ESEE or a Custom Knife in 1095

I might add... someone already touched on one thing that concerns me with a custom.... Am I going to take it out and work with it? They are SO NICE! :)

That said, I dont abuse ANY knife.... but my RC4 has be USED. But I can already see that i am a LITTLE more hesitant with my Rat Pack RC3 because its kind of "special".

FOR ME, I would tell the maker I want a working knife. Nothing pretty, no fancy handle materials, no fancy engraving etc... (lol Sounds like I want to stick with my RC4)...
 
jvthor said:
To comment on LittleSpartan's post (not gonna quote the whole thing), I've seen his knives in action, and to say he's a hobbiest does not reflect his knife quality. And after reading your post, I'm more inclined to purchase his knife for two reasons: (1) How rewarding would it be for him to know that one of his knives aided my survival in a "Worst that Could Happen" situation, and (2) What better customer service than to sit down with him over a beer and discuss MY knife design?
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Didn't mean for hobbiest to come off wrong if it was informally and indirectly offensive. I am not knocking on his work, it looks nice, but after reading other post by others, I share similar concerns, warranty, established position. Etc.

I have a GSXR and a Sportster, but I've built a Waltz Hardcore Custom Low/Wider. Among a few other bikes. I have also bought 2 customs built by now gone individuals, was just posting on my own experiences with custom work. One guy passed away, another uprooted and is in the Philippines now I think last I heard?

But again that duality of quality serves good and bad, because my customs are AWESOME, granted one is my dads, and one my uncles now, because they have the time and ability for upkeep. But their quality was amazing. I've also run into shaddy "builders" if thats what you'd call them.

And its been a really crappy experience. From shops in Long Beach who were suppose to do the proto typing for my 68 camaro's body parts in Carbon Fiber, like the fenders, trunk lid, hood, and wider body add ons...to also doing my cage. Two years off my life, waiting, and when I went to get my car after having enough of the run around, it was sitting outside on wood blocks, RUSTING. exposed to the elements.

Now adays I have begun a restomod with my cousins, a team effort on a Dynacorn Body, did the cage work and reloc of the firewall myself, indented and sunken AC Cobra Gas cap out back, and as a group we are saving $ for the LS3 we want to sit in it.

Sometimes if you want something done right, do it yourself. Or have someone you trust :D Hahaha.

I didn't mean to come off as a jerk if I did, I am just saying that if the guy does it on the side and if you don't know the quality of his work to well, caution. However, on side hobbiest isn't a bad thing. It could mean higher quality work, lower volume, more time and attention to detail! Know what I mean?

I no longer go to shops for my car, bike, or truck work. I do everything myself. That meant selling one of my customs to buy and furnish a new snap on box, among many other things so I could handle working and tackling my own stuff.

But in anycase, I apologize. And hope all else goes well for you! Let me know how the knife turns out if you go your friends route, it does look amazing!
 
No need to apologize. I knew what you were trying to say, just felt the need to stick up for his work. No hard feelings, bub.
 
Designs come and go and drop point of this exact style rules them all. Jeff Randalls knife design comes from what absolutely works best from years and years of all around bushcraft useability and toughness. And the warranty tells me he actually cares that you need a knife.
 
With the waranty on ESEE knives being what it is, you break it they replace it, I would stick with the ESEE, its like buying lights, you can get a surefire or a fenix, the fenix is brighter but its not in the same class as surefires are. This is especially apparent in the warranty on things, quality pieces of gear are warranted for life because the company knows their product can stand up to anything, on a custom there is no warranty implied or otherwise....

Get the ESEE (rat)
 
Just to give a brief update: I just got off the horn with my knifemaking friend. He said he would make me a fixed blade out of 1095 carbon with a hand polished mirrored finish, textured G10 scales, and kydex sheath for a special IBEW Brother price (he said he'd only be making 30 to 40 dollars after the cost of materials). He also mentioned that if I, for ANY reason, wasn't totally in love with the knife (feel in the hand, blade shape, etc), that he'd make me an entirely new one. No questions asked.

I'm probably gonna get a Rat too though...

ratamahatta said:
you could buy one of each, who says you only have to have one knife!!!!!
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Damn you RATAMAHATTA!!!
 
good plan.
can't beat IBEW brotherhood pricing -- dad was a union member, too.
 
Same with my father, and his father. Membership has its benefits (obviously). Also, I did just purchase an Izula, and will be putting them in a head-to-head battle.
 
Bmw4z84 said:
I recently got a RAT 4, and it's one sweet knife. However, I will be giving it to my dad because I became aware of the Spyderco Bushcraft. I just received both in the mail, normally the Bushcraft would be a 300 dollar knife, but because the wooden handles cracked on the knives, Spyderco released the knives for 90 bucks. It is honestly the sharpest most balanced knife I have ever held. The crack in my handle is so minimal, that selling them for 90 dollars is almost stealing. If there are any left I highly reccomend them as an alternate to the RAT 4. As hard as it is for me to say, the foreign made Bushcraft is sharper, and much more ergonomic for the same price.
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before ya put all yr eggs in the spyderco bushcraft "factory second" basket, ya might wanna read this
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=724977

maybe an isolated issue...maybe not
 
youfoundnemo said:
With the waranty on ESEE knives being what it is, you break it they replace it, I would stick with the ESEE, its like buying lights, you can get a surefire or a fenix, the fenix is brighter but its not in the same class as surefires are. This is especially apparent in the warranty on things, quality pieces of gear are warranted for life because the company knows their product can stand up to anything, on a custom there is no warranty implied or otherwise....

Get the ESEE (rat)
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actually most custom makers warranty their knives as well. esp those who are established. sure sometimes there are disclaimers as there are with most production knives. like if you break the tip by prying. but many custom guys will replace even that. they just dont advertise as such. many custom makers state that their knives have a lifetime warranty, as in their lifetime. you will often see it stated "as long as i can work in my shop..."
 
Heat treatment complete!

photo-1.jpg
 
My knife's done! Don't really have the specs yet, but it looks pretty damn big...

I do know that it's 1/4" 1095 carbon steel and textured G10 slabs
 
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