Two 5" x .25" 1095 steel knives - which is the better buy? I'll cut to the chase... it's a toss-up!
Firstly, the RAT Cutlery, now ESEE, sheath shown was replaced by a kydex sheath similar to the Becker's several years ago, making them more equivalent. The Becker comes with hard plastic-like handles - the Micarta run $30-$45 extra. My knife was bought locally - with the extra grips included - for $90 - recently. The RC-5 is several years old - but was $125 then - less s/h. I have seen the Becker as low as <$60 shipped, so it - with the extra cost grips - is likely cheaper.
The ESEE has thumb jimping and a fire bow bearing divit on one side of the handle; the Becker has neither. Both will need coating removal before a ferrocerium rod will work with them. The ESEE has a healthier powder-coat. Both Micarta grips fit my medium+ hands quite well, with the slightly slimmer RC-5 not being quite as handfilling as the palm swell on the BK-2, whose Micarta is just a bit more coarse than the ESEE's Micarta. Both have a sure feel. Chopping with the RC-5 is efficient - probably similar to the BK-2. I have used the RC-5 a lot more - and it's still nearly as sharp as the new BK-2 - both strip paper with ease. The RC-5 chops well - I am sure the BK-2 will, as well. Their edges are, like the blades themselves, very similar.
Like I said, a toss up. I went in to buy an RC-3 for my 'bug out bag' - the $90 BK-2 - with Micarta grips - was hard to pass up. I needed both... yeah, sure!
Stainz
Firstly, the RAT Cutlery, now ESEE, sheath shown was replaced by a kydex sheath similar to the Becker's several years ago, making them more equivalent. The Becker comes with hard plastic-like handles - the Micarta run $30-$45 extra. My knife was bought locally - with the extra grips included - for $90 - recently. The RC-5 is several years old - but was $125 then - less s/h. I have seen the Becker as low as <$60 shipped, so it - with the extra cost grips - is likely cheaper.
The ESEE has thumb jimping and a fire bow bearing divit on one side of the handle; the Becker has neither. Both will need coating removal before a ferrocerium rod will work with them. The ESEE has a healthier powder-coat. Both Micarta grips fit my medium+ hands quite well, with the slightly slimmer RC-5 not being quite as handfilling as the palm swell on the BK-2, whose Micarta is just a bit more coarse than the ESEE's Micarta. Both have a sure feel. Chopping with the RC-5 is efficient - probably similar to the BK-2. I have used the RC-5 a lot more - and it's still nearly as sharp as the new BK-2 - both strip paper with ease. The RC-5 chops well - I am sure the BK-2 will, as well. Their edges are, like the blades themselves, very similar.
Like I said, a toss up. I went in to buy an RC-3 for my 'bug out bag' - the $90 BK-2 - with Micarta grips - was hard to pass up. I needed both... yeah, sure!
Stainz