Recommendation? Rat vs esee

B

Buck268

Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
1,864
Looking at the rat 5 vs rat 7 vs
Esee 5.

got a screaming deal on an esee 5 but I’m worried it’s just too thick. Looking at general purpose use ranging from game prep to camp chores and light firewood or shelter building. Basically this would be a bug-out type knife.

I don’t necessarily need or want to replace a Hatchet but a little bit of cross over is good. The esee 6 is probably ideal but the rat 5/7 can be had for almost half that price.

I know earlier rat production was a little tougher but seems like the quality has improved. One thing I like about the esee 5 is that with such a beefy build it would be useful for abusive takes such as forced entry in some capacity. What are your thoughts?
 
The ESEE 5 like the BK-2 are both pretty much useless knives from my point of view short of an extreme bug-out situation. That is not likely to happen.

I would personally always default to the ESEE versions since they created them.
 
Another vote the ESEE. I'd suggest the 6. I would also highly suggest you get the newer G10 handle scales. I think the old micarta handles were uncomfortable.

You could always go ESEE Laser strike instead of the ESEE 5 if you want something thinner and a sub 5" blade.
 
From your original posting...Keep the ESSE 5 as it will do all of that what you wanted in a knife that you state. Great heat treat, if you want it to be a better slicer and dicier I think a blade grind change would work out well.

Well Esse 6, Rat 5 and 7 are all FFGs. For toughness I think the ESSE 6 with its ROWEN heat treat will be better. But if cost is a factor the Rat 5 and 7 would do the slicing and dicing and some heavier work if asked of them ok. As you got the Esee 5 to do the mire heavier stuff.

I had a friend ask me what to get of a similar question as he had the short heavy knife covered, I told him RD6 as he had a smaller hand as he wanted a FFG that was tough as nails. Well a 5160 knife seemed to fit the bill there and he likes it enough.
 
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