Battle of the affordable packers: Ontario Rat 2, Ka-Bar Dozier, ESEE Zancudo?

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
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2,154
Looking for some gifts. All great little folders based on reviews. No money to be lost on any. Which do you prefer and why over the others? Comparison pics and reviews welcome.
 
I prefer the RAT 2 over the Zancudo. I've had my Zancudo for 2wks now and the lock is still so sticky that I can't disengage it without using both hands. Can't speak to the Dozier as I've never owned one.
 
Ka-Bar Dozier. It's lightweight and slim. I put a shaving-sharp edge on mine in under five minutes. In the under $25 catagory, the Dozier is a clear winner in my book.

Also, I'd take the Zancudo over the RAT 2, but thats purely based on what I have heard from other people.
 
Got 2 of the Ka-Bar Doziers around the house that my boys bought at BLADE this year. Good knife for the money. That said, I prefer my Zancudo over the Ka-Bar Dozier - even with the sticky opening. Just feels better in my hand than the Ka-Bar Dozier. Don't own the RAT 2, though I am strongly considering one.
 
Here's a side-by-side of the three...
DozierFH_RAT2_Zancudo_800x493.jpg

DozierFH_RAT2_Zancudo_closed_800x435.jpg


Obviously the one I have the most experience with is the Dozier (mainly because I've had it quite a bit longer).

Blade-wise, they all use AUS-8 steel, and all appear to be heat treated well. The RAT-2 and Zancudo are FFG, whereas the Dozier is hollow ground. The Dozier blade stock is slightly thicker as well and maintains that thickness (as measured along the spine) for almost the entire length of the blade. The RAT-2 feels like the best slicer between the three (purely subjective based on me slicing through some corrugated cardboard at the moment).

Ergos-wise, the Dozier does have a longer length of usable handle. It is also the only one of the three I can get a good 4-finger grip on. I can get 4 fingers on the Zancudo as well, but it is a bit of a tight fit. The RAT-2 does have a bit of a thumb ramp, as well as a nice flat space from the top of the handle to the blade tang, which makes choking up on the blade possible. The Dozier has some usable jimping as well, although not as pronounced or grippy as the RAT-2.

For handling (opening & closing), the RAT-2 is by far the smoothest of the three. The thumb studs on the RAT-2 are also the most comfortable (digs into the thumb less while still providing good traction). The liner lock on the RAT-2 is also the easiest to operate one-handed. The Zancudo's frame lock is pretty stiff and does dig into the thumb a bit to operate. The back lock on the Dozier can be operated one-handed with a little practice. Both the RAT-2 and Zancudo lock up very solid. The Dozier locks up securely as well, but due to the liner-less handles and back lock design, does have a little bit of movement in all directions (FRN handles flex, and just the nature of back locks).

For carrying, the RAT-2 does offer a 4-position clip, and it is also the most discrete (least amount of handle exposed) of the three. The Zancudo is set up for right-handed carry only (tip up or down), whereas the Dozier is drilled for tip-up carry in either left or right handed positions. All the clips hold the knife securely in pocket, although I have had the Dozier snag on stuff a bit more than the others.

Couple of miscellaneous observations... The RAT-2 does have hard angles on the spine, making it the only of these three suitable for striking a firesteel. The Zancudo has a beautiful stonewash on both the blade and framelock scale.

If I were picking some for gifts (not knowing all the preferences of the recipient), I'd pick the RAT-2. It's a good functional/utilitarian design, easy to operate (without having to go through much wearing-in of the knife or practice with the lock), good ergos, and offers a couple more carry options.
 
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I've been a big fan of the Dozier, but then again I haven't tried the other two. I know that according to the posts on the Zancudo on jungletraining.com, Jeff Randall prefers the Zancudo to the 2. Just to throw another variable in the mix, what about the CRKT Drifter in G10? Also a great affordable knife around the same size and weight.
 
Of those three I would go with the rat series. It looks better to me asthetically and has the all way positional pocket clip. Prefer the lock on it as well.
 
Love my Dozier,have no experience with the others (but love my Dozier). Oh,and if I forgot to mention,love my Dozier :p Sorry,LOL,I'm a big fan of inexpensive things that work well,and for under $20 on Amazon a few weeks back,it works very well,I will buy more (and am giving at least 3 as gifts come Tuesday at family's houses :) )
 
Of the choices I would pick the RAT, but I prefer the Utilitac II since I like beefier knives. It's the RAT's older, bigger, and meaner brother.
 
I have both the RAT II and the Zancudo's...I prefer the Zancudo simply because of its ergos and aesthetics; aside from that, I have no doubt of the utitlity, quality, and durability of either knife since they are both made in the same factory by Paul Lin, using identical materials.

Now, I briefly owned a pair of Dozier's that were a gift, and promptly gave them to a pair of BSA brothers who live down the street. While they were elated, they both managed to break their knives while engaging in typical Boy Scout activities. I gave the younger one a RAT II which I had an extra of, and the older one a Zancudo, which I bought many of for Christmas gifts. So far, they are holding up.
 
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I bought my daughter a dozier for her first knife few years ago.I was blown away by the quality for the price I paid. If I didn't already have spydercos I would have gotten one for myself as well. Up to a $50 knife there's not much of a difference up to that price point . She is 13 Now and has used it quite a bit mostly carving and whittlin. Couple months ago I was barrowing it and noticed massively rolled edge. I put a sharp edge back on it easily and I am sharpening impaired. One of best values of any knife purchase. Would still like it at $40 . never used the others. IMG_20131119_23402_edit_1387664428048.jpg
 
My first choice is the Dozier, Zancudo is second (I don't own the Rat II). The Zancudo is heavier, and as a result, feels a bit sturdier, but the detent is so stiff, it is very difficult to open one handed. Even after a long break-in, my Zancudo is still very difficult to open. I have hade great success with the Dozier, it gets very sharp and has never let me down.
 
I own all 3, and the RAT 2 is my favorite, hands down. The opening is so smooth. Even the model 1 opens as well. They are the nicest knife in that price range, in my opinion.
 
Just based on its reputation, I bought the Rat 1 and the Rat 2 at the same time. Using the Rat 2 as a gift for a 12-yr-old boy. I think the Rat 1 is a great knife, and I may carry that one myself a bit. And that's quite a statement, since my EDC is a large Sebenza. I'm quite impressed by the great quality for a cheap price. Both the 1 and the 2 have a nice easy lock and no blade-wiggle. I like.
 
I've got the Dozier with the oval thumbhole, and clip point. It is a best buy, and I am less weary of safety with a back-lock, especially for a NKP recipient. They can close it easily with two hands without ever having a digit near the edge. Plus, less chance of opening in the pocket. It gets a shaving edge with a few passes on my Sharpmaker when it needs it.

OTOH, I'm the first to acknowledge that the RATs are an extremely good value, and solid design. Can't comment on the Zancudo yet.
 
Have gotten two Zancudos in, and they are both VERY hard to close. I have to get my thumb in there and push the damn lockbar out from behind the blade in order to close it. I'm sure these will prove to be stout little folders, but for now, the RAT 1 & 2 are the clear winners since they were opening and closing silky smooth from the get-go.
 
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