ESEE Folders

[sabre cat]

Hi Everyone,

I am considering the purchase of an ESEE Avispa folder, but I have to admit that I have never held one in my hand or even seen one in person.

Anybody have some sort of opinion on this knife or maybe a Rat knife?

 

[jfalkos]

These knives are very similar to the Ontario RAT series. I have a RAT 1 and love it, especially for the price. I don't think you can go wrong with either a RAT or an ESEE folder, but keep in mind that there are quite a few competitive options.

 

[AntDog]

These knives are very similar to the Ontario RAT series. I have a RAT 1 and love it, especially for the price. I don't think you can go wrong with either a RAT or an ESEE folder, but keep in mind that there are quite a few competitive options.

FPNI.

Can't really go wrong with an Esee or a Rat.

 

[amg137]

Both the ESEE and RAT folders are very good budget knives. Pick whichever model you like best and buy with confidence.

 

[IUKE12]

I have a couple of Rat-1's and an Avispa. They are both good knives, especially at the price point. I have been carrying the Avispa since I got it a month ago. It's a pretty solid knife and I'm liking it. The Rat 1 weighs 5 oz, the Avispa 4.5 oz. The Avispa has a thinner profile. I carry them both tip down. The Rat-1 flicks open just a touch smoother than the Avispa but I imagine that will change over time. I prefer the Avispa due to the weigh difference but you really can't go wrong either way.

 

[flarp]

Personally, I like the RATs just a little bit more than the Avispa and Zancudo. The ESEEs are a bit thinner - FRN scales and full liners on both sides of the RATs versus the inset liner and framelock on the ESEEs. The handle shape on Avispa is pretty similar to the RAT, but it is actually a bit wider. Blade material is the same on all of them, as is the blade lengths.

Really, the difference just comes down to personal preference. It's been reported that they are all made by the same factory in Taiwan anyway, so same materials, same F&F, same labor, same cost, and same almost-everything else except the shape.