Izula vs Rat 3

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EvilBunnyReviews

Joined
Dec 20, 2010
Messages
184
Which should I buy?:confused: They both seem very nice about the same price range. I would be using them for cutting some wood,whittling,box opening,hiking,and camping. They are both very nice but are the handles on the Rat 3 good grip?
 
hi and welcome,

the izula is made by rowen and backed by esee's lifetime warranty, the rat3 is made by ontario and doesn't have rowan's esee awesome heat treat.

so too very different knives. both will do what you want the izula is smaller and easier to carry in a pocket.

take it easy
cricket
 
For what you mention I would get the ESEE-3 (was the RC-3 before the name change). As Dave mentioned, the RAT 3 was a RAT design produced by Ontario. The ESEE branded blades made by Rowen are higher quality and only a little more expensive. The ESEE-3 has the same no BS warranty as the Izula.
 
ESEE 3 is more of a general knife where the Izula is more purposefully made to be compact. Field use, I'd go with the 3 if you don't have another that fits the role yet.

3 fits between easy carry and field use nicely.

Izula is great every day carry, general 'pocket knife replacement' size, very stout for what it is too. Small enough you can sheath it and drop it into your pants pocket.
 
Well I was not aware that they were not the same thing so thank you. Kingsqueak I wear alot of cargo pants so i got so big pockets but if its too big ill put it on my backpack. Also is the Esee-3 Light enough for a neck knife I am ok with a knife with some weight.
 
both are great knives and two of my favorite ESEE's. i see by your location that you live in CA. concealing a fixed blade upon your person is against the law. so if you intend on carrying either knife in public it has to be worn on the belt completely exposed.

here are some pics.

rpandizula.jpg
 
well if its just for use around the house either would be fine, i find myself using my izula a lot.
 
if considering the 1095 Ontario RAT , the Phosphate coating or whatever they call it is very weak and easily comes off unlike the powder coated Rowen RC3/ESEE3

I'd go with the ESEE /Rowen marked 3's
 
Ok thank you Texastonydobbs, Next thing are the Esee serrations any good? Or do I buy the plain edge?




Ps I love how you guys reply so fast My second day I am starting to like this forum.
 
Serration are great ...over time and sharpening they'll be plain edge ,sharpen just like Plain edge w/ stone on back edge
 
Alright well Thank you all for your big help I am gonna go with the Esee 3 now just need to wait for some extra cash to fall around me.
 
EvilBunnyReviews said:
Well the knife is not for an edc blade so that does not matter much. Hate the laws here in California.
Click to expand...

Would you really run afoul of the law with those? I don't think that overall California is all that blade-unfriendly. Particular localities are a different story, but even in most of those I don't think you would have any problem with the Izula, especially. I live in Oakland, which is a pretty weapon-paranoid place, and as I understand it the ordinance here prohibits carrying around knives with blades of more than 3 inches. That would still make the Izula okay. Also Spyderco Delicas, the BM mini-griptilian, etc.

On a practical basis, I don't worry about it a whole lot anyway. I'm discreet and of non-threatening appearance, and frequently EDC my Spyderco Tenacious (3-3/8 inches) tucked into a jeans pocket. So far I haven't run into any problems. Probably somebody who knows knives well could guess from the size of the clip, but anybody who noticed hasn't cared. If I was really concerned, I'd just undo the clip and carry it loose in a pocket. Cops around here really have plenty to keep them busy and aren't likely to be patting down random people on the street to check for excessive steel. I guess if you want to strut through the streets with a 3+ inch fixed-blade prominently swinging from your belt, you might encounter some difficulty, but unless you're attached to projecting a particular persona, why on earth would you be thus arrayed in an urban environment anyway? If it makes you happy to keep your ESEE-3 nearby, just toss it into your backpack or man bag and go about your business with an easy mind.
 
I don't see many cops around here and when carry it I would maybe carry it on my neck as a neck knife yes a very heavy neck knife.
 
Oliver, concealing a fixed bladed knife in Ca, is a FELONY! PERIOD! This is no if ands or buts its a felony. Do whatever it is that pleases your goat, but if you are going to give someone legal advice, it is best to know what you are talking about. I would have a microtech currahee on the way, instead of a rc5, if concealing in Ca was a no issue.

(microtech only cause I have always wanted one, but if I cant conceal it, no since in having a knife like that, might as well get something that is a lot more practical than a double sided dagger, that is just made to maim things.)

On the other hand, I just batoned through a 2x2" piece of wood, against the grain not with, cutting it in half, with my izula, accidently tried stabbing it into rock. Then proceded to cut in half a bunch more sticks the same size. After I was done, 10 minutes on the stones and it was shaving hair again, simply amazing.
 
No they arent. California uses the term dagger, to describe any fixed bladed knife. Quote me one place in california state penal code, where it says double edged knives are illegal.

thread on whats legal and not in ca, from calguns http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=178118

an overview of knife california knife laws, with references to penal codes
http://zknives.com/knives/articles/law/caknifelaws.shtml

12020-12040 of california penal code, info pertaining to carrying and illegal knives
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=12001-13000&file=12020-12040

and another good read/explanation of california knife laws.
http://www.ninehundred.com/~equalccw/knifelaw.html

So again, please research any information that concerns any legal nature, and make sure what you are stating is true.
 
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