ESEE Zancudo

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
18,423
Hit my mailbox this morning!

Nice little folder, razor sharp, the frame lock is rock solid, no movement in the blade period. In fact, it's a little hard to disengage it is so strong. Overall shape reminds me of a teardrop jackknife, it's also very slim. AUS8, and made in the same factory as the Ontario RAT folders, and side by side, I'd say they are of equal quality.

Dual thumb studs, make it usable for southpaws, but the pocket clip is not reversible. I find that switching it to tip up right hand carry, gets the clip out of the way for my left thumb to get a better angle on the stud to push it. The thumb studs could have been a little taller, but I got used to them after "flicking" awhile and have found the right grip on the knife for me. EDIT:I took the pocket clip completely off and found that it's even easier to open left handed that way, ad this knife is small enough to carry without a clip.

Folks that complain about the slick handles on the RAT's, are not going to like the Zancudo's grip much better. While it has a different pattern on the grip it feels the same.











And one with the Ontario RAT II, which I figure will be the knife it's most compared to. Quality is essentially the same, although the frame lock "might" make the Zancudo a little more popular with some.



Solid, affordable and nice EDC size on this one!
 
I am seriously considering getting one. I like the blade shape better than the rat models. I just hope the quality/value is as high. The lock up seems kinda late, does that concern you?
 
ALLHSS said:
I am seriously considering getting one. I like the blade shape better than the rat models. I just hope the quality/value is as high. The lock up seems kinda late, does that concern you?
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Not really, hadn't even noticed when opening it, locks up solid.

I'd love to see that blade profile in a RAT folder.

I also have noticed the thumb stud for right handers is noticeably "taller" than the left hand stud. This knife is usable for lefties, but it really is setup better for right handers.
 
Great looking little knife. Can you tell me if it is possible to flick it open with wrist movement or is the blade held in place securely closed? Just wondering on the chances of being able to get one here and thats a big factor. Thanks!
 
Nice to get some good comparison shots of it. It sounds like a good knife I'm just having a hard time warming up to its appearance. I'll try and handle one when I get a chance maybe it will grow on me. It does look to be nicely made like the RAT-1. Thanks.
 
Chris "Anagarika";12661234 said:
Maybe swap the studs for lefties?
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Will try to see if I can remove them and switch them, there are no screws that hold them on, I assumed it was some kind of press fit?

Chris Larrikin said:
Great looking little knife. Can you tell me if it is possible to flick it open with wrist movement or is the blade held in place securely closed? !
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You won't with the one I have, when the ball bearing on the framelock drops into the divot in the tang when the blade is closed, it will not budge until you push the thumbstud enough to start it open.
 
My Zancudos came yesterday. Great knives, especially for the price. And I like the thinness as i prefer IWB carry. Very sharp and well centered and no play in any direction when locked open and nice detent closure strength so no worry of opening when carrying. I look forward to using these knives.

RKH
 
I have the Rat 2 and Kabar Dozier, which looks to have the same blade. But I still want one, love this size knife.
 
Looks nice, I'm pleasantly surprised. I felt like they'd just be using their name to sell this one, but it looks like quality to my eye. I think it will fill the void left by the RAT 2 better.
 
I have enough inexpensive folders (and way too many assisted openers and bead-blasted blades.) But the Zancudo and the RAT2 are welcome additions for being manual and easy to pocket-EDC.

The Zancudo's stonewashed blade is attractive and a welcome feature at any price, but especially in a moderately-price blade.

I have the orange stonewashed model from KW and would like to see the RAT2 go stonewashed, too.
 
she looks more like a Kershaw than a RAT to me, with the shaped pocket clip and gapped frame lock...but a good looking knife none the less :) cant wait to hear more about these :)
 
Thx for the side-by-side pic w/the RAT 2 Chris...interesting that the Zancudo's are made in the same factory. Seeing them together highlights the common hardware/screws and seemingly same orange polymer scale material....*odd, I thought the scale was supposed to be G10 on this knife? At least GP lists it as such? I don't really need any additional value folders, but really like the small size, stonewash on the blade and scale, and o/a design and am tempted with this one.

I have one of the RAT 2's and gifted one, and those knives really pack a lot good design, value and function for the money...seems as though ESEE and Ontario found a good common Tiawan based quality supplier for these.
 
Excellent pics and review, you pushed me over the edge to order one. I really like the blade shape and overall "bushcrafty" look to it. The price is good too.
 
I really like the Zancudo, but seeing it side by side with the Rat II I wonder why it was even made. It is almost the exact same size just with a different blade shape and lock design. Strange thing for ESEE to agree to do...
 
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