New ESEE folder - the Zancudo

I was excited when ESEE had an Izula Folder listed on their site but sadly that project must never have come to furition. This knife looks pretty cheap and reminds me of my Ontario 8846 RAT Folding Knife which does the job of cutting boxes open but is cheap and heavy.
 
Unless it's a solid value for the money, like the Ontario Rat 1, I'm feeling cold about this one. It's going to be all about the price, I'm making the assumption it'll be good quality. Even at that it's just like they're running off of their name, like so many great companies do, before burning out.
 
Franciscomv said:
The proper Spanish word for mosquito, is actually "mosquito". "Zancudo" is used in some parts of Latin America for all mosquitoes (Venezuela, for instance), and in other parts to designate certain kinds of long legged mosquitoes ("zancudo" means something like "long shanks", and isn't a particularly elegant term).

Anyway, I was a bit underwhelmed with this knife as ESEE's first folder, the name is just a very minor point. I mean, I've got knives with much worse names (Onslaught, Paramilitary, etc.). However, I was expecting something that would tie in a bit better into the looks and materials of the rest of the ESEE line, as well as being made in the US. For some reason, I pictured an ESSE folder somewhat similar to the HEST one.

I'm sure this knife will be good, these fellows haven't put their name on any bad product that I know of, but it just isn't what I expected.
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a) Izula, Candiru, and Zancudo are all South American critters -- they're not trying to use Spanish terms.
b) it's not an ESEE knife -- it was designed by them, but is not made, marketed, sold, or warrantied by them.
 
Not sure on this one just judging by the pics, plus I usually prefer blades in the 3.5in or bigger range. But, I look forward to hearing some reviews on it, and will probably pick one up if they're favorable.
 
The new Zancudo is an ESEE designed folder made for Blue Ridge in Taiwan. We just got in a couple samples, and for a street price of around $30, these are a great little framelock knife. If you are familiar with the Rat 1 folder, you can expect the same quality from the Zancudo. It will be available in a black blade and a stonewash blade.

ESEE Zancudo Black
ESEE Zancudo Stonewash

1005731_612617852111591_1077590128_n.jpg
 
Here are a couple videos showing the new ESEE Zancudo:

[video=youtube_share;gZPORZUyNo4]http://youtu.be/gZPORZUyNo4[/video]

[video=youtube_share;ge0sDkIz0cU]http://youtu.be/ge0sDkIz0cU[/video]
 
im interested.

i loved my rat1 before i lost it. price point is right on for me. $50 is where its at for me, and this is much less than that.

blade shape is looking good and it looks like it will disappear in my pocket like my pm2. length is sweet. 3-3.5" is my preference due to length legalities

ill likely pick one up. aus8 out of taiwan is good enough for me, and i like how easy it is to keep sharp with a regular stropping.....makes for a good beater blade.

its drilled for tip up carry too, which is a must for me. tip down is a no-go for me.

this is on my short list now.
 
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it's got the esee skull logo, what else could ya want?

i got one on order, the orange version. i'm a big fan of the rat1 and from what i read this knife is being made by the same folks in taiwan....so it shouldn't be a let down. plus i like the design slightly better than the mini rat1 or 2 or whatever it's called.

only thing i'd prefer is a larger blade version. closer to 4" the more i like it, but that's me.
 
Of course everyone wants a Izula folder, but at the rate they're going, you might as well save your money and buy a Strider PT. That said, Knifeworks just started shipping the Zancudo folder. I ordered a dozen as gifts, and will keep one in orange, and one in black/stonewash. I'm not big on the all black painted blade. At the price they're selling them for, they're well worth it, and the only other knife that is equal in fit and finish is the RAT 2, and that's because they're both manufactured in Paul Lin's factory in Taiwan.

 
fetzer85 said:
You ever own a knife made in Taiwan before or do you just like giving things a thumbs down before trying it out?
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i own a mountain bike made in taiwan. is that close enough?:D plus i only buy US made knives. I wish they would have made an attempt to make one here.
 
I dunno.., I dont like it for some reason. Im sure its a great knife for $30 bucks but I think they should have did a collaboration with a different folder company or something.
 
To quote Puff Daddy amongst others, 'It's all about the Benjamins, baby, uh huh, yea'.

Cheaper knife will sell more, spread their name more, hopefully reel people into their higher cost models.
 
Like others, I'll hold out for the Izula folder.
 
My understanding is that the Zancudo is made in the same factory, buy the same folks, that make Ontario's RAT 1 and RAT 2 folders. Same AUS 8 steel as well.
There are NO flies on the RAT 1 or 2, and I expect the Zancudo to be another winner, giving us an outstanding knife, at a great price point.

I have one on order from TKC, and expect it soon.

What I do NOT expect any time soon, is the oft mentioned ESEE folder. Years have gone by, and still it's a chimera.
 
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