Rat Izula?

M

m_calingo

Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Messages
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Much of the discussion around here revolves around the choice of the larger bushcraft knives that range anywhere from 5" on up.

Maybe even a smaller Mora.

Anyone around here actually use the diminutive Rat Izula? Not as a back up to a larger knife, but actually use it on a regular basis? I'm not as experienced in outdoors activities as some of the other folks around here, so I'm curious in hearing about your experience with this little knife. Other than the fact its small size makes it great for carrying about, what would make you reach for that before grabbing a larger knife?
 
It just depends on what task you are doing. Some tasks do require a larger knife, but from personal experience with the izula, it really does think its a bigger knife. Ive done everything from light batoning, slicing, carving, food prep, an various other bushcraft tasks such as building traps and making shelters and have found it as capable as any. It is obviously not big enough for certain things but it can do alot. Plus, if you factor in the easy carriable size, awsome coating, great edge retention, easy sharpening, one of the best HT for 1095 out there, the great company and one of the best warranties out there, and not to mention a more than decent price for such a knife, its pretty much a great deal. not too expense to not at least TRY one out.:D
 
Yeah, what Perchjerk said. If I had to sell all my knives, the Izula would be the last one I keep. I've done just about everything you can do with a knife except pry with it. I love the blade and handle shape. With a good cord wrap it's great ergonomically for a variety of tasks.
 
oh ya, i forgot to add that if your not a fan of skeletonized knives, or cord wrapped knives, handle scales for the izula are about to hit the market.
 
The Bark River Necker has scales availble now and has a Convex grind. It runs about twenty bucks more than the Izula but the scales are 40-50 bucks. The Becker Necker,made from the same steel as the Izula is about ten bucks or so cheaper and a bit bigger than The Izula.

Our knife makers here can build you one that is exactly what you want and a very good way to go. Support our own Makers if you can.
 
m_calingo said:
Much of the discussion around here revolves around the choice of the larger bushcraft knives that range anywhere from 5" on up
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Not everyone here uses 5"+ knives for woods duty. Some of use do use
smaller blades.

I often carry my EDC knife as my only woods fixed blade(I am never without my SAK). It just isn't an Izula. R.A.T (or ESEE) knives do nothing for me.

My little 3" (2 3/4" cutting edge) blade ,6 1/2" OAL fixed has done everything a woods blade needs to do,as well as normal EDC chores.

Minus Chopping,that is my hatchets job
 
Some people think you need a large knife (7" plus) for the woods. I will admit I have a KaBar and a rat 7. I bought the rat7 to use in the woods. Shortly after before I even used it I came to realize there is no need for a large knife. I'm sure many will tell you that you need a large knife to chop down trees, baton 7,8" logs, and fight off bears. The bottom line is you do not need to do that. if you want to fall a tree, use a saw and if you're batoning wood for a fire, use smaller limbs and build the fire up. Of course that is all my opinion. I now carry a rc-4 in the woods.
 
A 3" blade is my most used and carried !
A 4" blade offers very little over a 3" and is no longer very good for neck or pocket carry so once I step up from a 3" I feel I might as well jump to 5" or 6".

I must add though that for me personally there are better smaller blades for my uses than the Izula, I'd sooner have one uncoated with nice comfy scales and a convexed grind but that is just me and we are all different.
 
I use my Izula for everything and some,solid construction and can take alot of different roles not just a lil' back up knife.
I EDC my Izula to work and use it alot .solid knife ,great edge retension and easily resharpend. micarta scales will be available shortly and the Izula has few color choices to choose from as well.
 
m_calingo said:
Anyone around here actually use the diminutive Rat Izula? Not as a back up to a larger knife, but actually use it on a regular basis? I'm not as experienced in outdoors activities as some of the other folks around here, so I'm curious in hearing about your experience with this little knife. Other than the fact its small size makes it great for carrying about, what would make you reach for that before grabbing a larger knife?
Click to expand...

I carry a Green Olive Drab Izula as a neck knife under my shirt every day and use it for most cutting chores.

I November, I used my Desert Tan Izula to field dress this Doe. Did just fine, including cutting through the ribs and being batoned with a stick through the pelvis.

FD-1.jpg


They are solid real use knives.:thumbup:
 
Get one ! It's a great knife ! I have one and will be buying another one soon:thumbup:
 
I use my Izula every day doing normal tasks. It is my EDC, and has been since I got it. One of my favorite knives.
 
It's an EDC of mine. I've used mine for everything from splitting kindling to cutting a steak at Olive Garden. :D
 
ya cant go wrong with an izula
buy it!
you wont regret it
its plenty big for lots of chores

izula1.jpg
 
First off, I see more talk of 3.5in-4in blades on here then any bigger ones. Seems to be the prefered size by many guys. I pack a fixed blade with a 3.75in blade whenever a knife is needed. EDC? Swisstool Spirit. Never let me down.

Ive owned ALOT of small fixed blades. Including 2 Izulas. I EDCd an Izula for quite awhile, and it never grew on me. I found the handle too small, even with a cordwrap, and am not fond of coated blades. The sheath also left something to be desired, and the edge of both of them required attention when I got em to bring em up to what I like.(no biggie)...The kool-aid mentality of some of the fans also doesnt fly with me. No offense to anyone, just my state of mind. RAT cutlery (or ESEE?..whatever) is a great company with great value, and great CS. Jeff is a very good teacher/writer. I enjoy all of his articles(hes the main reason I subscribe to SWAT), and cant wait to get to a class to learn from him. I respect him very much. Alot of guys love the Izula, and use them pretty hard. Mine handled the loads of stuff I threw at it, but, it just was never right for me. That said, I will be the first in line for an Izula folder. :thumbup:

I currently own one "neck" sized blade. And it now rides in my glovebox. I found with my Swisstool Spirit, and Gossman pointman, Im covered. At least till my skookum and Terrasaur are done. :D
 
j williams said:
First off, I see more talk of 3.5in-4in blades on here then any bigger ones.
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I don't know, if someone had asked I would probably have said that the larger knives dominated the conversation here. However, I've never done any sort of count so you could be right. In any case, even if it is not most of the conversation, there is a lot of discussion of big knives.

Personally, I just don't see much real need for a blade larger than 5 inches, unless you intend to use it for a substitue for an axe... and if I need to chop something I just use an axe. :rolleyes:

I tend to prefer small-medium sized fixed blade knives in the 3-4 inch range for general outdoor use. They do everything I ask of a knife when I'm in the woods, and are lighter, more comfortable to carry, and easier to use than the bigger blades recomemended so often in the forum.
 
hahaha...Its probably since I prefer that size, so thats all I can afford to pay attention to!!! lol.
 
The Izula is an excellent little blade. I love mine. It’s just a handy knife, period. There are some times when a larger knife would be nice, but if you’re using it for cutting and not batoning or something, it’s a real contender.
 
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