rc-4 knife review on the west highland way part 1 of 3

this is a review of the rat cutlery rc-4 knife with a custom sheath by Martin Swinkels on the west highland way in Scotland. table of contents included.

This video is an impression of my 7 day hike I did in april and may of 2010, from Glasgow to Fort William, crossing the glenns, moors, hills and forests of the west highlands. It features some scenery, lots of pictures of where I went and me making some campfires, a little bushcraft and wild camping. And of course, the rc-4 and it's sheath.

I was given the rescue orange kydex sheath to accompany my rescue orange g-10 handled rc-4 blade by well known dutch custom sheath maker Martin Swinkels when I challenged him to make me a sheath for me to do a field review on. This was after he said he wasn't really good at watching table top reviews (especially my buck alpha dorado review). He took me up on the challenge, made me a sheath and I ended up doing a good bit of filming and using the sheath on the fantastic long distance west highland way in Scotland.

Martin is a fellow dutch bladesports competitor, forum moderator on the dutch bladeforums, a custom knife sheath maker (kydex, leather and all kinds of funky combinations) and a nice guy. I highly recommend his work based on what I've seen and experienced. Be sure to check out his website at http://martinsheaths.blogspot.com

The trip was a great experience. Scotland is beautiful and the people are very friendly. This isn't a table top review and it is a 3 part thing, I had to really cut out a lot of material. Hope you enjoy it!

table of contents:
part 1:
- introduction on the west highland way
- rc-4 in orange g-10 with olive drab coated 1095 blade
- matching sheath
- Martin Swinkels @ http://martinsheaths.blogspot.com
- form, looks, shape and construction
- teklok mechanism
- flexible kydex belt loop
- blade retention
- firesteel and knife combination
- arghhh, the drizzle..
- backpack strap carry with teklok
- horizontal belt carry with teklok (attaching/detaching)
- drawing the blade (vs the standard sheath)
- how I cut myself
- fixing a tent pole in the drizzle, using the knife's handle for pressure
- how to pee with a sheath on your belt ;)

part 2:
- the campsite in a pine forest (Queen Elizabeth national forest)
- building a fire with birchbark, tinder and kindling.
- scraping the bark
- using the rc-4 as a striker for the firesteel (not excellent, don't use the edge and if you must, use the tip)
- wild camping and fires in Scotland regulations
- clean campsite, be responsible
- cooking cream noodles, with spinach and chicken on the fire (freezedried, but dang, that tasted good!)
- carry on the hipbelt of the backpack
- Loch Lomond
- pace counting with counting beads, know your distance
- building a fire in a moist oak forest

part 3:
- shaving off the wet outer layer of wood
- rc-4 handle (g-10 vs micarta)
- the shores of loch lomond
- belt loop carry
- chow time, cutting up a good piece of meat
- weather, wetness and rust of 1095
- backpack belt carry, drawing the blade
- a campfire on the Rannoch moor
- aesthetics of the sheath
- a strong, nice looking, slender and very configurable sheath
- how the rc-4 functioned in some scenarios

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• rat cutlery
• rc-4
• review
• fire
• firesteel
• sheath
• rescue orange
• kydex
• g-10
• esee
• knife
• knives
• custom
• martin swinkels
• bladeforums
• bushcraft
• scotland
• west highland way
• glasgow
• fort william
• loch lomond

[cimnow4]

h8t the colour

[zyhano]

@cimnow4 they are also available in other variants :)

[Izulabite]

Nice trip dude and orenge Rocks :D

Greets from Germany

Izulabite

[zyhano]

@Izulabite thanks man, orange rocks for sure. Greetz back

[Sparrowfart2]

Hi Zyhano, nice video, try holding the knife with the first 3 fingers of your right hand and placing your thumb on the flared bit of the sheath on the back of the knife, then force your thumb and fingers apart. That is push your thumb and the sheath out forward and the knife will separate without any slightest chance of cutting yourself. This is done single handed and you do not pull on the knife at all. Push your thumb forward and the knife is simply in your hand.

Good luck, Sparrowfart2.

[zyhano]

@Sparrowfart2 thanks man (can't write your name and not laugh :)), the kydex is pretty tight, after a while it is irritating on the thumb, I guess that's why I didn't do that.

[OffRoadWheelchairing]

hey, great video! How do I contact Martin so I can get one of these sheaths? I tried his blog page but I cant seem to be able to find an email address. Can you help?

[zyhano]

@bainy1990 yeah, you're right man.. I have to agree. no cuts yet but I do see the danger potential when not paying attention...

I love Scotland man, it's very beautiful in the wild parts. I was out for a week and a couple of days in Edinburgh. Had a very good time!

[bainy1990]

The way you have to pull that knife out man ... its unsafe you just about cunt into your leg at one point and your hand at another ..... watch yourself m8 , Great video i am from scotland and love the wee bit camping too, should take a gun with you next time .22 small game wood pigeon are good eating :)

How long where you out for ?

[jdedad]

Good stuff! too funny to comment thanks guys for making me smile