Esee vs becker vs okc ranger.

trailbum · Apr 10, 2011

All of these prices are from the same company.
Why is there such a great variation in price to total package.

BECKER BK7 $65 ( nylon sheath)

Esee 6 $116 (micarta scales, plastic sheath)

OKC ranger bush RD6 $60 ( micarta scales, nylon sheath)

bada61265 · Apr 10, 2011

all the prices are based on what 3 different company`s set. the seller doesnt set the price. some if not most manufacturers also dont let sellers discount there products much which is why on some things you can look and look and its the same price within a couple bucks no matter where you look. call it price fixing, same kinda think oil company`s are doing all the time, same thing that sony does with playstation and microsoft does with windows. the reason there at the price there at is thats how much they determined the market will bear or in other words as long as theres enough people willing to pay the price thats what there going to charge. im shure the dealer would sell esse for 60 if they could make the same profit on it that they can the becker at that price. problem is they probubly buy them from the manufacturer for 50 or 60 to start with. some of that is honest difference in materials cost, cost of higher fit n finish quality. cost of labor and tooling and theres also volume of sales and of course demand. its really not as big a travesty as you might think when you start comparing what you probubly pay for all the time yet do so without much complaining. my example would be saudis pump oil out of the earth into barrels for 9 cents a barrel. and then one fine day decide to sell it for over $100 or more for the same oil that just cost them 9 cents. so get a grip, get some perspective. you probubly dont need an esse over a becker anyway, but you probubly have to buy gas now and then.

trailbum · Apr 10, 2011

I understand cost of labor vs materials vs fit and finish.
These are three american knife companies. Is the fit and finish that different.
2 useing 1095 steel, 2 with micarta scales, and 2 with nylon sheaths.
My point was why is the price variation about $60. I know manufactures set the price.
I own 2 of the 3. Becker and esee.
I complain about gas all the time. Thankyou for replying though.

trailbum · Apr 10, 2011

Do you feel the esee is that much nicer that the BK7.

obsessis · Apr 10, 2011

i have the bk7 and esee-6. They are both good, but different. The 7 seems more 'heavy duty' and fighting-style knife with an OK sheath. Lots of people pay the $45 to upgrade to micarta handles.....keep that in mind. The esee-6 would be a better chopper, slicer and all around camp chore knife. It's sheath is OK and has more mounting options, micarta handles included.

esee has a great warranty. i'm more impressed with the esee-6 than the 7, but if you want a tough, fighter-style knife the 7 is a really good blade. It'll do whatever you need it to. You can add aftermarket stuff to it if you want, bringing it to the cost of the esee. becker has good warranty also.

Battle Creek Knives · Apr 10, 2011

obsessis said:
The esee-6 would be a better chopper, slicer and all around camp chore knife.

I'm REALLY surprised to hear you say that... Can you tell me why the 6 makes a better chopper then the 7??

OP, I think pricing is sometimes affected by hype

they WILL try and take advantage of you if they can

marketing also affects pricing.. I'm not familiar with ranger but as far as bk/esee very similar steels but you have upgraded sheath and scales that would justify there price.. I went with the 7 as I wanted function and low cost......

foxx · Apr 10, 2011

I have modified several Ontario RD handles, by hand, with 100 grit sandpaper. Each on took some work. I gave them a much better fit, made the edges of the micarta more round, and improved the comfort of the knives, and one hawk.
Point is, it took more time than just slapping on some almost fitting handle scales. I also had to accept uneven grinds, and edges that were not straight. The sheaths that come with those Ontarios are useless crap. I'm not insulting Ontario, I like them, you just get what you pay for.
With ESEE, you get a finished product, a real sheath, they're made with a focus on detail, and that great warranty.
With Becker, you get a great product with better grinds and edges than Ontario, and maybe a Taiwan made sheath.

trailbum · Apr 10, 2011

foxx said:
I have modified several Ontario RD handles, by hand, with 100 grit sandpaper. Each on took some work. I gave them a much better fit, made the edges of the micarta more round, and improved the comfort of the knives, and one hawk.
Point is, it took more time than just slapping on some almost fitting handle scales. I also had to accept uneven grinds, and edges that were not straight. The sheaths that come with those Ontarios are useless crap. I'm not insulting Ontario, I like them, you just get what you pay for.
With ESEE, you get a finished product, a real sheath, they're made with a focus on detail, and that great warranty.
With Becker, you get a great product with better grinds and edges than Ontario, and maybe a Taiwan made sheath.

Well said. Thankyou.