I have been reading and looking and trying to decide on a outdoor fixed blade for months. I wanted one that I could use for everything from hacking at smaller trees, batoning for wood/kindling, carving, work type stuff, skinning, food prep, etc. Most importantly, I wanted to not worry about breaking it. It's not that I'm super rough on a knife, I just don't want to ever have to have the thought "oh, maybe I shouldn't do this".
I was pretty set on the ESEE 6. I liked the size, I liked the blade shape, I liked the warranty. However, I went to my local knife shop (it's two hours away, but I was looking at a college like half an hour away from it). They only had a serrated 6. I really didn't want serrations. The shop operator kept saying how much he liked the Ontario Rat knives, how he used the 7, how the warranty is just as good, how it's the best value for your money. So I got the Rat 7. Yeah, it has an unsanded part on the micarta, some of the scales stick up, the edge isn't totally even, there was a tiny bit of rust on the edge. (I actually wasn't super impressed with the fit of the handles on the ESEE 6 either). My main concern is just that I bought a lesser version (I thought) of the thing I wanted. (and the 7 wasn't all that cheap, in my book).
Will I be satisfied with my purchase? Are the knife shop guy's claims true? I would like any stories, suggestions, or info you guys have. I wouldn't mind seeing some well used 7's to ease my mind.
Basically, I have three options: Sell the 7, keep some money, and buy a cheap replacement (that is probably still pretty good and I don't have to worry about breaking cause of price). Sell the 7 and possibly another (high end, for me atleast) knife, and buy a plain edge ESEE 6. Keep the 7 and beat it up a bit, then mod it, then if it breaks hope the shop owner was right about the warranty.
Thanks for any help in my decision.
ALLHSS
I was pretty set on the ESEE 6. I liked the size, I liked the blade shape, I liked the warranty. However, I went to my local knife shop (it's two hours away, but I was looking at a college like half an hour away from it). They only had a serrated 6. I really didn't want serrations. The shop operator kept saying how much he liked the Ontario Rat knives, how he used the 7, how the warranty is just as good, how it's the best value for your money. So I got the Rat 7. Yeah, it has an unsanded part on the micarta, some of the scales stick up, the edge isn't totally even, there was a tiny bit of rust on the edge. (I actually wasn't super impressed with the fit of the handles on the ESEE 6 either). My main concern is just that I bought a lesser version (I thought) of the thing I wanted. (and the 7 wasn't all that cheap, in my book).
Will I be satisfied with my purchase? Are the knife shop guy's claims true? I would like any stories, suggestions, or info you guys have. I wouldn't mind seeing some well used 7's to ease my mind.
Basically, I have three options: Sell the 7, keep some money, and buy a cheap replacement (that is probably still pretty good and I don't have to worry about breaking cause of price). Sell the 7 and possibly another (high end, for me atleast) knife, and buy a plain edge ESEE 6. Keep the 7 and beat it up a bit, then mod it, then if it breaks hope the shop owner was right about the warranty.
Thanks for any help in my decision.
ALLHSS
