Input for the new RAT PAck design

M

MikePerrin

Joined
Feb 26, 2001
Messages
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Here is the thread for input on the new RAT Pack coming this summer. I already have some ideas and will keep those close for the time being but I am wide open to the current users thoughts. Let it fly:)
 
perhaps having them available for more models than the 5 & 6, perhaps for the 3. and selling them separately from the knife so people who already have the knife can get the kit. i know you can do that now but it isnt very economical to do so, thanks for letting us give our input :) :thumbup:
 
Here were some of my thoughts after receiving mine and playing around with it for a while...

The screw that held the sheath in place was hard to keep tight.

The sharpener was a pain to get in and out of the kydex so I just put it in a side pouch.

The zipper would get stuck if you unzipped it all the way, so I tried not to do that.

Other than that I thought it was great. :thumbup:
 
I do not have one, but to have a piece of kydex or something inside of it with holes drilled so the regular molded sheath can be attached instead of the flat, straight sheath in the originals...that would be cool.
 
Thanks for the opportunity to put in our 2 cents. My pack is an excellent piece of gear and whatever the new one is will be as good or better I have no doubt. Thanks to you and Jeff for all you guys do with/for us customers.

1. As I mentioned in the other thread, moving the snaps on the molle straps a little further down to prevent stitching from working loose. I think the pics below show it pretty well. This could also partly be caused by how tight the hard backing made the molle webbing. Tought finding that happy medium, I know.

2. Kind of along the lines of what GD said, have the pack available seperate mabe and offer interchangeable kydex sheaths for the 3/4 and 5/6 with snap retention around the handle.

3. Maybe an offering in OD green as well.

4. D-rings on the back of the pack, at the top, allowing the user to attach a shoulder strap/sling. I made a paracord one for mine and I really like it.

5. If a sharpener is coming with, I might ditch the holder on the sheath and just use a Ranger band if possible.

21linlx.jpg

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That's all I've got for now. If I think of more, I'll be back! :D
 
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Dont have a pack(yet) but how does it sound to have a dedicated spot to store an izula?
 
Good ideas and some of these are already in the hopper. I can say you will be able to use any ESEE knife with the pack and it will come in more colors. The strap is already in the new design. Keep em coming guys.
 
Make sure the zipper clears the bottom of the sheath by an inch as to not obstruct the zipper.
 
I would put the sheath in the "back" pocket. I like the current design, but this would improve it I believe. With the knife in the center of the pack, it limits the cargo ability of the unit. Not that I'd stuff a ton more gear in there, but with space at such a premium, It'd make a huge difference. Currently you're limited to flat items on the knife side mesh pocket, and even then it's hard to get in and out of. I'd also make the back panel maybe an inch taller than the front, just to add a strap w/ snap for retention. I don't have a good visual of this in my head yet, but I like the idea more than the current band. The shock cord band works well, and isnt a bad idea...it's just one no one seems to really like.

I also rigged up a paracord sling, so put my vote in that column.
 
MikePerrin said:
Good ideas and some of these are already in the hopper. I can say you will be able to use any ESEE knife with the pack and it will come in more colors. The strap is already in the new design. Keep em coming guys.
Click to expand...

It might seem insignificant, but foliage green would be cool too:D
 
MikePerrin said:
Good ideas and some of these are already in the hopper. I can say you will be able to use any ESEE knife with the pack and it will come in more colors. The strap is already in the new design. Keep em coming guys.
Click to expand...

Are you saying a mini pack for the Izula? Oh my EDC goodness. :)
 
We had a guy put the sheath in the large back pocket but the problem is you cannot access the sheath or screw very well to do maintenence or swap out sheaths. It just doesn't work well. But there is a way to improve the sheath ibnterfering with the mesh pocket under it. The zipper sticking at the back as Joe stated is a function of the syle of zipper used. We have already changed the style of zipper to eliminate problems. The shock cord will be gone. There will also be an added retention device to retain the contents from coming out of the top. All ESEE knives will work well in the new pack.
 
Size is not something I have mentioned much but we are definitely looking at more than one size. This new pack will be different enough that it will be our design and not someone else's. I have had a couple of long conferences with another soft goods bag designer from a large manufacurer to come up with changes that not only work better but will result in easier manufacturing that will reduce cost. You guys would like to pay less right? :)
 
I know it's already been brought up, but while the shock cord works great with retention, wrapping and unwrapping it is a pain...and when it's unwrapped it kind of sticks out and can get you caught on stuff. A small strap and button setup for the exposed handle would be a good alternative.

Like someone else mentioned, the sharpening steel part of the kydex is a pain, so I just put the steel in the outside/front section. You could probably do away with that cylinder part of the kydex and it would make the pack a bit more compact when it's packed and folded.
 
MikePerrin said:
Size is not something I have mentioned much but we are definitely looking at more than one size. This new pack will be different enough that it will be our design and not someone else's. I have had a couple of long conferences with another soft goods bag designer from a large manufacurer to come up with changes that not only work better but will result in easier manufacturing that will reduce cost. You guys would like to pay less right? :)
Click to expand...

Something designed with "ranger-style" carry in mind would be excellent. Just a set of loops for it to go on a belt horizontally would be cool. A smaller long pouch would be excellent for that app.
 
Perhaps one option would be more of a bag instead of un-zipping the whole thing like an organizer. Also instead of the rounded sharpened more of a DMT mini sharp? Also kind of like hedge hog leather works, have the securing strap be shock cord with with a snap, so it's like a thumb break but swings outa the way.
 
One thing I thought about when I saw the first one was the idea of a kydex envelope. Basically a piece of thin kydex folded in half. the purpose is to house two speed hooks. It would need to be 8 inches by 3 inches.

Oh and it needs a loop for an RYP keister kapsule! :D
 
You're the man, Mike. The changes so far seem spot on. I love it when a company listens to it's customers!

Booyah! :thumbup:
 
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