Becker vs. Ritter vs. ESEE

T

thallium

Joined
Jan 25, 2011
Messages
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I'm relatively new to the forum and love the information here. I keep discovering new knives I want but just don't have the money to get them all. How strange is that?

Anyway, I've got my eyes on the Becker BK2, Doug Ritter MK2/BK12 and RAT 3-6 line. I like aspects of them all but want to pick one for starters.

Also, I'm aware that the Ritter MK2 has not been released yet so some advice may be speculation.

First they're all made from 1095 if I'm not mistaken. Any differentiation here? I've read great stuff about the ESEE steel in their RATs. Do they have a real advantage?

The MK2/BK12 is bigger than the others although a RAT 6 is about the same size.

Pricewise the BK2 seems to win.

I like the BK2 handle alot and therefore like the Ritter MK2 as well. Seems better especially if you're gonna hammer with the pommel. I don't have a micarta handle knife. How do the RAT handles compare the glass-filled nylon of the others?

I'm torn on the size. I'm an outdoorsy guy but don't get out that often though I want to have the excellent gear when I do. In all likelihood I may not use it that often but better safe than sorry.

What are people's preferences? Is it mainly down to how one feels and the looks? Are these three pretty comparable in terms of build quality and toughness?
 
Pick whatever you find looks cooler and feels more comfortable to you. They are all great knives and there isn't a real advantage (IMO) between each of them. I have had a few Beckers and a few ESEE's and RAT's, and I like the ESEE's the most. Pick whatever floats your boat, and the one that float's mine the most is the ESEE 4 or Izula.
 
All are quality blades, I'd say you can't go wrong with any of them, ESEE has a better warranty, and a little higher F&F I think (but also higher price) you break it in anyway, even on purchase they will fix it. Micarta imo is a better handle material, its quite a bit grippier and just feels more quality, however you can get micarta handles for the beckers as well. I'd say get whatever design you like best, if you decide to go with the beckers, if you decide you don't like the grivory, get the micarta handles.
 
The Ritter is a limited run at this point -- there may be more done in the future, but there may not. If you think you want one and have the scratch, order it if there are any left on the pre-order. If you get it and hate the feel, I'm sure you will be able to find someone to take it off your hands (if you have a gold membership or above, you can sell on the exchange - if not, you can still trade)

If you have a chance to handle the BK2 or any of the ESEE's, do so -- they have radically different handles.
The Ritter knife is being made by the same folks who make ESEE blades, so they will have the same 1095 & heat treat.
Becker (Kabar) uses 1095crovan - which is a modified 1095, so edge holding and toughness are slightly different than ESEE, but overall performance between the 2 makers is pretty equal.
mostly it comes down to what your budget is and what you want the knife for.
under $75 and bomb-proof? BK2
under $100? BK2, ESEE3 & 4
over $120? Ritter & ESEE5 (also bomb-proof)

ESEE micarta is very durable.
Ritter is supposed to start shipping at the end of the month -- Jeff Randall of ESEE got to handle a proto at Blade and said good things about it.
 
You asked for preferences - I prefer the BK2, though as has been mentioned, the others are outstanding as well. If I was forced at gunpoint to reduce to just the one knife, it would likely be the BK2.

Here's a gratuitous photo of mine...

20101215_ac_06e.jpg


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Beckerhead #42
 
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