Help me decide: Benchmade vs. RAT

I would personally choose the ESEE version over the Ontario version. The differences are enough for me, but may not be for others.

WRT choosing between a fixed or folder, it all depends on what you want. Do you have plenty of folders already? Of those you have, do you find yourself switching them out readily, or do you stick with one? How about fixed blades? Do you have a knife that can fill that roll already?

The weird oval hole came from the settlement with Spyderco (the round hole) on the validity of the patent at the time of issue.

I think you should get the esee hest dpx folder

i'd get ESEE over Ontario anyday, simply based on principle, and the fact that their warranty is ironclad. Benchmade's warranty is good, but doesn't hold a candle to ESEE's.

RAT-5 for sure. Get another benchmade when you have worn out your benchmade you currently have.

Actually I'd say you should get a ZDP-189 Delica from Spyderco for $50. Normally they are $75-80! I doubt this will last long:

http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Delica-Green-ZDP-189-Folding/dp/B001CO0224

Ebay also has some for $60. But even retailers like YourCornerStore, etc, who are cheap, carry it for 79+ usually.

i can't comment on the Ontario Rat 5 because i've never had one, i CAN tell you about the ESEE 5, though. the easiest way to define this knife is (1) A BRICK that cuts (2) the jack of ALL trades and master of NONE.

seriously, no matter what (realistic) application you can think of, i can think of a knife i would rather have than the ESEE 5. however, no matter what application you can think of, i'd bet my ESEE 5 could stumble through it. example - will it chop? yep, but there are better choppers. can you use it for SD? yep, but there's better SD knives. does it slice? yep, but there are better slicers. could you pry with it, if you had to? yep, but it's not a pry bar (not quite). can you conceal it? yep, without a problem, but (once again) not as good as other knives on the market.

i know this may sound negative and (in a way) it is because the ESEE 5 is not ideal for ANY particular task and inspires absolutely no awe. it is very anti-climatic, and lacks any refinement or finesse. however, if i had to get by with ONLY ONE knife, it would be a no brainer, i'd grab my ESEE 5 and feel i had ALL my bases covered.

ESEE-5 over the Ontario RAT-5. I just picked up a ESEE-4. Have not tried it out, but the knife is really appealing to me and is likely a real work horse.

The 5 has more steel, that's why it's more expensive. The thing is a 1/4" thick and weighs a pound!

ESEE-5

Ontario knives have an inferior heat treat and not much of a warrantee.

If it has the old logo odds are it is made by Ontario....I have owned several of the RAT line made by Ontario....IMHO the worst product Ontario has ever produced. Get the ESEE with the proper blade markings and you will not be disappointed.