Cold Steel 20RBC Roach Belly Fixed 4" Blade, Polypropylene Handle

$16.95

MSRP* : $20.99 | You Save* : $4.04 (19%)

Description

CS20RBC: 20RBC Roach Belly

Cold Steel

The historical Roach Belly knife was a short blade with a pronounced upswept curve and a sharp point. It was most likely named after the common Roach Fish, which had a similarly round curving belly. It was known in 17th century Britain and quite common in the American Colonies because it was inexpensive and versatile.

Cold Steel's interpretation of this knife is a nod to the Black Powder Community, which has continued to appreciate the Roach Belly's economy, versatility and effectiveness. Our version retains the profile of the original but incorporates the latest in modern materials for its construction. The hollow ground blade is made of German 4116 Stainless, expertly heat treated to Rc 56-57, and given a fine sharp edge that's easy to maintain.

Instead of the traditional wood handle, ours is made of tough Polypropylene, so it's impervious to the elements and won't swell, shrink, rot or crack the way wood does.

The Roach Belly comes with a deep pouch style black Cor-Ex sheath. It has a generously sized belt loop and also converts readily to being worn as a neck knife.

Specifications

  • Item Number: 20RBC
  • Name: Roach Belly
  • Blade Length: 4-1/2"
  • Overall Length: 8-1/2"
  • Steel: German 4116 Stainless
  • Weight: 2.6 oz
  • Blade Thickness: 2.5 mm
  • Handle: 4" Long High Impact Polypropylene
  • Sheath: Cor-Ex Sheath
  • Made in Taiwan

UPC Code: 705442006688

Related Categories

Cold Steel Knives, Cold Steel Fixed Blade Knives Series, 4116 Blade Steel, Zytel Handle Material, Fixed Blade Knives, Fixed Blade Knives Hunting

Product Handle Badge: Zytel Handles
Product Sheath Badge: Nylon Sheath
Cold Steel 20RBC Roach Belly Fixed 4" Blade, Polypropylene Handlerated 4.421 stars out of 5 (38 reviews)
4.4 out of 5 stars
5 star
22
4 star
11
3 star
4
2 star
1
1 star
0
Cold Steel 20RBC Roach Belly Fixed 4" Blade, Polypropylene Handle
rated 3 stars out of 5
Tiny
USA
Dec 24, 2025
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Finish, Handle Material, Weight
Cons: Materials, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard
Knife Good For Price, Sheath Is Junk
Knife is good for what I paid..... However, sheath is scary thin. It would be easy to push knife through sheath, in my opinion. Also, knife retention in sheath is hit and miss... I plan to use this for bench work, not to carry, since the sheath is so flimsy.
Cold Steel 20RBC Roach Belly Fixed 4" Blade, Polypropylene Handle
rated 5 stars out of 5
Happy Camper
Virginia
Sep 30, 2025
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Finish, Handle Material, Materials, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard, Weight
Cons: None
Great camp kitchen knife
Finally ordered one of these a couple of seasons back, partially out of curiosity but also in hopes it might find a place in my "chuck box." It did.The blade came nasty sharp. The configuration of the handle, combined with the upsweep of the blade, provides enough knuckle clearance to let it play well with a cutting board. Meanwhile, the point is acute enough for tasks like coring a tomato. While it's really neither a chef knife nor a paring knife, if you were to have only one knife in your camp kitchen kit, you could do worse. I've got three -- but now I hardly use the other two.It strikes me this knife would also be very much at home in a tackle box, and other reviewers have praised its ability as a hunting knife. It seems robust enough for most duties around camp short of batoning (bring a  hatchet); however, I feel its real forte is in processing food, fish and game. If you're looking for a fixed blade utility knife at this price point, I'd suggest looking at the Cold Steel Finn Bear or the Mora Companion.Some people aren't going to like the sheath, which is a plastic scabbard with a belt clip. I'm fine with it, and the sheaths on the Finn Bear and the Companion are nearly identical. Can't see how you could do better at this price point.
Cold Steel 20RBC Roach Belly Fixed 4" Blade, Polypropylene Handle
rated 5 stars out of 5
Serpent Lord
Bowling Green, Ky
Oct 20, 2024
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Finish, Handle Material, Materials, Overall Quality, Weight
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard
1 Year's Use
Simple little knife, inexpensive, gets wicked sharp. I've used this as my fishing companion and it shows no corrosion from fresh water over the course of a year. A unique design that just works. Not at all a bush-craft knife if that's what you're looking for. The light weight would be working against you there. It could be used around camp for meal prep. I've used mine in the kitchen also and they would make great steak knives if you were so inclined; a bit rustic, maybe. The sheath? Blah, but it works well enough. Snaps in & out just fine; good retention on your pants or belt. No regrets here.
Read all 38 Reviews »
Portions of the following content are served by a 3rd party. If you have accessibility or usability difficulties related to this 3rd party content, please call 800.338.6799. Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter for exclusive offers!