Ontario RAT 5 VS. ESEE RAT-RC 6 PICS and REVIEW added!

D

ddran

Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
446
Ok so no one asks this question, so I thought Id try.
I ordered both so I can handle them, then Ill choose one and get rid of the other (the feel of the knife is most important to me)
I see alot of ESEE 5 vs 6 threads, but the ontario version is better I think, its got full flat grind and is thinner.
So Ill post pics and weights of both when I recieve them. I cant find the weight for the RAT 5 Im assuming its lighter than the 6.
Anybody have both? which one do you prefer?

UPDATE

Ok so I got both here are some comparison pics and first impressions

Next to eachother
56comp.jpg


ESEE 6 weight 11.6 oz
esee6weight.jpg


RAT 5 weight 11 oz
rat5weight.jpg


Everybody knows the weight of this, but what the heck, this is before I sold it so no comparison pics.
esee5weight.jpg


5 ontop of the 6 or the 56 position.
56lay.jpg


The 5 handles are alot thicker.
56handles.jpg


The 5 seems slightly thicker but it's probably because the corners aren't smoothed(can't really tell from the picture).
56thickness.jpg


ESEE 6 weight with the sheath 15.8 oz. haven't put on the clip plate yet.
esee6weightsheath.jpg


RAT 5 weight with sheath 15.6 oz
rat5weightsheath.jpg


ESEE 6 balance point
esee6balance.jpg


RAT 5 balance point
rat5balance.jpg


As people have said the fit and finish and overall quality of ESEE knives is better.
Smoothing along the edge coating on the RAT 5
rat5smoothing.jpg

The handles aren't flush along the bottom
rat5fit.jpg

Came with a scratch and ruffled up micarta at the end
rat5finish.jpg


So in conclusion

They weigh about the same, I think its because of the rat 5 handles being thicker and the skull crusher pommel. I might try switching the handles just for the heck of it.

Even though the overall quality is better on the 6 I like the look of the 5 more. I dig the desert micarta handles and the shape of the knife. As you can see from the picture below there is a more rounded belly on the 5 and I like the syle of the drop point.
56belly.jpg


ESEE 6 has 5 3/4 inch cutting edge, RAT 5 has 4 1/4 inch cutting edge.

ESEE 6 has a smooth coating which is better for batoning while RAT 5 has a rough coating.

Im keeping the esee 6. More length, better balance for chopping, better coating, about the same weight, lighter and smaller sheath, thinner and more comfy handles, better fit and finish, no questions asked lifetime warranty.
The only thing I would change on the 6 is how it looks, I like the simplistic look of the 5 it's got less logos/words heck ESEE should just stamp "ESEE-6 USA" on one side above the choil. I'd make the handle ontario's desert color its better than ESEE'S desert color. I also like the gold lettering on the 5.

Got the ESEE 6 for $112.90 shipped
Got the RAT 5 for $84.99 shipped, anybody want a RAT 5?
 
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Rat Cutlery RC5 and ESEE 5 are the same knife, just different label - both made by Rowen, but the name of Rat Cutlery changed to ESEE Knives a short while ago.

The RAT5 by Ontario has suffered from variations in heat-treating, and based on my understanding of the situation, I would not trust my life with it in a survival scenario - they have had catastrophic failures under circumstances that should NOT have really stressed the knife.

I would buy ANY ESEE knife and have no second thoughts about using it hard and depending on it.

I have an RC5 and the knife is a tank. Period. I also have a HEST and that, too, is a wonderful knife. My EDC is an Izula and I think I would be lost without it.

If you want thinner than the ESEE5/RC5 then get a 6 or 4. Both are great knives.
While some have had luck with their RAT5s, I cannot recommend one over a Rowen-made ESEE knife.
 
Well personally, I don't consider a knife 'better' because it has a full flat grind and is thinner. I ordered an ESEE RC-5 as a heavy field knife & like its thickness and grind for this. I liked the video demos of it batoning through wood. Thinner knives are easier to get stuck. Under late fall/winter northern forest conditions - - I'll carry an axe. - - In my own personal applications, the RC-5 is about as heavy a knife as I want to carry. I see matching the RC-5 with a couple of superlight Mora Clippers - one on my belt and a spare in my pack (for strictly cutting tasks). The Clippers add little weight to my load but add lots of cutting power especially for more delicate work. - - -
 
Pointshoot777 said:
the RC-5 is about as heavy a knife as I want to carry.
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Yea I sold my rc-5 because of the weight, I mean it weighs a pound and you get 5 inches of cutting edge my busse B-11 has 10 inches of edge and weighs the same. rc-5 feels great in hand but not on the belt. Really hope esee makes a 5 inch 3/16 thick full flat grind knife in izula shape
 
Actually a full flat grind would result in a slightly weaker knife. The SERE guys wanted that meat left at the spine of the ESEE 5 to add strength since they have a nasty habit of prying open ordinance crates and stuff. That is the same reason we left a bit of meat up on the spine of the Junglas knife to increase strength for those guys that like to pry and beat the snot out of the spine.:) As far as the Ontario 5 vs the ESEE 6.....who is gonna give you a new knife when you break it prying paver bricks out of your driveway? :) Mike
 
I was going to add that the ESEE5 was designed for the SERE not for us wood bums ,if you like or dislike the ESEE5 that is cool but it had another purpose in it's design
 
I looked Very close at both the ESEE 5 & 6. The Comp. changed names but the knives are the same size when I checked. I got the 6 about 2 months ago, because of, its a bit longer, and much lighter. The edge retention is unreal!!!! (I still have had NO reason to put a new edge on it, or even have to use my hone steel as yet.) I Go out to the woods every weekend *to keep my self sane, I'm Not a City guy* and just have fun with making small huts,(that local kids get a kick out of) and spears,(I get a kick throwing them) and carving this and that out of polls of wood I brought down with the 6. *My Junglas is for Bigger trees and chops* So my 6 has taken much use, and still works as if it was its first use. I don't see any reason for what I do, for me to lug the weight of a 5. Although I'm sure it is a great tool for what its built for. enjoy edgy :thumbup:
PS. I'm still askin about forming a "6 pack". Maybe I need a thread?:D
 
I have both. I find myself using the 6 more becuse it is lighter and I really love the grip and balance of the knife. However, I do like the 5. It is a tank. All ESEE knives have great ability to take serious abuse, but the 5 is a damn beast. I keep it in my BOB and have the pocket in the sheath (I got the original before the kydex) stuffed with handy stuff like a lighter, another fire starter, a SAK and a sharpener. But when it comes to camping usually I take the 6 and I really like it. As stated the 5 is designed as a SERE knife so consider your use. Since you ordered both you can decided on your personal preference and decide which it your choice. Personally I am addicted to the ESEE knife line so I know if I ever ordered two I would keep them both. I just ordered the ESEE -4 but looked at the 3 too. If I ordered both I be would keeping them both and I am sure using both. So don't be surpirsed if you keep em both, which is a good thing. I would say good luck but you can't go wrong, so luck is not really a factor.
 
Good choice, I would go with the ESEE over the Ontario any day. Enjoy your new knife.
 
Norsman said:
Sorry, newbie question.... SERE stands for what? :o
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Your life depends on it.

1) Survival - if your knife fails, your chances of living decrease dramatically

2) Evasion - you're someplace you shouldn't be (downed aircraft/behind enemy lines/etc.) and need to get to the "safe side" of the world

3) Resistance - if you are caught, you need to build your mind and spirit into a bulwark. They WILL break your body to get to the other 2 parts. There are techniques to providing resistance to extraction of information by the enemy. Name, Rank, Serial Number.

4) Escape - If they have you, you need to plan to get out. Once you get out, revert to #1 & #2.
 
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