Ontario Rat vs Izula vs Becker?

C

cthulusaurus

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Feb 17, 2012
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I am looking at getting a new camp knife, and it will see some heavy use while camping and backpacking, and I was wondering what y'all thought of these knives. Size isn't really an issue, I'm thinking more in terms of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness.
 
Well you sure did hide this thread.
A couple of things, Ontario makes many different lines of knives and RAT is one of them.
Izula is the necker made by ESEE, there are also a lot of knives made by ESEE.
Becker is made by Ka-bar and they too have quite the variety.

As far as edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness the large majority of the brands mentioned use 1095 carbon steel with their own propriety heat treat. All of them good just a matter of opinion for the most part.

Welcome to the forum.
 
RUNIT said:
Well you sure did hide this thread.
A couple of things, Ontario makes many different lines of knives and RAT is one of them.
Izula is the necker made by ESEE, there are also a lot of knives made by ESEE.
Becker is made by Ka-bar and they too have quite the variety.

As far as edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness the large majority of the brands mentioned use 1095 carbon steel with their own propriety heat treat. All of them good just a matter of opinion for the most part.

Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

Ontario vs Izula vs Becker...

Size isn't an issue as in you don't mind small, you don't mind large, or either way you just don't care? Some of Ontario's wonky heat treats back in the 90s caused me some concerns but they seem to have taken care of that. I've never had an Ontario "issue" knife that had any heat treat issues, and I've heard some good things about the gen 2 spec plus line in 5160. The Izula is a great little knife that is pretty capable for its size, but you won't be doing any chopping with it. Becker makes some great stuff, the BK-2 is nearly indestructible but heavy enough that you may not want to hump it long distances. I have several ESEE and Beckers. Like them all just fine for different reasons. As for corrosion resistance the 1095CV that Ka-Bar uses seems to be more corrosion resistant than standard 1095 from my experiences. The BK-16 looks really good to me, I'll be trying one out later. I have no idea what area you are in but if corrosion resistance is a major factor a good stainless might serve you better. For my uses, and with thoughts toward the gulf coast and corrosion resistance, I am getting one of these to try out.

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?products_id=380

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I have owned samples of all these. Ontaio is lower quality but not bad. If you get one you should expect to have to reprofile the primary edge. whoever is putting them on is cross-eyed.
ESEE is high quality stuff. feild ready and tough as nail. I have tested some of Kabars Tiwan offerings along side my ESEE 6 and the Kabar broke a huge chunk out of the edge trying to keep up. The IZULA is my favorite of the ESEE line. little bugger is strong and just shocked me how usfull it was. edge retnetion is great, I can skin two deer with out resharpening between them. Weather resistance is what you would expect out of a 1095 carbon steel. not good

Kabar made Beckers in the 1095CV, made in the USA and Bad to the Bone. Edge retention on my BK7 is great and hair popin sharp right out of the box.
Mistwalker is right on with the 1095CV being better on weather resistance.

They are all good have fun with what ever you pick
 
Storm crier said:
Edge retention on my BK7 is great and hair popin sharp right out of the box.
Click to expand...

Same here, came extremely sharp and held that edge very well. That knife has been been out in all sorts of weather and has done everything I've ask. It's a little big for some areas I go too and the sheeple that inhabit them, but it's a heck of a knife and still a favorite.
 
Yes sir my BK7 is my favorite large belt knife. The problem is that with a good short matchete and like a FBF 12 or BHK and a good 3 to 4 inch belt knife for finer work, I just dont carry it out much anymore.
I will never part with it. Maybe she needs a nice set of red cedar scales and a place of honor on my desk at work????
 
Storm crier said:
Yes sir my BK7 is my favorite large belt knife. The problem is that with a good short matchete and like a FBF 12 or BHK and a good 3 to 4 inch belt knife for finer work, I just dont carry it out much anymore.
I will never part with it. Maybe she needs a nice set of red cedar scales and a place of honor on my desk at work????
Click to expand...

Yeah...I've sort of semi retired mine too and opted for other knife combinations. However it remains close by and in a grab-and-go/ B.O. situation in a one knife scenario it may well be the one I grab on the way out.
 
Pop on over to the Becker Knife & Tool forum and it may help persuade you a bit, it did for me. Becker/Kabar has a knife that they collaborated with ESEE on its called the Eskabar and its a really nice knife.
 
I think I'm going to go with a BK16, as I like the size and shape, and the way you guys describe them it seems best for what I need. Thanks so much for your help!
 
You can't go wrong with the BK16 IMO. My next purchase is going to be the BK16 or BK17, I just haven't decided which one yet.
 
Good luck,
I have no experiance with the BK16, but if it has Ethen's approval than it ant crap. I think there are a few reviews on youtube for this blade.
Let us know how it works out. If it doesn't work out you can always get a BK7:D

I have since stopped my search for the "ONE" knife and have begun carrying bush tools that are purpose built for their job. Need a chopper, I bring a Hawk or 12 inch Matchete, need a carver and cutter, I bring a 3.5 to 4 inch Scandi bushcrafter belt knife, need to process large wood for a long cold night, I bring a 36 inch bow saw blade and construct one in the feild.
However, The closest I ever came to finding that "ONE" knife was and is my BK7. If I was restricted to only one tool, you bet your boots, my BK7 would be it. I just choose to not restrict myself.
My BK7 can do it all, but when compared to the purpose built tools at their specifc job, it just doesn't measure up and no "ONE" knife will.

We still need them though, don't we.
 
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Of what you listed, I'd take the Becker. You might also want to consider the SYKCO Scrapivore.
 
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