ESEE question?

Striderco

Striderco

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
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1,809
I guess i am looking for an answer from someone that knows ESEE knives well! Were they first made by Ontario knives? then RAT? and now ESEE? My local gun and knife store has a couple ontario rat3's, but didnt even know the name ESEE?! Are the newest ESEE's the best?
 
the rats were randalls designs made by ontario before he decided to start up his own company so he could freely change his design and offer a better warranty etc... From what I understand anyway. EESE is the company owned by randall.
 
Man, I remember when I first got on these forums and all I heard about was the Rat 3 and how great it was, so I bought one from Ontario. I was so proud of it, then I made the mistake of talking about my Rat 3 on the Rat now Esee forums. I didn't know anything about the problems they were having with Ontario and boy did I get an ear full from people on here. Heck, you would have thought that I had hurt someone. I was fussed at by a lot of guys on here. Well after all of that I actually left the forums with my feelings hurt and then later came back and changed my name and started all over again. The Ontario Rat 3 is a great knife. I have owned it for 3 yrs now with no problems at all. Esee has its own version of the line and they are the ones that made the Rat 3 from the beginning. They had a dispute with Ontario and so they went off and started there own Company and now make the RC3 which is like the Rat 3 but have some differences. I know that Esee makes great knives but the Rat 3 is a good knife too.
 
Ya the ESEE sub-forum gets nutty at times, downright bizarre at others. Theres alot of good guys the but I was getting a really odd feeling. One guy, not affiliated with the company in any way tattooed their logo on his arm:confused:. I typically stay away.

Nothing against their knives.

"Are the newest ESEE's the best?" - The Fit and Finish is nicer, the steel is supposedly heat treated better.
 
mat_890 said:
Ya the ESEE sub-forum gets nutty at times, downright bizarre at others. Theres alot of good guys the but I was getting a really odd feeling. One guy, not affiliated with the company in any way tattooed their logo on his arm:confused:. I typically stay away.

Nothing against their knives.

"Are the newest ESEE's the best?" - The Fit and Finish is nicer, the steel is supposedly heat treated better.
Click to expand...

We can tend to be a little "obsessive fan boy" at times, but we're harmless.......mostly. :eek:

As for the difference, that info on their site should clear up things nicely. I think the main reason you'll get some flack is because of the way Ontario parted ways with Jeff and the crew. It was....unpleasant.
 
Yeah, but to someone who didn't know any better and was new to that forum? I mean, really. The only reason I bought the Rat 3 was because of the forums. I was so proud, I actually got caught up in the "Hey I'm part of the crew now" syndrome. I got there to talk about my knife like all the others and got Jumped, like a pack of dogs was on me. I don't hold it against no one now because it was so long ago and I do understand NOW that Ontario done them wrong but I mean really, Its a knife. Anyway that brings up old feelings I don't want to get into anymore. The Rat3 and the RC3 and all the other Esee knives are top of the line and that's all that matters.
 
Wildone39 said:
Yeah, but to someone who didn't know any better and was new to that forum? I mean, really. The only reason I bought the Rat 3 was because of the forums. I was so proud, I actually got caught up in the "Hey I'm part of the crew now" syndrome. I got there to talk about my knife like all the others and got Jumped, like a pack of dogs was on me. I don't hold it against no one now because it was so long ago and I do understand NOW that Ontario done them wrong but I mean really, Its a knife. Anyway that brings up old feelings I don't want to get into anymore. The Rat3 and the RC3 and all the other Esee knives are top of the line and that's all that matters.
Click to expand...

Wildone39, you should have been around when I started my first job in the Cincinnati area (Bengal Nation) & put up my Dolphin's team photo from 1973 & Dan Marino's picture in my office. It was a full week before I could get more than 3 words out of my guys. It's all the same everywhere, just different subject matter. Bottom line like you said, the knives are the greatest, & have the best warranty in the business.
Be safe.
 
mat_890 said:
Ya the ESEE sub-forum gets nutty at times, downright bizarre at others. Theres alot of good guys the but I was getting a really odd feeling. One guy, not affiliated with the company in any way tattooed their logo on his arm:confused:. I typically stay away.
Click to expand...

yeah, the ESEE forum is an example of fan boys gone wild. I posted there about what a great knife my Ontario RAT 7 is. Oh my!!!!;)

That being said, I love the ESEE knives I have. RC 3, RC 4, RC 6. Great knives indeed.!
 
mat_890 said:
Ya the ESEE sub-forum gets nutty at times, downright bizarre at others. Theres alot of good guys the but I was getting a really odd feeling. One guy, not affiliated with the company in any way tattooed their logo on his arm:confused:. I typically stay away.

Nothing against their knives.

"Are the newest ESEE's the best?" - The Fit and Finish is nicer, the steel is supposedly heat treated better.
Click to expand...

<Not trying to start a fight here>

While I agree that these guys act nutty at times, I feel like it is mostly good humored joking around by guys that know each other pretty well. I am new to hanging out over there, and I have enjoyed the joking around.

Regarding the tattoo. You must be new to these forums? In my short tenure as a lurker and as a member I have seen Tattoos for nearly every knife company (on people that have no affiliation with the business). Strider, Benchmade and Spyderco emblems spring to mind...I have seen multiples of those.

I think every good knife company has its share of fans...and its share of people that transition their appreciation to a lifestyle. Motorcycles and cars seem to cause this to an even greater degree with some people.

I would encourage anyone who enjoys using their knives in the woods as living tools (i.e. for camping, or if you prefer to think of it as "survival training") to check out that sub-forum. There are all types over there (just like here). Check out my avatar...that is me and how I spend a lot of my free time. Do I look like a scary freak?

With regard to the ESEE knives...I have only one, but it impresses me greatly with its value. I can seemingly do anything with it (things I would have previously called abuse) and it not only survives, but retains an edge. I can not compare them to RAT/Ontario or any other hard use maker, but I am quite happy with the piece (and its price point).

Have a nice day.
 
Wildone39,I doubt anyone tried to hurt your feelers on purpose.You need to grow some thicker skin.;)
 
Interesting - I've never been hassled about my TAK.
any more I get the impression that there's nothing wrong with the Ontario RAT knives, but the ESEE versions are nicer - and covered by the ESEE warranty.
 
GRIM 62 said:
Wildone39,I doubt anyone tried to hurt your feelers on purpose.You need to grow some thicker skin.;)
Click to expand...

Oh, its gotten thicker since then. Its all good now. I have an Izula, TAK, and Rat3 and love them all. Best fixed bladed knives I own. That Izula is awsome, I would stake my life on that thing.
 
The ESEE knives are better than the "Rat" knives made by Ontario. ESEE has the warranty, Ontario does not. ESEE has better heat treat. Better fit and Finish, etc
 
I get the feeling based on some recent postings from RAT that emotions have cooled somewhat since the "schism".

I personally believe both Ontario and ESEE have products that are well worth the money.

Examples:
Ontario RAT-1 Folder $20
ESEE Izula $43
ESEE RC-4 $85
 
I own several of each, Ontario and ESEE. My biggest problem is with the Ontario handles. Their micarta handles are made with quality, but are "unfinished". My Afghan, RD Hawk, and RD6 Signature are all painfull to use full force. Forget hotspots, I'm talking pain, when trying to whittle a small stick. Spend some time with a file and sandpaper, and you can have a useable knife.
ESEE on the other hand, come with a much nicer handle ergonomics. The sheaths are much better as well. I find the price is not only justified, but worth every penny.
 
unit said:
<Not trying to start a fight here>

While I agree that these guys act nutty at times, I feel like it is mostly good humored joking around by guys that know each other pretty well. I am new to hanging out over there, and I have enjoyed the joking around.

Regarding the tattoo. You must be new to these forums? In my short tenure as a lurker and as a member I have seen Tattoos for nearly every knife company (on people that have no affiliation with the business). Strider, Benchmade and Spyderco emblems spring to mind...I have seen multiples of those.

I think every good knife company has its share of fans...and its share of people that transition their appreciation to a lifestyle. Motorcycles and cars seem to cause this to an even greater degree with some people.

I would encourage anyone who enjoys using their knives in the woods as living tools (i.e. for camping, or if you prefer to think of it as "survival training") to check out that sub-forum. There are all types over there (just like here). Check out my avatar...that is me and how I spend a lot of my free time. Do I look like a scary freak?

With regard to the ESEE knives...I have only one, but it impresses me greatly with its value. I can seemingly do anything with it (things I would have previously called abuse) and it not only survives, but retains an edge. I can not compare them to RAT/Ontario or any other hard use maker, but I am quite happy with the piece (and its price point).

Have a nice day.
Click to expand...

Oh I know, no need for an argument. You have only been here a few months more then me (and we both probably lurked for months beforehand) but whatever, I think you meant that I was not aware that tattooing a logo on your body of a very new knifemaker was normal.

Like I said, there are a lot of good guys there. You might be one of them, but there are also guys who shout down members, calling their honor into question, when they damage their knife and ask to use ESEE's no BS warranty. In my short time there I have witnessed it on a few occasions.

Other fan forums here, spyderco comes to mind, seems to be in better touch with reality while still promoting their favorite knives.
 
unit said:
Regarding the tattoo. You must be new to these forums? In my short tenure as a lurker and as a member I have seen Tattoos for nearly every knife company (on people that have no affiliation with the business). Strider, Benchmade and Spyderco emblems spring to mind...I have seen multiples of those.
Click to expand...

I'll have to post pics of my "GINSU KNIVES" tattoo. Now THAT is fricken' hardcore!!!:D
 
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