if there's a kydex sheath option for the FK, but rat has the best tactical sheaths I've seen so far.

Sex appeal is important as well: nostalogy vs tactical. Just of 2c

[Izan]

Thank all of you for the valuble imput. It seem as most of you argree with me as far as the strenghts and weakness ot the two blades.

Not to make this anymore complicated, but I think we have a new contender, the The Busse Active Duty.

I know this kife is a little more expensive, but I am looking for a lifelong almost daily use blade.

[shmoopiebear]

One thing about food preparation is the persistence of bacteria growth on materials. That is more of a concern nowadays than ever. Between the two knives, especially with the handles, which one would absorb agents that would promote the growth of toxic food borne bacteria easier? Which one wold be easier to clean and be more sterile till the next time it is used for food preparation? I think the consideration would apply to their sheaths as well. Would something like bleach, alcohol, or some other bacterial cleaning agent either diminish or ruin the knives if they were to be cleaned? Of course, one can just use boiling water and throw a knife into it for awhile if one wants to sterilize it in the field.

[Man of Iron]

*throws a mora into the ring* jk;)

[shmoopiebear]

I know Cold Steel and Spyderco makes knifes akin to kitchen cutlery but are, also, useable field or urban knives. One that I have is the Spyderco Fred Perrin Street Bowie. I would say Fred Perrin designs some nice stuff but they are not meant to be prybars or chisels. How about some of the smaller Swamp Rats and Scrap Yard knives? The Resiprene C handles are not porous and would easily clean up from food preparation. I would get one without a blade coating though. FWIW.

[Man of Iron]

It ain't fair anymore. I quit, wait 'till I tell on you at the principle.
Pizza, burger or Heidi Klum?

[Izan]

F it. I am getting the Busse Game warden, and that's final. Now, who has one for sale?

[shmoopiebear]

Seeing as how there is a recession people will be dumping some primo knives into the secondary market. You might luck out and get a steal of a deal if you wait it out. If you buy something similar from Busse you will be paying upwards to $250. Good luck with it.