Questions about new knife

C

ComputerSteve

Joined
Feb 2, 2011
Messages
23
I have a couple questions about my new knife, but first some background.

My son has an ESEE4 that I was very impressed with, and I wanted one for myself. So I went to an online dealer, clicked on the ESEE knife section, and ordered the 4 with the MOLLE back. Knife arrived January 31, but instead of ESEE4, it says Rat Cutlery RC-4 on the blade. I then started reading up on the RAT/ESEE name change and split from Ontario Knife Company and I have to say I'm still confused.

Do I have a knife made by Jeff & friends, or do I have an inferior product made by Ontario Knife Company, who still appear to make RAT knives? The next question is, if the rare situation should occur and I need to utilize the warranty, who is the warranty with?

Serial number on RC-4 is 021010.

Either way I'm hooked and already ordered an Izula II that has not yet arrived.

ComputerSteve
 
Same knife as the ESEE-4, no different at all except the engraving.

You've got one hell of a knife my man. My personal favorite blade.

The Ontario knives were named with a RAT prefix. RAT-3, RAT-5, RAT-7.

When Jeff and Mike teamed up with Rowen the name went to RAT Cutlery and the prefixes were RC. RC-3, RC-4, RC-5, etc.

Because of the very confusion you are talking about between Ontario RAT and RAT Cutlery, they changed the name to ESEE Knives which now have the ESEE prefix. ESEE-3, ESEE-4, ESEE-5, etc.

So the RC-3 and ESEE-3 are the same blade, but the RAT-3 was an Ontario.

RC-4 and ESEE-4, same blade. Clear as mud? :D
 
Thanks adaman04, that's good to know. Gonna get some pics while it's still new, then start putting it to work. I need to read up on knife laws in Wisconsin so I don't have any surprises.
 
ComputerSteve said:
Thanks adaman04, that's good to know. Gonna get some pics while it's still new, then start putting it to work. I need to read up on knife laws in Wisconsin so I don't have any surprises.
Click to expand...

plus i don't think ontario ever made a rat-4.
 
Yeah man, I have an RC-4 and an RC-3MIL and they are made by ESEE. It should say ROWEN somewhere on the blade.....that's an easy way to tell as well.
 
Almost all of mine are the old RC, rowen made blades. Same great quality, same company, diffrent logos.

I think only my lite, my hest, and a few izulas have the ESEE tag.

5402715260_db14f04168_z.jpg
 
Yes, the number was under the scales. The RC-4 does say ROWEN on the other side of the blade. My Izula II is due tomorrow and when it gets here I'll post pics of both knives. Thanks to everyone for help on clearing up my confusion about the RC-4.
 
Dizwolf,

I see skull logos on some of your knives. When were those logos in production? Is there a history FAQ for ESEE anywhere?
 
ComputerSteve said:
Yes, the number was under the scales. The RC-4 does say ROWEN on the other side of the blade. My Izula II is due tomorrow and when it gets here I'll post pics of both knives. Thanks to everyone for help on clearing up my confusion about the RC-4.
Click to expand...

All knives marked ROWEN are from the same company, RC/ESEE. Rowen is the company that manufactures and heat treats the blades. They do a GREAT job!

Congrats on the 4, I'm sure you'll love it!
 
ComputerSteve said:
Dizwolf,

I see skull logos on some of your knives. When were those logos in production? Is there a history FAQ for ESEE anywhere?
Click to expand...

the lite machete, RC5, and Junglas skulls are all production models. The 2 skulled RC3's were a special run.

theres some history posts in this forum... just search a bit.
 
My RC-5 has a 4 digit number on the pommel. Is that a heat treat code or serial number?
 
Router said:
My RC-5 has a 4 digit number on the pommel. Is that a heat treat code or serial number?
Click to expand...

Serial number. The 5s were serialized then and still are now. The heat treat date is on the tang under the scales.
 
Well this clears up some confusion.
Is a RAT izula anymore valuable, colector wise than an ESEE one?
I'm asking because they are no longer offered, correct?
 
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