The 5 inchers are favorites of mine for carry. Sometimes I'll grab a 4" or a 6" blade knife, but usually it will be a 5". Left to right we have the RAT Cutlery RC-5, Ranger RD-4 (which is really a 5"), Al Mar SERE Operator, Scrap Yard S5, SOG Team Leader, Swamp Rat Ratmandu, and Camillus AF Pilot Survival Knife.


The Team Leader is nice in Duratec 20cv, but the Zytel handle is way too rough textured for me, The SERE carries super flat and discreetly, cuts well, and is made of S30V steel, but like the SOG TL, it is not exactly a hard use knife. The Scrapper 5 is just about perfect. It is light, tough, has SR101 steel and has that most comfortable mudder Res C handle. It's my favorite of the light 5 inchers. The AF knife is an old favorite in 1095 with a leather washer handle, but it required some serious work to get a nice edge on it.

The RC-5 is a beast of survival knife, designed by AF SERE instructors. I find the large micarta handle to be very comfortable. Unlike most 5" blade knives, the RC-5 with its .25" thick saber ground blade of 1095 steel can chop. But it is heavy, over a pound, and that's a lot for a 5" knife. The Swamp Rat Ratmandu remains my favorite heavy 5" knife, not as heavy as the RC, but with a bit of heft. The micarta handle is perfect for my hand, and that SR101 steel takes and holds an edge very well. The Ranger is another overbuilt .25" thick monster of 5160 steel with micarta scales. It is heavier than the Ratmandu, but just a bit lighter than the RC-5. It's a good knife, but for some reason, I never carry it.

I used to carry my Dumpster Mutts, especially the Urban Mutt, but the mudder grip fits my hand so much better than the small Busse and SY handles, so I sold my mutts and gave them good new homes. My best lightweight 5" knife is not in the pics, but we all know what it looks like. It's my new Scrapper 5 LE. I sold my Busse BATAC. I just didn't like the feel of it. I haven't actually used the LE, but knowing that it will do everything the S5CG will do makes me pretty sure it is the best of the light weight fives.

great review HD as always ... good pics and review ... i have to say that im in the same boat about the s5le ... but shes a keeper (and smexy)... best of the light knives , and i got an rc5 too and shes a beastie for the size but i leave her on other gear.. i really need to go rough em up more... i should shortly

Thanks for pics. I enjoy (visually) comparing the different dimensions of the same length blades.

thanks for the pics and lowdown, Vic. While I'm pretty sure that my S5's, either CG or LE, will fill all my needs in the 5 inch blade department, I'm still longing for a Ratmandu.

For me, the TOP TWO in the 5" range are the RMD and S5!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

And ultimately, that makes the RMD and S5 two of my favorite knives - PERIOD!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

It is a tough toss up for me between my S5 and RMD. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

They are both awesome. Just a bit different. Neither really has a "disadvantage".... just slightly different pros. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />







<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />


If the RMD's tang were skeletonized, I think I might end up ranking my RMD just a hair higher than my S5. I prefer the blade shape of the S5 over the factory RMD, but after modding one of my RMD's, they have about the same blade shapes now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> And of course mine HAVE to be satin. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Other 5" bladed worthy considerations / "Honorable Mentions" in my book would be the SAR5 and a couple of Bark River options: 2007 Club Knife and River's Edge

But, to be a true contender, IMO, the SAR5 really needs a fair amount of work and I just haven't done the mods yet. I just still see a lot of worthy potential in the SAR5. I want to remove the scales and do it right. So, I am still waiting till I gear up to be able to re-attach Busse hollow pins some day. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />


I also have the SERE, but don't have others that Vic has. But, I have a pretty good collection of others around 5".

I have had my SERE for years now and never really carry it. Like many knives with thumb ramps, I don't like the ramp on the SERE. But, I have been reluctant to even take the scales off to see if I can grind the ramp down. The scales seem hollow, so I have been afraid grinding them would be an issue. But, also, the SERE has a nice kydex sheath and the top ramp and lower guard humps are the retentions spots in the sheath. So, my SERE has been a queen. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> - Otherwise, nice knife. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> (Mine is 154CM)


I don't know why so many knife makers seem to skip over the 5" size a bit for some reason. (?????) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I honestly understand why a 4" blade might be a bit more popular. But, there just seems to be a disproportionate HUGE ratio of around 4" blades compared to 5" blades.

I do like a good 4" blade. But, I agree with Vic that for woods / trail choice, I VERY often grab my 5" blade. If designed right, a good 5" blade can offer a VERY wide variety of ability. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> without being much larger or heavier than a 4" blade.
I will likely grab my S5CG today. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> - Looks like a NICE looking day and the wife wants to take the dogs on a day trip to Huntsville state park about a bit over an hour north of here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

The S5 is tough to beat. I am glad I got both the 101 and LE versions...

I like your modified S5, Doug. Well, since MM's nice collectin pics were taken down, I'll post some more. Just to keep everyone happy, I'll leave out my Killa Zilla! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Some may not be SYKCO or even Busse-made, so if pictures of other knives offend you, hide your eyes! Some 5" blades are really closer to 6" blades. Some knives in the same nominal size are very different in mass. The top knife is an old Schrade Hunter Bowie. I was so proud of that knife when I was a kid. It's loose and rattles now. My friends broke theirs, so I got a Ka-Bar from some Marine kid. It is nothing compared to a S5 or Ratmandu. The knife under the S5 is a BRKT Sutter Creek bowie, a style popular during the California gold rush. And of course the bottom one is my HG55 LE. Can you say "Bad to the Bone"?


As you can see, the HG55 is close in size to the 6" Ka-Bar in D2, Buck Special in 420HC, Bark River Smoke Jumper in 50-100B, and SOG Bowie in SK5.


Here are my ASH1 SE and Skinny all decked out in Rainwalker leather.

They are close in size to the RC-6 and Ranger RD-6.


The knife above the HG 55LE is an older Cold Steel UWK in Carbon V. It is an obvious copy of the SOG Bowie. It's a nice, light little bowie, though.

The ASH1 SE is just a bit thicker than the Skinny. I like both of these a lot.


More shots of Jeff's work.

Check out how he matched the handle texture in the sheath. I love it.

[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/fives018.jpg[/img]
My latest "Precious", the Scrapper 5LE.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/fives019.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/fives020.jpg[/img]
Top to bottom, narrow to wide blades.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/fives021.jpg[/img]
It's 91F today. Time to go back inside for a cool one.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/fives023.jpg[/img]

Great pictures Vic - I put mine back up, including uncensored Killa Zilla and Regulator shots. Both of those have been confirmed as A-OK for collection pics, so the only one I blocked out was the BOSS Street.

I'm surprised how close in length the scrapper 5 looks to the HG55 - out of all those knives, the S5LE is one of the best looking ones.

I agree 100%, MM. The S5LE is pretty even with a rubber handle. As for the BOSS Street pic, I never noticed it. There may indeed have been some restrictions on posting pics of those, but pics of the KZ and Regulator have been all over.

I guess for now this is the only BOSS Street pic I'm allowed to show... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Great thread Vic, I am about at the point where I feel that a small axe/hatchet,a variety of machetes and knives in the 3"to5" range are all I need.