I have like Jeff’s designs since the first time I saw them in the BQM catalog, through products made by Ontario. Getting an Ontario RAT-3 shortly before RAT cutlery came to exist, I ultimately ended up pre-ordering an OD Izula from Chestnut Ridge. Waiting for even the opportunity to place a pre-order was, shall I say daunting. Until receiving the ESEE to evaluate, that had been my only experience with RAT Cutlery.
When I opened the box bearing the ESEE, I was very impressed. A thick bladed, heavy, almost brutish knife, the grip fit my hand pretty much perfectly. In the hand, it balanced very well.
I did not take the opportunity to try the glass breaking tip or the bow-drill divot. I can’t comment about those.
The included sheath was very nice. With both retention points snapped, the knife was secured perfectly. I will say that engaging both is difficult, especially when you are wearing the knife. The accessory pocket was perfectly sized for my SOG powerlock multi-tool. I thought the lengthy adjustment strap was unnecessary, because realistically- there is only so large an item that could fit in that pocket….I was very glad for the thigh strap. Without it, I really felt the weight of the knife on my belt. When using it, the weight felt distributed into my thigh muscles, and (though I knew it was there) felt much less burdensome. The Velcro belt loop was also a really nice idea- it made taking the sheath on and off a cinch.
Though I probably would not go out of my way to order a knife like this with serrations, I do like my folders partially serrated (and my RAT 3 is partially serrated). I would almost have liked it more if the serrations were a little more aggressive. The spine of the blade measured in at a little over a quarter inch thick. I knew RAT Cutlery products came with a great edge, but having such a thick blade slice so well was like a surprise. It even carved fuzz sticks just fine. I was shocked at just how thin I was able to get those layers.
For that fine carving, I found it helpful to give the front of the blade a little bit of support from my opposite (weak side) thumb.
I aslo have to say that I was impressed by the blade coating. It was very smoothe and did not wear the same way as coatings used by the lesser knife makers.
I don’t try to do hard prying with knives…especially knives that I don‘t own. However, I know that RAT cutlery products are up to the task- and if by some freak of nature I did break it, Jeff would surely be willing to keep the pass around going
I figured that for cutting bait, I would naturally need a cutting board. So, I hacked/ pried this nice chunk of a dead tree.
I didn’t really chop too much wood with ESEE, though it proved its value in what little I did. It did make a clean cut when I chopped off a damaged fishing rod end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIKdfHwkRaI
Group Picture- Benchmade Pika, Sog Powerlock, Case Mini-Trapper, RAT ESEE.
Overall, I thought the ESEE is a knife that I enjoyed using a lot and would be proud to own. In the bigger picture, it is nice piece of American quality in workmanship.
When I opened the box bearing the ESEE, I was very impressed. A thick bladed, heavy, almost brutish knife, the grip fit my hand pretty much perfectly. In the hand, it balanced very well.
I did not take the opportunity to try the glass breaking tip or the bow-drill divot. I can’t comment about those.
The included sheath was very nice. With both retention points snapped, the knife was secured perfectly. I will say that engaging both is difficult, especially when you are wearing the knife. The accessory pocket was perfectly sized for my SOG powerlock multi-tool. I thought the lengthy adjustment strap was unnecessary, because realistically- there is only so large an item that could fit in that pocket….I was very glad for the thigh strap. Without it, I really felt the weight of the knife on my belt. When using it, the weight felt distributed into my thigh muscles, and (though I knew it was there) felt much less burdensome. The Velcro belt loop was also a really nice idea- it made taking the sheath on and off a cinch.
Though I probably would not go out of my way to order a knife like this with serrations, I do like my folders partially serrated (and my RAT 3 is partially serrated). I would almost have liked it more if the serrations were a little more aggressive. The spine of the blade measured in at a little over a quarter inch thick. I knew RAT Cutlery products came with a great edge, but having such a thick blade slice so well was like a surprise. It even carved fuzz sticks just fine. I was shocked at just how thin I was able to get those layers.
For that fine carving, I found it helpful to give the front of the blade a little bit of support from my opposite (weak side) thumb.
I aslo have to say that I was impressed by the blade coating. It was very smoothe and did not wear the same way as coatings used by the lesser knife makers.
I don’t try to do hard prying with knives…especially knives that I don‘t own. However, I know that RAT cutlery products are up to the task- and if by some freak of nature I did break it, Jeff would surely be willing to keep the pass around going
I figured that for cutting bait, I would naturally need a cutting board. So, I hacked/ pried this nice chunk of a dead tree.
I didn’t really chop too much wood with ESEE, though it proved its value in what little I did. It did make a clean cut when I chopped off a damaged fishing rod end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIKdfHwkRaI
Group Picture- Benchmade Pika, Sog Powerlock, Case Mini-Trapper, RAT ESEE.
Overall, I thought the ESEE is a knife that I enjoyed using a lot and would be proud to own. In the bigger picture, it is nice piece of American quality in workmanship.
